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Integral Designs Dolomitti Jacket
Initial Report
Thomas Vickers
35 years old
Male
5 feet 11 inches tall (1.8 meters)
170 lb (77 kg)
redroach@pobox.com
Southeast Texas, Houston Area
Background:
I grew up in the piney woods
of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested woods behind the
house. I started hiking in my college years
and my style has evolved over the past 17 years - from my discovery, heavy gear, period
(internal frame packs, sleeping bags and tents) to - believe it or not - heavier, more
expensive gear. Over the last 3 or 4 years, I
have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still use sleeping bags and
tents, just lighter versions) and I have rediscovered the pleasure that can be involved in
being outdoors with your gear. While I have flirted
with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am more of a mid -weight hiker now. My philosophy
is one of comfort, while carrying the lightest load possible
Manufacturer Details:
Website: www.integraldesigns.com
Weight:1 lb 5 oz (595 g) / 1 lb 8 oz (680 g) with hood
Colors: Black, red, cobalt
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Stuffed Size: 12 inches (30.5 cm) long x 5 inches (12.7 cm) diameter
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Options: Removable hood
Tester Details: (all measurements are approximate)
Size: Medium
Color: Black
Stuff Sack Weight: 0.6 oz (17 g)
Jacket Weight: 1 lb 7 oz (652 g)
Hood Weight: 3.6 oz (102 g)
Stuffed Size: 12 inches (30.5 cm) x 5.5 inches (14 cm)
Additional Tester Measurements:
Chest: 38 inches (97 cm)
Arm Length: 30 inches (76 cm)
Torso Length: 19 inches (48 cm)
Initial Impressions
After visiting the Integral Designs website, I was excited about testing the Dolomitti jacket. The sizing charts left me
confused for some reason, but I went ahead and requested a medium. I am not sure why
I was leaning toward a large (probably arm length), but I figured I would be able to deal
with what arrived in the mail. My other concern was that the Dolomitti is called a jacket, but looked like more of a
bulky parka in the pictures I saw.
Arrival
I had to pick the Integral Designs box up at the post office, but once in the parking lot
I ripped the box open. Inside I found a black Dolomitti Jacket
(with hood), a small, gray silnylon stuff sack, and a full color catalog of Integral
Designs products (complete with separate price list). Despite the heat (80
degrees F (27 degrees C)), I put the Dolomitti jacket
on before I ever left the parking lot.
Not only did it fit, but it was a very attractive jacket. I don't feel that the pictures
on the website do the Dolomitti jacket justice.
The sleeve cuffs are made of Spandura, which makes them hold very tightly at the
wrist. This a feature that I truly like. No more jacket sleeves riding up because the
elastic in the cuff is too loose. The Pertex outer shell is very slick and offers a
contrast to the black Taslan nylon patches on the elbows, shoulders, and pocket
flaps/covers.
The outer pockets are easy to access and the zippers moved easily. The pocket
flaps/covers allow you to keep the pockets unzipped without too much worry about water
getting in or anything falling out. The inner chest pocket was a nice addition that
I hadn't expected. It is just big enough to carry a variety of small items and best
of all, it keeps them handy and warm if needed. All zippers on the Dolomitti jacket are
plastic.
The hood on the Dolomitti jacket zips on/off with
ease. The zipper doesn't bind or catch and it is fairly easy to re-attach once
removed. There is not bill on the hood and due to the bulk, I doubt I can wear a hat
over the hood. The hood also has a shock cord with toggles that allows the wearer
to cinch the hood tightly around their face. The collar of the Dolomitti jacket keeps the hood zipper from rubbing on
my neck and is nice and tall for when I don't use the hood.
The drawstring at the hem/base of the jacket is another plus for this jacket. It is
shockcord with plastic toggles. A nice addition is that the toggles on this cord are
attached to the jacket, so that they do not bounce around as the cord is cinched tighter
(thus creating a longer piece of shockcord). It seems like the features just
keep on appearing as I inspect the jacket further.
Concerns
My first concern is the bulk of the Dolomitti jacket.
The 5 ounces (142 g) of Primaloft Sport filling makes this jacket seem huge. I
didn't think it would even fit in the stuff sack, but in the end I managed to get the
whole jacket into the silnylon stuff sack. One thing I will be investigating is
whether or not I can wear my rain shell over the Dolomitti
jacket due to its bulk.
The next thing on my mind is the slipperiness of the Pertex. The Taslan on the
shoulders may help, but I am worried that the Pertex may be too slippery when wearing a
pack.
Overall Impressions
The Dolomitti jacket was far more than I expected.
It is well constructed, tightly stitched and very comfortable to wear, even in
temperatures a bit too warm for its use. Despite my concerns over its bulk, the Dolomitti jacket is going to be an interesting addition
to my winter hiking gear during the test period.
Testing
A majority of the testing will be done in Southeast Texas. There will probably be at
least one trip to Central Texas as well, but for the majority of the time I will be at sea
level with little or no altitude gain. The temperatures should range from the mid
70's degrees F (21 degrees C) to the high 30's degrees F (2 degrees C). With the
current trend here, there will be plenty of precipitation during the testing period.
My test plan is simple. I will use the Dolomitti jacket on weekend hiking/camping trips
throughout the testing period. It will replace my fleece jacket that I normally
carry on my winter trips. I will use it in camp (at rest) and while hiking with a
pack. This will allow me to see how warm the jacket is as well as how well it vents
when worn during strenuous activities. I will also hopefully be able to test how
water resistant the Dolomitti jacket in foggy conditions and in light drizzle.
One thing that I am already anxious to test is the combination of Integral Designs Mummer
Primaliner and the Dolomitti jacket as a sleep system. (The Integral Designs Mummer
Primaliner is an ultralight sleeping bag/bag liner filled with 3 oz (85 g) of Primaloft
Sport. ) I plan to pull the Mummer Primaliner up to my chest, then put the Dolomitti
jacket on, tightening the hem drawcord to secure the Mummer Primaliner and the Dolomitti
jacket. This will allow for a small area of overlap on my torso and hopefully allow
me a comfortable night's sleep. This combination (including the Dolomitti's hood)
may make an excellent light weight sleep system.
I will also be seeing what types, if any, of hats/head gear can fit under the hood of the
Dolomitti jacket as well as how convenient keeping the hood attached while not in use is.
Read more reviews of Integral Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by Thomas Vickers
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