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Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > Red Ledge Elite Parka > James Triplett > Field ReportField Test Report: Red Ledge
Elite Parka  by James E. Triplett June 9, 2006
Personal Biographical Information:
Backpacking Background:hood I am an experienced hiker, backpacker, and camper, and am gaining more experience with winter camping every year. I hike every day, and backpack when possible, which leads to many weekends backpacking and camping each year. I try and take at least one annual week-long backpacking trip in addition to many one to three-night weekend trips. My style can best be described as lightweight, but not at the cost of giving up too much comfort. I generally sleep in a tent, and seem to be collecting quite a few of them to choose from.
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REVIEW:  Test Conditions: I have managed to wear the Red Ledge Elite Parka nearly every day this spring for my morning hikes with my dog, as well as on three day-hikes, and twice in actual rain. I did wear it a few more times in light rain or sprinkles, but that doesn't really count, in my opinion. All the hikes were in the acres of woods around my home in Eastern Iowa except for a couple in Missouri. The temperatures ranged from 31 to 92 F (-1 to 33 C) here in Cedar Rapids, although I have not worn the jacket at any temperatures higher than 70 F (21 C). I originally received a size large Elite Parka, however Red Ledge promptly sent a replacement in the extra large size, and that parka was delivered April 3, 2006. All the information in this report, including the photographs, is on the XL parka. Note - for the Red Ledge Elite Full Zip Pant reports please follow this link. Using the Red Ledge Elite Parka: I have used the Elite Parka as my primary jacket since receiving it last March. This has primarily involved using it in temperatures above freezing, and not exceeding 60 F (16 C), although on one occasion I did wear it when it was 70 F (21 C) outside. Below about 50 F (10 C) I layered a wicking short-sleeved t-shirt, a wicking long-sleeved t-shirt, and then the Elite Parka. As the temperature increased this spring, I switched to just the long-sleeved t-shirt, and then just the short-sleeved t-shirt under the jacket. My typical hikes consisted of about 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km) on pavement (to get to the trails from my house), and then 2 to 5 miles (3 to 8 km) on dirt pathways, in some open areas, but primarily in dense woods. During three day-hikes in Palisades-Kepler State Park it did not rain, but was cool enough to use the jacket. I also wore the Parka on some rural hikes in the Ballwin, Missouri area.  Test Results: I am not surprised at how the Elite Parka performed in all my usage so far. As a general rule, I have found that garments which the manufacture claims to be both waterproof and breathable - are not. That leads to the question, is it more on the waterproof side, or more on the breathable side. As a piece of serious rain gear, the Red Ledge Elite Parka is definitely more waterproof than breathable. In fact, after a hike of over two hours, in a rather heavy downpour, my shirt and upper body (covered by the jacket) remained completely free of rain water. In using the jacket for approximately five hours in light to heavy rain, I have observed that the jacket is totally and completely waterproof. I have also worn the Elite Parka for at least 20 hours in non-rainy conditions. The jacket works well at trapping my body heat and is comfortable to wear, especially while wearing a long-sleeved shirt. In cool weather the jacket is very usable and is a fairly light way to stay warm. In my opinion, the jacket is not breathable. Even in the shady woods at 50 F (10 C), even while not perspiring, the slightest exertion results in dampness and clinginess of the Parka sleeves if I am wearing a short-sleeved shirt. On the bright side, the Red Ledge Elite Parka has good ventilation features. Ventilation is the third feature I consider in rain gear (along with waterproofness and breathability) and is critical in a truly waterproof garment. The Elite Parka has ample pit-zips, as well as mesh lined pockets which allow air to enter through the pocket openings. The cuffs are roomy when not secured with the Velcro closure, and the bottom hem is fairly roomy when not cinched by the cinch-cords and cord-locks. The hood of the Elite Parka is neatly stored in the collar of the jacket. When used, I have found that the hood fits my head better if I am not wearing a cap. The hood has a neat little visor which works well for shedding water, and keeping the shape of the hood so that it doesn't slip over my eyes. Tightening the hood is done with a cinch cord which goes around my head, over my ears, rather than around my face. The cord-lock for this is at the back of the hood, but is easily reachable. I have never seen this done by anyone but Red Ledge, and really like this design. Additionally, there is the standard cord with the ends dropping down on either side of my face, although these cords, somewhat remarkably, will always stay dry as they actually hang out inside the collar! The cord ends and locks for the hem can be snapped inside and out of the way with a retainer webbing, but I have chosen not to use this feature as it is more convenient to just have the cords hanging loose by my hands. The retainers would keep the cord ends inside the jacket which would keep them dry should one desire that.  Other Usage Notes: I have typically started out hiking in the early morning with the main zipper all the way up, the pit zips closed, the cuffs Velcroed shut, the pockets zipped, and the hem cord drawn tight. When it has been cool enough for gloves, the wide flaps on the cuffs make them easy to tighten. There is a cord-lock on each side of the jacket, and the cords are right at my fingertips when I put my hands down by my sides. As I hike and my temperature elevates, I reverse the process of sealing in my body heat by undoing all the cords, zippers, and Velcro. I have learned that it is important not to wait too long to do this as once I get over heated in this jacket it is very hard to cool down without removing it. The pit zips unzip fairly easily with only an occasional snag on the fabric flap along the zippers. Zipping the pit-vents closed is more challenging as I can't seem to find a way to hold the hem taut while raising my arm to stretch out the zipper and zipping up the zipper. I have done it, but usually I close the pit-zippers before I put on the jacket. Test Plan: I will continue to use the Red Ledge Elite Parka for all my hiking, backpacking, and camping needs throughout the test period. Additionally, I will experiment with different layer techniques depending on the temperature and weather conditions present when I am wearing the jacket. The timing of this test is perfect for assuring some spring showers here in Eastern Iowa. The elevation here is around 860 feet and the temperature and precipitation data can be found in the table below. My primary concerns for the Elite Parka are weather resistance, ventilation, breathability, durability, and of course comfort and warmth.
Summary: So far everything about the Red Ledge Elite Parka works well, with the exception of the main zipper. The main zipper catches about four inches (10 cm) from the top and stops moving. Sometimes if I zip it back down a little and then up again, several times, it will then glide to the top. Other times I can zip it back down a little and then up again dozens of times and it never does go. I have found that it can be forced up the rest of the way, with a little difficulty, and a little grinding of the teeth, and there seems to be no ill effect from doing this. I should point out that the zipper is not catching on anything; it just seems to have a defect at that point. On a positive note, I really like this jacket. It is totally waterproof, the hood design is unique and compatible with my head, and it is an attractive garment. I wouldn't mind if it had a yoke vent in the back as there is no mechanism for holding the pockets open for ventilation through them, and as the weather gets warmer I find myself seeking more airflow. But it does vent reasonably well and definitely serves the intended purpose of keeping me dry. I should also mention that it is reasonably quiet for a nylon jacket. Thank you Red Ledge and BackpackGearTest for allowing my participation in this test series. Respectfully submitted, -James T.
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