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Reviews > Sleep Gear > Accessories > Finbar Hood > Laurie Shuster > Long Term Report
This is the third report in a series of three reviews on the Finbar Hood. In this report I talk about my experiences during the final three months of the test. Please see my Initial Report for preliminary observations and a more detailed product description. My second report, the Field Report, covers the first six weeks of use. Reviewer
Information Once I stop hiking
and settle into camp for the night, I tend to feel cold very
quickly. I sleep cold, too, and normally carry a 0 degree
(-18 C) synthetic fill mummy bag until the nighttime lows reach into
the 50's F (10 C). Product Description
The Hood has an adjustable face opening that is controlled with a nylon drawstring and spring loaded toggle. It can be cinched down to the size of a walnut or even smaller. Three layers of 3M Lite-Loft insulation are present. The thick middle layer can be removed to help regulate heat, leaving a thin layer of insulation sewn to both the inner (blue) Supplex nylon and outer (red) coated nylon components of the shell.  Field Test Conditions Since my last report, I've used the Finbar Hood on a three night backpacking trip to the Enchanted Valley in Washington's Olympic National Park. Elevations ranged from 600 to 2,000 ft (183 - 610 m). The weather was dry for all three nights, until a deluge of rain poured down on the fourth day of our trip, inspiring us to hike to the car and skip the fourth night of camping. Nighttime low temperatures were between 50 and 58 F (10 - 14 C) and wind speed was limited to a light breeze. On this trip, I used a Hennessy Hammock (a mesh enclosed hammock) and slept in a 20 degree (-6 C), unisex, Mountain Hardware sleeping bag insulated with Polarguard 3D. I've also found the Hood to be useful at home. Temperatures dropped suddenly here in western Washington, so I've been feeling a bit chilled at night and wearing the Hood to bed. It's worked just as well at home as it does on the trail! Field Test Observations In my Field Report, I explained that I was impressed with the Finbar Hood's ability to keep me significantly warmer through the night and its remarkable tendency to stay in place on my head as I moved around in my sleep. Normally, I tend to feel very cold at night while camping, and often wake up shivering. Since wearing the Hood (even without the removable layer of insulation installed), I have slept much more comfortably and soundly and have not had any midnight shivering experiences. I also reported that I've been wearing it around camp with some success. The Hood has kept me very warm, but it can often block my peripheral vision. Long Term Report Observations Comfort/Functionality. I am still impressed with the Finbar Hood's ability to keep me warm throughout the night. In fact, during the second night of our last trip, I even took the Hood off in the middle of the night. Temperatures rose to about 60 F (15 C) and I woke up feeling too warm. What a nice switch that was - I usually wake up feeling too cold! I didn't have any problems taking the Hood off while I was mostly asleep. The arm straps provided plenty of room for me to easily slide my arms out without needing any coordination or dexterity. So far, I've been using the Finbar Hood without its removable insulation layer. Temperatures have been fairly mild, and I haven't experienced any weather that's been at or below freezing. It's comforting to know I do have that extra layer as a bit of cold weather insurance. Before trying the Finbar Hood, I always dreaded the thought that I'd feel incredibly cold at some point while I was out on the trail. I love the experience of backpacking, but while preparing for a trip I'd often feel nervous about being cold . Having the Hood has practically eliminated these anxious feelings. Now I'm much more confident about sleeping in the cold. I've also started using my Hennessy Hammock much more as a direct result of the increased warmth. In the past, I'd felt chilled in the Hammock. The Finbar Hood has become a key component in a system of gear that keeps me toasty warm in the Hammock. I am now thoroughly enjoying the hammock camping experience and sleeping incredibly well. Around Camp I was so much warmer wearing the Finbar Hood while sleeping, that I began wearing it around camp on chilly mornings and evenings. In my Field Report, I explained that I felt much warmer while wearing the Hood during these activities than I normally did while wearing only a hat. However, I found that the Hood blocked my peripheral vision, especially when I turned my head. To clear my field of vision, I pulled the opening back and put the drawstring behind my ears, leaving the top and back of my head covered. After reading my Field Report, Brother Finbar sent me instructions and materials to modify the Hood. He suggested installing an inner draw string that would enable me to pull the fabric away from my face and toward the back of my head might help. The kit I received included:
The instruction sheet outlined detailed steps for connecting all the pieces and included a drawing demonstrating the correct attachment points. In summary, I followed these basic steps. 1) Turn the Hood inside out. 2) There are two seams along the top of the inner shell. Start with one of these seams and measure 14 inches (35 cm) along it from the front of the Hood toward the back. At this point, sew the ends of one shoelace piece to the Hood in the shape of a loop. Repeat on the other seam. 3) At the front of the Hood, measure 4 in (10 cm) down from the top seam and sew one end of the yellow cord to the Hood. Threaded the cord through each of the shoelace loops at the back of the Hood, then sew the free end of the cord 4 in (10 cm) down from the top seam on the other side of the Hood. 4) At the back of the Hood between the two loops, pinch the cord together. Feed the cord through the opening in the spring loaded toggle and tie a knot to prevent the string from slipping back through the opening. 5) Turn the Hood right side out, tighten the new cord, and try the Hood on. The directions seemed a bit confusing at first glance, but once I got all the parts out and worked through each step, they became much more clear. As I've just discovered, it is difficult to describe this process! It was really quite easy to install the new cord. I used a sewing machine to attach the pieces, but it would have also been simple with a needle and thread. The inner drawstring does a good job of pulling the fabric away from my face, dramatically improving my peripheral vision. I can turn my head from side to side and see the world instead of looking into the inside of the Hood. Like with any hood, I do still see a bit of fabric off to the side, but it is does not get in my was as it did before. This is a fantastic improvement that makes the Hood more versatile. When I first saw the toggle positioned at the back of the head, I thought it might be uncomfortable when I laid on my back to sleep. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I hardly notice it's there. If I do feel it, it's easy to reach my hand behind my head and move the toggle to an out of the way position. Durability The Finbar Hood seems pretty durable so far. One side seam on the outside of the Hood has lost about 2 inches (5 cm) of its stitching, but it looks like it can be repaired easily. Inside the Hood, the insulation looks just as good as the day it arrived; it hasn't pilled or pulled in any way. Since I haven't used the removable liner much, I can't comment on it's durability. I'll be looking forward to seeing how it holds up as it sees more use. Will I continue to use the Finbar Hood? Absolutely! Not only does it keep me much warmer while sleeping and when I'm around camp, the Hood also helps me feel more confident about spending time on the trail. Thanks for the opportunity to test the Finbar Hood! .
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