• 15 denier Ballistic Airlight nylon shell and lining
• Exceloft synthetic insulation (50g / m2 )
• NEW front coil zipper
• Fleece lined collar
• Elastic hem and cuffs
• 2 hand warmer pockets

Initial Report - October, 2006

Arrival [return to top] I received the jacket on October 25, 2006, in a corrugated box. The box was received undamaged. Inside the box I found a clear plastic bag containing the jacket. Attached to the standard garment tag in the collar were three hang tags (1. a folded card for the U.L. Thermawrap series, with the specific product information on the back; 2. a small tag about the Ballistic Airlight fabric; 3. a small tag about the Exceloft insulation) and the stuff sack. MontBell also included their most recent catalog (nice stuff!). There were no other contents, and all contents appeared undamaged.

Description [return to top] The U.L. Thermawrap jacket is part of MontBell’s Ultralight Thermawrap series, which also has a vest, a parka, and pants. It is a hip-length, synthetic-insulated, nylon-shelled, hoodless zippered jacket with a very lightweight (15 denier) red ripstop nylon shell and a 15 denier grey ripstop nylon lining. The waist and wrists are edged in elasticized trim, and the coil zipper, which has a MontBell pull cord attached, is backed up by a wind flap. The stand-up collar is lined in grey textured micro-fleece, and the MontBell name/logo is embroidered on the left chest in grey. There are two handwarmer pockets on the front, both of which are only insulated on the outside – in other words, there is only one layer of insulation where the pockets are located and only a single layer (the jacket lining) between the pocket contents and the wearer.

The included red nylon stuff sack measures about 10½ x 4½ in (27 x 12 cm) flat, and has a black draw cord and toggle. The fabric appears to be the same as the jacket shell. The jacket can be rolled narrow enough to fit easily in the sack, and requires only a little stuffing to keep it inside the open end when sealing it. The jacket could be compressed further, but a smaller sack would be a bit difficult to use. It will make a very nice pillow at its current size however.

On the tag for the Thermawrap Series are Care Instructions and Usage Guidelines, listed here: Care Instructions Dry completely before storing. Hand wash with non-detergent soap. Tumble dry on low setting. Do not dry clean. Please hang these garments when storing long term (the stuff sack provided is for temporary use only). Usage Guidelines The Thermawrap Jackets use very thin fabric to achieve their ultra lightweight and compact size. 15-Dernier Ballistic Airlight nylon is more than strong enough to withstand normal use, but there is the possibility of damaging the fabric if it is exposed to sharp objects or high abrasion situations. Please use these products with care.

First Impressions [return to top] The U.L. Thermawrap is a lightweight jacket, fairly slick (as in slippery) and – in my opinion – somewhat fragile feeling. I am quite careful with my gear, so I am not too concerned yet, but I will be sure to check out the jacket more often than others I have used to make sure it is still undamaged. I am concerned that I may not be able to wear the jacket in the ‘real world’, as my current waist measurement is right at the limit for this size, but it should fit very nicely as a mid-layer.

Field Testing Plan [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 15 ºF (-9 ºC) to highs around 65 ºF (18 ºC) during the 4-month test period. Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m). We have added monthly hikes to our schedule as well. My wife and I, who between us have 3 high-ranking boy scouts (ages 15, 16 and 17), are also looking into additional camping without the scouts, and there are possibilities of some AT section hikes (with overnights) in Pennsylvania with my son as he works towards the Hiking Merit Badge. We have several trips definitely on our schedule so far for this winter: Thanksgiving weekend at a Scout camp, a Winter Survival campout held the first weekend in January, the Valley Forge Pilgrimage & Encampment (longest-running annual event in Scouting) in mid-February, a possible ski trip in March, and in April we will be spending a weekend at Gettysburg Battlefield and attempting to hike remaining portions of the National Historic Trail there. Temperatures last year for the regular events were perfect for testing, with Thanksgiving weekend ranging from a low of 23°F to a high of about 43°F (-5 to 6 °C) outside and maxing out at 50°F (10 °C) indoors, Winter Survival ranging from a low of 21°F to a high of about 31°F (-6 to 0 °C), and the P&E ranging from a low around 8-10 °F (-13 to -12 °C) to a high around 25-30 °F (-4 to -1 °C) with high winds and light snow. Conditions this year should be comparable. I will also be wearing the jacket to and from work, either as an outer layer (not too likely, see above) or a mid layer (depending on the weather), throughout the test.

Things I will be looking for: [return to top] 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? Stuff sack. How well does the jacket fit in it? Is it easy to compress? Waterproof?

My findings so far: [return to top] Wind. I could not feel any wind through the fabric during a short walk on a slightly rainy, very windy afternoon. This is good. Looks/fit. I slipped into it quickly, and found it roomy enough from the ribs up, but a bit snug in the middle. This is my problem, however, not the jacket’s. Fabric. Boy, is this stuff light. I got a few raindrops on the jacket during a short walk, but they beaded and shook off when I got home. Pockets. Nicely placed, and roomy enough. Stuff sack. Well sized, very light. Makes a good pillow, too.

Things I like [return to top] Light. Color. Hey, I like red. Packs fairly small. Things I don't like [return to top] None besides the size, which is not the jacket’s fault.

Field Report - January, 2007

Field Testing [return to top] Over the weekend of November 10-12, 2006, I met up with fellow BGT gear testers and a few other hammockers along the AT near Dingman’s Ferry in New Jersey. Night-time temperatures were above freezing, though not much. I actually only needed the jacket in the early mornings around camp on this trip, as there was a fire at night to keep warm. It did take the chill off quite nicely, though, when I did wear it.

Over the weekend of November 24-26, 2006, we took our annual troop trip to go cabin camping at a local, wooded Scout camp – elevation around 500 ft (150 m) and hilly. The weather was damp (from rain during the week) and cool, around 45 °F (7 °C), with a fairly steady breeze. I wore the jacket on trail walks around the camp, venting in the beginning then opening it completely once I got moving. The jacket noticeably stopped the wind, but breathed well enough to keep me dry.

I have been wearing the jacket almost daily since my Initial Report, almost always with a pack on, and have found it comfortable in temperatures from just above freezing to about 65 °F (18 °C). I have noticed no wear from the pack straps or hip area, although I do need to remember to use the sternum strap when carrying more than a few items, as the fabric of the jacket allows the straps to slide a fair amount. I have found one pinhole-sized snag near the left cuff, probably caused by a thorn, though I don’t remember it happening. It is too small for my camera to pick up.

My findings so far: [return to top] Durability. Other than the single pinhole, no damage to report at this time. Comfort. It moves well, not binding at all, as it slides readily over my clothes. It does not ride up in the back, other than due to my girth, not due to my pack. Warmth. I have found it comfortable in temperatures from just above freezing to about 65 °F (18 °C). Wind. It continues to be a great wind stopper. Wicking. Any sweat I have produced has evaporated, as opposed to being wicked away. In any case, I have stayed dry while wearing the jacket. Looks/fit. Although the middle of the jacket is still a bit snug (I am losing weight, albeit slowly), it is still comfortably roomy otherwise. I have also noted that the sleeves are a bit longer than I need, as I am large but not tall. This does not create any real issues, since the stretchy cuff keeps the sleeve from covering my hands. Fabric. After being caught in a deluge of biblical proportions on a warm mid-November day, I can say that the jacket will eventually wet out, though the only soaking through I experienced was at the shoulder seams. After simply draping it over a chair, the jacket was dry before I left work 8 hours later. Packability. The jacket can get quite small. I often stuff it into the bottom of one of its own sleeves to use as a pillow. Pockets. My thick fleece gloves fit nicely when I am not wearing them, and they are nicely placed to put my hands in. Zipper. Smooth and steady. No snags to date. Stuff sack. Well sized, very light. Makes a good pillow, too, though I often leave it at home and just stuff the jacket into itself.

Things I like [return to top] Light. Comfortable. Color. Hey, I like red. Packs fairly small. Things I don't like [return to top] Still none besides the size, which is not the jacket’s fault.

Long Term Report - March, 2007

Field Testing [return to top] Over the weekend of January 6-7, 2007, we attended the 44th annual Winter Survival trip in our Scout district, just outside Philadelphia at a local park and right near sea level. Per the written requirements for this trip, I arrived in long pants, heavy boots and socks. Once setup and lunch had been completed however, and the boys were off taking part in their competitions, I changed out of my heavy layers to hang around in camp. Temperatures for the weekend set all-time records for both the event and for Philadelphia on that date, reaching 73 °F (23 °C), which was too much for the Thermawrap, so I set it aside for later in the evening. As the weather cooled to about 50 °F (10 °C) for the evening and the next day I just threw on the Thermawrap to remain comfortable. It was perfect.

Over the middle weekend of February our troop attended the annual Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment. Temperatures stayed below freezing for mostly the entire weekend, with the overnight low about 20 ºF (-7 ºC). For this trip I wore the Thermawrap under an old unlined poly-cotton military-style field shirt I have, and tucked it in to my pants. I was wonderfully comfortable all weekend, venting the zipper on occasion when we were moving and zipping it all the way up during stops.

I wore the same combination to work on March 6 as I did to Valley Forge. The weather, which had been quite pleasant just 2 days earlier, had turned very cold (well below freezing), with non-stop howling winds making for extremely painful wind chills. With the wind stopping ability of the Thermawrap, the insulation just had to insulate me from the cold, a task it performed admirably.

My findings: [return to top] Essentially unchanged since my Field Report two months ago. I like it. Looks/fit. Although the middle of the jacket is still a bit snug (I am losing weight, albeit slowly), it is still comfortably roomy otherwise. The trim (on me) fit allows me to tuck the jacket in like a shirt, making it very nice as a mid-layer. I noted in my Field Report that the sleeves are a bit longer than I need. This presented a new issue, as the sleeves extend beyond my outer layer; I may have them shortened.

Things I like [return to top] Light. Comfortable. Color. Hey, I like red. Packs fairly small. Things I don't like [return to top] Still none besides the size, which is not the jacket’s fault. I may have the sleeves semi-professionally shortened – retaining the nice cuff – to facilitate wearing as a mid-layer.

Summary [return to top] The Thermawrap is going to get a lot of use from me over the years. It is light, it packs small, and it keeps me comfortable – what more could I want? Thanks to my short-&-wide proportions, I had some minor fit issues, but these are no fault of the jacket. Once I get the sleeves shortened just a bit life will be very good.

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

Reviews > Clothing > Jackets > MontBell U.L. Thermawrap Jacket > Chuck Kime > Test Report by Chuck Kime