Actual Weight: 3.6 ounces/102 grams (unisex Small)

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. Please see my Initial Report for a more detailed description.

Tester: Colleen Porter (tester biography can be found at the end of the report)

Field Conditions: 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 and terrains ranging from low desert to alpine. It has been used in rain and hail as well as cold winds. It has been layered under and over other jackets, over shirts of varying sleeve lengths and over only a sports bra.

Field Performance: Since I wrote my Field Report, the Cirrus has accompanied me on two desert trips and on jaunts around town, but the experiences I described in the Field Report are definitely the benchmark of this test series. Our deserts here in southern California can have some harsh winds in winter, and I found that while sitting around in camp the Cirrus on its own couldn't keep every wind at bay. I usually ended up layering it over a fleece or down jacket in order to retain warmth, but once I put on an insulative layer the Cirrus seemed unnecessary. It never really found a place in my winter desert kit.

I took advantage of our amazingly wet fall here in southern California and wore the Cirrus out in actual rain. As I suspected, the shoulders, arms, and hood wetted out completely within 10 minutes, so that pretty much quashes any hopes for the Cirrus being seriously water-repellant in actual rain. When I used it in mist and light hail it was exactly what I needed.

I do want to reiterate how very pleased I am with the hood's performance. I couldn't ask for a better hood, truly - it stays on even when I think I've tightened the peripheral vision adjustments too much. I've never had it blow off and the wind doesn't seem to be able to sneak into it. The only problem even remotely related to the hood is the neck opening of the jacket - it is simply far too large. If Red Ledge has designed the neck opening so large in order to accommodate extremely thick necks, I would suggest adding a drawstring so that folks with slender necks (like mine) aren't subjected to blasts of cold wind down their torsos.

Conclusions: Basically, everything I said in the Field Report still stands - although I have found that a windshirt like the Cirrus Lt. isn't necessary for me in all climates and at all times of the year, it most definitely has a place in my spring & summer kits! This windshirt packs down incredibly small (smaller than a tennis ball), is well-made, and performs beautifully in the conditions I need it for.

Dislikes: The oversized neck opening.

Likes: pretty much everything else. This is a nifty little jacket!

Thanks to both Red Ledge and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to test the Cirrus Lt.

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.

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