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Sierra Designs Hurricane Rain Pants and Parka
Field
Report
January 10, 2006
Tester Bios
Child
Name: Cameron Smith
Age: 6
Gender: Male
Height: 3’ 10” (1.17 m)
Weight: 40 lb (18 kg)
Chest: 21.5 in (55 cm)
Waist: 20.5 in (52 cm)
Hips: 25.5 in (65 cm)
Arm Length: 18 in (46 cm)
Inseam: 17.5 in (44.5 cm)
Backpacking Background: Cameron has been camping and hiking since he was about
18 months old. He will currently carry up to 5 lb (2.5 kg) of his own gear.
Cameron is very comfortable sleeping in his own tent, and has expressed interest
in trying hammock camping. Cameron is growing into an avid outdoorsman, always
asking when the next trip to the woods is.
Adult
Name: Anthony (TJ) Smith
Age: 30 years old
Gender: Male
Height: 5’10” (1.78 m)
Weight: 155 lbs (73 kg)
Email address: tjsmith1946@gmail.com
City, State, Country: Pensacola, Florida USA
Backpacking Background: I have been camping for a little over 5 years now, mostly
car camping. I have recently begun backpacking, and I am constantly adding new
gear to my “collection” in an effort to get my gear list tailored
more towards backpacking. Most of my backpacking trips are short duration, not
more than one or two nights. I am planning some longer trips in the near future.
My current pack weight is around 15-20 lb (7-9 kg) without food and water, depending
on if I'm solo camping or taking my son along, as I have to carry some of his
gear. I am a dedicated hammock camper and have tailored my personal gear to
that aspect of camping.
Product Information
Year of Manufacture – 2005
Manufacturer URL – www.sierradesigns.com
| Item | Pants | Parka |
| Size Tested | Small |
Small |
| Color Tested | Charcoal |
Navy |
| Stated Weight |
N/A |
N/A |
| Weight as Delivered (including stuff sack) |
4.4 oz (126 g) |
8.4 oz (236 g) |
| Inseam |
19.5 in (49.5 cm) |
N/A |
| Waist |
30 in (76.2 cm) |
33.5 in (85.1 cm) |
| Length |
28 in (71 cm) |
21.5 in (54.6 cm) back length |
| Sleeve Length | N/A |
23.25 in (59 cm) |
| Stuffed Size (Approx) |
5.5 x 2.5 in (14 x 6.3 cm) |
6.25 x 3 in (15.9 x 7.6 cm) |
| MSRP (USD)
|
N/A |
N/A |
Initial Information/Observations
 
For more information, please see our Initial Report.
Field Information
The Hurricanes will continue be tested in a variety of locations throughout
Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama. During the testing period, expected
weather conditions range from a high near or just above 80 F (27 C) to lows
approaching or creeping to near 20 F (-7 C). We also anticipate varied levels
of precipitation, from bright sunny days with low humidity all the way to torrential
downpours.
We have numerous trips planned during the remaining test period to include a
3 night backpacking trip, several one night trips, and several day trips that
the Hurricanes will be utilized on. In addition, Cameron will use the Hurricanes
around town should any precipitation occur.
During the Field Report period, we experienced very limited precipitation, mostly at night and early in the morning while Cameron was asleep. As of this report, we were only able to utilize the Hurricanes on one overnight trip, and only for a few hours during that time. We are hoping for a good deal more precipitation during the remaining test period.
Date: December 3-4, 2005
Location: Karick Lake Campground, Baker, Florida
Weather: Overcast skies with some precipitation, temperatures ranged from 76
F (24 C) to 55 F (13 C). We experienced about 20 minutes of heavy rainfall,
and about 2 hours of condensation dripping from the trees after that.
Cameron wore the Hurricanes during the downpour and did not experience any wetness
to his clothes. His uncovered shoes, however, were quite another story. Cameron
did not complain of any leakage from any of the seams, and the fasteners on
the jacket did a very good job of keeping any of the rain from coming through
the front of the jacket. The hood was more than adequate to keep the rain from
his head and face as well. After the downpour, Cameron came out of the pants
and wore the jacket a bit longer. Even with the high humidity following the
rain storm, the Hurricanes dried very rapidly, being completely dry before the
trees quit dripping on us. During this use, Cameron did not complain about being
hot while wearing both the jacket and the pants, or while wearing the jacket
alone.
Cameron put the gear on by himself, and did not have any problems with getting the jacket on and fastened, or getting the pants on over his shoes. He did have a little trouble finding the drawstrings for the bottom of the pant legs and getting those cinched, but once he was shown how they work I feel he will be better able to handle this on his own in the future.
Continued Test Plan
Among the items we intend to continue to explore with the Sierra Designs Hurricanes
are:
Durability
1. How well constructed are the seams on both the jacket and the pants? How
well do they hold up to the “gentle” care a 6 year old provides
his gear?
2. How well constructed are the pants, especially around the knees?
3. How well does the jacket handle being worn while a backpack is carried?
4. How well does the rain gear handle being packed into and pulled out of Cameron’s
backpack?
Comfort
1. How well does this system prevent Cameron from getting wet in rain,
potentially even in a downpour?
2. Does Cameron complain of being hot while wearing this rain gear, or does
it seem to be comfortable for him?
3. Is the gear comfortable for Cameron to wear while carrying his backpack?
Function
1. The jacket appears to have both a zipper and snaps for fastening. How
easy is this for small hands to fasten?
2. How easy are the pants to get on and off, given a variety of shoes?
3. How easy is it for Cameron to get the jacket and pants into the included stuff sack? Is he able to do this on his own, or does he require adult assistance?
Any other issues that arise during our testing will also be reported on.
Our thanks to Sierra Designs and BackpackGearTest for allowing us to test this
item.
Read more reviews of Sierra Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by Anthony Smith
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