• Soft, breathable fabric resists wind and repels water. Best of all, it wicks away moisture to keep you even drier.
• Extra spandex adds supple stretch for easy freedom of movement.
• Built-in abrasion resistance protects your skin against chafing.
• Convertible collar with half zip lets you customize your comfort.
• Zip pocket on sleeve stows your keys and change.
• Bold color-block pattern gives you a sleek, modern look.

Description [return to top] The Duofold Duo Dri Multisport Mid Layer Jacket is a pull-over design with a half-zip and stand-up collar. The major portion of the jacket (see photo at top) is a black knit with a tight outer weave and a soft lining. The side panels and inner sleeves are a grey stretch fabric. The jacket has a straight hem and cuffs, with elastic in the grey portion of the cuffs. A single zippered pocket is included on the left upper arm. For a more detailed description, please see my Initial Report.

Field Testing [return to top] Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly, generally in the wooded areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 25 ºF (-4 ºC) to highs around 85 ºF (29 ºC) during the remainder of the 4-month test period. Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m). Our new Scoutmaster has added monthly hikes to our schedule as well. My wife and I, who between us have 3 First Class boy scouts (ages 14, 15 and 16), have scheduled additional camping/hiking without the scouts, and there are possibilities of more AT section hikes (two down, many to go!) in Pennsylvania – aka Rocksylvania – and New Jersey with my son as he works towards the Hiking Merit Badge. Over the first weekend in January our troop attended our Scout district’s 43rd annual Winter Survival campout. Temperatures hovered right around freezing the entire weekend, and skies were crystal clear with a light breeze. I wore the jacket over a long-sleeve polyester tee and under a wool jac-shirt. I remained comfortable throughout the weekend, venting either or both of the jackets as required to maintain that comfort. The only negative I found was some rubbing and irritation from the top portion of the collar at the muscles in the front of my neck. My thinking was that this was related to the continuous exposure to wood smoke (I tended the fire most of the weekend), as I had not noticed it other times I had worn the jacket. However, I now believe it to be due to pilling – see below. I have also been wearing the jacket to and from work, where I do a fair amount of walking between my home or office and public transportation, and around town to add some more miles. I find it quite comfortable, even as an outer layer (we have had quite a ‘warm snap’), and my wife likes the looks of the jacket, which is uncommon for most of my backpacking attire.

Over the middle weekend of February our troop attended the 94th annual Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment. Temperatures stayed well below freezing the entire weekend, with the overnight low on Friday about 20 ºF (-7 ºC) and winds of 25-30 mph (40-50 kph) gusting to well over 40 mph (64 kph), making temperatures feel like “dang cold” to “painfully cold” all weekend. The overcast skies and Saturday afternoon snow showers did nothing to help this feeling. I wore the jacket over a long-sleeve polyester tee under a U.S. military field jacket liner and BDU-type (Battle Dress Uniform, a.k.a. Big, Dumb & Ugly) jacket. I wore the jacket throughout the weekend, only taking it off to sleep. Like the January trip, the only negative I found was some rubbing and irritation (i.e. chafing) from the top portion of the collar at the muscles in the front of my neck. I have now come to believe this is from pilling of the fabric lining the collar, likely due to continuous long-term rubbing against my rather stiff beard stubble. I will use a pill remover and re-check my results for my Long Term Report.

Things I am/will be looking for: Durability. Does it stand up to wear and washing? Does it pill, pull, or otherwise abrade significantly under normal circumstances? If not, how long does it take for this to happen? Comfort. Does it move with me? Does it bind? Does it ride up when worn with a pack? Does it stick to my skin if I am wet/sweaty? If so, does it bind or inhibit my movement? Warmth. How cold can it get and still keep me warm? How much warmth does it add to my sleep system? Wind. Does it stop the wind? Does the inside surface get chilled? Wicking. I tend to generate a lot of heat when moving, due both to large muscle mass and plenty of – ahem – ‘natural insulation’, so I will be especially interested in the capability of the jacket to keep me dry. Where does the moisture go? Can it escape? Looks/fit. Does the jacket retain its shape when worn for consecutive days without washing? Does it fit over my normal cold-weather layers? Fabric. Is it durable? Does it stretch appropriately? Does it fade? Is it waterproof? Windproof? Packability. How packable is the jacket? I plan to put it in my pack when I’m not actually wearing it. Ease of washing. Would it be easy to wash in a trail town, for example? Are there particular washing instructions that must be followed? Does it dry quickly? Pockets. Are the locations convenient? Are they adequately sized? Zippers. Do they function smoothly? Are they durable?

My findings so far: Durability. I have not yet washed the jacket, although I will be doing so shortly. The only pilling I have noticed is on the inside of the collar, where my beard stubble rubs on it. This is also where I had the irritation during our trips – perhaps there is a relationship? Comfort. It moves well without binding, and stays put. Warmth. It adds about 15-20 °F (8-11 °C) to my jacket. Wind. The black portions stop the wind fairly well. Wicking. Unzipping the jacket has been sufficient to vent any undue heat, and it must wick well, as I have yet to feel sweaty while wearing it. Looks/fit. Fits very well under my wool jac-shirt, and a military-style field shirt I wear. It also has my wife’s approval as an outer garment. Fabric. Stretches nicely. The black portions repel light rain, at least for the length of time I have been in the rain. Packability. Packs down fairly small. Pockets. Left sleeve pocket nicely sized for ID/credit cards. Zippers. I am impressed with the fabric ‘wedge’ at the top of the zipper when zipped, to protect the wearer from the zipperhead.

Things I like [return to top] Light. Comfortable. Warm. Things I don't like [return to top] The collar just fits my neck (I wear an 18 in/46 cm collar on my shirts), but I’ve been called a fathead before. :-)

Thank you for your time. Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy

Reviews > Clothing > Jackets > Duofold MultiSport Mid Layer Jacket > Chuck Kime > Field Report