Derek Hansen
2012-02-08 04:47:05 UTC
Jerry,
Thanks for taking the time to edit these reports! Here is my final installment for the Tilley, although I guarantee I'm going to wear this cap for a long time, maybe even pick up a fedora version. This cap is great.
~derek
# # #
LONG TERM REPORT
7 Feb 2012
FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
I've taken the Tilley on two more backpacking trips and several day hikes. I've used the cap daily at work since the field report was posted.
Dec 5: Old Caves Crater, Flagstaff, Arizona. I took advantage of a birthday to go for a long snowshoe hike at night. Temperatures were below freezing (32*F/0*C) with wind gusts.
Dec 16-17: Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff, Arizona. I took my Boy Scout troop snowshoeing out in the forest to catch the last remnants of snow. Overnight it dropped below 15*F (-9*C). I was able to convince one other person to join me hammock camping.
Jan 27-28: Fossil Creek, near Strawberry, Arizona. With a poor winter season, my scout troop decided to tackle Fossil Creek, where numerous underground springs gush thousands of gallons of water at a balmy 70*+F (21+*C) year-round. We backpacked 8.5 mi (14 km) and swam in the river pools. Overnight it was in the 30s*F (-1*C) and during the day it was in the upper 50s*F (10*C). The elevation change was 3,000 ft (914 m) (i.e., 1,500 ft/457 m down and back up).
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The Tilley Tec-Wool Cap has been great. Using it every day as I have, I can't imagine not going to work without it. I'm outside quite a bit during the day at my job, and although we haven't seen much snow, it's still been pretty cold and windy. The cap has been stellar at keeping me warm and comfortable.
While backpacking, my experience has mirrored my daily usage, although on my trip to Fossil Creek, I overheated on the hike out and had to stow the hat in my pack. The trail to the springs is just over four miles long, all down hill (1,500 ft/457 m). The all-uphill climb was enough to keep me toasty warm without the hat.
FIT
The cap fits as well now as when I first tried it on. With the ear flaps deployed, the cap is slightly roomier, but not enough to change the fit.
CONDITION and APPEARANCE
Snowshoeing with the scouts.
I have not washed the cap during the entire testing period. The cap does not retain any odor, the dark color masks any stains (if any) that may have collected. Overall, the cap looks sharp and clean. There is one thread on the back of the cap that has become loose, but otherwise nothing shows signs of wear.
Hiking down to Fossil Springs.
I've been called out once by someone at work that the cap reminded him of Hitler Youth caps. I took the comment in stride. This was probably the worse comment I received. Wearing the hat backwards, I was told I looked like Johnny Appleseed. I would say that 95% of the time I get compliments on the cap.
FINAL SUMMARY
I still haven't found a good use for the secret pocket, but it hasn't bothered me. The hat looks sharp, fits well, and feels great.
The baseball-style brim has grown on me, but after experiencing the high-quality of this cap, I'm looking at purchasing a Tilley-made fedora. This cap is high-style.
I would like to thank Tilley Endurables and BackpackGearTest.org for providing me with the opportunity to test this product.
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Thanks for taking the time to edit these reports! Here is my final installment for the Tilley, although I guarantee I'm going to wear this cap for a long time, maybe even pick up a fedora version. This cap is great.
http://bit.ly/xJj9tg
Best,~derek
# # #
LONG TERM REPORT
7 Feb 2012
FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
I've taken the Tilley on two more backpacking trips and several day hikes. I've used the cap daily at work since the field report was posted.
Dec 5: Old Caves Crater, Flagstaff, Arizona. I took advantage of a birthday to go for a long snowshoe hike at night. Temperatures were below freezing (32*F/0*C) with wind gusts.
Dec 16-17: Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff, Arizona. I took my Boy Scout troop snowshoeing out in the forest to catch the last remnants of snow. Overnight it dropped below 15*F (-9*C). I was able to convince one other person to join me hammock camping.
Jan 27-28: Fossil Creek, near Strawberry, Arizona. With a poor winter season, my scout troop decided to tackle Fossil Creek, where numerous underground springs gush thousands of gallons of water at a balmy 70*+F (21+*C) year-round. We backpacked 8.5 mi (14 km) and swam in the river pools. Overnight it was in the 30s*F (-1*C) and during the day it was in the upper 50s*F (10*C). The elevation change was 3,000 ft (914 m) (i.e., 1,500 ft/457 m down and back up).
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The Tilley Tec-Wool Cap has been great. Using it every day as I have, I can't imagine not going to work without it. I'm outside quite a bit during the day at my job, and although we haven't seen much snow, it's still been pretty cold and windy. The cap has been stellar at keeping me warm and comfortable.
While backpacking, my experience has mirrored my daily usage, although on my trip to Fossil Creek, I overheated on the hike out and had to stow the hat in my pack. The trail to the springs is just over four miles long, all down hill (1,500 ft/457 m). The all-uphill climb was enough to keep me toasty warm without the hat.
FIT
The cap fits as well now as when I first tried it on. With the ear flaps deployed, the cap is slightly roomier, but not enough to change the fit.
CONDITION and APPEARANCE
Snowshoeing with the scouts.
I have not washed the cap during the entire testing period. The cap does not retain any odor, the dark color masks any stains (if any) that may have collected. Overall, the cap looks sharp and clean. There is one thread on the back of the cap that has become loose, but otherwise nothing shows signs of wear.
Hiking down to Fossil Springs.
I've been called out once by someone at work that the cap reminded him of Hitler Youth caps. I took the comment in stride. This was probably the worse comment I received. Wearing the hat backwards, I was told I looked like Johnny Appleseed. I would say that 95% of the time I get compliments on the cap.
FINAL SUMMARY
I still haven't found a good use for the secret pocket, but it hasn't bothered me. The hat looks sharp, fits well, and feels great.
The baseball-style brim has grown on me, but after experiencing the high-quality of this cap, I'm looking at purchasing a Tilley-made fedora. This cap is high-style.
I would like to thank Tilley Endurables and BackpackGearTest.org for providing me with the opportunity to test this product.
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