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Reviews > Packs > Pack Accessories > Integral Designs Sil Pack Cover > Ken Bigelow > Long Term ReportIntegral Designs Silcoat Pack Cover
Long Term Report
November 29, 2005
Name: Ken Bigelow Age: 27 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 Backpacking Background: I was first dragged on a backpacking trip eight years ago and 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 g) 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) Year Manufactured: 2005 Color: Olive; Other color options are Grey, Jade or Yellow MSRP: $35 (US) Field Conditions: Throughout the final four months of testing, I used the Silcoat Pack Cover for protection against rain, snow and hail. My testing (where I actually saw some precipitation) occurred in Yellowstone National Park, the Wasatch Mountains, the High Uintas Wilderness, and Zion National Park. The terrain has varied greatly and has included wet and muddy corridors, steep and rocky terrain, snow-covered trails and plain old dirt paths. Temperatures have ranged from 25 F (-4 C) to 80 F (27 C). The elevations experienced have been between 4,000 feet (1,200 m) and 11,000 feet (3,300 m). Long Term Review: The final four months of testing has exposed the Silcoat Pack Cover to heavy rain, hail and even light snow. While backpacking in the High Uintas I experienced a pretty nasty thunderstorm. It poured on me all day and the pea-sized hail in the early evening convinced me to turn in for the day. I left the pack cover on all night long. The weather switched from hail to rain and back again. In the morning, after the storm had passed, I was very surprised that the Silcoat Pack Cover was fully intact after the storm and shocked that it showed no signs of damage whatsoever.  The Silcoat Pack Cover Repels Heavy Rain & Hail  The Silcoat Pack Covering Most of My Pack During the Night The Silcoat Pack Cover has survived a great deal of abuse over the testing period. I typically sit, lay or lean on my pack when resting on the trail. I still continue this tradition even with the pack cover on, but I do use a bit more care when sitting on my pack. Branches, bushes, and slickrock have all rubbed the pack cover and the only damage is a small tear in the fabric roughly the height of my fingernail. This laceration is so small I am not sure where it even occurred. I discovered it when putting the pack cover over my pack. I have not experienced a major downpour since discovering the tear, but moderate rain is still repelled by the pack cover even around the area in question. The adjustable shock cord has not shown any signs of wear and tear and still functions perfectly normal.  Small Laceration in the Silcoat Pack Cover I switched from my Granite Gear Stratus
Access pack to my North Face Fusion pack through most of August and all
of
September. The Silcoat Pack Cover fits both style of
packs equally well. It comes off and on with easy and covers the
majority of the pack while still allowing me relatively easy access to
my gear. When fully loaded, neither pack is protected on the
bottom. This isn't a problem (as most precipitation does not come
up from the ground), but could pose a problem when fording a deep river
or other water hazard.
Overall I have been very pleased with the performance of the Silcoat Pack Cover. It has done an excellent job repelling rain, hail and light snow both on the trail and during the night. It has been quick and easy to both put on and store away. It held up reasonably well to the abuse I put it through with only a tiny scratch to show for it. In short, it keeps my gear dry and does not prevent me from enjoying myself on the trail. Things I like so far:
I would like to thank Integral Designs and BackpackGearTest for allowing me the opportunity to participate in this test.
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