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Testing Location Overview:
The hiking environment of the south-west of Western Australia
allows for hiking and backpacking from coastal plains to forest.
Elevation ranges from 0 to 585 metres (0 to 1,920 feet). Within this
region, I hike in varying
conditions from forestry roads, to sandy tracks to single-purpose
walking
trails, to rock hopping, to beach walking to completely off-track
walking
through open and dense country.
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Weather Conditions:
During the summer period, daytime
temperatures average 30° C (86° F), whereas from March through to
December the daytime average temperatures range from 15° C to 26° C
(59° F to 79° F). During the
autumn, winter, and spring periods the normal weather pattern is fairly
wet with frequent heavy rainstorms evident. It does not normally snow
in
Western Australia.
According to The Times Atlas of the World
(Concise Edition - Revised 1997)
our weather is described as being "Mediterranean - rainy climates with
mild
winters, coolest month above 0° C (32° F), but below 18° C (64° F);
warmest
month above 10° C (50° F)." The atlas depicts the coastal area north of
Los Angeles as having the same climate.
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Long-term experience
This report should be read in
conjunction with my Initial and Field Reports. These reports and others on
this jacket and other Red Ledge products can be found
here.
I noted in my Field Report that the
weather and gear testing don't seem to mix for me ... I get a piece of rain gear to test and it stops raining!
Well not much has improved! Though I have got to use the jacket a
reasonable amount when riding my bike and doing local walking, it just has
not rained on my pack carrying trips. Therefore this is pretty much a
repeat/summary of experience with the jacket and does not really add
anything new.
In my initial report I outlined a
number of concerns that I had, given my initial inspection of the jacket,
along with various aspects that I wished to test. A summary of my
comments on those aspects follows:
-
I am concerned about
the lack of a draw cord for the collar. My initial impressions suggest
possible exposure to rain leaking in through the neck.
My concern with the possibility of rain
leaking in through the neck area has been unfounded. However, I have
found the brim of the hood less than satisfactory at keeping the rain off
my glasses.
-
I am also concerned
about the durability of the material in West Australian bush which can be
aggressive.
That jacket is not showing any signs of
wear from my "day to day" usage of it and no damage from its limited pack
carrying usage.
-
I am concerned about the durability and
ease of use of the zips. They just seem too small to survive the rough and
tumble of life in the bush.
I have found the zips durable and easy
to use in my conditions.
As well as examining my concerns as
noted above, my
testing has focused on the following:
-
Durability of the DWR
(Durable Water Repellency) finish of the jacket, particularly after
washing.
I haven't had a need to put the jacket through the washing
machine, but, that said, the jacket remains water repellent.
-
Overall waterproofness
of the jacket and waterproofness of the pocket zips.
Overall, in terms of its main function
of keeping me dry, I have been quite impressed with the jacket's
performance. It works well for me when the rain is relatively cold,
irrespective of if I am backpacking, exercise walking or riding my bike.
I have not had any problems with the
pocket zips.
-
Ease of use of the hood
particularly in terms of getting it out and putting it away.
Nothing has changed from my Field
Reports where I described the ease of getting the hood out when the jacket
is being worn a "pain
in the proverbial."
-
Functioning of the hood in terms of
providing wet weather protection and keeping rain off my glasses;
I have found the jacket ineffective in
this role.
-
Ease of use of the hem draw cords.
I have found the hem cords easy to use
on the few times I have bothered, but I must admit I tend to not bother
with them, not really finding any need to use them.
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Concluding Comments:
Overall I am quite happy with the performance of the
Cirrostratus Jacket by Red Ledge. It has proven to be effective for me in the
conditions that I have used it. That said, I have three things I don't like
about it: the functionality of the hood, the hood stowage pocket and the length
of the jacket. I have not commented on the later as I understand that this is a
USA design style so not a criticism of the product, but it would be nice if it
was a bit longer a.k.a. Australian and New Zealand jacket designs.
Thanks to Red Ledge
and BackpackGearTest.org for
the opportunity to participate in this test.
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