Reviews > Clothing > Jackets > Big Sky Products Convertible Jacket > Pam Wyant > Field Report

Field Report: Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Better-than-Fleece Convertible Sweater and Jacket

The Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Better-than-Fleece Convertible Sweater and Jacket are insulated garments consisting of a soft and silky 100% nylon shell and lining with 100% Polyester (PrimaLoft) insulation.  The Convertible Sweater has zippers that allow the sleeves to be removed, converting it to a vest, and is sized to be worn over a base layer and under the Better-than-Fleece Jacket.  The Better-than-Fleece Jacket is sized to be worn over a base layer and a sweater or other mid-layer, and under the Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Epic Jacket.  For a more detailed description of the Convertible Sweater and Jacket, please see my Initial Report.

The first time I used the Convertible Sweater and Jacket was during a Leave-No-Trace training course, at one of our local Girl Scout camps.  Most of the weekend activities took place in the camp lodge, so I didn't need a lot of warmth, but the jacket was very welcome for the outdoor activities, with temperatures ranging from around 40 F (5 C) to 70 F (20 C).  A friend of mine liked the Jacket so well she ordered one of her own the next Monday!  Like me, she felt the silky smoothness combined with the light insulation made it one of the most comfortable jackets she had ever worn.

The next trip for the Convertible Sweater and Jacket was to a different Girl Scout camp, where I was training other adult volunteers to camp with troops.  The weekend was cool and rainy, with night time lows in the 30 F (0 C) range and day time highs around 60 F (15 C).  I was very pleased with the fit, feel, and warmth of both Better-than-Fleece garments.  The Convertible Sweater was warm and cozy over a base layer on its own in the 40 - 60 F (5-15 C) range, and the Big Sky Products Epic Jacket I was also testing fit very well over the Sweater, adding a small degree of warmth, and a large degree of rain protection.  I kept the Convertible Sweater under my camp pillow when I crawled under my sleeping quilt at night, adding a little cushioning and keeping it handy where I could pull it under my quilt and over my torso toward morning for a bit of extra warmth and to warm the Sweater before I put it on to brave the morning cold.  I used the Jacket only briefly over the Sweater late in the evening and early in the morning when temperatures dipped closer to 30 F (0 C), and found it comfortable and warm.  Many of the training participants had not packed enough warm clothing, so we kept a steady fire going throughout the day.  Unfortunately the outdoor chimney didn't draw as well as it could have, and all my layers ended up smelling like campfire smoke.  Not a huge problem at camp, but I was leaving for what was planned to be an 8-day trip on the Appalachian Trail the following morning, and really didn't want to smell smoke throughout my pack at the beginning of my trip.  So on the night before my AT trip started, I quickly washed both Sweater and Jacket, using the gentle cycle, warm water, and a small amount of my normal laundry detergent.  I am delighted to report the garments washed well, smelled clean, and dried quickly in the dryer set on standard heat.

Packing for my Appalachian Trail trip, I was pleased to find the Convertible Sweater and Jacket compressed well and packed small.  I was able to pack both Sweater and Jacket, light and mid-weight long underwear bottoms, a long-sleeved UnderArmour shirt, a mid-weight Capilene zip-T, two pairs of wool socks, 2 pairs of undies, a fleece hat, light fleece gloves, a light sleeveless tank, and a light pair of polyester shorts all inside a 16 L stuff sack, with a little room to spare.  I had expected temperature down into the 20 F (-5 C) range at night during this trip, but it turned out temperatures were running much warmer than usual, with most nights running about 35-45 F (0-10 C).  I found the Convertible Sweater or Jacket both worked well to keep me warm with a base layer at these temperatures, and especially when I added the Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Epic Jacket when it was windy.  I only used the two together on one cooler evening, but again found they worked well together.  On this trip, the Sweater and Jacket also doubled as my pillow.  I could stack the two alone, or use them in my clothing stuff sack.  In general, I found I preferred using them loose in my hammock where I don't need a lot of head support due to the slope of the hammock body, and on the one night I ended up sleeping in a shelter after 30 mph (50 kph) pulled my hammock tarp stake out twice, I found I liked stuffing the Sweater and the Jacket into a stuff sack for a pillow.  For some reason, on this and other recent trips, I have been waking around 4 AM feeling cool, even with an adequate sleeping bag, and I have really appreciated the extra insulation these jackets provide when I pull them over my torso, hips, and legs underneath my quilt, immediately increasing my comfort level.  Either piece is easy to stuff in the top of my pack for use during breaks along the trail, and I found I often did this since AT breezes can be cool against sweat-soaked shirts.  Our trip ended up being 7 days on the trail instead of 8, with 4 nights on the trail and 3 in cabins or hostels (due to the knee injury of a friend), and I was well pleased with the versatility, compressibility, and warmth of both pieces.

Two days after my return from the Appalachian Trail, I headed out for a weekend workshop teaching Leave-No-Trace and canoeing, where I experienced lots of "on and off" rain, and temperatures around 40 - 60 F (5-15 C), perfect conditions for the Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Better-than-Fleece Jacket to be worn under the Warm-n-Cozy Epic Jacket.  I found the Better-n-Fleece Jacket added just the right touch of warmth under the Epic Jacket in these conditions - when I tried wearing only the Epic Jacket, I could feel the cold rain pressing in against my skin, especially in the neck and shoulder area.

I've alternated wearing the Warm-n-Cozy Better-than-Fleece Jacket and Convertible Sweater for a couple of additional weekends at Girl Scout camp (bringing along both, but only wearing one at a time due to the temperature ranges), worn them alternately for everyday use on several cooler evenings, and packed (and worn) them on a weekend trip to North Carolina.  I found the way they pack down so small especially useful on this trip, because I needed to travel light due to limited luggage space (7 of us, including a 2 year old and a 5 month old who needed lots of clothing, diapers, and gear, traveling in a Chevy Suburban).  I was able to fit both Sweater and Jacket in a small weekend duffel with my clothing.  Again, I only wore one at a time, but it was nice to know the other was readily available in case weather had been cooler.

Conclusions so far:

I've found the loose fit of the Sweater and Jacket (see my Initial Report for more details on the fit) comfortable, and am happy that it has proven efficient at keeping me warm.  Although the sleeves are a little long on me, the elastic at the wrists has proven sufficient to keep them positioned okay so far. I can comfortably raise my arms without the sleeves pulling up while wearing either the Jacket or Sweater, and both allow full freedom of movement without binding.  The collar and zippers are comfortable against my neck.  Since the weather has proven to be warm for the most part, I haven't yet worn either under my pack, but there don't appear to be any seams in places that would rub or feel uncomfortable if I did.

The fabric is silky smooth feeling, moves smoothly against base layers, and even when worn against bare arms has never felt clammy or sticky.  It appears to breathe relatively well, since both the Sweater and the Jacket stayed relatively dry the few times I overheated and sweat in them before taking them off.  The Pertex fabric does seem wind resistant in my use so far, and it does not seem to built up static or cling.  After one trip, I thought I would need to wash the Jacket due to dust that had accumulated, but was surprised to find the dust had brushed off on its own while it was packed away.  Both Sweater and Jacket have been washed twice so far, with good results.  So far, I have noticed no pilling or areas of wear.  I do have some trouble with the zipper snagging in the fabric, but so far, it has been relatively easy to unsnag it without damaging the fabric.  The hand warmer pockets seem well positioned, and large enough to hold a variety of items such as sunglasses, small container of sunscreen, lip balm, or snack.  I've also found them handy for using as a cozy - when rehydrating a freeze bag breakfast or dinner, slipping it inside the pocket helps keep it warm to hydrate the food more quickly and keep it at a better temperature for eating (plus the added bonus of a nice hand warmer on a cool morning).

The compressibility is a real plus.  I found I could pack both Sweater and Jacket in a small stuff sack that came with my husband's down jacket, along with a light fleece hat and a light pair of fleece gloves, for a package about 10 x 7 x 5 in (25 x 18 x 13 cm).

Testing Plan -

Field Information:

Additional testing of the Sweater and Jacket will be on the trails of West Virginia or adjacent areas of Virginia, mainly in mountainous terrain, for weekend backpacking trips varying from 7-10 m (11-32 km) with elevations from 2500 to over 4000 ft (750 to over 1200 m) and temperatures that may range from lows around 30 F (0 C) to highs up to 80 F (25 C).   I'll also be using them at weekend Girl Scout camps in the eastern and central part of the state, with elevations from 550 to 1000 ft (150 to 300 m) where temperatures will likely be similar to slightly warmer.  Although temperatures are warming up, I'll wear one or the other for every day use or day-hiking trips when temperatures are in appropriate ranges.  West Virginia’s mountain trails typically involve a lot of uphill and downhill hiking from moderate to steep, and several creek crossings.  The weather can vary from bright and sunny to day long rain and anything in between.  Rainfall is usually ample in West Virginia, with normal monthly levels ranging from 3-5 inches.  Humidity levels during June and July are often high.

Test Strategy:

Fabric –I hope to better test the water resistant properties of the Pertex, and continue to monitor it for breathability, softness, and durability.  Do I note any changes over the course of the test?

Fit – Does the fit continue to feel comfortable?  Do I note any cool spots, or spots that irritate my skin?

Quality of construction/durability – Do any flaws in the fabric or construction of the sweater or jacket become apparent over the remaining course of the test?  Do any seams come apart or does the fabric fray anywhere during the test period?  Does the fabric pill or pick?  Has the insulation developed lumpy spots or gaps?  Have any holes, tears or excessively worn areas developed?  Do the zippers continue to function adequately?

Packability – Is it easy to store the sleeves away when I want to wear the convertible sweater as a vest?

Design – Do I find the zippered, removable sleeves of the convertible sweater useful for venting to alleviate overheating?  Can they be unzipped with the jacket on?  If so, how easy or difficult is it?  Can I unzip them while wearing a pack?  Are the zipper pulls easy to operate under various conditions, such as in wet weather, or with gloves on?

Personal impressions – Do I continue to like the Sweater and Jacket as well as I do now?  Do I plan to continue wearing the sweater and jacket on all or most backpacking trips, or will I retire them to casual wear after the test period?

Likes –

Dislikes –

Thanks to Big Sky Products and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to test the Warm-n-Cozy Better-than-Fleece Convertible Sweater and Jacket.

Reviews > Clothing > Jackets > Big Sky Products Convertible Jacket > Pam Wyant > Field Report