Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > Red Ledge Free Rein Parka > Owner Review by Sam Bishop

RED LEDGE MEN'S FREE REIN PARKA
BY SAM BISHOP
OR
February 24, 2007

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Sam Bishop
EMAIL: nanking3030@yahoo.com
AGE: 28
LOCATION: Ventura, California, USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 10" (1.78 m)
WEIGHT: 185 lb (83.90 kg)

My wife and I started taking short backpacking trips a couple years ago. We mostly hike and camp in Los Padres National Forest, but are taking more trips into the eastern Sierra Nevada. We hike and camp year round in southern California, but are just getting into snow camping and mountaineering. My pack is heavy by today's standards. I prefer low volume to low weight.

Manufacturer: Red Ledge, Inc.
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.redledge.com
MSRP: US$79.99
Measured Weight: 13 oz (370 g)
Size: XL

The Red Ledge Free Rein Parka is a lightweight 2.5 layer laminate piece of rain gear. The inner surface of the parka has a raised microprint coating. Red Ledge calls this their “T-Core LX” waterproof/breathable lamination. The seams are 100% taped and the outer layer is a mini ripstop with a DWR finish. Pit zips run from just above the elbow to just above the ribcage. The large zippered side pockets are mesh-lined. The hood and waist drawstrings are adjustable via cord-locks. The hood will fit over a helmet as well. The cuffs have elastic bands and are Velcro adjustable. The collar is fleece-lined where it contacts my face when fully zipped. There is a Velcro flap for covering the main zipper. While the website lists the parka as using Thinsulate insulation, it isn’t clear where.

FIELD USE

I have used this parka in two distinct locations: the Ojai ranger district of Los Padres National Forest, and in the eastern Sierra Nevada (June Lake and Lee Vining Canyon).

The area in Los Padres National Forest where I used the parka most was typical central coast California foothills following creeks and hiking in and out of manzanita bushes and oak scrub. The weather is mild year round, with most rain during the winter. The elevations were generally under 5000' (1500 m). I encountered wet mist, fog, and rain during 2-3 day hike-in camping trips. I was exploring light weight backpacking on these trips and bought the parka for that purpose (and because rain was on the menu). These trips were taken between December and February with highs near 60 F (15 C) and lows near 40 F (4 C).

The parka kept me very dry and warm during full on rain. It was a bit warm for foggy mornings after I got moving and the pit zips were difficult to get open or closed with a pack on. I preferred using a separate rain hat instead of the hood for better visibility. The sealed seams and Velcro covered main zipper functioned well. The elastic and Velcro cuffs were easy to adjust and not too tight. The parka also packed down small and was a great pillow. It is warmer than it looks and I have used it as a windbreaker and light jacket in dry conditions during the fall in Los Padres.

I pulled out the parka again for a spontaneous weekend of ice climbing in June Lake and Lee Vining Canyon in the eastern Sierra Nevada. I used the parka as a shell while practicing snow travel and ice climbing skills. There was intermittent light snow with temperatures near 15 F (-9 C) during the day. I wore it over a midweight fleece layer and stayed just warm enough most of the time. It shed snow well and I could move up and down frozen waterfalls and icy canyons in it comfortably. I was delighted to find real winter use for this parka!

SUMMARY

The Red Ledge Free Rein Parka is great value. It functions as rain gear or as a lightweight mountaineering shell. It has a surprisingly great warmth to weight ratio for winter use. It packs down small enough to justify bringing along on most trips where wet conditions are expected.

THINGS I LIKE

1. Affordability relative to other shells.
2. Functionality as rain and snow gear.
3. Warmth.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

1. Pit zippers hard to access with pack on.
2. Peripheral vision loss with hood on.

SIGNATURE

-Sam Bishop
http://taonk.blogspot.com



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Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > Red Ledge Free Rein Parka > Owner Review by Sam Bishop