BackpackGearTest.org - Wintergreen Designs Anorak Owner Review by Gail Staisil

The Wintergreen Designs Expedition Shell Anorak has been my primary shell for winter expeditions for the last four years. I ordered the anorak in a size Unisex Medium that aligns well with the company's website chart requirements for height, but I fall on the low side for body weight. The size Medium is supposed to fit a person between 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) and 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) and their body weight ideally should be between 145-175 lb (66-79 kg). The anorak is designed to allow for layering of clothing. Since I wanted to be able to wear the anorak over many other layers if necessary, that size has worked out perfectly. Because my body runs at a cooler temperature than most people, I wanted a shell anorak that would keep me warm and covered through all types of wind chills and temperatures. The anorak is designed with a longer length than most shell garments. The anorak measures over 32 in (81 cm) long from the shoulders to the bottom edge. The additional length has been incredibly useful as I don't have to fear that a backpack belt or waistbelt for my sledge will ride upward and expose my waist area to wet snow or extreme cold. That was a major problem with other shell garments that I had used prior to purchasing the anorak. Wintergreen Anorak

Fit/Construction Details

Since the anorak is designed by the company to fit over a fleece anorak for extreme conditions, I often wear a combination of layers underneath it depending on the temperature and the wind chill. I can easily fit a silk Capilene shirt, a light fleece shirt and a light synthetic or down jacket underneath it if necessary. Even with all these layers, it still does not constrict my movement. I normally comfortably wear two layers under the anorak in temperatures below 20 F (-7 C). During sustained activity, the lowest temperature that I have worn the anorak while wearing only two layers has been -20 F (-29 C). At these frigid temperatures, I was also wearing the anorak's hood over a wool hat and a warm fleece neck gaiter.

The Wintergreen Designs Expedition Shell Anorak is truly an oversized garment. The body of the anorak has a very straight cut with about a 48 in (122 cm) circumference for size Medium. However, the excess room can be cinched in with the use of the waist drawcord with a cordlock on each end that starts just underneath the large front pocket, circles the back of the waist and ends just inside the other edge of the pocket. The sleeves are of the batwing style and are very non-constricting. The bottom of the sleeves have approximately 12 in (30 cm) of circumference each. Excess room can be sealed off by securing the hook and loop-lined tab on each sleeve edge that can be adjusted to many different positions.

The lower front pocket is huge. It measures approximately 14 in (35.5 cm) in height and 17 in (43 cm) in width with tapered edges at the top. Both upper side edges of the pocket have a 3 in (7.5 cm) storm flap over them. Inside the large pocket is almost an equally big internal zippered pocket. I often use that inner pocket to hold my identification and other small items that I don't want to lose such as car keys. I often stow extra mittens, an extra hat, and a small snack in the outer pocket and there is still plenty of room to put my hands in there when I want to take a rest.

I bought the anorak in the partial-zip design option. It's easy to pull over my head without difficulty even when I'm wearing several layers underneath. This has been important to me lately as I have trouble with one of my shoulders making many garments frustrating to remove. The partial zip is over 15 in (38 cm) in length and it extends upward to the bottom of my chin on the hood. The zipper is backed by a storm flap. The adjustable hood is roomy enough to layer hats underneath. I have worn two hats underneath very comfortably including a medium weight wool hat and a wool and fleece bomber hat with ear flaps.

The attention to detail on the anorak is superb. All of the seams are constructed neatly and the extras like the storm flaps on the pocket, the contoured hood detail with an adjustable buckle, the suspended lining and the tabs with hook and loop closures at the sleeve edges are all features that are very accommodating to the user. The hood, shoulder seams and lower edge are all trimmed with an attractive embroidered trim that compliments the color of the anorak - a nice touch indeed.

Ventilation/Warmth/Waterproofness

I find the Wintergreen Expedition Shell Anorak works the best for aerobic-sustained activity like pulling a sledge when the temperatures are low. It offers a lot more warmth and wind protection than many similar shell garments due to the suspended lining and the length of the anorak. If the temperatures are above the mid 20 F (- 7 C) range, I usually remove the anorak or take off one of the layers underneath if I become too hot. However, before that happens, I vent the jacket sleeves and the partial zip to let in more air. I normally don't seal off the bottom drawcord unless I'm sitting down for a rest and want to keep the warm air inside of the anorak.

The anorak is protected with Durepel Plus water repellent. It has worked rather well for sledging and backpacking in snow blizzards. After I set up my camp, I just brush off the flakes as the snow slides off quite well. I oftentimes remove the anorak at camp and put on multiple layers of insulated clothing instead. However, for warmer conditions in the shoulder seasons of winter, I've put on an insulated jacket underneath and one over the anorak as an alternative.

I have also worn the anorak for snowshoe daytrips and occasionally around town when the temperatures are below zero (0 F/-18 C). The longer length, the windproofness and the nonbulky appearance are all fine attributes. Even though the anorak could surely be used for warmer temperatures in the spring and fall, I normally reserve it for winter use.

Comfort/Durability/Care

The Wintergreen Designs Expedition Shell Anorak has been very comfortable to wear under my backpack or under a waistbelt for my sledge. The Supplex nylon material is very soft so it doesn't seem to bunch up or irritate underneath. In addition, the absence of bulky seams seems to eliminate possible irritation points under shoulder harness straps on a backpack.

Even though the anorak is heavier than a lot of jackets, it's easy to stow when I need to do that. It rolls up quite nicely as the fabric of the anorak and lining are very soft. When I'm pulling a sledge, I just stow the anorak loosely underneath the sledge's cover if the conditions are only producing powder-type snow.

I haven't done anything special to care for the anorak other than to wash it when it becomes necessary. The anorak's inside care tag clearly states to machine wash in cold water and then to hang or fluff dry. I normally put it in a dryer for a few minutes and then hang it to dry. No bleach should be used on the product. Most of my winter trips aren't very dirt-prone but on the last trip I got a bunch of grease on the anorak from the door joints on a friend's vehicle. I simply softly scrubbed it with a bit of liquid detergent and all the stains disappeared. I have probably washed it more than I care to admit in the last four years just because I'm picky about my clothing. If the anorak picks up an odor from a companions camp fire, I tend to wash it for only that reason. There isn't any noticeable wear on the anorak even though it has been used quite a bit. I have been very pleased with the durable, colorfast and fine appearance of the fabric.The anorak has been exposed to some real rough vegetation during bushwhacks and it's no worse for the wear. Wintergreen Designs have an excellent guarantee on their products but hopefully I'll never need it:

We Guarantee Everything We Make. If you’re not satisfied with one of our garments, we will happily refund, replace or repair it. Damage due to wear and tear will be repaired at a reasonable charge.

The anorak was worn on all of my winter backpacking and sledge trips in the state of Michigan, USA or in Ontario, Canada during the last four winter seasons. In addition, the anorak has been worn for other cold weather outings. The terrain I travel includes mostly hilly boreal or deciduous forests, frozen swamps, frozen lakes and lakeshores. Elevations ranged from 600 ft (183 m) to 2000 ft (610 m) and temperatures ranged from a low of approximately -20 F (-29 C) to a high of over 32 F (0 C).

Reviews > Clothing > Jackets > Wintergreen Designs Anorak > Owner Review by Gail Staisil

Reviews > Clothing > Jackets > Wintergreen Designs Anorak > Owner Review by Gail Staisil