Red Ledge
Thunderlight Escape Jacket
Field Report

Biography

Name:	Ashlee Gunter
Age:	28
Gender:	Female
Height:	5’ 1” (1.55 m)
Weight:	110 lb (50 kg)
Email Address:	ashlee(dot)gunter(at)gmail(dot)com
City, State:	Baton Rouge (Denham Springs), LA
Date:	September 28, 2004

Backpacking Background

I have been backpacking and hiking most of my life. While I was growing up, my father was a Scoutmaster. He would load my sister and me up with packs, just like the guys, and take us along with him on their trips. As I’ve grown, I’ve had the opportunity to hike and backpack in Florida, Utah and Idaho, and now presently Louisiana and Mississippi. I’ve hiked terrain from high desert to swamp. I do not really have much experience or desire for winter mountaineering. I spent the majority of the past four years either pregnant or caring for a young child. As a result, I have been limited to primarily day hiking for the past few years. My son is now 3 and I have the opportunity to backpack again. It is really fun getting back into it and I wonder how I was satisfied with just day hiking the past few years. Because of a busy life, my trips are still limited mostly to day or weekend trips. My husband and son join me on most trips. As a result of this, lightweight compact gear is essential, although I would not classify myself as strictly lightweight. 

Product Information

Manufacturer:	Red Ledge
Website:	http://www.redledge.com/
Model Year:	2004
Listed Weight:	N/A
Actual Weight:	16.2 oz (460 g)
MSRP:	$70 US
Size:	XS

Test Locations

I have carried the Red Ledge Thunderlight Jacket with me in a number of locations. I have packed it in my pack on hiking and camping trips in Southern Louisiana, in my backpack for school, and had it with me in my car. The climate in Southern Louisiana is hot and humid with average summer temperatures from 70 F to 90 F (21 C to 32 C). Highs exceed 90 F (32 C) much of the summer. Usually rain is prevalent, but we have been faced with an unusually dry summer this year.

Field Information

As I mentioned previously, Baton Rouge is having an exceptionally dry summer. In fact, this is the driest summer since 1950 and this area is heading towards a drought. When I applied to test this rain jacket, I could have never guessed this would be the case. Typically, I find myself wishing it would stop raining. With these circumstances, I have not been able to give the Thunderlight the testing I had been hoping for. I have worn it in the rain, but it has only been a light rain.

During the times I have been able to wear the Thunderlight Escape jacket in the rain, it has done a good job of keeping me dry. The water beaded up and rolled off, just as it did when I intentionally put water on it in my preliminary testing.

The one thing I have been able to do with the Red Ledge Thunderlight Jacket is pack it. I have carried it in packs during hikes and on campus. During my hikes, I have liked having it stuffed in the stuff sack it came with. I have found that it goes back in the sack as easy as it comes out. For a day hike, it fits well towards the top of my daypack. When backpacking and while at school, I've found it fits better without the stuff sack. While backpacking, I like to keep my raingear in the top flap of my pack. If I try to place it in that pocket with it stuffed, it is too bulky and wide. Instead, I fold the jacket flat which makes it the perfect shape for the pocket in my top flap. I have found this to be the same in the instances in which I have carried it in my backpack at school. If I fold it flat, I can fit in the pack easily.

One thing I have noticed about the Thunderlight Escape is its durability. During a typical Louisiana summer, one pretty much has to plan for rain on a daily basis. Because of this, I carry a rain jacket with me almost always. This jacket has been taken in and out of packs (with and without the stuff sack), left in my car, and on occasion, has actually made it to a hanger in my closet. After two months of carrying it around almost constantly, it is showing no signs of strain.

Testing Strategy

I plan to use the Red Ledge Thunderlight Escape Jacket as my primary rain jacket throughout the duration of the test period.  While day hiking, it will be carried in my day pack and used as the weather permits.  It will also be carried on backpacking trips in Louisiana and Southern Mississippi.  Finally, I will wear the Red Ledge casually as an everyday rain jacket. As I stated in my Initial Report, my primary concerns for raingear are waterproofness and durability. My primary focus for this last phase of testing is going to be waterproofness. I have faith that the rains will once again return to Louisiana. Throughout the remainder of this test period, I will also continue to note the strength of this jacket.

Things I Like

Lightweight
Durable

Things I Don’t Like

Bulky when stuffed in sack