Personal Information:
Leesa Joiner
leesaj@gmail.com
Southwestern Maine
45 years old
Female
5'7" (1.7 m)
160 lb (73 kg)

Background:

    My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one day hikes to two-week trips. My experience hiking began with my father when I was about six years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. While enjoying the outdoors with my friends and family, I spend time hiking, geocaching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and camping. Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am trying to 'lighten up' and primarily use a hammock for sleeping.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Big Sky Products
Manufacturer URL: http://www.bigskyproducts.com
Year of Manufacture: 2005

Color: Dark Blue

Size: Large
Listed Measurements:
   Waist: 34 - 36 in (86 - 91 cm)
    Hips: 43 - 45 in (109 - 114 cm)
    Inseam: 32.5 in (83 cm)
Listed weight: 6.9 oz (196 g)
Measured weight: 6.8 oz (189 g)
MSRP: $89.95 US

For a more detailed description see my Initial Report

Test Locations, Conditions and Time Frame:
Living in Northern New England, I have the good fortune of being able to experience at least 4 seasons (sometimes within days of each other!) and some of the best outdoor areas around. During the last 2 months our temperature range has run from the current average of 72 degrees F (22 C) up to about 92 degrees F (33 C). We have had approximately 4 in (10 cm) of rain in the last four weeks, which seems like nothing after the heavy spring rains. Up until the first of July, we hadn't gone two days in a row without rain. It had been one of the wettest springs on record for this area.
While hiking in northern New England, many of the trails are unimproved, meaning that I spend lots of time climbing over rocks and brush. Unfortunately, I haven't had many opportunities to wear these pants in the rain since my Field Report. I have worn them on cool nights while camping with my kids.

Test Plan and Findings:
Some of the things I was looking at while testing follow along with relevant comments.

*Durability - these pants are so light and the fabric is so thin, can they hold up to outdoor use? I wonder if branches will snag the material, causing tears. I also am concerned that the fabric may catch on the zipper, and if it does, will it harm the fabric?

Very durable! I haven't had any issues with tears or snags in the fabric. The zippers continue to be slow to zip/unzip, but they haven't caught on the fabric or become stuck.

*Water/Weatherproofness - How do the pants hold up to rain, wind and cold? Does water seep through after a while? Do they block the wind, even if wet? Do the pants hold in body heat? How breathable are they?

The pants keep my legs dry in all but the heaviest downpours. They also block wind very well. I haven't had a problem with excessive heat, even when worn in warm, humid weather.

*Comfort - Do the pants restrict my movement at all? Do they provide enough warmth, or too much? Do the ankle cuffs ride up? Do the closures work properly?

I find the pants very comfortable, they allow full range of motion and do not bind or ride up from the ankles.

*What types of baselayers work best for me with these pants? Do they work over heavy base layers as well as shorts?
I've worn these pants over every type of baselayer I have (and none at all)! They fit loosely enough that I can wear them over jeans, spandex/lycra leggings, sweat pants and shorts.
Summary: I've found these pants to be a great addition to my pack. They keep me dry when it rains, warm when a cold wind blows and they look good enough to wear out in public. I've yet to have to wash them, although they have been rinsed off and hung on a line to dry. The zipper, while taking two hands to zip/unzip, is sturdy. I thought that there was something wrong with it at first, but have decided in order for it to keep water and wind out, it must need to be very tightly made, which explains the 'tightness'. I love that the pants are more than just rain pants or wind pants, they serve many uses. The Warm-n-Cozy pants have definitely earned their place in my pack.

Thanks to Big Sky and backpackgeartest.org for the opportunity to test the Warm -n- Cozy pants.

Read more reviews of Big Sky International gear
Read more gear reviews by Leesa Joiner

Long Term Report

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