Macabi Skirt for Men

Long Term Report

Biographical Information:

Name: Chuck Carnes

Age: 34

Gender: Male

Height: 6’0” (1.83 m)

Weight: 175 lbs (79 kg)

Email address: ctcarnes1@yahoo.com

City, State, Country: Taylors, South Carolina, United States

Date: November 23, 2004

Backpacking Background:

I love the outdoors – I’ve spent time camping in the outdoors since I was born, and have been actively hiking and backpacking for the past ten years. I consider myself a lightweight hiker, usually carrying 20-30 lbs (9-14 kg) for hikes up to a week in length. I hike at an easy pace, averaging 2 mph (3 km/hr). I am a one man tent camper for now until something I like better comes along. I like to carry a single trekking pole when I hike to help relieve stress to my legs and knees. I like to get out on the trail as often as I can.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Macabi Skirt

Style of Garment: Skirt

Fabric: Supplex Nylon

Size: Regular

Color: Charcoal

Length: 35 in (89 cm)

Year of Manufacture: 2004

URL: www.macabiskirt.com

MSRP: $76.95 (US)

Listed weight: No weight listed

Weight as delivered: 9 oz (255 g)

Previous Reports:

Initial Report

Field Report

Long Term Report:

            This has been an interesting test for me. Up until this test I have never worn a skirt or a kilt. I can happily say that I enjoyed the times that I was wearing the Macabi Skirt for Men. I have worn the skirt in hot weather, cold weather, rainy conditions and windy conditions. The skirt has its advantages and disadvantages in different types of weather.

During the time between April and September I experienced mostly hot weather. The temperatures ranged between 85 F (30 C) and 100 F (37 C) and was mostly dry and humid. I took the skirt on a couple of weekend trips in the Smokies and on camping trips that we took to the Lake. The skirt performed very well. I wore this skirt in all the different fashions that it could be worn. While in the full skirt fashion, I did get a lot of laughs and I did feel a little silly but I liked the freedom that I felt underneath. It was nice when I had to wade around in the lake or come to a deep stream crossing to be able to pull the skirt up to keep it from getting totally wet. It kept my legs from getting sweaty by getting air from underneath. I mainly wore the skirt in the Pant Clip style and the Wading Snaps style. In this type of style the material of the skirt is gathered up in the middle and on the sides and attached to a clip in the front and on the sides; it looks and feels more like shorts in this fashion. I also like this style for being able to stay cool while hiking on hot days and stomping through trails that seem to be rivers after a heavy rain.

During the time between September and November I experienced a lot of wet and cold conditions. On one occasion it was all three at the same time. I mainly stuck to the Pisgah National Forest during this period but did visit the Smokies on a couple of occasions. The temperatures during this time ranged between 30 F (-1 C) and 60 F (15 C) with rain and wind up to 30 mph (48 km/hr). I wasn’t very happy with the protection that I got from the skirt on the rain and windy days. I felt like Marilyn Monroe in the famous picture of her standing over the exhaust grate. I was constantly trying to keep the material down to get some protection from the wind and rain. I did notice the wind resistance of the material when the skirt was hanging fully. I didn’t feel the wind near as bad while it was in this position. If I had the skirt pulled up and snapped then my legs were getting wet along with my socks. I don’t want to sound like a wimp but it was very uncomfortable. The material did shed the light rain off but when the rain started getting heavier the material got soaked and so did the underneath. After getting to camp I would have to change into dryer clothes and stretch the skirt out in my vestibule to dry. The material did dry very quickly and I was able to wear it with a base layer on under it to keep my legs warm.

Overall I am really impressed with the material and its durability. I caught it on several sticks and branches but at no time was it torn or picked badly. All of the clips, buckles, zippers and snaps are still in good working condition. I liked the deep pockets where I could carry my camera and GPS and have them readily available. I will continue to wear the skirt on my hiking and backpacking trips but it will probably be the ones that are in warm and dry conditions.

Thank you Macabi and BGT for the time and opportunity to test this skirt. It was a pleasure being a part of this test and I hope that the reports that were filed will be helpful.