Red Ledge Elite Full Zip Pants

Field Report
June 8, 2006

Tester Information

Name: Raymond Estrella
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Height: 6' 3" (193 cm)
Weight: 210 lb (95 kg)
Email address: rayestrella@hotmail.com
City: Huntington Beach
State: California
Country: USA 

Backpacking Background: I have been hiking for over 30 years, all over the state of California. I have also hiked in Washington, Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona, and Idaho. I hike year-round, mostly in the Sierra Nevada, and put 555 miles (894 km) on my boots last year.  As I start my 4th decade of backpacking I am making the move to lightweight gear, and smaller packs.

The product

Manufacturer: Red Ledge
Web site: www.redledge.com
Product: Elite Full Zip Pants
Style: 18622
Size: Large
Year manufactured: 2006
MSRP: $60.00 (US)
Weight: 13.3 oz (377 g)
Color tested: Obsidian
Warranty: (Quoted from hang tag) “All Red Ledge products are fully warranted to the original owner against defects in material and workmanship.”

For a thorough description of the Elite Pants please see my Initial Report.

Field Conditions

I have used the Elite Pants in the area surrounding Mount San Jacinto three times for spring “winter condition” hikes. The temperatures ranged from 33 F to 55 F (0 C to 13 C) at 8,200’ to 10,200’ (2,500 to 3,110 m) elevation. I was in 5’ (1.5 m) of snow. I have taken them in my pack on every backpacking trip and day hike I have gone on since I got them.

I took them on a hike in the Bristlecone Pine Forest at the end of May where the temps ranged from 28 F to 48 F (-2 to 9 C) and wind speeds up to 17 mph (27 kph). Elevations up to 13,200’ (4,023 m).

I wore them in Minnesota for a couple of rainy days in April with temps in the mid to high 40’s F (8 C), and again in May, with the temps up to 70 F (21 C) I have been using it as my everyday rain gear at home in Huntington Beach, which has been getting more rain than normal.

Field Use

On San Jacinto, it did not snow or rain, but the wind was blowing 4-7 mph (6-11 kph) and I put the Elite’s on as a wind shell over a mid-weight thermal bottom layer. It did a fine job of blocking the wind.

On the hike to White Mountain I used it every day as a shell for the wind, which got up to 17 mph (27 kph). On this trip I did some major climbing, working up one heck of a sweat. My pack was 47 lb (21.3 kg) and up (I was retrieving a cache) on that trip. The side zips work very well at venting my legs and lower torso. The full zips proved to be very nice for putting on in a hurry. I would unzip them from the bottom to within 6 in (15 cm) of the top, and pull them on over my boots. Here is a picture from that trip, sitting in the snow in the Elites while Dave cooks snow (melts water.) A MSR Fling tent is in the background.

I have had a hard time finding rain when hiking during this test. (I know, bummer, right?) So I have taken them with me for my monthly eight day trips to Minnesota hoping to use it while my kindergartner twins are in school. I have gotten to wear them in the rain there a few times, but not in a hiking situation. So the results are skewed in my opinion.

The Elites perform in normal rainy situations very well. As good as any rain wear I have ever owned. I have not seen any leaks during these “civilized” outings. The breathable claims in these situations seem to be held up quite well. I have not noticed any build up of moisture when wearing them around town. Moorhead Minnesota (where I spend my week with my children) is known for their high winds. The Elite rain gear blocks it very well. So far the wind speed has reached up to 35-40 mph (56-64 kph) while I have been wearing it there.

As part of the testing I walked four miles in them to work in Huntington Beach California. The temp was 55 F (13 C), wind at 6 mph (9.7 kph) and 80% humidity. Completely cloudy, I was hoping for rain. I left at 4:15 A.M. so that the sun would not affect the test. I started out with everything zipped up. I walked at a 4 mile (6.4 km) pace, with no load (pack). I wore only a pair of Columbia hiking shorts underneath them.

Although the Parka started having problems at three miles, the pants remained comfortable the entire walk. There was no build up of condensation or sweat inside of the pants.

I have no complaints about the durability of the Elites at this point. I have put some big miles with a heavy pack over them with no problem. They show no signs of wear or abuse from the hip belt riding on them.

Summer hiking is upon us now, and I will see how the Elites handle Sierra thunderstorms in the ensuing test period. I can’t wait!

I would like to thank Red Ledge and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to test these pants.

Here is a pic wearing the Elites as a winter shell on San Jacinto.