Reviews > Clothing > Jackets > Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Epic Jacket > Jim Sabiston > Field Report

Big Sky Products Warm-N-Cozy Epic Jacket

Reviewer Information:

Backpacking Background: 

Product Information:

Specifications: 

The Big Sky Warm-N-Cozy Epic Jacket:

The Epic Jacket is incredibly light for a full featured shell. I have weighed it on my digital scale and found it to be .4 oz (11 g) lighter than advertised!

 Trying the jacket on, I found it to have a very pleasant, light feel. It is comparable to a very light windbreaker. At first glance, the Epic Jacket appears to be just that, a windbreaker. Closer examination brings out a wealth of detail, however. For such a light jacket, it is loaded with features. Much of the weight savings is accomplished with clever, minimalist detailing, but without skimping on features. The bulk of the weight savings comes from the use of the Epic fabric. The Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Epic Jacket is made from a very light version of Epic fabric. The material resembles a very light nylon taffeta, but with a very tight weave. The feel resembles that of silk. Unlike most waterproof jackets, that are made of laminated layers of nylon and waterproof and/or breathable fabrics, The Epic fabric is a single, light layer. The material appears to be used exclusively throughout the jacket excepting the mesh pockets, zippers and hook and loop closures.

 A little information about the Epic fabric: Epic is a departure from the current mainstream waterproof/breathable materials. Instead of using laminated layers of different materials, one of which is waterproof and/or breathable, the waterproofing agent is incorporated directly into the threads of the material. This, combined with a fine, tight weave, makes for a material that is highly breathable, and reportedly highly water resistant.

For additional, detailed information about the Epic Jacket, please see my Initial Report.

Field Experience:

Overview: The Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Epic Jacket has been performing surprisingly well on most fronts. With the exception of the zippers, this jacket has really surprised me with its versatility.

I tend to run hot when hiking and climbing. Hitting the right balance of venting in my waterproof/breathable shells has always been a challenge for me, and one that I rarely seem to get just right. The Epic fabric used in the construction of this jacket all but cures this problem. I have used it in a wide variety of conditions, including heavy fog, high winds and freezing temperatures. The only thing I have had to adjust is the layering worn underneath the jacket. For example:

On a recent Catskill traverse of Panther Mountain, with daytime temperature hovering at or below the freezing point and light breezes, I started the climb wearing a short sleeved wool tee shirt and an Arc'Teryx Katabatic wind shirt under the Epic Jacket. As we gained altitude and I heated up from the climb, I removed the wind shirt and used the Epic Jacket as a wind break over just my tee shirt. The breathability of the Epic fabric allowed my perspiration to evaporate quickly but blocked the wind so that I didn't get overly chilled. The result was that I remained comfortably dry and surprisingly warm given the lightness of the fabric. The only time I had to add extra layers was when my energy output decreased, such as when stopping for a lunch break or descending, and adding my wind shirt under the jacket sufficed during these occasions.

The real surprise is that this very same combination works in warmer temperatures as well, such as during two different overnight trips in Harriman State Park. One had daytime temperatures around 50 F (10 C) and the other around 34 F (1 C). The warmer trip traversed a section of the Raccoon Brook Trail to Ramapo-Torne on a rather exposed ridge (by Harriman standards). A strong, damp, foggy wind was blowing across the ridge and the Epic Jacket, once again worn over a wool tee shirt, was just the ticket. The cooler trip was a longish backpack which required crossing over an exposed peak known as the Timp. Again,  the jacket was worn over just a wool tee shirt and that was all I needed for most of the day.

One of my initial concerns about the Epic Jacket was the durability of the fabric. So far, this concern has proven to be unfounded. As the jacket has been worn primarily on maintained trails, wear and tear should not be a major issue. However, the traverse of Panther was done shortly after a significant ice storm. The result was a great deal of branches laden with heavy, clear ice hanging across the trail up and over the peak. A considerable amount of pushing and shoving was required to get through and the Epic Jacket was worn the entire time. I was so busy trying to navigate my way through the thicker patches that I completely forgot that I was wearing a jacket that seems little more than tissue paper at times. When I finally did remember, I gave the jacket a quick once over in a minor panic. I need not have worried. The jacket did not show so much as a scuff or a fray. Whew! I suspect that at least some of the 'durability' is the result of the smooth, almost slick, feel of the fabric. The iced up branches just slipped across the surface. The few times the jacket was rubbed across exposed rock had no noticeable affect. I still would not be inclined to force my way through a briar patch with the jacket, though!

The Details: 

Water resistance: I have worn the jacket in several light rain falls. In those cases the small water droplets beaded up and did not penetrate the fabric. I have not had an opportunity to get the jacket out in a good downpour yet, so the limits of the materials water resistance are still unknown to me.

Hood: The hood is very easy to use. It releases and opens easily and fits well. The chin guard gives good neck protection. Refolding it requires a bit more fussing than opening, but is not at all difficult. To date, I have had no call to use the hood, however.

Pit Zips: The jacket breathes so well I have never had the need to open these even once, even during a hard climb. 

Chest Pocket-Vent zips: These I have used quite a bit and they have provided just the right amount of extra venting when needed.

Zippers (general): Here is where we get to the bad news. The zippers leave a great deal to be desired. I found them a bit balky at first, and this initial impression has not changed. I suspect the impression is augmented by the light Epic material, which tends to move with the zipper when pulled. Opening or closing a zipper requires holding the zipper with both hands when opening or closing them. In my experience, waterproof zippers tend to be a bit stiffer than standard zippers, but the ones on this jacket are even more so than I've experienced before.

Unfortunately, it gets worse. I have found that the zippers are very badly affected by colder temperatures. Once the temperature gets near freezing, the zippers have shown a tendency to fail. So far, the left chest vent/pocket zipper has failed completely. The zippers were getting noticeably stiffer in the cold and the chest zipper failed when I tried to close it early one morning while breaking camp. The zipper first refused to mesh and then pulled right out of the zipper pull when I applied a bit of pressure to it. I attempted to perform a field repair but was unable to do so. During the Panther climb, temperatures dropped to around 20 F (-7 C) during the night. Again, while breaking camp, I put on the jacket and when I attempted to zip up the main front zipper, it went off track and jammed. Remembering the chest zip, I did not force it. I tried gently to get it to zip properly, but it refused to do so. I resigned myself to being stuck with a half-open zip and went on packing my gear. As we were preparing to hit the trail I tried the zipper again and this time it worked fine. Apparently, my body heat was sufficient to warm up the zipper enough that it started working again. In both cases, the zippers were used after the jacket had not been worn during a cold night and had just been put on in the morning.  

Summary:

 Likes:

1 – Really (I mean REALLY) light weight for a fully featured jacket.

2 – Super breathable.

3 – Small pack size.

4 – Versatile. It really works well across a broad temperature range and conditions.

 Dislikes:

1 - The zippers. The zippers need work or replacement. The tendency of the zippers to fail in cold weather is going to put a real damper on my plans to use the jacket during real winter conditions. Having a weather shell that will not close when needed could present a serious safety issue in marginal conditions.

Reviews > Clothing > Jackets > Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Epic Jacket > Jim Sabiston > Field Report