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Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > Outdoor Research Zealot Jacket > Leesa Joiner > Long Term ReportOutdoor Research
Zealot Jacket Long Term Report September 23, 2006 Personal Information: Leesa Joiner leesaj@gmail.com Southwestern Maine 45 years old Female 5'7" (1.7 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Background: My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one-day hikes to two-week trips. My experience hiking began with my father when I was about six years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. While enjoying the outdoors with my friends and family, I spend time hiking, geocaching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and camping. Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am trying to ‘lighten up’. I spend almost as much time outdoors during the winter as I do during the summer. Product Information Manufacturer: Outdoor Research http://www.outdoorresearch.com/ + Size: Medium + Color: Mojo (blue) For more in-depth information, see my Initial Report Summary: The Outdoor Research Zealot Jacket has been a great addition to my outdoor gear! I have worn it over thirty times while hiking, camping, backpacking and during less adventurous outdoor times. It is comfortable and allows for easy movements. The jacket 'breathes' allowing for plenty of ventilation and little perspiration even on warm, rainy hikes. I was particularly pleased with how the jacket felt when worn under a backpack. I hiked in northern Maine on a wet, drizzly day that had temperatures in the low 80's (26 C). The humidity was very high. I had the jacket on but unzipped and the hood up. Sometimes I find that lightweight jackets bunch up under a backpack. The Zealot stayed where it belonged, and stayed comfortable. I have worn it in downpours, and find that I stay dry for quite a while, but that my arms will get wet, if they are held out in front of me for any length of time. If the water is able to roll down off my sleeve, the water does not seep through the fabric. The jacket doesn't show any signs of wear - no snags or tears from branches or brambles. I have been very pleased with the jacket, and find that it has held up well to frequent use. The zipper, although still tight, does not snag or catch on the fabric. The cuffs have held their elasticity. One of the things about the jacket that I was not impressed with is the hood tightening system. The cord control is at the back of the head. It is awkward to adjust while wearing the jacket, and seems silly to have to take the jacket off to adjust it. I also found the sides of the hood blocked my peripheral vision, if I didn't lean my head out a bit. A change I would like to see, would be a pocket that isn't placed sideways - even if it is inside the jacket. The current design has the pocket placed horizontally, making it awkward to remove things, without anything falling out. It would add a bit of weight, but for me would be well worth it. Test Locations, Conditions and Time Frame: Living in Northern New England, I have the good fortune of being able to experience at least 4 seasons (sometimes within days of each other!) and some of the best outdoor areas around. Spring brought heavy rains and some flooding. Early summer continued with much rain. We've had some hot and humid weather recently, with a few days that were perfect hiking weather - clear and breezy. Our temperatures have ranged from daytime highs of 95 F to lows of 75 F ( 35 - 23 C). During the last four months, I have worn the jacket a couple of times a week hiking, camping, backpacking and during less adventurous outdoor times. While hiking in northern New England, many of the trails are unimproved, meaning that I spend lots of time climbing over rocks and brush. We also tend to camp in remote, unimproved areas, as opposed to ‘camp grounds’. Read more reviews of Outdoor Research gear Read more gear reviews by Leesa Joiner Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > Outdoor Research Zealot Jacket > Leesa Joiner > Long Term Report | |||