Product Information:
Manufacturer: Outdoor Research (OR)
Model: Motion Fleece Watch Cap
Year of Manufacture: 2004
URL: http://www.orgear.com
MSRP: $17
Size: Large
Color: black/cranberry

Listed Weight: NA ounces (NA grams)
Verified Weight: 1 ounce (28.4 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

Initial Impressions

The Motion Fleece Watch Cap is the tiniest hat I've ever owned. It is very light in weight; it can be described as "ultra-light". At first glance, the material does not seem to be very wind resistant, nor does it strike me as being very warm. Perhaps that is why I'm testing it in the late spring through the summer and into October. Also at first glance, I would not typify this hat as a stand alone product in harsh weather; it should serve as a great base layer in such weather. Although Outdoor Research typifies this and other hat products made of PowerStretch 50 as fleece hats, I do not believe they qualify as such. PowerStretch 50 has no loft nor any other fleece-like or animal skin characteristics.

The Motion Fleece Watch Cap covers my ears. The front quarter of the hat is stitched with an over turn; the back side of the hat can be pulled down to cover the back of my neck. It fits snugly. It is very comfortable, the most comfortable thermal hat I've ever worn.

The first three days the Motion Fleece Watch Cap was in my possession, I wore it every day in temperatures just under 50° F (10° C). The hat breathed well, didn't seem to collect any sweat and it adequately blocked the wind. As I started off on my walks it seemed the Motion Fleece Watch Cap was inadequate, I soon decided the hat was sufficient as each walk continued as my head produced heat for the PowerStretch 50 to retain. The hat remained very comfortable even when jacked up over my ears for ventilation.

The Motion Fleece Watch Cap is packaged with 2 hangtags. One of the tags contains size, color and style information on one side of the tag. The other side spells out the OR Lifetime Guarantee. The 2nd tag describes the technical features and benefits of PowerStretch 50 and hat construction.

Summary

This is a great hat. The snug fit is great; I just wish the Watch Cap could be tested it in colder weather. Perhaps that opportunity will come in October. It seems to be pretty durable. At this point I believe the Motion Fleece Watch Cap is a stand-alone hat product in cool weather and perhaps in cold weather if the individual is participating in an activity such as cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. In fact I would have appreciated testing this hat when I was snowshoeing last winter.

I like the look of the Motion Fleece Watch Cap. My girlfriend thinks it looks better than my old fleece hat.

Test Plan

I will test the Motion Fleece Watch Cap on many occasions. I will take it with me on an 80 mile (129 kilometer) hike of the High Country Pathway. I will take it with me while backpacking in Wyoming. I will wear it as needed. My field and long term reports will document durability, breathability and wind resistance. I will also test drying capability with a wring and hang dry test. And it's use as pillow bolster might also be tested.

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. In 2002, I spent 7.5 months hiking roughly 2,000 miles (3220 kilometers) of the Appalachian Trail (AT). In 2003 I hiked 350 miles (564 kilometers) on the North Country Trail (NCT) through Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Other outdoor activities within the last 20 years have included rock-climbing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and cycling. Although I have a paralyzed hand which limits my ability to paddle, I've ridden inside a canoe on the Green River through Canyon Lands National Park in Utah.

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). On the AT, I carried only a silnylon poncho tarp that measured 3 x 8 foot (0.91 x 2.44 meters). On the North Country Trail I used an 8 x 10 foot (2.44 x 3.05 meters) silnylon tarp, with a hiking staff, an alcohol stove and a titanium pot. Besides food, my synthetic sleeping bag continues to be the heaviest item in my pack. One day I will purchase a down sleeping bag.

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Initial Report