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Reviews > Clothing > Jackets > Red Ledge Cirrus Lt > Colleen Porter > Field Report
Product Description: An unlined, hooded wind jacket made from 15-denier nylon ripstop with a DWR (durable water-repellant) finish. The hood features a peripheral vision adjustment and can be rolled down and zipped into the collar of the jacket when a hood is not needed. The Cirrus also features a zippered left-hand chest pocket (into which the jacket can be stuffed), elasticized cuffs, and a drawcord hem with cordlocks on both the left and right sides. The jacket unzips completely in the front, with a "storm flap" that lies over the zipper. Tester: Colleen Porter (tester biography can be found at the end of the report) Field Conditions: So far, I have used the Cirrus Lt. in southern and central California, as well as in northwestern Montana, at elevations ranging from sea level to 13,200 feet/4,023 meters. I has been used in light rain and hail as well as cold winds. It has been layered under and over other jackets, over a shirt and over only a sports bra. Field Performance: Although I've used the Cirrus Lt. as much as possible for the last two months, I wasn't sold on its usefulness until my latest trip. Let me explain (and please remember that I've never used a windshirt before). I used the Cirrus as a windbreaker at the beach, where it wasn't really necessary and I was wearing it solely for the purpose of giving it a test. On an overnight trip in Glacier National Park, the weather was warm and wet, so my rain jacket did all the work and the poor Cirrus sat neglected in my pack. I used it on a motorboat on Flathead Lake in northwestern Montana, but after the sun had gone down and the lake winds turned bitter cold, the Cirrus didn't keep me as warm as I expected it to - but I think my expectations were a bit unrealistic. Nightttime winds off of a large lake, combined with a boat speeding along at 35 miles/56 km per hour, are a bit much to expect the Cirrus to block. I ended up puttiing on my waterproof jacket in order to keep warm. But then, on a six-day trip in the southern Sierra Nevada (in central California), I found the purpose of a windshirt. Six days out of six, I used the Cirrus and was infinitely grateful I had carried that extra 3.6 ounces/102 grams. The first night, the mosquitoes were thicker than we had expected for the time of year, so I put on the Cirrus as an extra barrier for the bloodsucking demons. I put on the hood to keep them off of my neck and in the hopes that they wouldn't bite through my hair. I can't say for sure that I wasn't bitten that night, but I think the jacket helped. The second day, I used the Cirrus twice. We were trudging up to Kaweah Gap, a 10,800 foot/3,292 meter pass. The clouds thickened up and began dropping a light rain on us. I put on the Cirrus and the soft rain rolled right off the jacket. I did begin to get too hot (a common problem for me, I often hike in just my sports bra & shorts), but managed to ventilate the jacket enough to stay somewhat cool. I had to wear my poncho for a few minutes, but soon reverted to wearing the Cirrus as I walked through the very cold and windy pass. The wind did chill me, but the Cirrus helped a great deal on that gusty and cold stretch. Later, I ended up having to hike into camp after sunset, along the edge of a high, windswept plateau. Even while walking, I couldn't generate enough body heat to stop shivering - I was at about 9,500 feet/2,896 meters and the wind was bitingly cold. I popped on the Cirrus and my liner gloves, and immediately warmed back up. Day Three also found me hiking into camp well after dark (I walked over 19 miles/30.5 km that day), and I again used the Cirrus to fend off the chill winds of the night. Day Four, I crossed another high plateau (11,000 feet/3,353 meters), where stiff winds and light rain again made me happy to slip the jacket on. Day Five found me heading up and over Forester Pass, which at 13,200 feet/4,023 meters is the highest point on the Pacific Crest Trail. Light hail fell as I ascended and descended the pass, and the wind was sharp and cold. The Cirrus was perfect for the conditions and kept me comfortable the whole time. Every morning, I used the Cirrus in camp as I packed up and ate breakfast. It was nice to have that extra layer to keep the chill off, allowing me to pack my insulated jacket with my sleeping bag instead of cramming it in the top of my pack at the last minute. The Cirrus packs down so small (in the very convenient zippered pocket) that it was easy to keep it stowed in an exterior pack pocket. It ended up being one of my favorite pieces of gear on this trip. One thing I've noticed is that it performs much better layered over a shirt, rather than over bare skin. There were times when the weather shifted quickly, and minutes before I had been sweating in just my sports bra & shorts. Putting the Cirrus on while I was shirtless didn't seem to result in as much wind protection as I got when I put it on over my long-sleeved hiking shirt. Although I had some concerns over the design of the hood, so far I have been pleased with it. It has never blown off, and the fabric is not so slippery that my headlamp won't stay on when placed over it. I am able to arrange it to cover my ears, and the fabric is soft enough that it doesn't make much noise - many of my hooded jackets render me semi-deaf, due to the rustling of the fabric. I do wish there was a neck drawcord, since the neck opening is rather large and does allow some wind down my neck. The zipper occasionally snags on the flap that hangs over it, but not so often as to be a regular nuisance. I haven't had much need to adjust the drawcord on the bottom hem, but it is still working just as it should. The elastic wrist cuffs fit nicely, not cutting into my wrists but also not allowing stray gusts of wind to sneak in up the arms. After its latest adventure, the Cirrus needed to be washed. I followed the washing instructions on the tag and the Cirrus seems to have survived the wash just fine. I admit, I was nervous - the jacket is so light that it seems more delicate than it probably is. I haven't noticed any significant wear and tear on the Cirrus - one or two loose string ends, but nothing that seems likely to create a problem. So far, I am very pleased with the Red Ledge Cirrus Lt. jacket. Thanks again to BGT and Red Ledge for allowing me to be part of this test series. Tester Information Name: Colleen Porter Gender: Female Age: 29 Height: 5'8"/1.73 m Weight: 140 lbs/64 kg Email address: tarbubble at yahoo dot com Location: Orange County, CA Date: August 23, 2004 Backpacking Experience: I have been hiking for fifteen years, and backpacking for eight. I've only been serious about it in the last two and a half years. I mostly hike on established trails. I never intend to bushwhack, but occasionally I find myself on a disused trail and at least attempt to make my way. I like gear to be simple and light, and I do make some of my own equipment. On my own or with other adults, I pack pretty light (about thirteen lbs/6 kilograms base weight), but I am often on family trips with my two-year-old son, so the weight usually doubles for those trips. My usual backpacking haunts are the San Gabriels, the Sierra Nevada, and the Grand Canyon. Read more reviews of Red Ledge gear Read more gear reviews by Colleen Porter Reviews > Clothing > Jackets > Red Ledge Cirrus Lt > Colleen Porter > Field Report | |||
