Reviews > Clothing > Gloves > Integral Designs Down Mitts > Jack Corrigan > Long Term Report

Product Name:

Integral Designs Down Mitts

Personal Biographical Information:

Name: John (Jack) Corrigan

Age: 40 years old

Gender: Male

Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.8 meters)

Weight: 175 pounds (79 kilograms)

Torso: 20 inches (51 centimeters)

Shoe Size: 9.5 Mens

Email: jack@jackquest.com

Region: Fredericksburg, Virginia (Spotsylvania County)

Report Date: 7JUN2004

Background:

I have always been one to do the outdoor thing as compared to the organized sport thing. It started as a youngster in the Boy Scouts and continues today as an adult. The majority of my experience has been in Pennsylvania but I have hiked, camped or paddled in New York, California and even Alaska. I am also currently a volunteer search and rescue canine handler. Although search and rescue doesn't always result in an overnight or multi-day trip, I am required to be prepared, equipped and trained for it. Training a search dog results in many hours of trekking through the outdoors.

My "style" is best described as recreational camping, mid-weight backpacking (2-3 day treks), day hiking, flat water paddling, hunting and canine search and rescue activities. My last extended (more than 1 week) outing was the summer of 2001, as a volunteer for the Armed Forces Eco-Challenge in interior Alaska. I also include two of my four dogs in most of my outdoor activities.

Product Information:

Manufactured By: Integral Designs

Manufactured Date: 2003

Manufacturer URL: http://www.integraldesigns.com

Listed Weight:
Product Catalog- 3.2 ounces (90 grams)
Product Web Page- 3.2 ounces (90 grams)

Delivered Weight: 4 ounces (113 grams)

Note: Weighed on a digital 0-25 pound postal scale.

Additional Product Information:

Color: Red

Size: Medium

Listed Packed Size:
Product Catalog- 3 by 5 inch (no metric size listed)
Product Web Page- 3 by 5 inch (no metric size listed)

Delivered Packed Size: 3.5 by 6.5 inch (9 by 17 centimeter) Silcoat Stuff Sack

MSRP: $50.00 US Dollars

Location:

Long term testing locations were in Virginia and included Shenandoah National Park/Big Meadows Area (17S 724067mE 4265333mN).

Description of Location:

Long term testing locations were varied, and ranged from lightly forested regions with "elevations" of 150 to 3500 feet (46 to 1100 meters). Trail systems range from established foot paths to undeveloped logging roads.

Weather Conditions:

This long term test period was conducted from approximately January through May.

Conditions were not ideal (unseasonably mild early spring) during the long term test period. The "coldest" temperature was 45°F (7°C).

Product Experience:

The Integral Designs Down Mitts are not currently in use, not for any gear related reason, just lack of cold weather. During field testing I found the I did not need the Down Mitts until temperatures were around the freezing point. I did not experience these temperatures for most of the long term test period.

The Down Mitts are in excellent condition and even after being rolled and stowed in the stuff sack for a couple of months, they fluff right up just like the first time. These mittens have become part of my "emergency" cold weather gear (heavy socks, fleece hat) which are always carried during those changeable weather times or locations.

I really liked the compact size, little weight and the fact that they work. This makes taking them along "just in case" a no-brainer. The Down Mitts are an at rest type hand warmer as my only down side was the inability to easily operate buttons on my GPS or cell phone.

The Integral Designs Down Mitts do perform their main function of warming cold hands, and I would say that they are a "nice-to-have" item. The next to nothing weight and ease of stowage whether in the stuff sack, stuffed in a cargo pant or jacket pocket still makes the choice to carry them an easy one.

TEAM JackQuest
http://www.jackquest.com

Reviews > Clothing > Gloves > Integral Designs Down Mitts > Jack Corrigan > Long Term Report