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Gear Reviews
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Tools
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Outdoor Research Prism Cap
Initial Review
March
12, 2006
Tester's Biographical
Information:
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Name: |
Greg Mehojah |
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Age: |
34 |
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Gender: |
Male |
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Height: |
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
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Weight: |
210 lb (95 kg) |
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Head Circ.: |
23 inches (58 cm) |
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Email: |
gmehojah3 at comcast dot net |
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City, State, Country: |
Albuquerque, New Mexico |
Backpacking Background:
I began backpacking this year to reintroduce myself to
the outdoors, and introduce my 10 year old son to backpacking. My
trips are typically 1-2 nights with my son and 2 nights when I solo.
My first season has taken me through desert terrain and high-altitude
meadowlands throughout
New Mexico, as well as day hikes of the
foothills and ridgeline trails of the
Sandia
Mountains in
Albuquerque. I tend to
carry most of the gear when I hike with my son, so I am not a lightweight
hiker, but plan on moving that direction as my son gets older.
Product
Information:
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Product Name: |
Prism Cap |
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Style Number: |
82040 |
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Manufacturer: |
Outdoor Research |
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Year of
Manufacture: |
2005 |
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URL: |
http://www.orgear.com |
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Listed Weight: |
2.6 oz (74 g) (for size L/XL) |
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Weight as Delivered: |
2.4 oz (68 g) (for size L/XL) |
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Size Tested: |
Large/Extra Large |
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Color Tested: |
Mojo Blue |
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Available Sizes: |
Small/Medium
& Large/Extra Large |
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Available
Colors: |
Black,
Mojo Blue, Deep Green |
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MSRP: |
$35.00 US |
Product Description
(from the Manufacturer's website):
The Outdoor Research Prism cap is a standard baseball
style hat constructed with Gore-Tex fabric, which provides waterproof and
breathable protection in backcountry whiteouts. The tricot lining
manages moisture when you're making a steep ascent, and offers warmth as you
make your turns. A shaped, plastic-stiffened bill deflects winter
glare and channels precipitation away from your face, while the tuck-away,
tricot-lined earflaps provide warmth when needed. The external hook
and loop cinch adjustment keeps the Prism firmly seated in all conditions.
Test Unit
Description:
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The Outdoor Research Prism Cap received for testing
appears at first glance to be a standard baseball hat. However,
upon closer inspection, the shape of the hat is where the any
similarities end. The exterior of the Prism Cap is composed of
Gore-Tex fabric, with a bill that employs a plastic core to provide
stiffness. The bill's underside is lined with a gray fabric that
is supposed to reduce winter glare. Above the bill, and at the
center of the cap itself, is stenciled the Outdoor Research logo in a
reflective material. The interior of the cap is lined with a soft
material called tricot, which resembles lightweight fleece.
Earflaps are sewn into the sides of the cap which are tucked into the
cap when not in use. The earflaps are composed of a Gore-Tex
exterior and lined with tricot. The flaps can be deployed down
over the wearer's ears when additional warmth is needed. Along the
rear-exterior of the cap is a strap that
allows for additional tightening of the hat to the wearer, and is
secured by hook and loop material. Adjustments can be made with
one hand. The Prism Cap received for testing is blue with black
trim, black tricot lining, and a silver stenciled "OR" logo. The
underside of the bill is black. |
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Initial Impressions:
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The OR Prism Cap was initially a bit snug when I
first tried it on. I realized, however, that I needed to adjust
the rear strap to achieve a nice fit. Part of the tighter fit
comes from stowing the earflaps into the interior of the hat when not in
use. I found that when the earflaps are deployed, the hat
fit a bit looser, but the earflaps fit nice and snugly around my
ears. The fit of the hat, though a bit snug, is not uncomfortable
to wear. I find that, upon wearing the hat around the house for a
few hours, I can leave the adjustment strap at its loosest setting and
still have a nice fit.
The earflaps are the perfect length for my ears.
When in use, my ears are fully covered by the flaps, and the flaps do
not try to lift away from my head. The lining, for now, feels very
soft and warm, but is not so bulky that they interfere with my
sunglasses or prevent me from hearing. There are no adjustment
straps or cords to further adjust the earflaps to the wearer's head, but
I do not see that any would be needed. When not in use and tucked
away into the hat, the earflaps are not noticeable at all, probably due
in part their lack of bulk. The flaps do not fall down at all, and
are kept snugly in place at all times when wearing the cap.
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The plastic-stiffened bill is.....stiff. It
is not so stiff, however, as to prevent custom shaping to a certain
extent. There are no wires or other molding appliances fitted to
the interior of the bill, and shaping it is not unlike what you would
expect from a baseball hat. I wore the Prism Cap in 15 mph winds
for a short walk through my neighborhood without the bill lifting or
changing shape. The size and shape of the bill appears, for now,
to be similar to my other baseball hats and does not seem like it unduly
blocks or obstructs my view, but still provides sufficient protection
from the sun.
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The quality of the Prism Cap appears to be top
notch! There are no loose threads or seams, and the fabric is
clear of any blemishes or snags. The panels are all well joined
together and there is plenty of tricot material on the inside of the Cap
that it doesn't feel tight, but not so much that it bunches up on my
head when worn. While the manufacturer states that the seams are
all taped, I am unable to verify this because the lining is permanently
attached and does not allow for an inspection of the Gore-Tex shell's
underside. I have no doubt that the seams are taped, however,
because I ran the Prism Cap under the kitchen faucet for about a minute
to test its waterproof abilities, and no water leaked into the tricot
lining.
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Test Plan:
The Outdoor Research Prism Cap will be my primary
outdoor hat during the four-month test phase. I plan to wear the Prism
Cap while engaging in outdoor activities, but will also wear it when I would
normally wear one of my other baseball hats. Test locations will be
primarily in
Albuquerque, but might extend into
Colorado and
Kansas. The Prism Cap will likely
be exposed to a great deal of sun and UV, as well as rain and sub-freezing
temperatures. I also intend to wear the Prism Cap in warmer
temperatures during the last phases of the test period.
Inquiries I will make and comment on during this test
include:
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How well does the Prism Cap fit? Will my somewhat large head fit
comfortably into the cap size I fall into? Does the cap provide
enough adjustment to customize the fit without compromising the ability
of the cap to stay on my head?
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Can I adjust the cinch strap on the back of the cap with one hand, or
while wearing gloves?
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Is the cap comfortable to wear on long, strenuous hikes?
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Does the bill of the hat provide sufficient sun and weather protection?
Is the bill proportionally sized to the larger-sized hat or is it a
"one-bill-fits-all" feature?
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Do the earflaps stay in place when not in use? How snugly do the
earflaps fit my head?
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How well does the Prism Cap breath in cold weather, during both
strenuous and non-strenuous hikes?
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How well does the cap balance warmth with
breathability? Does the cap trap too much heat causing my
heat to unnecessarily sweat? Does the cap
breath too well thus leaving my head cold?
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Does wearing the Prism Cap provide enough warmth that I do not need to
use a different hat, like a balaclava? Can I wear the Prism Cap
over my balaclava if it gets really cold?
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Does wearing the cap interfere with my ability to wear sunglasses, both
when I use the earflaps and when I do not?
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Does the cap provide sufficient weather protection from precipitation
and wind? Can I wear the Prism Cap in high sustained winds?
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Does the dark fabric on the underside of the bill really reduce glare
from the sun?
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How durable is the Prism Cap? Does the cap snag, rip or tear when
caught on branches or scragglies on the
trails?
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If the cap does get caught on branches or downfall, how easily does it
come off my head?
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Does the cap get in the way when trying to bushwhack or get past
obstructions on overgrown trails?
I would like to thank Outdoor Research and Backpack
Gear Test for allowing me to participate in the testing of the Prism Cap.
Read more reviews of Outdoor Research gear
Read more gear reviews by Greg Mehojah
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