Name:	James E. Triplett
Age:	46
Gender:	Male
Height:	6' 2" (188 cm)
Weight:	198 lb (89.8 kg)
Waist:	34" (86 cm)
Inseam:	35" (89 cm)
Email address:	james_triplett@hotmail.com
City, State:	Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Backpacking Background:

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.

Manufacturer Information:

Manufacturer:	Red Ledge
Phone:	1-800-722-7345
URL:	www.redledge.com

Product Information:

Year of Manufacture:	2006
Date Item Received:	March 28, 2006

Item being tested:	Elite Full Zip Pant
Model Number:	18622
Size:	XL
MSRP: per www.redledge.com	$74.99 US
Color:	Obsidian
Listed Weight:	None given
Actual weight:	13.8 oz (391 g)

Additional Product information:
(from the Red Ledge website)

Fabric:

Lamination:

T-Core LX®:2.5 layer waterproof/breathable with wicking/protective raised microprint

Seams:

100% taped

Shell:

Diamond shadow ripstop nylon with DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish

Features:

Elasticized waistband with adjustable Velcro side tabs
Front zip fly and waist closure
Two front zip pockets
Back zip pocket
Full side zips with interior and exterior storm flaps
Cuffs with adjustable drawcord and Velcro tabs
Articulated knees for ease of movement
Packable into back pocket

Colors and Sizes:

Obsidian (black)
Sizes: XS-XXL

REVIEW:

Test Conditions:
I have managed to wear the Red Ledge Elite Full Zip Pants in the rain, several times, including two day trips where I wore the pants for approximately two hours each time before the rain ceased. This provided total saturation of the exterior of the garment and I believe tested the waterproofness thoroughly. The other three or four trips were of short duration, and/or when the rain was not as strong, but still provided additional exposure to rain for the pants. I have worn the pants on a few other occasions where the rain stopped just as I was heading out, but it was cool enough to continue wearing the pants. All hikes were in the woods near my home in Eastern Iowa, and I was also wearing the Red Ledge Elite Parka. For the rainy hikes, the temperatures were 42 F (5.5 C) for one hike, and 50 F (10 C) for the others.

Using the Red Ledge Elite Pants:
The Red Ledge Elite Pants are interesting in many ways, and also extremely simple in many ways. There are draw cords at each ankle, and the cords have retainers that keep the cord ends inside the pant legs, and thus keep the cords and locks dry. I have not used the draw cords, so they have remained in the stowed position. There is a picture of the Elite pants inside out, which shows this nicely in my initial report. The main reason I have not used the draw cords is that the pant legs are a little shorter than I would like, and pulling the cord makes them bunch up even shorter and close well above my shoes or boots. The pant leg closes at the lower cuff with a snap, which also closes a flap over the zipper. The zippers, as the "Full Zip" name implies, run the full length of the pants. At the top end there is a snap, with the two mating snaps (on both sides) so that the waist circumference can be adjusted depending on which snap is used. (See picture below.)

Side Snaps on the Elite Pant

The fit is a little "squarer" than I would prefer. The waist is bigger around than I would like, and the length is shorter than I would seek out. In order for the waist to fit properly, I need to use the inner, or tighter snap setting, and doing so results in the zipper being miss-aligned at the top. The waist feels comfortable at this setting, but the zipper is designed to zip straight up when the snaps are in the "expanded" setting. I don't know that having a 35 inch (89 cm) inseam and a 34 inch (86 cm) waist is that unusual, but I somewhat expected the pants to be longer in an XL size. If the size Large pants are any shorter then they would be way too short, and I would be happier with the XL. But in the final analysis I did select the correct size, and the zipper being a bit bunched up at the top doesn't seem to interfere with my comfort; only with the mechanics of getting the zipper fully zipped up when the situation warrants it.

Cuff of the Elite Pant

Test Results:
The Red Ledge Elite Pants have performed exactly as expected. I generally use a rain jacket significantly more than rain pants. Yet I have had the occasion during the last two months to use the Elite pants a considerable amount of time. During that time they have proven to be 100% waterproof, and ventilated to the nth degree - with the full zip feature. Breathability is as predicted, rather limited. But in survival rain gear, or extreme condition rain gear, I expect my rain gear to be waterproof first, and comfortable (breathable) second.

As I said in my Red Ledge Elite Parka report, ventilation is the third feature I consider in rain gear (along with waterproofness and breathability) and ventilation is critical in a truly waterproof garment. The Red Ledge Elite pants are indeed waterproof. They have shed water for me in situations where without them I would have undoubtedly been cold and miserable. That being said, their breathability is no more pronounced than other gear I am accustom to. Better than plastic, but still stretching the term "breathable". However, the ventilation of the full-zip configuration is beyond reproach. In rainy situations I have zipped the pants down along the sides to just below the hem of the Red Ledge Elite Parka, which I was also wearing. This provided release for the trapped body heat and moisture to a reasonable extent. In the cool, damp, situations where it was no longer raining, I have found that I can unzip the side zips to my knees, and remain reasonably comfortable despite moderate temperatures and a close, damp atmosphere. (This does necessitate having the proper attire underneath the pants!)

Test Plan:
As outlined in my initial report, I will be using the Red Ledge Elite Full Zip Pant for all my wet weather hiking, backpacking, and camping needs throughout the test period. Additionally, at this point I will primarily use a single layer short under the pants, but will experiment with different layer techniques should the occasion arise. The timing of this test is perfect for assuring some spring showers here in Eastern Iowa, and in fact it is raining as I write this. The elevation here is around 860 feet (262 meters) and the temperature and precipitation data can be found in the table below. My primary concerns for the Elite Full Zip Pants are weather resistance, ventilation, breathability, durability, and of course comfort and warmth.

Month	Temp Range degrees F	Temp Range degrees C	Precipitation (inches)	Precipitation (cm)
April	39 to 61	4 to 16	3.4	8.5
May	50 to 73	10 to 23	4.2	10.7
June	60 to 82	16 to 28	4.6	11.7
July	64 to 85	18 to 29	4.2	10.7
August	62 to 83	17 to 28	4.5	11.4

Summary:
The Red Ledge Elite Full Zip Pants are totally waterproof, reasonably breathable, and ventilate quite well. The fabric feels nice against my legs, and appears to be well designed and free from any defects. The Elite Full Zip Pants are noisier than the parka in the swooshing-sound-while-hiking department, but are not more so than I anticipated. The fit is just okay, but the performance is excellent. I am looking forward to getting out in some serious rain with this piece of gear.

Respectfully submitted,

-James T.

Read more reviews of Red Ledge gear
Read more gear reviews by James E. Triplett

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