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Reviews > Packs > Pack Accessories > Integral Designs Sil Pack Cover > Ken Bigelow > Initial ReportIntegral Designs Silcoat Pack Cover
Initial Report
Name: Ken Bigelow Age: 26 Gender: Male Height: 5’ 9” (1.8 m) Weight: 205 lbs (93 kg) Email: krb84108 (at) yahoo (dot) com Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA Date: May 16, 2005 Backpacking Background: I was first dragged on a backpacking trip eight years ago a have been addicted to it ever since. My adventures vary in length from a weekend to over two weeks. I consider myself a mid-weight backpacker as I bring along a few luxuries, such as a tent. From spring through fall I typically backpack in the mountains or desert, while in winter I often go snowshoeing. I typically see a wide variety of climates ranging from 10 F (-12 C) with snow to 90 F (32 C) and sunny with just about everything in between. Product Information: Manufacturer: Integral Designs Website: www.integraldesigns.com Size: Large (up to 5500 cu, or 90 L); Small available for volumes up to 3000 cu or 50 L Listed Weight: 3.3 oz (94 g) Measured Weights: Pack Cover - 3.2 oz (91) Stuff Sack - 0.2 oz (6 g) Combined - 3.4 oz (96 g) Listed Dimensions: Length - 39 in (99 cm) Width - 15 in (38 cm) Depth - 13 in (33 cm) Stuff Sack - 3 in x 4 in ( 8 cm x 10 cm) Integrated Stuff Pocket - 4 in x 4 in (10 cm x 10 cm) Measured Dimensions: Length - 39 in (99 cm) Width - 14.5 in (37 cm) Depth - 13.5 in (34 cm) Stuff Sack - 3 in x 4.5 in (7.6 cm x 11 cm) Integrated Stuff Pocket - 5 in x 4.5 in ( 13 cm x 11 cm) Color: Olive; Other color options are Grey, Jade or Yellow Product Description & Initial Impressions: The Silcoat Pack Cover arrived complete in its stuff sack along with an Integral Designs catalog, new product sheet and price list. The pack cover expands to reveal a dished hood at the top and a shock cord that follows the edge of the pack cover. The shock cord has been completely covered by the silcoat fabric except for the two bottom locations where it is exposed and allows for a backpack's hip belt to pass between the chord and the fabric. The cover attaches to a backpack by blanketing the top of the pack with the hood and sliding the backpack's belt clips between the shock cord and the silcoat cover. The shock chord can then be adjusted through use of the two drawstrings (in the bottom corners) accordingly for a better fit. In the bottom right hand corner of the cover lies an interior pocket. This unique feature provides an alternative to the stuff sack. The pocket can be turned inside out around the compacted cover, confining its volume to the size of the pocket. This clever idea only saves 0.2 oz (6 g) of weight, but it does store the cover in a relatively flat, rectangular shape as opposed to the cylindrical shape of the stuff sack. Converting the pocket into a stuff sack is fairly simple here in the warm confines of my living quarters but it may be more difficult in cold, windy conditions when one is exhausted. Integral Designs Silcoat Pack Cover is lightweight pack cover made of "1.1 oz (31 g) 30 denier rip stop nylon impregnated with 1/4 oz (7 g) of silicone". Silicone impregnated material is supposed to be waterproof, non-absorbing and capable of shearing wind pressure. The manufacturer claims that the silicone will not separate from the rest of the material even in wet, freezing, or hot conditions. Cleaning instructions recommend hand washing the pack cover with soap, rinsing and then air drying the cover. The manufacturer also warns against storing the pack cover when wet. Testing Location: I go hiking or backpacking in Utah almost every weekend from the spring through the fall and will bring the pack cover on every trip. This spring I have at least two trips to Southern Utah planned this spring and expect to hit Capital Reef National Park, Zion National Park and the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in either spring or fall. This summer I plan on hiking the High Uintas Wilderness, the Wasatch Mountains or Fish Lake National Forest at least once a week. I also have a week long trip in Yellowstone National Park for set for late August. The terrain will vary greatly and will include wet and muddy corridors, slickrock, steep and rocky terrain as well as plain old dirt paths. There will be numerous stream and river crossings encountered throughout the testing period. Temperatures should range from 30 F (-1 C) to 90 F (32 C). I will likely see all types of weather ranging from heavy rain to sunny. The elevations experienced should be between 4000 feet (1220 m) and 12000 feet (3658m). Testing Plan: The weather in Utah is unpredictable to say the least. A common saying is “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes”. When backpacking this means one needs to expect any and every type of climate. Rapidly fluctuating temperatures mandates one having warm, dry gear in order to survive in the backcountry. The best way to ensure this is to bring appropriate equipment and keep it as dry as possible. A pack cover could certainly aid one in achieving this goal, provided it is a decent quality pack cover. Over the course of the test period I hope to answer many questions I have concerning the pack cover. The pack cover’s main purpose is to prevent my pack from becoming drenched in water. Is the “30 denier rip stop nylon impregnated with ¼ oz of silicone” cover really waterproof? I typically leave my pack outside my shelter when in the backcountry. This leaves it fully exposed to the elements. Will the cover provide some shelter for my pack during the night? Does it protect the entire pack or just the side opposite the shoulder straps? Will the shock cord and deeply dished hood allow the cover to easily adjust to different volumes and arrangements of gear? I intend to use the pack cover on at least two different packs, my Granite Gear Stratus Access FZ and North Face fusion. Will it have a snug and secure fit on both styles? If crossing a river with the pack cover on, will water be able to splash up underneath and wet the pack? When hiking will the cover flap or make annoying sounds to distract me from having fun on the trail? Do raindrops produce a deafening echo when bouncing off the cover? Can a strong breeze separate the cover from the pack? Does the pack cover go on quickly and easily? Is it easy to determine which end covers the top or bottom of the pack when unfolding the cover in the backcountry? Can the cover be packed away easily in windy conditions? While hiking I constantly need to have access to my pack be it for food, clothing, toiletries, or first aid. This does not change when the rain or snow starts dropping from the sky. Will I have relatively easy access to my pack while the Silcoat Pack cover is on the pack? Will I be able to use my hydration bladder with the cover on? The durability of the pack cover also needs to be looked at. I often encounter terrain that punishes my gear. It is not uncommon for me to squeeze in between brush or rocks. This often means the terrain ends up rubbing, poking or smashing against my pack. Will the cover rip, tear or any other way be damaged after six months of abuse? I also tend to sit, lay or lean on my pack during rest stops. Will I still be able to do this with the pack cover on? Will the shock cord hold up to testing or will it require replacing? Is it replaceable and if so how easy is it to do? I would like to thank Integral Designs and BackpackGearTest for allowing me the opportunity to participate in this test.
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