Personal Information:
Leesa Joiner
ljoATmidmaine(dot)com
Southwestern Maine
41 years old
Female
5'7" (1.7 M)
150 lb (68 kg)

Background:

   My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one day hikes, to 2-week trips. My experience hiking began with my father when I was about 6 years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. During cold weather, I backpack, hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, go ice fishing and winter camp with friends and family. Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am trying to ‘lighten up’ and have even converted to using a hammock while camping.   I find that I spend almost as much time outside during the long Maine winters as I do during the summers.

Product Information:

Color: Cobalt
Size and Style: Large with zip-off hood
Manufacturer: Integral Designs
www.integraldesigns.com

Field Information:
    The Dolomitti jacket has traveled with me on 4 backpacking trips- 2 overnighters and 2 day trips. It has also been used while traveling and on daily walks.
    Trip one:   I accompanied 6 Webelos along with their parents on an overnight backpacking campout. It was fairly warm during the day- about 50 F (10 C), the night temperature fell to 35 F (1 C). We hiked to a cabin and spent the evening practicing some skills. On this first overnight trip, I wore the jacket in the evening when we went out to look at the stars and do our evening 'routine' (no indoor plumbing). I also slept in the jacket for a while, but found that I was warm enough without it. I did stuff it in the stuff sack and ended up with a great little pillow.
    Trip two: My kids and I traveled to a 'rustic' cabin to spend the night. The cabin had only a fireplace, picnic table and a built up area for sleeping. We had to carry in everything we needed for the weekend. When we arrived late Friday afternoon, we immediately started to heat water using my Brasslite stove. This trip was a little cooler, 42 F (5 C) during the day and 30 F (-1 C) at night. I wore the jacket on our Saturday morning hike and put it in my pack later in the morning. On both of these trips I found the jacket to be very good at maintaining my body temperature. The cuffs on the sleeves are made of a snug fitting Spandura fabric, which keeps cold air out and has maintained its elasticity. The pockets are insulated on both the inner and outer layers and keep hands warm, as well as storing small items as needed.
Day trips: Two day trips involved climbing local mountains in search of Geocaches. It is the jacket I wear every day jacket while taking my dog for his walk. On these occasions, I tend to cinch the shock cord and toggle adjustments on the hemline. My hope in doing this is to keep out cold air. I have also worn the Dolomitti jacket while snowshoeing. While snowshoeing, I loosen the shock cords to allow maximum leg movement. The average temperature on the day trips had been 22 F (-5 C).
    Our temperatures have dropped to 0 F (-18 C) in the last week, with a windchill of -20 F (-29 C). The jacket continues to provide a warm comfortable experience. In high winds there is a bit of a draft through the front zipper. This was notice while wearing a lightweight shirt. I have not noticed the same draft while wearing fleece or more than one layer.

Continued Test Plan:

    I have a couple more weekend snowshoeing trips planned, as well as a weekend trip camping with my two sons' Boy Scout troop during their Klondike Derby. I will also be going to Vermont for a long weekend mid-January. Our temperatures will fluctuate between -10 and 30 F (-23 and -1 C) over the next few months. I will continue to look at how well the jacket keeps me warm, as well as how it holds up to continuous use. At this point it looks brand new. I have only needed to spot clean it. This consisted of using a damp cloth to wipe off a splash of coffee. The zippers and shock cords work without problem.

I really like the way the jacket helps maintain a constant body temperature, reducing overheating, perspiration and then subsequent chilling. It fits well and is very light feeling. I have not worn it in the rain yet, so I still have concerns about how much warmth it provides when wet, and how long it takes to dry under different conditions.

Read more reviews of Integral Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by Leesa Joiner

Field Report

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