Reviews > Shelters > Tarps and Bivys > Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape > Andrew Buskov > Initial Report

Initial Report - Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape
Andrew Buskov
April 14, 2006

Tester Biographical Information:

Name:	Andrew Buskov
Age:	31
Gender:	Male
Height:	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:	206 lb (96 kg)
Email:	Rescue@corridor9.net
Location:	Madisonville, Kentucky USA
Date:	April 14, 2006

Backpacking Background:
I started backpacking when I was about 8 and quickly became hooked on the outdoors. I prefer being out in the winter more than the summer. I have hiked a variety of environments ranging from Maine's Mt. Katahdin to the bottom of Arizona's Grand Canyon. As an Emergency Medical Technician, I have been trained to be prepared at all times so my pack tends to be on the heavy side. I'm finding that as I solo more and more my needs are changing. I'm looking for ways to lighten my pack and gear while still providing me with the level of safety and security that I demand while being out in the wilderness. I like the challenge and excitement of hiking difficult and dangerous terrain more than the just getting from point A to point B on flat level ground.

Product Information:

Name:	Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape
Year of Manufacture:	2006
Color Tested:	Blue
Colors Available:	Green, Blue, Gray
Weight:	11 oz (312 g)
Capacity:	1 Person
Coverage:	35 ft^2 (3.25 m^sq)
Packed Size:	8 in X 10 in X 1.5 in, 120 in^3 (20 cm X 25 cm X 4 cm, 2 L)
Stakes Required:	6 (not included)
Ships With:	Cape, Integrated Stuff Sack, Guylines
Materials:	Canopy: 30D Silicone Nylon - Zipper: #3 YKK
Suggested Use:	Ultralight Backpacking & Day Hiking emergency bivouack
Manufacturer's Website:	http://sixmoondesigns.com
MSRP:	$110 US

Product Description:
(From the website)
"The Gatewood Cape is designed to provide full protection either when worn as a cape or used as a shelter. Unlike ponchos, capes don't have long slits along the sides. While the poncho may allow for more ventilation, it does little to keep out wind blown rain. Dual zipper pulls on the front of the Gatewood Cape allow you to regulate ventilation while still providing full protection. Plus, the open skirted design allows fresh air to enter the bottom."

"As a shelter, the Gatewood Cape provides significantly enhanced protection than a poncho/tarp. Its design easily sheds rain or snow and wind simply flows around it. Any sudden change in wind direction in the middle of the night won't leave you scrambling to re-orient your shelter or force you deeper into your bivy."

Features:

• Full 360 Degree protection when set up as a shelter or worn as rain gear.
• Full Zippered Entrance makes entering and exiting the shelter a snap.
• Adjustable Vestibule Height allows you increase ventilation while maintaining adequate rain protection.
• Side Hooks for shortening the long sides when worn as a cape.
• Floating Canopy allows the canopy to be set to different heights depending upon conditions.
• Integrated Map / Night Stash Pocket with zipper closure to keep stuff contained. Pocket also doubles as the stuff sack.
• Center Pole Support significantly improves the ability of the shelter to handle wind and snow loads.
• Ultra-light Waterproof Canopy is made from high strength 30 denier Silicone Nylon.
• Extremely Easy Setup requires only six stakes.

First Impression:
Upon opening the shipping package, I found one blue Gatewood Cape packaged in its integrated stuff sack. Included inside the stuff sack was documentation regarding the use of the cape as a shelter, seam sealing instructions, and warranty information. Also included was a harness for using the cape as a shelter and a piece of cord for making guy lines.

After removing the cape from its stuffsack, I examined it for rips , tears, and blemishes. I found the garment to be very well constructed, and didn't find any problems at all. I was surprised at exactly how long this item was. I figured that it may go down to my waist, maybe my knees at the most, but it stretched almost all the way down to my feet. On the website there is information about using side hooks to shorten the cape while wearing, but I didn't find any documentation on how to accomplish this and figuring this out by the design of the cape was a bit confusing.

The zipper allows for the cape to be unzipped from the bottom or the top. This allows for greater options for heating or cooling the body and allowing perspiration to escape. Although the zipper operates from both directions, there is no way to separate the sides. The hood has a large opening allowing for even my big head to fit through with ease. There is a pull closure that allows the user to cinch the hood around the face area to keep water from flowing through the opening.

When I setup the cape as a shelter, I found it easy to attach the harness via the 5 color coded loops sewn inside the neck of the cape. I did find that setup itself was a bit complicated due to the wording on the directions and I had to read them a number of times before I figured out exactly what to do. After a few times I was able to setup the cape within a few minutes, and setup became easier and easier. The instructions detail setup with or without guylines. I found that setting up without guylines was much easier. However, after allowing the cape to relax and stretch, I found that it was necessary to reposition the stakes to tighten the shelter back up.

Included in the directions are instructions to seam seal the exposed outside seams with a Silicone based seam sealer. The instructions also state to lay the cape out flat for 12 hours after sealing to allow the sealing to cure. Also included is a link to the website that describes how to make homemade seam sealer.

Testing Plan:
I plan on testing this in a variety of locations including hiking trips within Tennessee and Kentucky. I plan on making this my primary shelter on solo trips, as well as using this for rain protection while on my dayhikes.

During the testing period I will answer the following questions:

• Fit and Comfort: How well does the cape fit as rain gear? Is there an excess amount of material hanging while walking? Does this limit my mobility, or cause me to move in an awkward manner? Will I be able to operate the zippers single handedly?
• Function: While wearing this cape, will it cover my pack, or will I need an additional pack cover? As a shelter, will the pole in the middle of the cape significantly limit my range of motion or usable space? As raingear, can the mater withstand a constant downpour (tested with a fire hose. one of the perks of the job) without "seeping"?
• Durability: Will the material or seams stretch when used as a shelter? Will the fabric fade? Will the waterproofing be washed away during cleaning? Will rolling up the cape cause the material to crease or cause the water repellant properties to diminish?
• Weatherproofing: How often does the DWR need to be reapplied if any? When used as a shelter and exposed to dirt or mud, does the weatherproofing diminish?

Reviews > Shelters > Tarps and Bivys > Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape > Andrew Buskov > Initial Report