| |
Gear Reviews
Documents
Tools
|
Field Report: Macabi Skirt
| Personal Biographical Info: |
| Name: |
Stephanie Martin |
| Age: |
29 |
| Gender: |
Female |
| Height: |
5'5" (1.65 meters) |
| Weight: |
145 lbs (65 kg) |
| Skirt Size: |
US 8-10 |
| Email Address: |
syoong "at" alum "dot" mit
"dot" edu |
| Location: |
Phoenix, AZ USA |
| Date: |
July 10, 2004 |
| Background: |
I've always enjoyed spending
time outdoors since I was a kid. Since 1996, I've been actively playing outside
starting in the Pacific Northwest. I enjoyed day hiking excursions in the
Columbia River Gorge area, followed by some backpacking along the Pacific Crest
Trail. I moved to the desert southwest in 1997 and have been actively day hiking
most weekends, anywhere from low desert to mountain territory (7000+ ft (2100+
meters)). In addition to day hikes, my husband and I generally take a couple of
week long trips to the Grand Canyon annually, in addition to short weekend
backpacking trips. Our backpacking philosophy has been rapidly moving towards
ultra-light gear, with a target base pack weight of 10 lbs (4.5 kg). We have also
been participating in canyoneering since 1997. In general, we average 12 to 15
miles (20 to 24 km) per day. See http://www.ToddsHikingGuide.com
for trip reports and a better sense of our hiking style. |
| Other travel skirts used: |
None - well, none for hiking anyway. I
typically wear shorts while hiking or backpacking. Generally for
business travel, I wear pants or business skirts. For casual wear, I
sometimes have packed a "broomstick" style skirt. |
| Product Information: |
 Billed as the "Original Adventure
Travel Skirt," the Macabi Skirt is a quick drying, wrinkle resistant,
A-line-style ankle length Supplex skirt "for hiking, biking, river running,
fishing, trekking and traveling." |
| Manufacturer: |
Macabi Skirt [http://www.macabiskirt.com] |
| Year of Manufacture: |
2004 |
| Listed Weight: |
No weight listed |
| Weight as Delivered: |
9.0 ounces (255 grams) |
| Size: |
Small (US 6-8) |
| Listed Dimensions: |
Elastic Waist - 24-34" (61-86 cm)
Hip - 52" (132 cm)
Length - 35" (89 cm)
Width at Hem - unlisted
Dimensions when Stowed - unlisted |
| Measured Dimensions: |
Elastic Waist - 24-36" (if you
*really* stretch it! 61-91 cm)
Hip - 46" (116.8 cm)
Length - 35.5" (90.2 cm)
Width at Hem - 42" (107 cm)
Dimensions when Stowed - 5" x 6" x 3" (12.7 x 15.3 x 7.6 cm) |
| Color: |
Stone (now discontinued) |
Contents
-
Product Use, Performance and Durability
- Fit and Comfort
- Choices, Choices - How Do I Wear It?
- Wear and Tear and Washing - How's It Holding Up?
-
Continued Test Strategy
-
Summary
| Field and Test Information: |
| Location(s) of test: |
Here, there and everywhere...the Macabi Skirt has been
traveling with me on my adventures to Europe and has seen planes, trains and
automobiles along with fantastic and majestic scenery in Holland, Spain and
Switzerland along with the ultimate urban setting of New York City. During this time, the
skirt has been has been worn to work, while running errands, while being a
tourist, and while hiking and scrambling along trails in the mountains of
Europe. |
| Terrain: |
The Macabi Skirt has been exposed to sand, dirt, water and
normal everyday conditions. Elevations have varied from 1100 - 9200
feet (335 - 2800 meters) and terrain has ranged from grassy meadows to
wooded forests and standard urban setttings. |
| Weather Conditions: |
Outside daytime temperatures have been as high as the low
100's Fahrenheit (high 30's - low 40's Celsius), with night time lows down
to the 40's Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) at night. |
Product Use, Performance and
Durability
The Macabi Adventure Travel Skirt has indeed proved to be an excellent and
versatile addition to my wardrobe. I've worn it while sleeping, while
packed into the tight confines of airline coach class, while touring the towns
and cities of Europe and also while hiking and scrambling in the mountain
regions of the Spanish Pyrenees.While I don't find the skirt as warm as a pair
of pants, it certainly is more versatile with its various configuration options.
Fit and Comfort:
Having accompanied me on a six week tour of European cities and countryside,
I am happy to report that the Macabi Adventure Skirt has proven to be a
flattering and versatile piece of clothing. Its various configurations
makes it easy to adapt to different activities and climates, and the change in
configuration is quick and easy. The skirt itself fits well, drapes
nicely, and I've not had any issues with the elastic waistband binding or
pinching me in any way. The Macabi Adventure Skirt dries quickly when it
gets damp and remains soft and supple to the touch. Because of its
versatility and stylish design, I had no qualms about going from rugged trail to
cultured civilization without changing (other than perhaps wanting a shower to
rinse off the trail sweat!).
In addition to being stylish, the Macabi Adventure Travel Skirt is also very
functional. The deep pockets have come in handy for holding maps and other
miscellaneous items - and the security pocket proved to be just big enough for
me to stash my travel wallet securely without having to bend or fold it in any
way. The waist band sometimes did droop a bit when I was lugging too much
change (I learned quickly to try to get rid of my coinage when shopping - all
those one- and two-Euro coins got heavy real quick!), however the skirt was in
no danger of slithering off my hips thanks to the handy drawstring.
In colder climates (above snowline in the Spanish Pyrenees), the skirt was
definitely not as warm as a pair of light pants, as it allowed in drafts; but
this was to be expected. When I got cold, I simply slipped on a pair of
long underwear bottoms underneath.
In warmer situations, the Macabi Skirt continued to breathe well, proving to be
as cool as or cooler than a pair of lightweight shorts. I did note a bit
of chafing between my thighs at the end of a long day of hiking (I am not
blessed with thin legs) - this generally is not a problem for me when I wear
shorts, and I found it to be an annoyance.
[back to Table of Contents]
Choices, Choices - How Do I Wear It?
 |
 |
 |
| Macabi Skirt unmodified |
Macabi Skirt snapped to
knee length |
Macabi Skirt snapped and
pant clipped into shorts |
As seen above and illustrated on the Manufacturer's
website, the Macabi Adventure Travel Skirt can be transformed into multiple
configurations - it can be worn in its original and unmodified shape as an ankle
length A-line skirt, it can be clipped into a pair of "pants," it can be snapped
up into a knee length skirt, and it can be snapped and clipped into a pair of
"shorts."
After trying out each configuration while meandering the trail, I found I tended
to wear the skirt in its long configuration mostly while in the cities,
sometimes snapping it up into a short skirt when the temperatures tended to the
warmer side - For hiking, I prefer wearing the skirt snapped up into the short
skirt configuration. With the skirt left long, I found on steeper inclines
I had to hold up the front hem to prevent myself from stepping on it - and on
steep descents, I noticed the back hem dragging on the dirt. I should note
that when the skirt is snapped into its short skirt configuration, it drapes
quite nicely in front with the front hem folding up and underneath the skirt,
however the rear of the skirt seems to dangle down unbecomingly - no amount of
fussing on my part was able to resolve this fashion issue. While
scrambling and climbing, I opted to clip the skirt up into shorts. In this
configuration, I found the bulk of the clipped up skirt between my legs to be a
bit irritating - but it did keep the skirt out of my way and prevented it from
catching or snagging in critical moments. No matter how I opted to wear
the skirt, converting between different styles proved to be easy to do, and I
was able to make modifications to my outfit while on the move.
In addition to its many configurations, the Adventure Skirt holds an additional
advantage over a pair of pants - I can keep it out of the muck when changing
without having to go to extremes to find a rock or other high point to balance
on! And just how is this amazing feat accomplished, you ask? Simply
by pulling it off over my head, as I would a shirt!
[back to Table of Contents]
Wear and Tear and Washing - How's It Holding Up?
After six weeks of travel and no particular pains in keeping it out of dirt,
snaggy brush or off abrasive rocks, the Macabi Adventure Travel Skirt is holding
up quite well - I've noticed no shrinking, staining or fading. The fabric
continues to maintain its suppleness, all the seams are still in good repair and
the snaps are still functioning. I did observe some pilling on my right
hip where my backpack rubs when carried on one shoulder. I removed the
pilling with a razor and will be watching closely to see if it comes back.
In addition to proving thus far to be stain, fade and abrasion resistant, I've
noted that the skirt is also quite wrinkle resistant. I was able to unpack
the skirt, put it on and wear it without having to worry about looking like a
wringed out mess, and I certainly never felt obliged to find an iron to make
myself look presentable. I even slept in the skirt several nights and it
came out of that ordeal remarkably wrinkle free.
Since I didn't have access to a washing machine for a good portion of my trip, I
had to resort to hand washing the skirt at the end of my day. This proved
to be a simple affair, and even in the high (80-90%) humidity of Spain, the bulk
of the skirt was dry by morning with a bit of lingering dampness in the
waistband. I'd definitely classify it as quick-drying! Since coming
back into civilization, I've washed and dried the skirt several times following
the care instructions, and have noted no issues with shrinkage, fading or
pilling.
[back to Table of Contents]
Continued Testing Strategy
I'll continue to take the Macabi Adventure Travel Skirt with me on the majority
of my adventures in the desert southwest - including trips to the Grand Canyon,
Southern Utah and any other trips I happen to avail myself of. In addition, I
will continue to wear the skirt around town and on my more mundane travels.
I will continue to evaluate the skirt for its durability, comfort and style.
[back to Table of Contents]
Summary
Having never even considered wearing a skirt on the trail, I wasn't sure
what to expect. I admit I was concerned about the skirt tangling and
snagging on things, however the Macabi Adventure Travel Skirt has appeared to
have forseen my concerns and designed solutions around them. Even while
scrambling and doing some low grade climbing, I was able to wear the skirt
without fear of getting snagged or tangled at an inopportune time - my mobility
wasn't hampered in any way at all, other than my worring about if anyone below
could see up my skirt (generally not a problem, since I just made sure no one
was below). With that said, here are my likes and
dislikes:
Woo Hoos (likes):
- Nice appearance and presentation - the Macabi Adventure Skirt is both
stylish and functional. The fabric is soft and has numerous
travel-friendly properties
- Stain-Resistant - even after seeing days on the trail and in the city, the
skirt has not picked up any stains
- Quick Drying - the fast drying fabric of the skirt makes it a pleasure to
travel with
- Wrinkle Resistant - even after being bundled into a sleeping bag, the skirt
was wrinkle free and ready to go in the morning!
General Comment:
- When snapped into the shorter length skirt, my appearance coming is much
better than when I'm going - The skirt, in this configuration, drapes nicely in
front, but hangs rather unappealingly in back
- If blessed with more shapely legs, I recommend wearing bike shorts or
something similar underneath to prevent chafing between the thighs after long
days on the trail
Boo Hoos (areas for improvement):
- At this time I note no areas for improvement, but I do continue to have
niggling concerns over the snaps jamming after much exposure to sand and grit
[back to Table of Contents]
My thanks to BackpackGearTest.org and Macabi Skirt for this testing opportunity.
Read more reviews of Macabi Skirt gear
Read more gear reviews by Stephanie Martin
|
