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AntiGravityGear Blue Cozy Cover(s)
Initial Report - February 21, 2005
Contents
Reviewer Information [return to top]
Name: Chuck Kime
Nickname: Fuzzy
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 8" (1.72 m)
Weight: 229 lb (104 kg)
Email address: ckime AT nelsononline DOT com
City, State, Country: Upper Darby (Philadelphia suburb), PA, U.S.A.
Date: February 21, 2005
Product Information [return to top]
Manufacturer: AntiGravityGear (AGG)
Model: Neoprene Cozy Cover
Year of Manufacture: 2005
URL: http://www.antigravitygear.com
Listed weight (2-Quart): 2.6 oz (74 g)
Listed weight (3-Cup): 1.9 oz (54 g)
Measured weight (2-Quart): 2.6 oz (74 g), scale accurate to 0.1 oz
Measured weight (3-Cup): 1.9 oz (54 g)
Color: Blue
MSRP (2-Quart): $12.95 US
MSRP (3-Cup): $9.95 US
Features (from web site) [return to top]
- Protect your AntiGravityGear cozy and add to the performance! This zippered cozy cover is made of neoprene and protects your cozy from wear and abraision. The seams are glued AND stitched for durability. The lid zippers off to allow you to remove and insert the pot after cooking. Custom fit for the 2-Quart and 3-Cup AntiGravityGear pots. There is enough room on top of the pot to store the lifter handle, camp towel and other kitchen gear. Weight of the 2-Quart Cover is 2.6 ounces and the 3-Cup cover is 1.9 ounces. This is a must-have item!
Arrival [return to top]
The cozy covers arrived on February 14, 2005, in a corrugated box approximately 7 x 7 x 6 in (18 x 18 x 15 cm). The box was received undamaged. Inside the box I found a generic clear plastic shopping bag containing: an AntiGravityGear 2-Quart Cozy; the 2-Quart Cover, in a sealed plastic bag; the 3-Cup Cover, in a sealed plastic bag; a nice, personalized, handwritten note from George “Tin Man” Andrews at AGG; and a letter-sized paper explanation (and entry form) for the LeaveATrace.com 2005 Donation Drive, which looks like a nice idea. There were no other contents, and all contents appeared undamaged.
Description [return to top]
The Neoprene Cozy Covers are made to fit the cozies for the pots included with the AntiGravityGear Mama’s Kitchen Cook Set. They have zip-off lids to allow placing the pot/cozy combinations into the covers, and enough room on top of the cozy to fit the AGG pot lifter and a few other cook-time items.
The larger cover measures about 5½ in tall by 6½ in wide (14 x 17 cm), and weighs 2.6 oz (74 g), while the smaller cover measures about 4 in tall by 5¾ in wide (10 x 15 cm), and weighs 1.9 oz (54 g). Both covers are made of thin (1/16 in, 2 mm) neoprene with blue fabric bonded on the outside, and light grey fabric bonded on the inside. Both also use black coil zippers, and have a short length of 7/8 in (2 cm) black webbing connecting the lid to the body at the end of the zipper, which separates far enough that the lid may be flipped completely out of the way of the cover for easier inserting or removing of the cozy. The ‘antigravitygear’ logo is screened in black on the front of each cover.
First Impressions [return to top]
AGG has some of the best, most detailed photos I have ever seen on their website. I got exactly what I was expecting based on viewing the site. I also must commend Tin Man and the other folks at AGG for their continued – and significant – support of outdoor programs and conservation efforts.
Field Information [return to top]
Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 25 to 30 ºF (-4 to -1 ºC) to highs around 95 to 100 ºF (35 to 38 ºC). Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 2,000’ (610 m). I just attended the Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment this past weekend, where conditions are historically (pun only slightly intended) as bad as when Washington was there over 200 years ago, generally with a fair amount of snow on the ground, if not actually falling during the event. This year was beautifully clear and dry, but it barely got above freezing during the day, and was significantly colder at night. My fiancée and I, who between us have 3 First Class Boy Scouts (ages 13, 14 and 15), are also looking into additional camping without the Scouts, and the possibilities of beginning to do some AT section hikes in Pennsylvania as the weather warms up.
I have tested both the full AntiGravityGear Mama’s Kitchen set, and the Clikstand set. I liked both sets, although I missed having a cozy when using the Evernew pot with the Clikstand. Given the (perceived) somewhat fragile nature of the Ti pot, and the lack of a cozy (yes, I can buy or make one – not the point here), I have been leaning towards the AGG pots for winter when I will have more – and heavier – gear stuffed into my pack around the set. The blue cozy cover would add both another layer of security to the set in my pack, and another layer of insulation around the cozy when in use.
Things I am/will be looking for:
- Ease of use. How easy is it to get the cozy in and out of the cover? Does the zipper engage/disengage easily?
- Fit. Does the cover fit the cozy well? How much additional gear fits above the pot/cozy (I see myself keeping the Clikstand on top and the Trangia in the pot)?
- Durability. Are there any special wear points? Does it stand up to being tossed – or worse, stuffed – into a pack with other gear? Do I need to worry about putting it down on abrasive surfaces?
- Cleanability. Are there special instructions? Are they easy to follow? Does it hold much dirt in the first place?
Things I like [return to top]
- Light.
- Well made.
- Makes it easier to keep my kitchen together, even (especially) without a stuff sack.
Things I don't like [return to top]
- None yet.
Backpacking Background [return to top]
My family started car/trailer camping when I was about 5. I spent 17 years in the Army Reserve fine-tuning my packing methodology – when I got out, I was down to a fairly respectable 75-80 lb (34-36 kg) load in my ALICE pack. Advancing age, arthritic knees and a car accident have led me to seriously rethink my gear choices, experiment with tarps and hammocks, make some of my own gear, and take a closer look at my ‘toys’ with an eye for multi-use and light weight. I now have a sub-30 lb (14 kg) 3-season load, and should be able to reduce it to 20 lb (9 kg) – before food, fuel and water – without much more effort.
Thank you for your time.
Chuck Kime
a.k.a. Fuzzy
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