BackpackGearTest.org Review - /reviews/Clothing/Jackets/Integral Designs PLQ Jacket/Edward Ripley-Duggan/Long Term Report

Field and test information

Winter has continued generally mild over the period of the Long Term Report. On occasion, daytime temperatures have occasionally been an atypical 65 F (18 C), with daytime lows of the period of perhaps 15 F (-9 C). The lowest nighttime temperature was around 5 F (-15 C). There was comparatively little snow over the period, in the locations in which the PLQ was used, but there has been a surprising amount of rain (sometimes even at elevation), and frequent windstorms, as temperatures seesawed from low to high. Elevations at which the jacket was used vary from 500 ft (152 m) to 4,310 ft (1314 m), above tree-line on Mt. Pierce and Mt. Jackson in New Hampshire's White Mountains. However, most of use has been concentrated in the Catskill mountains, among which I live.

Product Use and Performance

The PLQ Jacket (courtesy Integral Designs)

As noted above, the usual chill of a Catskill Mountain winter has been largely lacking this year, with some periods, even in January and February, that were balmy. For a cross-country skier, hiker, and winter backpacker, this has to go down as one of the more disappointing winters in recent years. Still, there have been frequent high winds, as well as unexpected rains, even on summits that would normally see only snow in winter. For this reason this was a good winter for testing a synthetic fill jacket, as I'm convinced that the loft of my down jackets and vests (which I generally left home) would have been compromised by the unusual weather. The PLQ jacket has performed extremely well in these somewhat demanding conditions.

I found the PLQ to be almost windproof, to the extent that a wind-shirt was often superfluous. On a couple of occasions, after getting cold extremities while hanging around on summits, I deliberately broke one of the cardinal rules of winter hiking (stay cool, not warm, when moving) and didn't take the jacket off once I started to descend. I was, in fact, deliberately overheating (a little, not a lot) to help ensure that my feet warmed quickly. While I wouldn't universally recommend this practice, as I sweated into the jacket to some extent, the PLQ continued to insulate very well in these circumstances, keeping me warm during infrequent stops. This is not a tactic that I would have been able to use with a down jacket.

The same was true when I used the jacket during light snow or intermittent cloud and drizzle. While the garment is no substitute for a shell in really inclement weather (I carried such a shell at all times, along with several other layers, including vapor barrier), the PLQ is extremely handy in these borderline conditions. Some moisture beads off, some small amount seems to eventually soak into the insulation (perhaps as the outer shell soaks out), but the jacket remains warm regardless. It's important to note that I'm not talking about getting the garment sopping wet; rather, allowing it to get a little damper than I would ever permit the down equivalent to become. I'm pleased to report that it also dried quite swiftly when it did become damp, circumstances permitting.

Given the mild winter, I generally carried this as my primary insulation piece on day-hikes. On backpacks, since nights were not bitterly cold, I used the PLQ in conjunction with a shell and a fleece layer (as called for) and generally found myself fairly comfortable. I was much more careful about keeping the jacket dry on these trips. On retiring to my tent, I would continue to wear the PLQ (the fabric of which doesn't bind at all when I'm in my winter bags), although I would usually take it off once I felt fully warmed. It is a handy sleeping layer, and it took the place of my down shirts, which I usually use for layering in my sleeping bag. It seems considerably warmer than these.

I wore the jacket (cautiously) off-trail. It was never used in dense spruce, or in conditions in which I thought there was a significant chance of shredding it, but it survived a few relatively sharp pokes from twigs. The apparently fragile Pertex shell seems to me to be surprisingly strong, though I'd certainly not recommend this jacket for a flat-out bushwhack. As I was frequently, because of the milder-than-usual temperatures, wearing gloves without gauntlets, I found the thumb loops very useful for ensuring that there was no gap in insulation at my wrist. The sleeves work well in conjunction with gloves.

My only reservations are very minor ones, and were mentioned in my Field Report. There is a tendency for the neck zipper to slide open, particularly if there's another garment underneath. A tab at the top of the zip backed with Velcro would add almost no weight and would likely fix this problem. So, for that matter, would a locking zipper. Also, since this is a fairly form-fitting garment without a full zip, peeling it off involved some minor effort, and I would not have minded the minor added weight of a full zip, although this might perhaps have compromised warmth to some small degree. But really, these are minor issues; this is an incredibly useful garment. It fitted well and performs beautifully.

I'd describe the PLQ as a piece of clothing I now consider indispensable. I carried it in my pack all winter, and it was in use a few times on almost every trip. Generally, I didn't store it in the supplied sack, but carried it uncompressed in one of the ultralight dry-bags I use for this purpose. That way, I could be assured of maximum loft. After a great deal of use, and some mild abuse, it looks pretty much as new. I have carefully laundered the jacket once (using a soap designed for insulating wear) and it emerged none the worse, though smelling somewhat sweeter. I can detect no loss of loft.

The washing instructions indicate hand wash, drip dry. I spoke with Integral Designs about this, and these instructions are conservative. The garment may be tumble-dried (presumably at a low setting, as I did), and the insulation is likely to benefit from this treatment, as PrimaLoft has a "memory" and will return to its original state, or close to it, if it has been compressed in the interim. PrimaLoft is silicone-treated, and in time, washing will adversely affect the coating on the insulation, but this would be over many washes. The fact that it can be dried is a plus in terms of maintaining and renewing the DWR, also. I'm a believer in washing my gear the minimum amount needed to preserve hygiene and function.

In the initial report, I outlined a series of questions that I would attempt to answer over the period of the test. I list these below, with my responses after four months of hard use.

1. Fit

a. How does the XL fit suit my torso type? Is it loose enough for a light additional layer or layers underneath? Is it thin enough for layering over with a shell without causing the Michelin Man effect?
b. How much can be conveniently stashed in the front pocket?
c. Are the sleeves indeed of good length? Do they mate well with gloves as I expect?
d. When used as part of my sleeping system, is the bulk such that it causes any constriction in the bags I will be using?

The XL fit worked well, and I was able to wear a light Gore Windstopper vest underneath (I almost invariably use this for winter hiking, over my base layer, which is usually merino). The insulation isn't particularly bulky, and (if I was concerned about aesthetics, which I'm not, particularly) the PLQ looks fine under a shell. The front pocket is sufficient for some GU gel, a bandanna, a compass and a few similar odds and ends. I tended not to use it that much, as I stash stuff in my pants pockets, where it is slightly more accessible. The sleeves are an excellent length, and with the thumb loops on, they mate well with gloves. The jacket is a useful addition to a sleeping system, and doesn't bind at all in either of my winter bags.

2. Comfort

a. Is the Pertex shell and lining comfortable against the skin or does its smoothness make it feel a little slick?
b. Is the collar, which seems to be high, comfortable against the neck? Does it continue to be so when worn with a high-necked shell?
c. Is venting through the short neck zip adequate?
d. How smoothly does the zip operate in the field, and is it waterproof?
e: Is the shoulder articulation adequate for a wide range of motion for camp chores?

The jacket is, quite simply, comfortable. The venting through the neck zip is minimal yet adequate under most circumstances, but then I don't wear this while actually walking unless the conditions or circumstances call for it, as I've outlined. I'm not convinced that (for example) pit zips would be useful, and they would add to the weight. I think it fair to say that is a minimalist piece of clothing, designed for hikers and backpackers who know what they are about when it comes to moisture control in winter. The zip operates smoothly. I couldn't determine if it was waterproof, and didn't wear it in a setting where this would be an issue. The shoulder articulation, even with the sleeves extended by the deployment of the thumb loops, is excellent. I can use this as a warm-up jacket for cross-country skiing, no problem.

3. Materials

a. How tightly do the Lycra elasticized cuffs clasp the wrist? Is there any sense of constriction?
b. Is the fabric reasonably resistant to tearing (impact against rocks and branches) and simple general wear-and-tear?
c. How quickly does the PrimaLoft insulation loft after storage in the sack?
d. Will the loft of the jacket remain constant over the test period?
e. Are there any cold-spots in the construction?
f. Does the construction of the garment guarantee that it is reasonably windproof? What level of waterproofing does it possess? If DWR, can the coating be easily renewed?
g. How effective is the PrimaLoft insulation when damp? Does it retain a significant proportion of its insulating ability? Does it dry through body heat quickly or stay soggy if it does become wet?

The cuffs fit well, without constriction. The fabric appears pretty strong so far, resistant to both wear-and-tear and occasional impacts with branches, though the latter is not something I'd push too far. I used the storage sack only when backpacking to save space, not on day hikes, and the jacket lofted quickly after removal from this. After one careful hand-wash using a sports wash (Atsko), I've noticed no discernible deterioration in loft. There are no cold-spots that I have found, and the jacket is close to windproof, in my opinion. It's adequately waterproof, as well. I've not needed to renew the DWR coating, but the fact that the jacket can be run through a dryer, which helps bond and activate DWR, will be helpful if I need to do so. The jacket does continue to be effective when damp, with no significant loss of insulation that I could detect, although I can't speak to how well it would function if saturated. Mild dampness tends to dry through body heat. For example, wearing it around camp seems to dispel most residual moisture, without creating a sensation of undue coldness or clamminess.

4. Ease of use

a. How easy is the jacket (essentially a pullover) to put on and take off?
b. How easily can it be tucked in to pants? Is it long enough for this? If so, does it stay tucked in despite the smoothness of the fabric?

The jacket is easy enough to remove, although (the way I do it, with crossed arms) it comes off inside-out. No big deal. It's just about long enough to be tucked into pants, and I have done so in camp. In this setting, it stays put. I find it has a tendency to drift a little on the trail, but I'm not generally inclined to tuck it in, as I like to keep my rump covered.

5. Warmth

a. Over what range of temperatures is the jacket comfortable when used in camp? When in exertion?
b. What is the approximate measure of additional warmth the jacket adds when used in a sleeping bag, as part of a sleeping system?

I've used the jacket down to about 15 F (-9 C) in camp, and have been reasonably comfortable without additional layers (this was over my Gore Windstopper vest and a long-sleeve mid-weight merino shirt). I've found it too warm to wear during full exertion, except during descents, and only then when I'm feel that my hands or feet have chilled a bit. As to added warmth in a sleeping bag, I find this hard to estimate, as I've not been able to wear it through the night without overheating!

Summary

This is a fine jacket, providing an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. I'd used synthetic jackets before, but they were generally heavy for their warmth, so I've tended more to buy down garments in recent years. However, I'm completely won over by the PLQ, especially for unpredictable conditions of the kind I've experienced this year, though I will continue to carry an extra lightweight down layer for camp, "just in case," and heavier down layers for hikes in extreme cold.

Reviews > Clothing > Jackets > Integral Designs PLQ Jacket > Edward Ripley-Duggan > Long Term Report

Reviews > Clothing > Jackets > Integral Designs PLQ Jacket > Edward Ripley-Duggan > Long Term Report