I've been camping since my teens. My outdoor activities include backpacking, canoeing, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering and cross country skiing. I have expanded my backpacking to include winter mountaineering, back country skiing and ski backpacking. I have received winter mountaineering training with Chauvin International Climbing Guides. I actively study ways to backpack lighter and more efficiently. During the summer months, my style tends toward very light, but not quite ultralight. I use a hammock or tarp for warm weather, and a small four-season tent for winter trips. Most of my other gear is very changeable, as I am constantly experimenting with gear and techniques.

Product Information:

Manufacturer:	Big Sky Products
Year of Manufacture:	2005
URL:	www.bigskyproducts.com

Specifications:

Weight (Manufacturer’s):	9.4 oz (266 g)
Weight (as measured):	9.0 oz (255 g)
Size:	Large
Color:	Light Grey (only color currently available)

MSRP:

$99.99 US

The Big Sky Warm-N-Cozy Epic Jacket:

The Big Sky Warm 'N Cozy Epic Jacket is constructed of fabric. 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.

Fig. 1 - The author wears the Big Sky Warm 'N Cozy Epic Jacket on the approach to the summit of Panther Mountain.

Long Term Experience:

Note: In response to the issues experienced with the zippers discussed in the Field Report, Big Sky Products requested that we return the jackets to have the zippers replaced. Apparently the original zippers were defective. When the jackets were returned, I examined the zippers very carefully. The new zippers were clearly of better quality than the originals. The mating edges of the zipper halves on the originals were not completely smooth, as if the underlying fabric was showing through the waterproof layer. The new zippers have a smooth finish and seem to operate more easily. One of the issues I experienced with the original zippers was their balky cold weather performance. I cannot evaluate any changes in this aspect with the new zippers as we are well into the spring season in the Northeast. However, the quality of the new zippers appears to be similar to that of other waterproof shells in my inventory and these work fine in cold weather.

The Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Epic Jacket continues to perform very well and has proven to be very versatile.

One of my primary interests in the Long Term portion of the test was to determine how waterproof the jacket's Epic fabric would be. I have not been disappointed. I have had the opportunity to wear the Warm N' Cozy Epic Jacket on several day long hikes and canoe trips in the rain. The rain has varied from a light mist to solid, if brief downpours. In spite of a lack of seam sealing, the jacket has yet to leak. Frankly, I am a bit surprised at how well the jacket performed in heavy rain conditions. In the first few times I exposed the jacket to heavy rain (short periods at home before I committed myself to the woods!) the Epic material seemed to be showing signs of wetting out. Accordingly, I packed a spare Gore-Tex shell on my hikes - 'just in case'. I need not have worried.

For the most part, rain tends to bead up and roll off the Epic fabric, regardless of how heavy the rain is coming down. I paid particular attention to the areas under my pack straps and belt, assuming that any rain water getting into these areas would be subject to pressure and possibly end up being pushed through the fabric. What I found is that the water cannot bead up in these areas and instead gets 'flattened' into the fabric by the straps, as I expected. It is here that the fabric shows signs of wetting out. Curiously, however, I have yet to see any water make it through the fabric. My shirts are always perfectly dry when I take the jacket off, even after nine hours of constant, mixed rain exposure. The more I use the jacket, the greater my confidence in it grows.

When I am working hard in heavy rain, the jacket can get clammy inside, but unlike laminated shells, the sensation disappears almost as soon as the rain lets up and the Epic fabric starts breathing again. The jacket dries very, very quickly - likely a function of the breathability and thin fabric.

Wear and Tear? Nothing to mention. There are some minor dirt scuffs and stains, but nothing serious. I suspect the very slick, silk-like finish allows the jacket to slide across most surfaces without abrading. This does not mean I would treat this jacket like one of my toughened climbing shells, but it is much more durable than the light fabric would lead me to believe. I suspect it would be easily penetrated by sharp thorns and the like, so I tend to avoid exposing the jacket to obvious hazards as much as is practical.

The only complaint I can come up with still concerns the zippers. Not the zippers themselves, actually, but the zipper pull on the main front zipper. The zipper is of the two-way variety - it can be unzipped from the top or bottom when closed. The two piece slider is a bit fussy to get started. I minor detail, but potentially frustrating when I'm trying to close the jacket in a sudden downpour. Does the double slider serve a purpose on this jacket? They are handy on climbing jackets, as the lower slider can be used to clear a harness, but I do not envision this jacket being used as a serious climbing jacket. Then again, I could be wrong. I suppose one might use the jacket in light weight adventure racing situations, where the jacket would perform nicely and climbing harnesses sometimes are used.

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.

5 - It really seems to be waterproof.

Dislikes:

1 - just that little nit-pick with the double slider on the front zipper.

This jacket has proven to be enormously versatile and has exceeded my expectations on several fronts. The combination of breathability and waterproofness can't be beat. The combination of the Epic fabric and multiple venting zippers make it difficult to overheat in this jacket, certainly more so than any other waterproof shell I've used. Would I take the Warm 'N Cozy Epic Jacket as my only waterproof shell into a tropical monsoon season? I don't know if I'd try that, but the jacket has proven to be up to anything a typical Northeast Spring can throw at it. I will continue to use the jacket as my primary weather shell year round in all but the most extreme conditions.

Read more reviews of Big Sky International gear
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Long Term Report

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