Test Series
by
Andrew Preece
Initial Report June 16th 2008
Field Report August 2008
Long Term Report Due October 2008
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Photo courtesy of Columbia |
Contents
Initial Report
Test Plan
Field Report
Summary
My Details |
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Personal Details
Name: Andrew Preece
Age: 46
Gender: Male
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight: 188 lb (85 kg)
Waist: 39 in (100 cm)
Sleeve Length: 20 in(53 cm)
Chest: 42.5 in (108 cm)
Neck: 16 in (40 cm)
Email: andrew_at_teamgunnparker_dot_com
City: Perth.
Western Australia.
Australia. |
Backpacking Background
I have done a lot of hiking over the years but now carry a
hammock and
gear for overnight stays of one to two nights. I normally carry
approximately 35 lb (16 kg) which includes food and water. My trips are
usually between one to two days duration mainly over weekends. I hike
all seasons with winter temperatures ranging from 39 F (4 C) to 64 F (18
C) including periods of heavy rain at times to summer conditions with
the temperature ranging from 68 F (20 C) to 95 F (35 C) and very dry. |
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Initial Report
May 16th 2008
The Columbia Slipstream
jacket is wind and water resistant for protection in breezy conditions.
It is very light weight and packs into its own stuff sack located inside
the jacket on the front left hand side. The jacket feels nice and soft
to the touch and comfortable to wear. I ordered an XXL size as I wanted
to be able to wear it over a thin micro fleece pullover. The jacket fits
well this way and fits just as well over a shirt too.
The jacket that I am testing comes in a choice of four colours.
*Sail Red
*Black
*Curb
*Columbia Navy
And available sizes are : S, M, L, XL, XXL
Men's Sizes
| Size Range |
S |
M |
L |
XL |
XXL |
| Chest (inches) |
35-38 (89 cm-97 cm) |
38-41 (97 cm-104 cm) |
42-45 (107 cm-114 cm) |
46-49 (117 cm-124 cm) |
50-53 (127 cm-135 cm) |
| Waist (inches) |
29-32 (74 cm-81 cm) |
32-35 (81 cm-89cm) |
36-39 (91 cm-99 cm) |
40-43 (102 cm-109 cm) |
44-47 (112 cm-119 cm) |
| Sleeve Length (inches) |
33 (84 cm) |
34 (86 cm) |
35 (89 cm) |
36 (91 cm) |
37 (94 cm) |
| Neck (inches) |
14 1/2-15 (36.83 cm-38 cm) |
15 1/2-16 (39 cm-40 cm) |
16 1/2-17 (41.9 cm-43 cm) |
17 1/2-18 (44.4 cm-45 cm) |
18 1/2-19 (47 cm-48 cm) |
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Manufacturer: Columbia
Place of manufacturer: Vietnam
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Manufacturer's Website:
www.columbia.com
MSRP: US $80.00, this is taken from the tag that came with the jacket. |
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Columbia Measurements. |
My Measurements. |
| Dimensions |
Size XXL |
Size XXL |
| Avg. Weight |
Not stated |
9.91 oz (281 gm) |
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The jacket arrived in very
good condition but not quite as I expected. As the photo above shows,
the jacket is black with white zipper. Mine arrived with a black zipper;
this was not disappointing at all though. I also expected the jacket to
be thicker, perhaps padded but it is very thin and light.
I find the jacket fits very well over my chest and waist and is quite
comfortable but the sleeves are very long and almost cover most of my
palm, see photo below.
The jacket is black in colour and made of polyester with a zipper that
runs the full length of it. At the top of the collar is a
little fold of material that the zipper will fit into when zipped all
the way
up to the top.
Behind the zipper there is a length of material that stops any drafts getting through the zipper.
It has pockets each
side on the hips that are closed by zippers that are about 6 in (150 mm)
in length. The pockets are very deep and large, about 10 in (250 mm)
from the zip to the inside corner. I am able to fit my whole hand up to
the wrist in them. All the zipper pulls are
flexible plastic. The
zipper track looks to be made of plastic while the slide looks to be a
metal of some kind.
The two side pockets have a mesh
lining which is made of polyester and recycled polyester. On the inside of the jacket are three pockets; two are quite
large pockets that sit behind the outside front pockets, but can only be
accessed from the inside of the jacket. These inside pockets are mesh.
The third pocket on the inside is a storage pocket for the jacket which
is held closed by two small ovals of hook and loop. The jacket can be
turned inside out into this pocket to allow easy packing. It is to the
front of the left hand side, inside pocket. The photo below shows a P
(packable) at the closure. |
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The rear of the jacket. |
The front of the jacket. |
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On each side of the jacket under each arm pit is a stretchy panel that runs from a
point near the waist and ends near the shoulder. It runs down toward the
elbow and looks to
allow more freedom of movement.
On the inside of the sleeve at the wrist is a small curved piece of
the same stretchy material.
At the back of the jacket on each hip is a little group of reflective
dots that reflect in a torch or car head light beam.
Around the seam at the waist is a length of bungee cord that passes
through the seam and out through two eyelets and has a cord lock at each
hip. This is so the bottom of the jacket can be pulled in tight to my
waist.
In this photo
above the reflective dots that are on each side at the back can be seen.
As well as the stretchy side panel. The small stretchy panel at the
wrist can also been seen.
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The long sleeve.
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The jacket in its stuff
sack. |
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The side panel, in a lighter
shade grey.
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One of the inside pockets, access to the pocket is at the top hem and
the stuff sack pocket is to the front.
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The fold at the collar.
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Stuffed jacket and hat |
Testing Activities
I will be using this jacket on
weekends for general wear and to go and watch my daughter participate in
sport.
During the expected test period I will doing something a
little different. I will be attempting to section hike the full length
of the Coastal Plains trail. This trail runs from near the coast, then
inland for about 34 mi (55 km). The elevation is about 130 ft (40 m) to
330 ft (100 m)
It is now our winter and during this time I would expect a minimum
temperature of 50 F (10 C) with highs of 66 F (19 C), over the next few
months to September. Rainfall in this period would be on average 5.31 in
(135 mm) |
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Test Plan
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1. I
will be testing how well the jacket fits while wearing a pack and how compressed I can get it
to fit into a pack. |
2.
The jacket has a DWR coating (Durable water repellency)
and so will it keep me dry? |
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3.
Just how well will the jacket breathe? Will I be able to wear it while
hiking; and not sweat too much under it? |
4.
Will the jacket move with me or constrict my
movements? |
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5.
Just how easy is it to pack
the jacket into its pocket? |
6.
Just how much will it keep out the
wind? |
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