Tester Information:
Name: Jason Boyle
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 6"/ 1.68 m
Weight: 170 lb/ 77 kg
Email address: c4jc@hotmail.com
City, State, Country: Waldorf, Maryland, U.S.
Backpacking Background:
I have been camping and backpacking for about 16 years. My introduction to the outdoors started with the BSA and has continued as an adult. I have hiked mostly in the Southeastern and Northeastern United States. I currently live near Washington D.C. and have made the mid-Atlantic mountains my playground. I used to carry everything and the kitchen sink, but I have become a lightweight hiker.
Product Information:
Manufacturer: Red Ledge
Model: Cirrus LT
Size: Men's Large (Available in XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Year of Manufacture: 2004
URL: :www.redledge.com
Listed weight: none provided
Measured weight: 3.0 oz (85 g)
**Disclaimer: the closest my scale will measure is in whole ounces**
MSRP: 60 US dollars
Country of Manufacture: Vietnam
Summary:
I think this windshirt is a great addition to any pack. I have found it comfortable for chilly mornings before I get started and chilly evenings sitting around the campfire. I really like the light weight of the jacket, but I am not sure that the lightweight fabric will be durable over the long haul.
Field Test Conditions:
I have worn this jacket on backpacking trips in Shenandoah National Park, the Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia, and the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Temperatures have ranged between the mid 70's (24 C) and the low 60's (16 C) in the testing locations. I have worn the jacket in a light misty type of rain, but not in a serious downpour.
Field Test Results:
Durability has not been a real issue with this jacket. It shows no wear from the times I have worn it under my backpack. Most of the stitching shows no wear, except for one spot on the right seam joining the front panel to the back panel that is beginning to fray. It doesn't seem serious, but I will keep an eye on it to see if it continues to fray.
I have been cautious when wearing this jacket around the campfire. The material is very thin, and if a stray ember were to land on the jacket it would leave a hole.
I have had no problems with the elastic sewn into the cuffs. I have hiked with the jacket on with sleeves pushed up, but the elastic always returned to the original shape after I pulled the sleeves back down.
During a seven-mile (11 kilometer) backpacking trip in Shenandoah National Park, I experienced light and misty rain. The jacket kept the rain out, breathed well and did not leave me feeling overheated. At times I unzipped the jacket for more airflow, but overall I never felt like I was perspiring in the jacket. I have also worn the jacket in the mornings as I started to hike, but quickly removed the jacket as both the outside air temperature and my body temperature rose.
I have not had the opportunity to test out the hood. I normally wear a ball cap while hiking and have not encountered heavy enough rain where I thought I needed the hood. The hood does stuff easily into the pocket at the collar of the jacket.
This jacket is very flexible in its uses. It is great to slip on as I sit by the fire and evening arrives, and it is equally useful in the morning as I rise from my warm tent to the awaiting chill in camp. I have even worn it indoors in the Salt Palace Convention center at the Outdoor Retailers Show. My booth was under an air conditioning vent, and I would have frozen if I had not had the jacket.
I have hardly noticed the weight of the jacket and it compresses so small that I can stuff it anywhere. It has earned a spot in my daypack as one of my essential pieces of gear that I don't leave home without. I have used it to replace my long sleeve shirt and rain gear (depending on the length of the hike and the forecast)
Improvements:
I have no improvements at this time.
Long Term Testing Plan:
Specific things I will look for the duration of the test, however, this list is not all inclusive:
Durability:
How well does the fabric stand up to long term trail abuse? How well will the fabric hold up under shoulder straps for extended hiking in the rain or cold weather? How much memory do the elastic cuffs have? Will I stretch them out permanently if I need to push up the sleeves when I get hot?
Convenience:
Will the hood adjust easily with gloves on? Does the hood actually hug the head when adjusted or will I just be looking at fabric when I turn my head? How does the jacket work as a layer? Can I use it as winter outerwear with my other layers underneath? Is it breathable enough to use as an inner layer?
Thanks again to BackpackGearTest and Red Ledge for the opportunity to participate in this test.
Read more reviews of Red Ledge gear
Read more gear reviews by Jason Boyle
