Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > Red Ledge Elite Pants > James Triplett > Long Term Report

Long Term Test Report:

Red Ledge
Elite Full Zip Pant

by James E. Triplett
August 8, 2006

Personal Biographical Information:

Backpacking Background:

Manufacturer Information:

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

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REVIEW:

Please also see my Intial and Field reports for more information and additional pictures.

Test Conditions:
I have worn the Red Ledge Elite Full Zip Pants on a total of eight different occasions since my field report.  This usage has included hiking on dirt trails, through brush, and on rock or gravel trails.  The terrain has been flat to hilly, without any dramatic climbs.  Precipitation consisted of light to heavy rain.  The temperature range for the test period has been from around 42 to 90 F (5.5 to 32 C), and the location of these hikes has been predominantly in Eastern Iowa where the elevation is approximately 860 feet (262 meters).  I must admit that any testing done in temperatures higher than 80 F (27 C) was very short-lived as the conditions inside the pants were just too warm.  The pants have been used for hiking and backpacking on dirt trails, through brush, on rock or gravel trails in light to heavy rain.  The terrain has been flat to hilly, without any dramatic climbs. 

Note - for the Red Ledge Elite Parka reports please follow this link.

The Red Ledge Elite Pants have a full length zipper along the outside of each leg.  I have found the pants easy to put on, even over boots, by unzipping the zippers about a foot (30 cm) up from the bottom.  When putting on the pants prior to putting on my footwear, the pant legs are wide and pull on easily even with the zippers closed along their entire length.  The Elite Pants have snaps and draw cords at each ankle.  I have not used the drawcords and instead have been content to leave the pant legs in their naturally slightly flared condition.  This has allowed the pants to shield my shoes (or boots, or sandals) more so than if the cords were cinched.  Each side of the waistband has two snaps for adjusting the circumference around my waist.  I have kept the snaps in the tighter location on each side, and the pants fit securely in this setting.  I have not used the pockets at all, as I wear shorts under the pants and the elastic waistband of the rain pants allows me to easily reach inside and use the pockets of the shorts.

While hiking down the trail in the Red Ledge Elite Pants, I've noticed the typical swooshing sound as the pant legs slide back and forth past each other.  For some reason the pant fabric seems to be noisier than the Red Ledge Elite Parka which is also being tested.  The pant legs are wide and not restricting at all.  In the rain, the pants are waterproof.  Period.  The longest I have used the Elite Pants in continual rain was just short of two hours.  Even after this long in the rain, and even after walking through soaking wet vegetation, none of the outside water made its way to my legs.  The trade off for this waterproofness is that the pants don't breathe much, if at all.  That is where the ventilation option of the full-zip feature comes into play.  Even in temperatures as cool as 45 F (7 C) I have overheated with the rain pants on.  I learned quickly to open the zippers as much as possible to allow for some airflow.  In 45 to 55 F (7 to 13 C) I unzip the side zippers from the waist down to just above my knees.  With a rain jacket on I seem to get an umbrella affect and my legs stay pretty dry.  When it is above 55 F (13 C) I also unzip the side zippers from the cuff near my ankles up to just below my knees.  This adds additional ventilation, but the pants stay in place nicely as each leg is secured at the cuff, the knee, and the waist.

Earlier in the test period I hiked in some cool conditions and the lack of breathability had the added benefit of trapping heat next to my legs.  Even though the ripstop nylon feels a little cool and clammy to the touch, it provides excellent heat retention for cooking breakfast in the early morning campsite, or for other low exertion activities.

I have not washed the Red Ledge Elite Full Zip Pants but instead have just sponged them off with a wet sponge.  This has brought the fabric back to its original lustrous black.  The washing has been minimal as generally walking through some tall wet grass does a nice job of removing dust and dirt.

Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > Red Ledge Elite Pants > James Triplett > Long Term Report