Field Conditions

During the long term phase of testing, I continued the trend of testing the Winterizer on multiple day trips that I started at the onset of this test.  Day hikes varied in length from short hikes of 2 - 5 mi (3 - 8 km) to full day treks of 10 -15 mi (16 - 24 km). I also tested the Winterizer on several hiking and camping trips, including two 4-day treks in the Adirondacks, a week-long camping trip to the Adirondacks, a week-long camping trip in southern New York, and a week at Boy Scout summer camp in Western New York.  All of the testing during the long term phase was done in conditions above freezing.

The terrain around Western New York is a mixed bag, starting out close to the shores of Lake Erie as a flat plateau and changing to rolling hills further away from the lake. The flat land is around 700 ft (213 m) elevation with the hills steadily increasing to close to 2000 ft (610 m). Daily temperatures for long term testing ranged between 45 - 90 F (7 - 32 C). 

The trips to the Adirondacks were all in and around the High Peaks region, extending from the Lake George area to Saranac Lake.  Elevations ranged from 2000 - 5000 ft (600 - 1500 m).  Daily temperatures ranged from 30 - 90 F (17 - 50 C).

Almost all of the long term testing has been in warm weather.  The long term testing phase extended across spring, summer, fall, and recently winter conditions.  The Winterizer is marketed by Granite Gear as a winter accessory, but I can only classify the last two weeks as winter conditions.  Recent local conditions have included 30 inches (76 cm) of snow accumulation, with temperatures as low as 20 F (-7 C) and wind chills of 0 F (-18 C).  My experience using the Winterizer continues to be pleasant.  Simply put, the Winterizer works.  On extended overnight treks, the usual precautions to prevent water from freezing still need to be maintained, this for me usually includes putting my bladder inside my sleeping bag, near my feet.   But, the Winterizer definitely retards the effects of the cold by keeping the hose and bite valve from freezing much longer than they would without the Winterizer.  As expressed in the Field Report, the Winterizer does more than simply add a layer of insulation though; it provides a protective cover over the entire exposed portion of my hydration hose, which I really appreciate. 

One of my main goals during the long term phase of testing was to find out if the Winterizer offered any benefits during warm weather testing.  Personally, I have been most pleased with the results.  Not only did the Winterizer continue to provide protection to my water system, which was even more prone to damage than during cold weather testing, it also kept my water tasting better.  In my opinion, I feel the insulative properties of the Winterizer kept the water in the hose portion cooler than normal.  It offered a buffer from the direct rays of the sun, which resulted in my water not taking on a plastic taste that I'm typically sensitive to, especially in the summer.  That's not to say I could leave it baking out in direct sun, since I think the black color was actually detrimental under those conditions, but where I tend to hike, there's a lot of overgrowth from the forests and plant life.  Thus, I tend to hike mostly in indirect or at least infrequent direct sunlight.  I really liked using the Winterizer in these conditions and plan to continue using this accessory across all four seasons.

Durability has not been a problem.  The material and zippers are all holding up well.  Granted, running across my shoulder strap onto my sternum strap doesn't present the harshest conditions, but this is not the only configuration I've tested the Winterizer.  I have also tested the Winterizer in a variety of day packs, two hydration bladder packs, and my child carrier.  The Winterizer cleans up easily with a little soap, water and elbow grease, and shows no discernable fading from ultraviolet damage. 

The Winterizer is a tight fit on my hydration tube.  In the beginning of the test series, I complained in my Initial Report on the difficulty I experienced getting the hose through the Winterizer.  But, I've come to appreciate this form fitting property.  I think it improves the insulative characteristics and makes for a more comfortable system for me to wear.

My only complaint with the Winterizer at this point is with the nylon retention clip on the bite valve pocket.  The clip has held up well for me, but I've never been truly satisfied with its functionality.  It needs to hold more tightly.  Because it's such a loose fit, it tends to come off and flop around.  I've found that it's easy to remedy this with other means of restraint, but I would love to see this improved by Granite Gear. 

The Winterizer does what the manufacturer states: it keeps the water from freezing in my bite valve and hydration hose.  It does not prevent freezing indefinitely, but definitely slows down the effects the outside conditions present on a typical winter's day in Upstate New York.  I also liked using the Winterizer throughout the summer, as I felt it prevented my water from developing a plastic taste.  The Winterizer provides considerable protection to the exposed portions of my hydration system in any season.

Thank you Granite Gear and BackpackGearTest for allowing me to participate in this gear test.