Outdoor Research

Motion Fleece Balaclava

Initial Report

Biographical Information:

Name: Chuck Carnes

Age: 34

Gender: Male

Height: 6’0” (1.83 m)

Weight: 175 lbs. (79 kg)

Email address: ctcarnes1(at)yahoo(dot)com

City, State, Country: Taylors, S.C. United States

Date: January 12, 2005

Backpacking Background:

I love the outdoors – I’ve spent time camping in the outdoors since I was born, and have been actively hiking and backpacking for the past ten years. I consider myself a lightweight hiker, usually carrying 20 – 30 pounds (11-13 kg) for hikes up to a week in length. I hike at an easy pace, averaging 2 mph (3 kph). I am a one man tent camper for now until something I like better comes along. I like to carry a single trekking pole when I hike to help relieve stress to my legs and knees. I like to get out on the trail as often as I can.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Outdoor Research

Model: Motion Fleece Balaclava

Size: Large

Color: Black

Year of Manufacture: 2004

URL: www.outdoorresearch.com

Listed Weight: 1 oz (28 g) (web site)

Weight as Delivered: 1 oz (28 g)

MSRP: $27.00

Delivery:

            I received the OR Motion Fleece Balaclava in a white waterproof type package. Along with the balaclava was the OR Celestial Gaiters (separate report). The balaclava had two hang tags that were attached to it by a plastic fastener. The balaclava arrived in excellent condition.

Hang Tag Info:

            On the front and back side of the first hang tag it reads “Outdoor Research” at the top along with their logo. One side reads in English and the other side reads in French. On the sides are the sizes with a yellow sticker over the letter ‘L’ indicating that it is a size large. In the center is the word “Balaclava” with a description of its functionality under it. At the bottom, Outdoor Research tacks on their guarantee that reads “Infinite Guarantee”.

            Inside the folded hang tag is a description and pictures of the different ways that the balaclava can be worn. At the crease where it is folded in the middle is Outdoor Researches web site, phone number, state and city. Below the middle crease is the same description and pictures but the language is in French.

            The second hang tag is Polartec’s description of their product that Outdoor Research has used in the Motion Fleece Balaclava. The specific fabric that Polartec uses in this balaclava is the “Power Stretch” fabric. Inside and on the back of the hang tag, Polartec describes this fabric’s features and functionality in English, French and German.

Initial Inspection:

After careful removal of the hang tags I inspected the balaclava for any snags or extended threads that might cause the seams or fabric to start unraveling. Visually I saw no snags, frays, loose or extended threads. The material is in great shape. It is like a soft spandex type material. I put the balaclava on and it fit perfect. I like the fit against my head and around my face. The natural fit of the opening at the face comes just above my eye brows and comes across the bridge of my nose. I find it very easy to breath through the material while at a restful state. I can not comment on how easy it will be while hiking or doing a strenuous activity. This will certainly be one of the key features that I will report on in my field report. The material is stretchy enough to be able to pull the fabric down away from covering my nose to the underside of my chin. This will come in handy when the weather permits me to wear the balaclava in this fashion or if breathing becomes a problem when it covers my mouth.

The length of the neck portion is long enough to tuck inside my shirt or jacket to protect my neck all the way around. There are two seams that start at the bottom front of the balaclava and run from there, up and over the head to the back. The seams are not sealed in any way but since the balaclava is not waterproof then there is no reason for them to be seam sealed. The seams are very thin and will monitor the comfort of the seams on my head throughout the test period.

Overall I am very happy with the construction and the comfort of the balaclava at this point. The only thing that I expected from seeing the picture on the web site was that I thought the material would feel more like pile fleece. Other than that, it is what I had expected.

Test Plan and Location:
            My test plan for the balaclava will be to wear it every chance I get when it is cold. Whether hiking, backpacking, biking, running or just strolling around the neighborhood I hope to experience every situation that I possibly can for my future reports. Some questions that I will be asking myself throughout the test period and hope to answer will be:

• Does the material make my face or head itch?
• With a some what large opening at the face, will it keep my face warm?
• I would like to see how water proof or resistant it is. Will it keep a light misting rain from soaking my head?
• Will a hat fit on my head while wearing the balaclava?
• Is it comfortable to sleep in if the temps drop real low?
• Since most of the body’s heat escapes through the head, will the balaclava keep this heat at my head to keep me warm?
• At what point will the balaclava not be warm enough for my head?
• Will my breathing be hindered by the material in front of the mouth and nose when performing a strenuous activity?
• Will it keep the cold air out of my ears to prevent an ear ache?
• Will the material that is tucked into my shirt or jacket around my neck feel constricting?
• Can I wear sunglasses while wearing the balaclava?
• At the mouth area, will my breath cause condensation to build up and get wet and cold and possibly freeze depending on the temperatures?

I hope to answer these and other various questions throughout the test period and will report the outcome in my future reports.

I plan to take this light on several planned weekend hiking trips to the Great Smokie Mountains and the Pisgah National Forest where I will use it to the fullest to test these and other features. The elevation and temperature will be noted at the time of testing and will be reflected in my future reports.

Thank you Outdoor Research and BGT for the opportunity to test the Motion Fleece Balaclava.