|
| Home | Guest - Not logged in | |||
|
» Register
» Login
Gear Reviews
Documents
Tools
» Contact
|
Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > GoLite Whim Pants > Gail Staisil > Initial ReportName:
Gail Staisil
Age: 53 Gender: Female Height: 5' 9" (1.75 m) Weight: 140 lb (64 kg) Waist Size: 28 in (71 cm) Hip Size: 37 in (94 cm) Pants Size: Woman's Medium Location: Marquette, Michigan USA Email: woodswoman2001@yahoo.com Photo
Album Website: http://community.webshots.com/user/isleroyalegirl
For the last 16
years, backpacking has become a passion. I am a four-season backpacker
and an off-trail navigator. Although
I do take yearly trips to the American West or Southwest, the majority
of my trips are in Michigan and Canada.
My pack weight varies considerably, but my base weight is below 20 lb
(9.1 kg). I am primarily a tarp camper, who averages over 50 nights a
year backpacking in a huge variety of weather conditions including
relentless rain, wet snow and sub-zero temps.
GoLite Whim Pants-- Description The
GoLite Whim Pants are water resistant shell pants that may be used in a
wide variety of activities. According to the website, the Whim Pants
are a 4 oz (110 g) ultra-lite wonder that offers wind and water
resistance plus
great durability for the weight. Some of their attributes include their
highly packable small size and breathability. They are available
in a full range of sizes ranging from Unisex XS to XXL.
Manufacturer: GoLite
 Website: http://www.golite.com Phone: 1.888.546.5483 Model: Whim Pants Model Year: 2006 Color: Night (Black) Size: Unisex Small Sizes Available: Unisex XS to XXL Materials: WispUltraTM Fabric with Super-DWR coating MSRP: $70.00 US Manufacturer Values:
Product
Weight:
4 oz (110 g)
Inseam: 30 in (76 cm) Tester's Measured Values:
Product Weight: 3.5 oz (99 g) Inseam: 30.25 in (77 cm) Self-Stowing Back Pocket Size (Filled): 5 in (12.70 cm) X 4 in (10.16 cm) GoLite Whim Pants-- Initial Impressions The GoLite Whim Pants arrived in a small plastic bag with a drawcord closure. A hangtag was attached to the waist area of the pants. The hangtag included the key features of the pants as well as guarantee information. Contact numbers and website information are listed as well. I immediately noticed that the pants were a Size Small. I quickly panicked as I felt that there wasn't any way my body was going to fit into a Size Small. I then realized that the pants were in Unisex sizing which would be sort of the equivalent of a Woman's Medium Size. This still didn't make me feel better as I worried about the size conversion until I tried them on me. Sometimes Unisex sizing doesn't allow for a woman's hip measurement in the conversion. I was wearing a pair of capri pants so I slipped the Whim pants over them and hoped for the best. Perfect fit! I was relieved! The pants have a simple drawstring made out of 0.25 in (0.64 cm) flat braided cord. The drawstring is tied in an overhand knot at the end. There really isn't any way to tighten the cord as the cord is not long enough to tie additional knots in it and it lacks a cordlock. However the waist tunnel for the cordage appears to be somewhat elasticized possibly preventing it from being an issue. The Ultra-Light Whim Pants are Night in color with a simple embroidered company logo. The white-stitched logo is located on the left front of the pants close to the side seam and about 2 in (5.08 cm) below the waist. The side seams and rise seam are all finished off neatly and they are reinforced by simple top stitching on the front of the garment. The seams are not sealed but that is to be expected as the garment is supposed to be only water repellent, not necessarily waterproof. A ca  re label is located
in the inside back of
the waist area. Washing and drying
instructions are included with preferred
detergent usage.I couldn't help but notice the softness of the fabric. When I normally think of wind pants or water repellent pants I usually imagine them to be made out of a stiffer or crinkly-type fabric that usually makes a lot of swishing noise as I walk through the forest. The Wisp-Ultra Fabric is incredibly soft and quiet. Wisp-Ultra Fabric is comprised of 98 percent Polyester and 2 percent Carbon Fabric with a Super-DWR finish. The pants are designed to stuff into the inside back hanging pocket. The self-stowing pocket is unadorned except for a 1.75 in (4.45 cm) loop that is attached to the top seam of the pocket. There is a small buttonhole in the accompanying flap to the pocket. I quickly stuffed the pants into it and was impressed that they compressed so easily and that it was a quick effort to undertake. I pulled the loop through the buttonhole. Maybe this is just a lightweight closure system and the loop could then be lashed safely to a part of a pack so that it wouldn't be lost. I also think it would be a great place to attach a piece of lanyard to stow a key, etc. attached to the pants pocket. The filled pocket measures 5 in (12.70 cm) X 4 in (10.16 cm). GoLite Whim Pants-- Test Plan During the next
few months, I will test the GoLite Whim Pants during several spring and
summer
backpacking trips. They include a three day trip to Pictured Rocks
National Lakeshore in late April, a four to five day solo trip in May
and
several lengthy trips in the following months. All trips will be in the
state of Michigan or to the province of Ontario in Canada. The testing
conditions
will
be at low elevation or altitude, 600 ft (183 m) to 2000 ft (610 m),
with
mostly semi-cool to warm conditions and mid-to-high range humidity
(50-95 percent). The
amount of time in the field will far surpass the minimum requirements
for this test. In addition to these planned trips, I will most
likely be taking several weekend-type trips during the testing period.
The GoLite Whim Pants will also be worn for trail runs in inclement
weather as well as being stowed on day hiking trips and worn when
needed for changes in weather conditions.
Rampant
temperature change and much precipitation is expected during the four
month testing period. Testing location temperatures will range from the
average low in April of 27 F ( 4 C) to a high of 46 F ( 17 C). July
being the hottest month of the test period historically has an average
high of 75 F (29 C) and an average low of 53 F (11 C).
Precipitation averages for this time period add up to over 12 in (30
cm). All of these trips will
be taken to hilly boreal or deciduous forest. Many of these trips
are of the bushwhack variety, so in addition to the above, I will be
encountering wet swampy areas and the like.
I will address
the following concerns and more:
Comfort:
Will
the GoLite Whim Pants fit properly so that they are not too tight or
restrict my movement through a full range of motion especially during
climbing pursuits? Will the drawcord adjust easily and be comfortable
so that it doesn't cut into my waist area? Will the pants accommodate
an
extra layer of clothing such as a light Capilene underlayer or a pair
of trail shorts? Will I be able to slip the pants over my trail shoes
or will I have to remove my shoes to perform this task? Will the inside
of the WispUltra Fabric be comfortable against my skin if I choose to
wear the pants without full underlayers? Will they cling to my legs and
be comfortable in a wide variety of temperature and humidity ranges?
How much wind protection can I expect while wearing the pants?
Workmanship:
Will
the
pants be finished smoothly and neatly so that there aren't any loose
threads or other imperfections? Will the waist area with drawcord be
finished flatly so that it doesn't "roll"? Will the drawcord be of a
sufficient diameter so that it is easy to work with?
Performance:
Can I expect the pants to keep my legs dry during a downpour
or will they soak through quickly? Will they only be suitable for quick
light precipitation or will they stave off a few hours of nonstop
precipitation? When they do get wet, will they dry quickly while
wearing them if the rain stopped or will I have to remove them and dry
them? How long will they take to be dry to the touch?
Ventilation: Will
the pants allow adequate ventilation due to their advertised
breathable qualities? Can the pants be rolled up from the bottom edges
to allow a little more ventilation if needed?
Durability: Will the pants take repeated episodes of
getting wet and still stay water resistant? Will they rip easily if
bushwhacking through brushy vegetation? Will the drawcord break easily?
Will the seams stay water resistant? Will the seams pop stitches
easily? Will the pants stay functional after several months of high
usage?
Special Features: Will the back pocket of the pants be useful to stow a car key other small item? Will the pants stow in the back pocket easily when not in use? Will the "pocket stuff sack" be small enough to stow in a side mesh pocket of my pack or another reachable area so that I can get to the pants quickly if it starts to rain? Care: Will the pants be easy to care for? Do they have to be washed in a special manner to maintain the Super-DWR coating finish? Will they have to be treated with a commercial refinishing agent after a short amount of time? Tester
Remarks
I will gladly
address all these issues and any additional pertinent issues, as I test
the Whim Pants. Thanks to GoLite and BGT for this great
opportunity during the next four months.
Read more reviews of GoLite gear Read more gear reviews by Gail Staisil Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > GoLite Whim Pants > Gail Staisil > Initial Report | |||