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Reviews > Clothing > Hats > OR Motion Fleece Watch Cap > Paul Schilke > Field ReportField Report: Outdoor Research Motion Fleece Watch Cap6/26/2004 Personal Data Product Information Listed Weight: NA ounces (NA grams) Manufacturer's Claimed Features PowerStretch 50: Soft, stretchy, warm, durable, wind resistant, extremely low-profile, wicks moisture, and dries fast. Beanie-style lid fits easily under a helmet, or stands alone for use as your main cap. With no seam bulk, it lies flush against your head Please read my Initial Report for more background information. Field Report The Motion Fleece Watch Cap is… a hat. In the paragraph above you'll see some claims the manufacturers makes. The hat lives up to the claims listed above, mostly. It is not terribly soft; well it is kinda soft, just not plush and cushy like the word fleece should describe. The Motion Fleece Watch Cap is incredibly stretchy. I can fit ear bud style headphones between it and my head with no discomfort. The Watch Cap seems to be durable. It stuffs down to a size just smaller than a baseball. It fits in the front pocket of my pants and stays there barely perceptible, when no longer needed as the day's hike continues on through warmer weather. The Watch Cap fits comfortable under my baseball cap for the days when I need both protection from a nippy wind and a hat brim to keep the bright sun out of my eyes. The Watch Cap is very wind resistant. The hat stays dry and my hair does too, so it must live up to the claims regarding wicking and drying. I enjoy wearing the on Watch Cap chilly summer nights. Then, I don't have to tuck my head into my sleeping bag hood. To me, it is more useful than a sleeping bag hood because it can also be worn around the campsite. With a lightweight hat such as this I will one day replace, especially for summer use, my hooded sleeping bag with a lighter "hoodless" bag rated to 50º F (10º C). After being stuffed into my pocket, worn on my head for many hikes, and just generally tossed around, the Watch Cap has not developed any runs or deterioration. It is durable thus far. During the summer I've worn it in temperatures ranging from 60° F (16°
C) on down to below 40° F (5° C). Summary I enjoy using this hat. The snug, stretchy fit is great. I've used it roughly a half-dozen times in Southwestern Michigan, including 2 times overnight in a sleeping bag. The Motion Fleece Watch Cap is a stand-alone hat product in cool weather. It might also work in cold weather, especially if the individual is participating in a high-heat generating activity such as cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. In my initial report I talk about using the hat on chilly spring days. I like the look of the Motion Fleece Watch Cap. My girlfriend thinks it looks better than my bulky old fleece hat. Based upon the impression formed when using the hat in 40° F (5°C) temperatures with a mild wind, the hat feels inadequate at first, but warms up with a little activity. Backpacking Background I grew up on a farm and have enjoyed the outdoors for 25 years. In the past 11 years, I've been on several multi-night backpack expeditions. Including 7.5 months hiking 92% of the Appalachian Trail ( a journey in which I achieved 150% of what I set out to do.) I've also hiked 350 miles (564 kilometers) on the North Country Trail through Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I enjoy day hiking and weekend backpack jaunts. My hiking style is lightweight, but I carry the gear needed to be comfortable. Currently my base pack weight ranges near 20 pounds (9 kilograms). Currently I favor the use of an 8 x 10 foot (2.44 x 3.05 meters) silnylon tarp for shelter. Besides food, my synthetic sleeping bag continues to be the heaviest item in my pack, one day I might be able to afford a sleeping bag stuffed with down. Read more reviews of Outdoor Research gear Read more gear reviews by Paul Schilke Reviews > Clothing > Hats > OR Motion Fleece Watch Cap > Paul Schilke > Field Report | |||