Jason Boyle
2009-03-08 04:29:54 UTC
Coy,
Sorry this is so late, recovered some of my files from my computer.
html here http://tinyurl.com/aq8z8c
Long Term Report – February 22, 2009
Summary:
The jacket has continued to perform well over the past couple of months. It has done a good job of shedding mixed winter precipitation and light rain while keeping me dry and warm on the inside. Durability is still good, with all zippers, pockets, and elastic pulls in good working condition. Overall, I have been very pleased with this jacket and will be my go to jacket in all but the heaviest downpours.
Field Conditions:
Since my Field Report, I have used the jacket on two day hikes at Ft Abercrombie State Park, a day hike in the Monashka Bay region, a snowshoeing trip on Pillar Mountain and a two night snow camping trip near the base of Pyramid Mountain. In addition to my outdoor experiences I have worn the trip an additional 7 days while walking to and from work. This brings my total days of use to 51 plus. Temperatures ranged from just above freezing to 12 F (-11 C) with wind chill dropping the temperatures to the 4 F (-16 C) range. Winds experienced have been 40 mph (64 kmph) or more with a few calmer days thrown in. The jacket has experienced snow, and more importantly and nice winter mix of snow, rain and sleet as well as some normal light rain.
Report:
I was skeptical that a hybrid jacket would be able to handle the wild weather we have here in Kodiak, but the Nomad has become a great late fall to early spring jacket for me here on the island. As I mentioned in my Field Report, I evaluate jackets on four main criteria – Fit, Durability, Warmth, and Usefulness. I don’t know that jackets break in per se, but I do find that jacket to be very comfortable, almost like the way an old sweatshirt breaks in. I also find that I don’t really notice the sleeves being too long any more; I have found the sweet spot on the cuffs where I can easily slide my hand through the cuffs, but where they still hang properly on my wrist.
The durability of the jacket has been good. Through brush bashing hikes and hauling wood the jacket still looks mostly new, except for a bit of wood sap on the front of the jacket. One area where I was concerned that I might see some issues was the mesh pockets. I carry all sorts of items in my pockets; wallets, coins, keys, iPod, cell phones, etc… However, no issues have developed! All of the zippers, hook and loop fasteners, and elastic pulls are still in good condition with no signs of wear.
I think the jacket is plenty warm by itself for active winter use and can work as a warm outer piece when used as a part of a layering system. As I mentioned before I sweat a lot and while snowshoeing on Pillar Mountain I only wore the jacket during rest breaks because my I was heating up. However while hanging out around my camp at the base of Pyramid Mountain, it was perfect for snowshoeing on a blustery day. One feature I hadn’t used before was the elastic pulls to adjust the hem. It was quite windy and even with a light fleece and base layer I felt the wind coming underneath the jacket. I tightened the hem using the elastic band and pulls and that completely shut out the wind from coming under the hem of the jacket.
Finally – usefulness. I think all the other criteria are important but if a jacket cannot multitask here in Kodiak it is probably going to get replaced by one that can. For me this jacket is perfect for late fall to early spring here on the island. It is a technical jacket that works well in a variety of conditions, but is comfortable and stylish enough to wear with my everyday clothes. The multiple pockets are large enough to carry an assortment of items without feeling to clunky or getting in the way of backpack straps. As I said in my Field Report, the hood could use a stiffer brim, and the wrist pocket is hard to use but overall the jacket is well laid out.
Overall this jacket has performed well and will continue to be my go to jacket until we warm up enough where I don’t need the insulation of the Nomad. This concludes my Long Term Report. Thanks to Backpackgeartest.org and Montbell for allowing me to participate in this test.
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Sorry this is so late, recovered some of my files from my computer.
html here http://tinyurl.com/aq8z8c
Long Term Report – February 22, 2009
Summary:
The jacket has continued to perform well over the past couple of months. It has done a good job of shedding mixed winter precipitation and light rain while keeping me dry and warm on the inside. Durability is still good, with all zippers, pockets, and elastic pulls in good working condition. Overall, I have been very pleased with this jacket and will be my go to jacket in all but the heaviest downpours.
Field Conditions:
Since my Field Report, I have used the jacket on two day hikes at Ft Abercrombie State Park, a day hike in the Monashka Bay region, a snowshoeing trip on Pillar Mountain and a two night snow camping trip near the base of Pyramid Mountain. In addition to my outdoor experiences I have worn the trip an additional 7 days while walking to and from work. This brings my total days of use to 51 plus. Temperatures ranged from just above freezing to 12 F (-11 C) with wind chill dropping the temperatures to the 4 F (-16 C) range. Winds experienced have been 40 mph (64 kmph) or more with a few calmer days thrown in. The jacket has experienced snow, and more importantly and nice winter mix of snow, rain and sleet as well as some normal light rain.
Report:
I was skeptical that a hybrid jacket would be able to handle the wild weather we have here in Kodiak, but the Nomad has become a great late fall to early spring jacket for me here on the island. As I mentioned in my Field Report, I evaluate jackets on four main criteria – Fit, Durability, Warmth, and Usefulness. I don’t know that jackets break in per se, but I do find that jacket to be very comfortable, almost like the way an old sweatshirt breaks in. I also find that I don’t really notice the sleeves being too long any more; I have found the sweet spot on the cuffs where I can easily slide my hand through the cuffs, but where they still hang properly on my wrist.
The durability of the jacket has been good. Through brush bashing hikes and hauling wood the jacket still looks mostly new, except for a bit of wood sap on the front of the jacket. One area where I was concerned that I might see some issues was the mesh pockets. I carry all sorts of items in my pockets; wallets, coins, keys, iPod, cell phones, etc… However, no issues have developed! All of the zippers, hook and loop fasteners, and elastic pulls are still in good condition with no signs of wear.
I think the jacket is plenty warm by itself for active winter use and can work as a warm outer piece when used as a part of a layering system. As I mentioned before I sweat a lot and while snowshoeing on Pillar Mountain I only wore the jacket during rest breaks because my I was heating up. However while hanging out around my camp at the base of Pyramid Mountain, it was perfect for snowshoeing on a blustery day. One feature I hadn’t used before was the elastic pulls to adjust the hem. It was quite windy and even with a light fleece and base layer I felt the wind coming underneath the jacket. I tightened the hem using the elastic band and pulls and that completely shut out the wind from coming under the hem of the jacket.
Finally – usefulness. I think all the other criteria are important but if a jacket cannot multitask here in Kodiak it is probably going to get replaced by one that can. For me this jacket is perfect for late fall to early spring here on the island. It is a technical jacket that works well in a variety of conditions, but is comfortable and stylish enough to wear with my everyday clothes. The multiple pockets are large enough to carry an assortment of items without feeling to clunky or getting in the way of backpack straps. As I said in my Field Report, the hood could use a stiffer brim, and the wrist pocket is hard to use but overall the jacket is well laid out.
Overall this jacket has performed well and will continue to be my go to jacket until we warm up enough where I don’t need the insulation of the Nomad. This concludes my Long Term Report. Thanks to Backpackgeartest.org and Montbell for allowing me to participate in this test.
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