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Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > Adidas Wandertag Mens Rain Jacket > Test Report by Michael Pearl

ADIDAS WANDERTAG JACKET
TEST SERIES BY MIKE PEARL
LONG-TERM REPORT

INITIAL REPORT - April 18, 2016
FIELD REPORT - July 05, 2016
LONG TERM REPORT - September 03, 2016

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Mike Pearl
EMAIL: mikepearl36ATyahooDOTcom
AGE: 42
LOCATION: Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 9" (1.75 m)
WEIGHT: 155 lb (70.30 kg)

I have a great appreciation for the outdoors and get out at every opportunity. I am a three-season, learning to be a four-season backpacker and year round hiker. Currently, my trips are two to three days long as well as an annual week-long trip. I utilize the abundant trail shelters in my locale and pack a backup tarp-tent. I like to cover big distances while still taking in the views. I have lightweight leanings but function and reliability are the priority. I mostly travel woodland mountain terrain but enjoy hiking beautiful trails anywhere.


INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Adidas IMAGE 1
Manufacturer's Website: www.adidas.com

MSRP: US $99 (Solid Colors) US $119 (Camo)
Year of Manufacture: 2016

Listed Weight: Not Listed
Measured Weight: 17 oz (478 g)

Available Sizes: Small to Double Extra Large
Tested Size: Medium
Available Colors: Black, Blue, Orange and Camo
Tested Color: Blue

Tester Arm Length: 23 in (58.5 cm), this is measured from my axilla (armpit) to wrist

Features:
- Climaproof breathable, waterproof fabric
- Adjustable hood with drawcord hem
- Side pockets that also work as vents
- Security pocket inside left chest
- Adjustable hook-and-loop cuffs
- 100% dobby

Materials:
- Outer shell 100% polyester
- Inner shell 100% thermoplastic polyurethane
- Lining insert 100% recycled polyester
- Lining 100% polyester


The Wandertag is a 2-layer polyester fabric jacket. It features climaproof, an Adidas registered trademarked waterproof, breathable fabric. The fabric is dobby weaved which is a weaving technique that provides texture to the fabric. The Wandertag simply stated is a jacket made to block rain and wind.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

IMAGE 2The Wandertag jacket arrived folded inside a clear plastic bag. There were four hang tags attached to a label inside the jacket. One is simply an Adidas brand tag and another a bar code sales tag with model, size, color and price information. Two other provide information about climaproof and state the jacket is completely waterproof and highly breathable, water column: 10,000 mm, breathability 10,000 g/sqm/24h.

Not being exactly sure what this meant (other than not allowing water in while allowing moisture out) I looked it up online. Otherwise these numbers have little meaning for me.

So water column is a test in which a 1 inch (25 mm) diameter tube stands vertically upon a fabric. Water is placed in the tube until leakage through the fabric begins. At this point the height of the water in the tube measured in millimeter is the waterproof rating. A rating of 5,000 to 20,000 mm is considered waterproof, unless subjected to considerable pressure. As reference a rating of 1 to 1,000 mm is rain resistant but not rainproof and 40,000 mm is non-porous material that will fail structurally before leaking.

Breathability is tested by measuring, in grams the amount of water vapor that passes through one square meter of fabric in 24 hours. Now I am wondering how many g/sqm/24hr of perspiration I purpose while hiking in the rain.

The other thing I had to look up was the word wandertag. I thought it a curious name for a jacket. It has a German ring to it but is its root wander or wonder? Well appropriate enough, I found wandertag is a day in German schools in which pupils go hiking.

Seven other tags in more languages than I cared to count are sewn inside the jacket. Adidas appears to truly be an international company. The tags provide the following information; country of origin - Bangladesh, materials and care instructions.

I like the Wandertag, it has a nice look and feel. All materials and construction appear to be of very good quality. The Wandertag is not flashy or boasts many features. It does not give the impression it is anything more than a rain jacket. The Wandertag seems well designed to meet this function. The only thing I feel it lacks is underarm pit zip venting. But time in the field should answer this.

TRYING IT OUT

IMAGE 3The Wandertag fits nicely and is comfortable. The zipper fastens easily and moves smoothly. I find a bad zipper on a good waterproof fabric very frustrating. The collar has a very soft and smooth finish on the inside. However it is rather tall and touches my ears when fully zipped. This will take some getting used to. The hook and loop cuffs seal securely at the wrist. The hood is very roomy but space is easily eliminated by the two drawstrings and hook and loop on the back. The bill or visor looks to be a good size and angle for shedding water. The hood can be folded up and tucked into an exterior pocket in the collar. However this makes the collar rather bulky. The two external side pockets are small and just fit my hands. The left interior chest pocket is a little larger. There are two drawcords on the sides at the bottom of the jacket. Both are easily accessed and engage and disengage without trouble.

Inside the Wandertag the chest and arms are made of solid black fabric. The back section and hood are made of black mesh fabric over top of a white fabric. On all sections of the jacket I can feel the two separate layers freely move separate of each other. I assume the mesh areas help to increase breathability.

It's been sunny and dry this week. So the Wandertag has remained dry so far. However it has been windy on morning walks with our dog. I could feel an appreciable difference with and without the Wandertag on. It did a good job blocking the wind.

SUMMARY

The Adidas Wandertag men's jacket is a clever named, well made rain jacket. I like its purposeful design and minimal features. However I would trade hand pockets for underarm vents. Now it's out into the field (and I just can't resist) for some wonderful wandertag walking in wet woods!


FIELD REPORT

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Two Day Hikes - Appalachian Trail - Hanover, New Hampshire
- 5 mi (8 km) 60 F (15.5 C) and light rain
- 5 mi (8 km) 50 F (10 C) and moderate rain

Overnight Backpack - Moose Mountain - Hanover, New Hampshire
- 8 mi (13 km) 80 - 50 F (27 - 10 C) clear and sunny, then cool and chilly

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

I have packed the Wandertag jacket on all my day hikes. However I only list two as all others it stayed in my pack. What my use thus far has shown me is that I no longer even notice the collar. This was a minor issue I had while trying on the jacket during my Initial Report. Hiking at a moderate pace at 50 F (10 C) in steady rain my upper body remained dry wearing the Wandertag. However raise the temperature to 60 F (15.5 C) on the same trail, at the same pace with slightly less rain and I became damp in the jacket from perspiration. No rain fell on my night out. But the Wandertag was a nice defense against mosquitoes until the temperature dropped. Then it was just enough to block the chill in the air before bedding down. In the morning the Wandertag made it more comfortable to move from my sleeping bag to the crisp morning air.

I am happy with the Wandertag's performance thus far. It packs down nicely to fit easily into my pack. It comes on and off easily, with quick hook-and-loop at the wrist, smooth zipper and full cover, great fitting hood. On both day hikes the rain beaded up and rolled off, water did not penetrate the Wandertag.

SUMMARY

While the Wandertag and walking in the woods have been wonderful, it hasn't been very wet here lately. Still I feel the Wandertag is a good backpacking rain jacket. While I did overheat once I have modified my use of rain jackets in warm weather rain over the past few summers. I no longer try to stay dry while hiking. I rather get dry and stay dry at the end of a hike, day or overnight, especially overnight. I have no doubt in the Wandertag's ability to keep me dry in camp while it's raining. I hope to have just such an experience during the next portion of the test series.


LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

IMAGE 1

Two day hikes on the Appalachian Trail - Hanover, New Hampshire - 10 mi (33 km) from 500 to 1200 ft (150 to 365 m). Temperature range 55 to 80 F (13 to 27 C) with clouds giving way to clear sky. Pack weight 35 lbs (16 kg).

Overnight at Mt Moosilauke - Benton, New Hampshire - 7.5 mi (12 km) from 2400 to 4803 ft (730 to 1464 m). Temperature 60 F (15.5 C) cloudy with intermittent light rain. Pack weight 30 lbs (13.6 kg).

Day hike at Mont Tremblant - Quebec, Canada - 3.7 mi (6 km) from 918 to 2871 ft (280 to 875 m). Temperature 80 F (27 C) and sunny. Pack weight 25 lbs (11 kg)

Six days and nights on the Long Trail - Vermont - 107 mi (172 km) from 600 to 4000 ft (180 to 1219 m). Temperature range 45 to 85 F (7 to 29 C) with sun, clouds and light misting rain. Pack weight 35 lbs at heaviest to 20 lbs at lightest (16 to 9 kg).

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

It has been a rather dry season in my region. So the Wandertag Jacket has not seen abundant action. The occasions that I did use the Wandertag I was nothing but pleased with its performance. All features continue to function as before. The most used being the zipper, it continuously opens and closes easily and never snagged my chin thanks to the chin guard. The loop and hook closures at the wrist still hold tight. I really haven't used any of the pockets, so I would still trade their weight for underarm vents. The hood covers my head very well. I made one adjustment to the back of the hood very early in the test series and never felt the need to change it. The front draw cords I pulled tight a few times to block the wind. They both cinch and release easily. Most importantly the fabric has retained its excellent level of protection from the rain and wind.

On the two Appalachian Trail hikes I used the Wandertag to keep me warm against the early morning chill. On the Moosilauke hike the Wandertag came on and off as the light rain came and went. Once at the treeless summit the Wandertag shielded me from a stiff wind and misting cloud cover. Mont Tremblant was nothing but sunny and hot so the Wandertag never made it out of my pack. Out on the Long Trail I had several cool evenings and chilly mornings. The two photos in this section are of just such a morning, sunrise breakfast at Stratton Pond in Vermont. The Wandertag was just enough to keep me warm. There was just one rainstorm while I was out. It rolled in after dinner while I was under cover of one of the Long Trail three sided open front shelters. The storm lingered till late morning in the form of a driving mist. It was borderline cold if not on the move. After about 15 minutes of hiking I had moisture collecting on me. The Wandertag kept my upper body warm and dry all morning long.

SUMMARY

In the end I like the Adidas Wandertag Men's Jacket. It has withstood the use I have put it through without incident. It remains in very good condition with no defects. The Wandertag has kept me dry and warm when needed. I feel it is best suited for temperatures below 60 F (15.5 C) if moving at a fast pace. In temperatures up to 65 F (18 C) I was comfortable if at rest or slow pace. I will continue using the Wandertag for the remainder of the season to discover its low temperature comfort point. When spring comes back around the Wandertag will be in my pack once again.

IMAGE 2


This concludes my Long-Term Report. I would like to extend my appreciation to Adidas and BackpackGearTest.org for making this test series possible.

This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1.5 Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.

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