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Item Receipt:
Both the jacket and sweater where received as expected based
on my review of the Big Sky Products website. My only comment is that
I expected the jacket and sweater to be bulkier than they are a.k.a. a down
jacket. There lack of comparative bulk, assuming the warmth is there is a
bonus from my perspective being a Polartec 300 fleece wearer for some time
and always cursing the amount of space my fleece takes up in the pack. [Click here to
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First Impressions:
Continuing the theme from above, I am impressed with the lack
of bulk and the ease with which both the jacket and sweater can be
compressed down reducing bulk in my pack. On the downside the combined
weight of 780 g (27.50 oz) is a bit high in my view. Experience may
show that I actually can use just the sweater or just the jacket under most
of my walking conditions which would be a bonus and be a distinct advantage
with this system. Having this flexibility is a counter to
the weight in my view and I look forward to seeing how this flexibility is functional for
me.
Going over the jacket and sweater, I found no loose
threads or evidence of poor sewing or other poor workmanship. Great to see a
product well finished.
The Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Better-than-Fleece
Jacket
As described above the jacket is an insulated jacket
(PrimaLoft Sport 1.8 oz (60 g)) with an outer shell made of Pertex
Microlight with a DWR finish which Big Sky Products is for "lightweight
durability." I guess I shouldn't go off-track scrub walking with this
jacket! The jacket is marketed as having the warmth of a down jacket
with the advantage of the synthetic insulation when wet. I will look to test
these attributes over the testing period. The jacket has a full length
frontal YKK zip, running from the hem to the top of the collar. The jacket
material does fold over the zip when it is closed. The jacket also has two
hand-warmer pockets with YKK zips and material flaps. Around the hem are two
elastic drawcords allowing for the cinching up of the hem if necessary to
keep warmth in. Finally the wrist cuffs are elastic but there is no
means of tightening up the cuffs against one's wrist. The jacket also has no
hood.
The jacket is sized to be worn over a heavy sweater or
mid-layer hence appear to have a larger size than the sizing label would
initially suggest. My jacket is sized XXL and comfortably fits over my XL
sweater. I am also comfortable going just with the jacket as its sizing
gives me that option to add a mid-layer should I desire.
The Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Better-than-Fleece
Convertible Sweater
The sweater has all the features of the jacket described
above with the added option of zip-able sleeves, hence the product name,
convertible sweater. The convertible sweater is designed as a mid-layer to
be worn over base layers but under a outer layer such as jacket, hence
my sweater size is normal size whereas my jacket is sized up. Getting back
to those sleeves. The are zipped at the shoulder using YKK zips with a
material flap falling over the zip. This is a cool feature in my view as it
provides effectively a mid-layer, a potential outer-layer if the temps are
conducive, and a vest if the arms are zipped off. My only downside so far
with the sweater is the weight, but hey, you can't have everything!
In summary, given my first impressions I am looking
forward to playing with, I mean testing the jacket and sweater.
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Testing Strategy:
My testing plan is centred around a forthcoming eight day
walk on the south coast of Western Australia and then weekend walks as we
head into our winter over the remaining test period. The sort of things I
will be focusing on are:
- Functionality of the jacket/sweater/vest combination
that these two products provide;
- Warmth they provided both in dry conditions and wet
conditions;
- Durability of the material during wearing around camp,
day to day wear and backpacking keeping in mind the lightweight durability
of the material;
- Wind resistance of the jacket and sweater;
- Resistance to rain and when damp, how do they perform
keeping me warm;
- Functionality of the zippers;
- Functionality of the drawcords
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