Sierra Designs Hurricane LT Jacket and Pants

- Initial Report -
October 2005

Below you will find:

1) Sierra Designs Hurricane LT Jacket and Pants Specifications
2) Co-Tester Information
3) Sierra Designs Hurricane LT Jacket and Pants Initial Report and Test Plan
4) Tester Background and Contact Information

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1) Sierra Designs Hurricane LT Jacket and Pants Specifications   Jacket and Pants Size: XS Jacket Weight: 7.3oz (208gm) Pant Weight: 3.8oz (108gm) Stuff Sacks: 0.4oz (11gm) each Jacket and Pants Material: 100% nylon with DWR and polyurethane coating Jacket Color: Tiger Lily Pants Color: Charcoal Manufacturer Website: www.sierradesigns.com MSRP: $39.99US for the jacket, No listed price for the pants

2) Co-Tester Information

Name: Ethan Peterson
Age: 3
Gender: Male
Height: 3'3" (0.91 m)
Weight: 33 lbs. (15 kg)
Molehill Mt. Equipment Size: 4T/5T
Email address (Using Papa's): curt<at>boopants<dot>com
Location: North Bend, Washington, USA

I'm a ridiculously cute and very active 3 year old. I hike on a trail every single day with my mommy and papa and dog. We go on the trail to the lake and throw rocks in the water. I live in the mountains where it can get pretty cold and fleece jackets are a great way to keep warm without overheating – especially when you're as much of a wild child as I am. My Papa got me skis and is going to teach me how to ski this winter. I can't wait. I even skied on the grass in July just to try it out! I should be able to use the jacket a whole bunch because I don't sleep. Ever.
 

3) Sierra Designs Hurricane LT Jacket and Pants Initial Report and Test Plan

Initial Report

The Sierra Designs Hurricane LT jacket and pants are technical rain wear made for kids.  They feature many of the same characteristics that adult products do in a smaller package.  These are not the classic "rubber ducky" rain wear commonly available for youth, but full-on waterproof/breathable items for active little ones in wet conditions.

The sizing of the Hurricane LT rain wear is a bit of a mystery.  There is no sizing chart for the youth sizes on the Sierra Designs website.  Even major retailers like REI only list the men's and women's charts.  Based on information for the Sierra Designs Microlight line BackpackGearTest received, the sizing chart is as follows:

This is relative, of course, because no other sizing information is available such as height or weight.  Ethan is a 3/4 in most products he wears now, however, so we went with that size.  Based on an initial fitting, I'd say that compared to "normal" 3/4 sizing, the Hurricane LT rain gear runs a bit big, although not so much as to be a problem.  In fact, I actually appreciate it this way because it will allow the product to be used for a longer time and takes into account kids' incredible growth rate.  As it is now, the jacket and pants fit a little bit baggy over thick under layers like fleece.

The style of the Hurricane LT jacket and pants is similar to most polyurethane-base waterproof-breathable jackets available for adults: a single layer material with no liner.  The jacket and pants are each a solid color right down to the subtle embroidered logo.  As a parent, it's nice to see that a manufacturer has shown some restraint and not used toddlers as walking billboards.  In fact, it's probably impossible to note the manufacturer of the Hurricane LT rain wear unless one is within arm's reach of them.

The features on these items are many, and more typical of quality adult rain gear than children's.  The jacket includes a 7 piece hood with attached draw-cord toggles on each side and a snap closure over the chin.  This closure tops out the full-length coil zipper that includes a sewn pull-cord and features a full internal storm flap and external Velcro storm flap.  The waist draw-cord includes toggles on each side - attached with a small webbing loop just like the hood.  Generous pockets/core vents run from the chest to the waist and include zippers with a sewn pull-cord and Velcro storm flap.  The inside of the pockets are mesh, typically built this way to increase ventilation when pockets are open.  Both pockets can also be used to stash items on the inside separate from the main pocket, and the wearer's left internal pocket includes an extra layer of mesh creating another internal pocket on that side.  In all, that give little ones 2 outside pockets and 3 inside pockets to hide candy from mom and dad.  All seams on the jacket are fully taped.

The pants are relatively simple.  There is no fly - they have an elastic waist with a draw-cord as well.  Again, the draw-cord is attached making one-handed use simple.  There are two angled side pockets just fore of the side seam.  The ankles are left open (no elastic) and seem wide enough to fit over most footwear.  They can be cinched down with attached draw-cord toggles.  Like the jacket, the pant seams are fully taped for waterproofing.

Overall, these are very clean and impressive pieces on first inspection.  They are certainly the most technical products I've seen for a 3 year old.  The obvious question that comes to mind is how a toddler would use the features, but I imagine they are as much for the adults as they are the little ones.

Test Plan

We will test the Sierra Designs Hurricane LT Jacket and Pants in the fall and early winter months here in Washington State – the test timing is perfect for rain gear. We will undoubtedly use it in snowy conditions while skiing, but most use will be on local trails accessible and exciting enough for a 3 year old. Typical use will range from 1500 feet (460 meters) on valley trails to over 4,000 feet (1220 meters) on ski slopes. Temperatures will likely range from the mid teens F (-11 to -8 C) to the mid 50s F (11 to 14 C).

The rain gear will go on every trip Ethan goes on - dayhikes, backpacking trips, and ski days.  We will test the jacket and pants in various conditions and report on the  following aspects.


Fit: Obviously this is crucial. Do the chart specifications translate to a good fit for little ones?

Safety: Are the jacket and pants safe for little people?

Comfort: Are they comfortable? Does Ethan like to wear them or are they scratchy or binding, etc.?

Ease of Use: This is primarily for the parents – are they easy to zip up on a squirmy kid?

Features: How do they function? Are they all useful and easy to use?  Do the vents stay open, for example? Are the pockets accessible when wearing a pack? Do zippers run smoothly?

Durability: Does it last? Kids are hard on clothing – are the Hurricane items built for the abuse kids dish out? Do threads unravel? Are there any reinforcements?

Water Resistance: How do the Jacket and Pants handle drizzle and light precipitation? Does water bead up on the surface or does it wet out?

Water Proofing: Obviously a vital feature of a waterproof- breathable clothing. Simply, do they keep precipitation from entering the jacket?

Water Accumulation / Drying Time:  Do the jacket and pants wet out significantly? Do they get heavy with accumulated water, and how long do they take to dry if they do get saturated? Can body heat dry them out?

Breathability:  How wet do the jacket and pants get on the inside?  Does even the relatively small amount of sweat a toddler produces overwhelm the material's ability to breathe?

Active Use:  How do they perform in real-world use? Do they bind? Can they easily be packed and unpacked?

Venting:  How do the vents work? Can they be opened and closed to significantly increase airflow or do the vents add little real venting?

Our thanks to BackpackGearTest.org and Sierra Designs for the opportunity to test the Hurricane LT jacket and pants!


4) Tester Background and Contact Information

Name: Curt Peterson
Age: 33
Gender: Male
Height: 6'3" (1.91 m)
Weight: 270 (122 kg)
Email address: curt<at>boopants<dot>com
Location: North Bend, Washington, USA

I live in the Cascade foothills, just 20 miles (32 km) from the PCT via footpaths leading right from my backyard. Most of my outdoor time is spent here in Washington on dayhikes, backpacking trips, climbs, and ski outings everywhere from the Olympic coast to the rainforests to the massive Cascade volcanoes to dry steppe.

I played football in college and often evaluate products from a big guy perspective. I tested gear for Seattle's biggest gear retailer in the mid-90s, then guided backpacking tours in Olympic National Park for a few summers. My typical pack load ranges from 12 to 19 lbs (5.4 to 8.6 kg) and usually includes gear to keep dry in the Pacific Northwest's incessant dampness.

10/25/05