> >Do you normally receive notifications?
>
> When the bot is working, Test Monitors get notification
> messages.

True, but the problem is that I can't assign him to the test because he
isn't in the list and I don't know how to add him.  Have to wait for Dave...

Shane

Here we go again.  Yahooisms blah blah blah.  HTML in the test
folder.  Have at it.

Fuzzy
*****************************
Integral Designs Denali Pants
Initial Report – October 31, 2003

Contents
· Reviewer Information
· Backpacking Background
· Product Information
· Features
· Arrival
· Description
· First Impressions
· Field Information
· Things I Like
· Things I Don't Like

Reviewer Information

Name: Chuck Kime
Nickname: Fuzzy
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Height: 5'8" (172 cm)
Weight: 229 lb (104 kg)
Waist: 40" (102 cm)
Hips: 46" (117 cm)
Inseam: 30-32" (76-81 cm), depending on shoes
Email address: ckime AT nelsononline DOT com
City, State, Country: Norwood (Philadelphia suburb), PA, U.S.A.
Date: October 31, 2003

Product Information

Manufacturer: Integral Designs
Model: Denali Pants
Year of Manufacture: 2003
URL: http://www.integraldesigns.com
Listed weight, pants: 1 lb 3 oz (535 g)
Measured weight (size XL, standard length): 1 lb 3.2 oz (544 g),
scale accurate to 0.1 oz
Listed weight, stuff sack: 0.7 oz (20 g)
Measured weight: 0.6 oz (17 g)
Color: Black (other colours by request)
Other Colors Available (per catalog): Red, Cobalt (blue), Teal (green)
MSRP: $130 USD

Features (from web site)
· Insulated with single layer of 4oz Primaloft Sport (0.8" loft)
· Pertex P565 ripstop microfibre shell fabric
· Pertex microlight taffeta inner lining (black)
· Fully separating YKK # 5 vislon leg zippers with inside
weather flap and anti snag webbing
· Elasticised waist with front drawcord and side velcro
adjustments
· Front fly / belay ziip
· Supplied with Silcoat stuff sack


Arrival
The pants arrived by mail from Alberta, Canada, in a reused/recycled
cardboard box with a packing slip attached.  The box measured
approximately 13½ in L x 10 in W x 5½ in H (34 cm x 25 cm x 14 cm).
Upon opening the box, the first thing I saw was an Integral Designs
catalog.  Under the catalog I found the pants folded into a thin
clear plastic bag, similar to the plastic I get from the cleaner's
with my shirts or other dry cleaning.  I opened the plastic bag to
remove the pants and discovered the included Silcoat stuff sack
wrapped inside the folds of the pants.

There were hang tags attached to the clothing tags on the inside
waistband of the pants.  One is a single 2-sided card for Pertex
(www.pertex.com), written in English.  The other is a 2-sided tri-
fold card for Primaloft Sport (www.primaloft.com), written (as nearly
as I can tell) in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and an
Asian language.

Description
The Denali pants appear to be a basic pant design.  Starting at the
top, they have a 1½ in (5 cm) wide elastic waistband with an internal
(front) drawstring and large hook-and-loop tabs at each side.
Inside, where the waistband attaches to the pants, are 3 tags: one
for Primaloft, one for Pertex, and a garment tag from Integral
Designs.  The garment tag is hand-marked on the front with the size,
and on the back with the date checked.  The back of the tag also has
the washing instructions, which read:
MACHINE WASH, RINSE WELL
DRIP DRY OR TUMBLE
DRY ON LOW HEAT
DO NOT DRY CLEAN OR BLEACH
A patch with the Integral Designs logo is sewn on to the left front
of the pants, approximately where a pocket would be located – if
there were any pockets.  There is a fly/belay zipper in front, 7 in
(18 cm) long, allowing the wearer to answer the call of nature or to
access his or her climbing harness for belaying.  Running down the
outside seam on each leg is a fully separating 2-way zipper with a
webbing-reinforced storm flap on the inside.  The bottom cuff is
nearly as wide as the waistband, with a short section of elastic to
keep it from slipping down over the wearer's footwear, even if the
pants are too long.  Both the microfibre shell and taffeta lining are
light, very soft, and flexible.  All components of this pair are
black – the taffeta lining would be black regardless of the exterior
color.  Workmanship appears excellent, with straight seams and no
noticeable loose threads.

The included Silcoat stuff sack is marked as a size Small – 5 in x 14
in (12 cm x 35 cm) and 0.7 oz (20 g), according to the website – and
is light grey in color, with a black pull strap on the bottom and a
black cord with cord-lock at the top.  A patch with the Integral
Designs logo is sewn on to the sack near the top.  The seams are
folded over and double-stitched, but not sealed.  The grey color is
partially see-through, and the silicone impregnated ripstop nylon –
which I have never used or experienced before – has a slick feel to
it.  It is somewhat crinkly when relaxed, with just a bit of stretch
under tension.  I would think that the cord and cord-lock weigh
significantly more than the rest of the sack, as this stuff is
*extremely* lightweight.

First Impressions
Well, when I first tried these pants on, I had a little difficulty
pulling them on.  According to the Integral Designs website Sizing
Information, size XL pants fit a 40-42 in (102-107 cm) waist, and 47-
49 in (119-124 cm) hips.  As noted in my Reviewer Information above,
I have a 40 in (102 cm) waist and 46 in (117 cm) hips, so this size
seemed to be perfect.  I did not, however, take into account the
contents of my pockets (my larger-than-necessary wallet in my back
pocket, too many loose keys in one front pocket, and my Victorinox
Climber in the other front pocket) and items on my belt (cell phone
on one hip and leather case with my 2-AA MagLite and Leatherman PST
on the other hip) prior to putting the pants on.  Once I wriggled the
waistband past these items, the pants fit comfortably, if snugly.  As
I usually do not carry the cell phone or wallet on my person in the
field, and the knife and Leatherman go in my pack while actually
hiking, the pants should fit adequately in actual use.

Field Information
Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly.  Almost all of these outings
include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected
to be from lows around 25 to 30 ºF (-4 to –1 ºC) to highs around 95
to 100 ºF (35 to 38 ºC), although I don't expect it to be this warm
during the testing period for these pants.  Elevations will range
from sea level to approximately 2,000' (610 m).  We have two cold-
weather trips definitely on our schedule so far for this winter:
Thanksgiving weekend, and a Winter Survival campout that is usually
held the first weekend in January.  Temperatures last year for these
events were perfect for testing insulated clothing, with Thanksgiving
weekend ranging from a low of 23°F to a high of about 43°F (-5 to 6 °
C) outside – maxing out at 50°F (10 °C) indoors – and Winter Survival
ranging from a low of 21°F to a high of about 31°F (-6 to 0 °C).
Temps this year should be comparable.  I am also trying to talk the
troop into attending the Valley Forge Pilgrimage and Encampment in
February, where conditions are historically (pun only slightly
intended) as bad as when Washington was there over 200 years ago,
generally with a fair amount of snow on the ground, if not actually
falling during the event.  All of these events will likely involve a
significant amount of time spent just standing around, watching
and/or supervising the boys.

I will be attentive to and/or test the following:
· Fit.  Do they fit me?  I am not tall, and my height is mostly
torso, so my inseam is shorter than the average for my size (that's a
nice way of saying I could stand to lose some weight).  Do they move
well with me?  Do they fit (while wearing) in my sleeping bag with me?
· Zippers.  Do the zippers work smoothly?  Does the anti snag
webbing work as intended?  Can I actually get the pants on while
wearing my boots without a great struggle?
· Fabric.  Is the Pertex durable (I have no prior experience
with the fabric)?  Does it stretch?  Does it fade?  Is it windproof?
Waterproof?  Does it pill, pull, or snag readily?
· Warmth.  How cold can it get and still keep me warm?  How
much warmth do they add to my sleep system?
· Packability.  How packable are the pants?  I will attempt to
pack the Denalis as part of my load in/on (preferably in) my Deuter
Futura 32.  At 10 in x 5 in (25 cm x 12.5 cm), it shouldn't be too
difficult.
· Washability.  Are the instructions easy to follow?  Do they
dry well?  Do they hold much dirt in the first place?
· Stuff sack.  How well do the pants fit in it?  How do they
look when they come out?

Things I like

1. Soft.
2. They go on over my boots.
3. Well made.

Things I don't like

1. A bit snug at first.  Time will tell how functional the fit
is.
2. A bit long on me.  I will be attentive to any specific issues
with the length.

Backpacking Background
I started car/trailer camping with the family when I was about 5.  I
enlisted in the Army Reserve during my first year of college and
spent 17 years fine-tuning my packing methodology - by the time I
separated from the service, I was down to what I thought was a
respectable 75-80 lb (34-36 kg) load.  When my son started Cub
Scouts, I brought my 60 lb (27 kg) ALICE pack for a weekend.  We got
to Boy Scouts in the Spring of 2002.  We camp, monthly, in locations
ranging from the Chesapeake Bay area (flat and lightly wooded), to
the Pocono Mtns (flat spots hard to find and very wooded), and in all
seasons.
Lightweight (and ultralightweight) sites have led me to seriously
rethink my gear choices.  I plan to start doing more
hiking/backpacking on our monthly scout trips, taking along as many
scouts as are willing, to a) get in shape (yeah, yeah, I know… round
IS a shape), and b) determine what I really need to take along.  I am
relatively confident that I will be able to reduce my 3-season pack
to 20 lb (9 kg), before food, fuel and water, by the time this season
is over.

Thank you for your time.

Chuck Kime
a.k.a. Fuzzy

Hi Tim,

thanks for your edits. I've corrected and uploaded. Hope everything seems
ok.
I've also added the listed weight. I just found that it is now available on
their web site.

Thanks for monitoring this test.

Benedikt


>-----Original Message-----
>From: tcoug7 [mailto:tcoug7@...]
>Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 5:05 PM
>To: BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [BackpackGearTest] EDIT: long term report tektite - Benedikt
>
>
>Wow, nice job Benedikt!  I really had to dig to find anything.  There
>are only a couple of edits, see below.
>
>Good Job!
>
>It's been a pleasure!  Enjoy your light.
>
>Tim
>
>
>
>
>Field Information:
>I have used the Mini-Trek for several nights while camping in New
>Hampshire,
>Maine, and Massachusetts. All camping was on campsites or tentsites
>
>##EDIT: tent sites
>
> between
>sea level and about 3000ft/1000m. Temperatures during the night
>varied from
>around 40F/5C up to 77F/25C. I was using a Salewa Northcape 2-person
>tunnel
>tent or a Mountain Hardware Room-with-a-View 2-person tent. The trips
>included car-camping, cycling trips and backpacking. The weather
>included
>everything between pouring rain and clear sky. I also brought the
>light
>along on many day trips when I expected to return late or just as a
>safety
>precaution. I used it on evening climbing outings to unrig anchors
>after
>dark. During work days the light is almost always in my shoulder bag
>that I
>take to work every day.
>
>##EDIT: workdays
>
>
>Handling and performance: Overall I'm pretty impressed by the
>performance of
>this flashlight. It is very light weight and still the light output
>of the
>single LED is high enough to use it as the main light source for many
>night
>activities. The light beam has a fixed focus and is rather narrow but
>suitable for all activities I used it for, namely pitching a tent,
>cooking,
>walking to the bathroom, unrigging anchors, night hiking, and reading
>in the
>tent. I used it on a hike back to the tentsite
>
>##EDIT: tent site
>
> The added key chain ring also makes it easier to hold the light in
>the mouth
>in order to have both hands free. This works pretty good but is only
>practical for short term. For longer periods the flashlight can be
>clipped
>to a base-ball type hat.
>
>##EDIT: baseball
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>BackpackGearTest-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>

I'm working in it. Will let you guys know what's what soon I hope.
-Steph
BGT Moderator

-----Original Message-----
From: AsABat [mailto:wjj2001@...]
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 7:20 PM
To: BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [BackpackGearTest] Re: MONITORS REPORT: SEYCHELLE IN-LINE
ELIMINATOR WEEKLY


> Still awaiting replacements for Brian & Bill's broken units.
> ... to insure that we get some valid testing for
> the Field Report for Brian & Bill.

I would love to be able to finish this test, and I promise not to
unscrew anything so I can test the use of the filter. (I've already
tested the replacement of the filter!) If we don't get replacements,
that will make for a very short field test report!

Bill




To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
BackpackGearTest-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

I fixed it. You didn't have the correct privs identified :)
-Steph

-----Original Message-----

At 02:49 AM 31/10/2003, you wrote:
> > I did not get any upload notification for any of the
> > reports posted for this series.  Who do I ask about
> > this one?
>
>Do you normally receive notifications?

When the bot is working, Test Monitors get notification messages.

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "Martin, Stephanie Yoong B"
<syoong@a...> wrote:
> I fixed it. You didn't have the correct privs identified :)
> -Steph

Thanks.  I will see how it works when Dave uploads his IR.

Fuzzy
DAM Monitor

Hey Andrew:

-----Original Message-----
>High Sierra Sport Company - Naja 70+10 Internal Frame Pack ...Monitor:
Todd
Martin

See message 40645 :)

Here is a little review on a camping toiletry I have been using for
many months now.

No tables, so Yahoo should not do too bad a job, but if you want to
see the html it is in the test folder or here:

http://tinyurl.com/t6jr

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap
Owner Review by Rick Allnutt
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps
Purchased in February 2003, Reviewed November 2003
Manufacturer Web Site: Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps
Bottle volume: 32 oz (0.95 L)

FIELD INFORMATION

Tested on two overnight trips in Ohio, and 4 section hikes of the
Appalachian Trail totaling about 220 mi (354 km.) Weather ranged from
lows of 45 F (7 C) to high of 89 F (32 C). In addition to the
backpacking experience, I have used Dr. Bronner's soap for my daily
shower at home for the last 8 months.

REVIEW

I first read about Dr. Bronner's Peppermint soap in several of the
popular trail journal books.  Having never heard of the soap, I asked
my local outdoor store and they had it in stock.  I have since found
that a number of outfitters carry the soap and it is also available on
the internet.

The label on the bottle is certainly unusual. The official name of the
soap is "Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, 18-in-one Hemp PEPPERMINT
PURE-CASTILE SOAP."  From reading the label, one learns that the soap
is "100% Cruelty Free," and it is to be used for
"shave-shampoo-massage-dental-soap bath." The instructions, among
others, are "Don't drink soap! Dilute! Dilute! Or Wet Skin Well! OK!"
As a general note, most of an hour can be spent reading the various
suggestions and sayings on the bottle for entertainment.  I have
sometimes wondered if an evening of group skits could be performed
around the campfire based entirely on the bottle's suggestions.

Regardless of the eccentric label, the soap has turned out to be a
nice way to bathe, especially outdoors.  Though not thick, the soap
seems concentrated and I seldom need more than a teaspoon to wash my
hair or skin.  I am not able to get by with the recommended drop or
two of soap for hair after a day of sweating.

I was a bit concerned about the hemp oil content of the soap and
random urinalysis testing by the Air Force.  We are warned not to eat
food prepared with hemp oil.  I did some searching on the internet to
see if the soap had been implicated in any positive drug tests, and
was pleased that my search came up empty.  I have gone through one
random drug test since I began using the product and my test came back
negative.  So, for those who are in jobs where this could be an issue,
my personal experience has been good thus far.

One of the suggested uses of the soap is as a dental soap.  Because of
the drug testing concerns, I do not recommend taking the material into
the mouth.  However, if do you choose to try it out, I believe you
will discover (like I did) that it makes a truly awful dental cleaner.
   If you enjoyed having your mother wash your mouth out with soap, it
may be attractive to you, but otherwise, it will be an unpleasant
experience.

For most of the other uses on the label, from cleaning dishes to
laundry, the soap is quite useful.  I have found that a one ounce (29
ml) vial of the soap will last a full week on the trail for cleaning,
dishes, and laundry.  Because of the size of the stock bottle, it is
inappropriate to take it backpacking.  Instead, a small volume can be
transferred to a one or two ounce (29 to 59 ml) bottle.  Four and
eight ounce (118 and 237 ml) bottles of the soap are also available if
one wishes to take the official Dr. Bronner's bottle to the woods.
However, I did not test these bottles for leaks or acceptability in
backpacking.

There is something special about the soap's aroma of peppermint, and
its cooling sensation on the skin, especially out on the
trail. However, my main concern was the effectiveness of the soap as a
hair cleaner.  I wanted to make sure that prolonged use did not result
in the accumulation of excess oil on the scalp and resultant dandruff.
  Last winter, I determined to make the peppermint soap the only
product used on my hair.  After more than 8 months of use, my hair
feels clean every day and no dandruff has been seen.  My barber says
my hair feels like I use conditioner and it is healthy and not brittle.

My three favorite features of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap.
- Smells good
- Makes my skin feel cool
- Can be used for skin, dishes, and clothes

PERSONAL BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS
-Name: Rick Allnutt
-50 year old male
-6'0" (183 cm) 195 lb (88.5 kg)
-Email: ra1 at imrisk dot com
-Homepage: Risk's Ultralite Hiking
-Home: Dayton, Ohio

BACKPACKING BACKGROUND
My recent intense interest in ultralite hiking began in late 2002.
Since then I have done much day hiking on the Ohio Buckeye Trail and
overnight backpacking on different sections of the Appalachian Trail.
AT section hikes have included almost 200 miles (322  km) in North
Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and New Hampshire.  Other experience
includes 7 backcountry canoe trips into Minnesota's  Boundary Waters
Canoe Area spanning 35 years. I am an ultralite gearhead, a hammock
camper, and sew/build most of my own equipment.

Hi Rick,

Thanks for your Owner's Review.  Do not worry if nothing happens with
it for
a few days.  All our editors are volunteers and your report will be
subject
to an official edit within seven days. If you have not had a response
from
an Edit Moderator via the list within this timeframe, please let us
know.
You may receive edits or comments from other members of the group.
These
edits and comments, while not official, should be considered
carefully, and
if you find them substantial, revise and re-post your review.
Incorporating member edits and re-posting to the list will usually
result in
a better review, as well as making things easier for the official
editor.
Please put REVISED at the start of your re-post, if you take this
route.

If you are new to the BackpackGearTest.org, welcome to the
community!  The
editors will work with you, within their own time constraints, to get
your
first two Owner Reviews approved and upload in a timely manner.  Once
these
first two Owner Reviews have been approved you will be eligible to
start
applying for Tests.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask via
the
list or contact us directly.

Regards
The Edit Moderator Team
--
http://BackpackGearTest.org : The most comprehensive interactive gear
reviews and tests on the planet

Very nice and thorough report. Only a few minor edits and suggestions.

     -Todd



High Sierra Sport Company Naja 70 + 10
Internal Framed Backpack

Initial Report
Submitted 30 October, 2003

Tester Biography Product Information Initial Report
	 Summary

Please Note: The Initial Report is the first of a series of three
reports written over a six month test period.

Product Information
Name:  Naja 70+10
Manufacturer: High Sierra Sport Company
Web Site: www.highsierrasport.com
Type:  Internal Frame Backpack
Date of Manufacture: 2003
Published Weight: 6 lb ( g)

>> Add weight in kg <<

Measured Weight: 5 lb 14 oz (2.66 kg)  **Note: this includes
the weight of the rain cover.  The raincover alone weighs 7.4 oz (210
g)
Published Dimensions: 28.5 x 14.5 x 9 in (72 x 37 x 23 cm)
Measured Dimensions: 26 x 14 x 9 in (66 x 36 x 23 cm)
*Published Volume: 70 +10 = 80 liters total (4272 + 610 = 4882
cu in total)
*Published Volume: 4825 cu in
Measured Volume:  See discussion in Initial Report
Published Torso Length: 14" to 18" (36 cm to 46 cm) with an internal
frame that adjusts for 18" to 20" (46 cm to 51 cm)
MSRP: $135.00 (US currency) – from the website

*Note: both the imperial and metric volumes were listed on the
accompanying documentation.  Yet, they are not equivalent.  Refer to
discussion in report.

Specifications:
-70 liter top-load main compartment with gusseted drawstring closure
under the lid.
- 10 liter drop-bottom compartment
- Adjustable top lid with neoprene sport flap
- Multiple compression straps secure gear
- Hydration water tube port (reservoir not included)
- Lashing hardware holds ice axe/hiking poles
- Elastic shock cord on front holds a shovel or other accessories
- Vapel Mesh Airflow padded back wicks moisture
- Vapel Mesh Airflow padded shoulder harness with adjustable load-
lifters
- Vapel Mesh Airflow adjustable padded waist belt helps secure the
pack
- Adjustable sternum strap stabilizes the pack
- Dual-side mesh water bottle pockets
- Reflective accent piping for safety
- Full-sip rain cover in bottom zippered pocket allows pack to be
checked at airport

Other:
- Materials: Made with 10000-denier Duralite, 600-denier Duralite,
Duralite Diamond and Mini Ripstop
- Available colors:

Option Number Color Combination
5961-599  Cypress, Seafoam, Evergreen, Black  *Note:
this is the color tested
5961-600  Cinder, Biscuit, hot Sauce, Black
591-603  Dive, Ash, Navy, Black

Initial Report

The Naja 70+10 is a pleasant surprise.  Based on the information
found on the website, I wasn't expecting much.  After researching the
pack for information, I was left with the feeling that this was an
example of a luggage maker trying to get into the backpack market.  I
wasn't impressed with the website with respect to backpacking
equipment and less impressed with the pack's description.  In fact,
at the bottom of the list of features, the pack dimensions are given
incorrectly!

To my surprise, when I reached in the box to pull out the pack, I was
greeted with a well thought-out, quality constructed pack!  At
slightly less than six pounds (2.7 kg) I feel it's a little on the
heavy side, but much of that is due to the options this pack is
loaded with!

Immediately beginning at the top, the pack is equipped with a non-
removable top cover. On the top of the lid is an adjustable, neoprene
sport flap measuring roughly 7 x 7 in (18 x 18 cm).  It is secured at
the four corners with adjustable nylon straps 3.5 in (8.9 cm) long.
The documented function of the sport flap is for holding a helmet.
I'll have to see what other things this option is good for as well.
Around to the backside of the lid, on the side facing the wearer's
back, is a little compartment with a 10 in (25 cm) zipper closure.
This pocket is lined on one side with a soft, fleece-like material.
I have not ascertained why yet.  There is a strip of hook and loop
closure (Velcro) along this backside as well.  It is to take

>> Suggestion: change to "It's purpose is to take" <<

up the slack of the top lid "hinge" when the pack's extension collar
is not
in use.  Inside the top lid, looking in when the lid is removed from
the pack, is another "secret" compartment complete with a 10 in (25
cm) zipper access.  The compartment measures roughly 10 x 12 in (25 x
30 cm) and is lined on the inside with soft nylon backing.  The side
facing outward is made of mesh.

On the main pack body, there is an extension collar that increases
the main body height by about 7 in (18 cm) if deployed.  It contains
a drawstring closure.  Also securing the top of the pack is an
adjustable nylon strap about 18 in (46 cm) long, complete with a
quick release, duraflex-style one inch (2.5 cm) buckle.  The strap is
a nice, clean solution to allow the extension collar to act as a roll-
top cover when not needed as a continuation of the pack body.

Opening the drawstring on the collar and looking in, we can see a
nice, large, gear storage area. On the back wall of the pack, what
would

>> Suggestion: change the word `what' to `which' <<

be in contact with the wearer's back, is a hydration sleeve measuring
7.5 x 14 in (19 x 36 cm).  The sleeve is capable of bellowing out
approximately 3 in (8 cm), but held closed with an elastic top.
There are openings on each side at the top of the pack to allow for a
hydration hose.   At the bottom of this main area is the zippered
drop-bottom.  The area below the drop-bottom can be accessed on the
outside of the pack by a zipper extending to three sides of the pack,
thus allowing storage and removal of a sleeping bag without emptying
the whole pack.  The drop-bottom can be opened up to create one,
large, unimpeded storage area if that's desired.  Simply reach in and
unzip from the inner wall of the bag.

Down the front of the pack are two vertical compression straps used
to secure the top lid. They connect at each end with quick release
duraflex-type buckles.  Also running down the length of the front is
an adjustable elastic shock cord, zigzagging over itself creating a
nice place to store wet items or a shovel.  The total run of the
shock cord area is about 12 in (31 cm) down the front of the pack.
Also on the front, near the bottom are two cable loops.  They can
work in conjunction with the adjustable lashing hardware located near
the upper part of the front of the pack to secure an ice axe, hiking
poles or even a fishing pole.  The adjustable lashing hardware is an
interesting combination of a heavy-duty plastic clip with an
adjustable length shock cord.  I've never had a pack with these or
the cable loops before and am interested in seeing

>> Suggestion: change `in seeing' to `to see' <<

how well they function.  Two more compression straps continue around
the bottom of the pack as well.

Each side of the pack contains two horizontal compression straps.
Again, the straps are equipped with duraflex-type quick release
clips.  Each strap contains about 8 in (20 cm) of length for all
sorts of lashing needs. There are mesh water bottle pockets on each
side; big enough to hold a 1 liter (1.06 qt) Nalgene bottle, as well
as a ski/ tent pole sleeve. The tunnel sleeve measures 4 x 4 in (10 x
10 cm). On the outside of the sleeve is a small pocket with a 4.5 in
(10 cm) zipper closure, and measures approximately 4 x 3 in (10 x 8
cm) that can hold small items. The pocket is gusseted, to allow for
some over-stuffing.

Around back of the pack is the suspension system.  The main parts of
the ErgoFit adjustment system are two adjustable aluminum stays
running the length of the pack.  The ErgoFit system attaches to the
stays by adjustable nylon straps, allowing the wearer to adjust the
distance between the shoulder straps and the hip belt.  The adjusters
are easily located behind the padded back sheet.  Below the padded
back sheet is a large padded lumbar pad measuring 8 x 8 in (20 x 20
cm).  Running through this pad is the padded hip belt.  The hip belt
is adjustable, with a two inch (5 cm) duraflex-type quick release
buckle.

The well padded, ergonomically curved shoulder straps connect to the
ErgoFit system at the top with connection points and load lifters.
At the bottom, the load is dispersed via two contact points with the
pack and frame, at hip belt level.  The shoulder pads are equipped
with d-rings, for adding additional gear or thumb loops (not
included) and a piece of hook and loop closure for securing a
hydration tube, among other things.  There is a 14 in (36 cm) long
adjustable sternum strap that can move vertically along the shoulder
straps for 3 in (8 cm).  The strap contains an elastic section, thus
allowing the strap to expand and contract when necessary, allowing
for easy breathing and improving comfort.

At the bottom of the back is a small compartment containing the
stowable rain cover.  The compartment has an 8 in (20 cm) zipper
closure and measures approximately 9 x 13 in (23 x 33 cm).  The cover
is a rather unattractive yellow (in my opinion) with the High Sierra
name silk-screened on in white along with a small, plastic window
containing an information card to be filled out by the owner.  The
rain cover deploys easily and is secured with a tether strap to the
pack.

Comments and Confusion on the Pack Volume:

The Naja is advertised as a 70 liter pack with an additional 10 liter
drop down section, resulting in an 80 liter pack.  This converts to
4882 cubic inches.  The imperial volume is also published on the
documentation, as 4825 cu in or 79 liters.

The dimensions are also listed (28.5 x14.5 x 9 in), resulting in a
volume of 3719 cubic inches or 61 liters assuming the pack takes on a
rectangular shape.  Since a length, width and depth are listed; this
would be a reasonable assumption.

The measured dimensions, including the extension, are 31 x 14 x 9 in
(79 x 36 x 23 cm), which results in a volume of 3906 cubic inches or
64 liters, assuming a rectangular shape.

If the pack is instead assumed to be cylindrical in shape, which is
more what it looked like when filled with packing material, this
results in a cylinder of 13 in (34 cm) diameter and 31 in (79 cm)
long.  This yields a measured volume of 4112 cu in or 67 liters.

Next, the pack was filled with packing material, then the material
was transferred to a rectangular box of known length and width and
the depth of material was measured.  This yielded a volume of 3367 cu
in or 55 liters.

Results of volume measurements: The above illustrates an interesting
problem when measuring volume in backpacks.  Rectangular dimensions
are usually given, leading to the assumption of a rectangular
volume.  But, in fact the pack is much closer to a cylinder when
filled.  The low result of the last test – filling the pack with
shipping material and transferring it to a rectangular box and
measuring, is probably off due to the poor choice of fill material.
The material needs to be small in size, but resistant to
compression.  Very small Styrofoam beads, like those found in
building products, would probably work great.  Too bad I didn't have
any for this test!

There is more unaccounted storage space in the lid pockets, the small
side pockets and the rain cover compartment.  All these pockets are
very narrow in depth.  Assuming a nominal thickness of 1 in (2.5 cm),
the resultant volumes would increase the storage capacity by 401 cu
in or 6.5 liters.

If this is added to the resultant for a cylindrical shape is assumed,
it results in a total volume of 73.5 liters.

So, the 80 liter advertised volume seems a little high.  According to
measurements, the pack is more like 73.5 liters or 4485 cu in.  This
is the maximum volume, with the extension collar deployed and the
rain cover compartment filled too.

The main compartment represents a useable storage volume of about 67
liters (4112 cu in) at most.

Torso Length and Frame Adjustment

I was initially confused about the fact that two measurements were
given in the documentation.  Upon studying the ErgoFit design, I
think I understand what the documentation was trying to describe.

First, the ErgoFit system slides up and down the two metal stays.
This travel is limited at the bottom by the attachment point where
the hip belt attaches and at the top where the pack attaches to the
stays.  The total travel along the stays is about 4 in (10 cm).  If
the approximate center of the hip belt is used as a reference, and
measurements are taken from here to the apex of the shoulder strap,
the overall length changes from 14-18 in (36-46 cm).  They seem to
call this torso adjustment.

The apex of the shoulder strap is very close anatomically to the
seventh cervical vertebrae – where most torso measurements are
taken.  By adjusting the load lifters, the apex of the strap can be
increased or decreased, resulting in the internal frame measurement
spec of 18-20 in (46-51 cm).

Torso Results:

The bottom line for comparison is that I have a 21 in (53 cm) torso –
measured by the standard C7 vertebrae to the hip crest along the
spine.  I can wear this pack with the ErgoFit adjusted to maximum
along the frame.  There may be a slight more room that could be
attained along the load lifters, so the maximum torso is somewhere
around 21.5 in (55 cm) according to my measurements.  The minimum
torso length is interpolated based on my measurements to be around 16
in (41 cm).

Construction Materials:

The materials used, specifically the "Duralite" name, seems to be a
proprietary material of High Sierra Sport.  But, based on the
standard weight designations of 1000 and 600 denier, along with the
ripstop designation – plus by giving it a visual once over and
handling the material, I suspect this material to be quite durable.

The nylon straps are all 1 in (2.5 cm) wide and of reasonable
density.

None of the plastic hardware – i.e. the quick release buckles, anchor
points, etc carry a name on them, but they all work satisfactorily
under this initial test.

Durability of all materials will be tested as this test progresses.

Product Arrival:

The Naja 70+10 backpack arrived on 22 October 2003 via UPS.  It was
packed in a large cardboard box.  Inside the box, the pack was
securely padded with white shipping paper around the outside of the
pack.  The inside of the pack was also filled with shipping paper.
The product arrived in perfect condition.  Attached to the pack were
various hangcards identifying the pack, materials used in
construction, High Sierra as the manufacturer with promotional
material on some if their other product lines, as well as the fact
that the pack is hydration bladder compatible.   Attached to the
front of the pack was a rather large placard - approximately 6 x 9 in
(15 x 23 cm), specific to the Naja 70+10 itself.  It identified the
pack as the Naja 70+10, listed High Sierra's web address, listed the
pack's specifications and high-performance features, listed the
pack's volume capacity, as well as torso length and unladen pack
weight.  Also advertised was the full-zip rain cover "that allows
pack to be checked at airport!"

Found inside the pack was a registration card advertising a free lost
and found service.  BoomerangIt is the name of the service, and is
free for six months.  After that, there is a fee.  Along with the
information is a small clip to be attached to the pack if the service
is chosen.  The clip reads that there is a reward if the pack is
found.

Comments on the Web Site:
I found the High Sierra website fairly easy to negotiate.  I didn't
like the way the backpacks were buried in amongst the other product
lines that High Sierra manufactures.  As a consumer, I felt
persistence more than easy navigation got me to the backpacks I

>> Suggestion: Add a comma after backpacks <<

also feel they need to toot their own horn a little more.  It's a
well thought-out, well made pack – I would recommend writing the
product descriptions with a backpacker in mind.  There is no mention
of how the ErgoFit torso adjustment system works, nor did any come
with the pack.  To their credit, there is a proper care and cleaning
section.

Field Testing Information

The conditions for this test will be winter conditions in Northeast
United States.  Old Man Winter quickly blows in.  Average daily temps
steadily decline, hitting a low in January and February.

>> Suggestion: combine the last two sentences above "When Old Man
Winter blows in, average daily temps …. Etc. <<

It's not unusual to see temperatures during this period hovering at
or below 0F (-18C).  The ground will have considerable snow
coverage.  Actually, snow is almost a daily occurrence

I have trips planned at least once a month throughout the testing
period with the Boy Scouts.  I also have some personal treks planned,
as well as some cold weather training.  The stomping grounds will
mostly be in Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania, although my
wish list includes a possible trip to Shenandoah National Park near
the end of the test period.  Elevations for most testing will be
between 200 and 400 ft (61 – 122 m), except for Shenandoah – 1200 ft
(366 m).  I will also use this for day trips – snowshoeing, cross-
country skiing, sledding, etc.

This is a large pack with lots of lashing possibilities.  I should
have no trouble pushing this pack, even in the winter conditions.
With all the lashing options, I anticipate this pack would lend
itself nicely when I'm out doing trail conservation work.

Tester Biographical Information

Name:  Tim Coughlin
Gender: Male
Height:  5'11" (1.8 m)
Weight: 180 lb (82 kg)
Age:  42 (years young)
Email:  TCoug7<at>yahoo<dot>com
Location: Western New York, Northern Pennsylvania, Adirondack
Mountains
State:  New York
Country: United States

Backpacking Background:

I have been an active backpacker for 28 years, with experience hiking
in many parts of the continental United States and Canada. Most of my
time is spent in the Northeast, especially the Adirondack region of
New York. I'm a seasoned veteran to 3-season backpacking, and I'm
beginning to expand my resume to include winter backpacking. This has
naturally led me towards the Lightweight and Ultralight philosophies.

Along with my two sons – ages eleven and thirteen, I am very active
with our local Boy Scout troop.  I've been involved with Scouting as
an adult for the past ten years.  Besides being the Committee
Chairman, I'm also the High Adventure Leader.  As such, one of my
responsibilities is to teach the young people about the "Great
Outdoors".  I especially love to teach them about hiking, backpacking
and canoeing – my true loves!

Summary of Initial Impressions:

The Naja 70 + 10 pack is much more of a pack than I anticipated from
the website.  It's well made and well thought out!  It has some fancy
lashing gadgets that should be fun to test.  I believe the capacity
is less than advertised – more like 73-74 liters.  It is heavy at
just under six pounds (2.7 kg), but seems to ride nicely.  The torso
sizing information is very confusing, but if I figured correctly, it
comes down to fitting a torso range of 16–21.5 in (41-55 cm).

The tested color is a combination of cypress, seafoam, evergreen and
black – which to me is beige, light green, dark green and black.  I
like it.  I prefer natural colors that blend, and these do.

The inner lining of the pockets in the extension lid are lined with
very unusual materials.  On one side, it feels like a fleece.  On the
other side, it feels like a silky nylon.  I cannot figure out why.
If the lid was detachable, I would try to see if it turned inside out
to make a pillow, but alas, it is permanently attached. I will
continue to search for an answer and report on it in future reports
if one is found.

There were no adjustment directions of the ErgoFit adjustment system
with the pack, nor did I find any on the website.  I feel this should
be included, especially for novice backpackers.

Tim

> >The monitor's report is monthly from the time the last initial report
is
> >posted, until the month before the field report is due. I did post
the
> >report two weeks ago, but missed last week's due to temporary loss of
> >internet access.
>
> Unless there was special arrangements for this test, that is not the
way
> it
> normally works. We stick with weekly reporting until the FIELD reports
are
> competed, then we go monthly until a month out of the LONG TERM report
> date.

You're correct. I thought "field report" but typed "initial report".  My
status reports were weekly until the field report, and monthly from then
on in until the start of this month, and they are now weekly (except for
the one I missed last week :/ )

--
  -= Mark
   -= mark@...

Edits completed, tested, and file uploaded.

That's one down, 3 to go ....

> > bind up or snag on the bivy material.  The hood zipper sliders
all
> > moved smoothly and I had some fun playing around with them.
>
> ===> Comment: ....hmmm a woman who has fun playing with zippers...;)

;-)

kelli

I enjoyed the report. I used to use this soap all the time for
backpacking, even in the 1970's, as it's made very close to home. I
did find the bottles leaked, or at least the squirt top would leak. I
then started putting it in smaller bottles with screw tops over the
squirt top.

I quit using it when bears starting becoming a big problem in the
Sierra. There was a bit of talk then about flavoring ourselves with
peppermint so the bears would find us easier.

I did use the soap for toothbrushing and mouthwash, but just one tiny
drop in a lot of water!

Bill

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, " AsABat" <wjj2001@y...>
wrote:
> I enjoyed the report. I used to use this soap all the time for
> backpacking, even in the 1970's, as it's made very close to home.
I
> did find the bottles leaked, or at least the squirt top would
leak. I
> then started putting it in smaller bottles with screw tops over
the
> squirt top.


I've used it for a couple of years on the trail & home. It smells
great and cleans well. I like not having to bring a couple of
different soaps as I use it for all washing tasks.

At home I also use a couple of the other "flavors" - eucalyptus is
very relaxing (whereas the peppermint is invigorating).

It will cloud up in cold weather because of the oils and the
aromatics will also sting cuts (and make one's private parts
tingle ;-)

It's also available in gallon (and maybe 5 gal) jugs on the net
which is how I buy it. Lasts forever that way.

Jim
BTW, each of the different kinds has a different label. The lavender
one is almost erotic!

From: "tcoug7" <tcoug7@...>
Subject: Re: Halloween joke

Tim,

I won't run your list again, but You got your # 10, the wish for someone to
at least laugh at one, 9 times over!

Thanks,

Rosaleen


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Louis,
Here are my edits. The ones labeled "EDIT" are required, "Edit" are
suggested, and "Comments" are mere meanderings. Once you've made the
changes as appropriate, upload them to BGT.org (you don't need to
repost to the list).

Thanks for the report.
Jim


--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "Louis Luangkesorn"
<lluang@y...> wrote:

===> EDIT: You need a title (which is generally centered) like this:
               Integral Designs eVent South Col Bivy
                        October 30, 2003





> Tester Biography
> Information: Name: Louis Luangkesorn

===> EDIT: Not sure what the "Information:" is there for. You can
eliminate it. Also, in the interest of consistency, since the
sections below are labeled in uppercase, "Tester Biography" should
be in uppercase as well.

>
> PRODUCT INFORMATION
> Website:  http://www.integraldesigns.com/

===> EDIT: Make sure this is a clickable hyperlink

>
> Specifications (Website):
> Length: Regular 84" (2.1 m) fits to 6ft 1" (1.85 m)

===> EDIT: use consistent units/symbols so in the above it should be
6' 1" (if using the abbreviation, it should be 6 ft 1 in).

> Weight: Regular 20oz. (.6 kg)

===> EDIT: "20 oz" need the space but not the period

> Packed: 8" (20 cm) long x 5" (12.5 cm) wide
> Price:USD $235 (Regular)

===> EDIT: space after colon

>
> Measured:
> Weight: 20 oz. (.6 kg)(including stuff sack)

===> Edit: don't need the period after the oz

> Length: 84" (2.1 m)
> Width: 30" (.75 m) at opening, 20" (.5m) at foot

===> EDIT: need a space after the .5 before the unit (m)

> Packed:  9' (23 cm) long x 5" (12.5 cm) diameter

===> EDIT: Check your units. I don't think it packs to a 9 foot
length.

>
> Description:
>
> one that opens on the left side, and two to the right of it that
> create an open in between them.  Presumably, this means that you
can

===> EDIT: "create an opening between"

> of the bivy.  Q:  do these things have a technical name?)  The top
of

===> Comment: A: They're double tab sliders.

> the bivy is 21" (53 cm) from the zipper.  When I'm in the bag,
there
> is quite a bit of room above.

===> Edit: Above what? Your face, body, toes, etc?

>
> I have tried the bivy with a full sized Thermorest pad and a 15F

===> EDIT: Therm-a-Rest (it's a trademark) and need a space between
15 and F (as well as the 10 & C in the line below.

> (-10C) sleeping bag.  It is comfortable, and while the fabric is


> help in adjusting the zippers for the weather condition.  (because

===>EDIT: Since the "because" begins a parenthetical sentence and is
not a parenthetical modifier, it needs to be capitalized (e.g.
Because).

> both bag and bivy closed, bag open/bivy closed, bag closed/bivy
open
> are all comfortable choices.)  I have also noted that air does go

===> EDIT: Awkward. Need something like "Because of this, both..."
to clean the sentence up.

> through the bivy fabric, in particular any air that is trapped in
the
> bivy readly escapes when stuffing the bivy into its stuff sack.
>

===> EDIT: "readily"

> TESTING
>> leakage (zippers, around face) and any feelings of clausterphobia.

===> EDIT: claustrophobia

At 08:33 PM 31/10/2003, you wrote:
>Andrew-
>
>Coy Boy kindly pointed out to me that I didn't quite get my subject heading
>into the sequence of wording that your requested.
>
>I am guessing that this explains why my weekly report shows as AWOL in your
>(partially repeated) post immediately following this one. Perhaps others did
>the same, and that is why so many appear ovedue.
>
>After your partial repost, I have copied my report, posted early (EST)
>Wednesday morning, 10/29/03.

Hi Rosaleen

No worries. I might have missed it. Was in a rush trying to get this
together this week ... my excuse ... its spring time :-)

Andrew

--
http://BackpackGearTest.org : The most comprehensive interactive gear
reviews and tests on the planet


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

At 09:05 PM 31/10/2003, you wrote:
>Hi Andrew,
>
>I think this is a mistake.  I posted my final weekly report, after you
>uploaded your corrections, on the 22nd.
>
>Mama's Kitchen is now on Monthly reporting (first report on 5 nov.)
>until LTR time.

Hi Rami

Sorry about that one. It came about due me not quite understanding how the
new database determines when someone is on monthly reporting. Think I have
it figured now and it should be ok next week.

Andrew
--
http://BackpackGearTest.org : The most comprehensive interactive gear
reviews and tests on the planet


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

At 10:40 PM 31/10/2003, you wrote:
>--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, Andrew Priest
><apriest@b...> wrote:
> >
> > CALLS CLOSED BUT YET TO COMMENCE REPORTING
> >   ==========================================
> > Integral Designs - eVENT South Col Bivy ...Monitor: Jim Hatch
> >
>
>Reporting begun. Two IRs have been edited and are awaiting upload
>and one awaits my edits.

Hi

This one needs Shane input. Have I missed putting something in the database
Shane? Maybe a start date?

Andrew
--
http://BackpackGearTest.org : The most comprehensive interactive gear
reviews and tests on the planet


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

At 11:00 PM 31/10/2003, you wrote:
>--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, rosaleen43@a... wrote:
> > Hi, Guys!
>
>Thanks Roaleen, I loved it!  Happy Halloween.
>
>Tim
>
>PS. I figure I'll send this joke too before Andrew catches up to us.
>It's so bad, it's funny...

I have caught up and they are BAD :-)

Andrew

--
http://BackpackGearTest.org : The most comprehensive interactive gear
reviews and tests on the planet


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

At 11:06 PM 31/10/2003, you wrote:
> > Shane getting in early! Miracles never cease :-)
>
>Well, I used to be early all the time before I became a Mod!

No the feeling :-)

Andrew
--
http://BackpackGearTest.org : The most comprehensive interactive gear
reviews and tests on the planet


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

At 07:03 AM 01/11/2003, you wrote:

>You're correct. I thought "field report" but typed "initial report".  My
>status reports were weekly until the field report, and monthly from then
>on in until the start of this month, and they are now weekly (except for

No worries Mark. Glad we are both singing to the same tune.

Take care
Andrew

--
http://BackpackGearTest.org : The most comprehensive interactive gear
reviews and tests on the planet


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

At 04:10 AM 01/11/2003, you wrote:
>Hey Andrew:
>
>-----Original Message-----
> >High Sierra Sport Company - Naja 70+10 Internal Frame Pack ...Monitor:
>Todd
>Martin
>
>See message 40645 :)

I am using the same excuse as the last one :-) .... Spring is in the air
and I have one hell of a hang over :-)

Sorry Todd.

Andrew
--
http://BackpackGearTest.org : The most comprehensive interactive gear
reviews and tests on the planet


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

At 11:07 PM 31/10/2003, you wrote:
>Brasslite Turbo I weekly report late:
>I stopped weekly reporting and went to monthly this week.  FRs were
>complete Oct 15, LTR due Feb 10.  Let me know if I still need to
>continue weekly reporting,

Hi Carol

You are right, I got the database wrong. Think I have fixed it now. It
should be right next week.

Andrew

--
http://BackpackGearTest.org : The most comprehensive interactive gear
reviews and tests on the planet


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

At 07:17 PM 31/10/2003, you wrote:
>Ok. I have made the edit and reposted the file to
><http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/Level%201/Repost%20-%20GG%20Vapor\
%20Trail/.>http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/Level%201/Repost%20-%20G\
G%20Vapor%20Trail/.
>The only difference in it is that I have taken out the word "both" in the
>final sentence of the asterisked section within the section on Product
>Informaion. The sentence now makes sense!!! Hooray! Ok. That is all. -

Hi Mike

I have deleted your old Owner Review. Please upload the corrected one and
then delete the test copy.

Thanks
Andrew Priest
List Moderator


--
http://BackpackGearTest.org : The most comprehensive interactive gear
reviews and tests on the planet


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Michael

Thankyou for your interesting and quite well written Owner Review.  My
first pass edits follow. Once you have worked through them, can you please
repost with REPOST - ATTN:> ANDREW leading your subject line so that I can
quickly go through it again before giving you approval to upload.

Thanks for putting this together

Regards
Andrew Priest
Chief Edit Moderator


At 01:36 PM 31/10/2003, you wrote:

>Owner Review Of
>LEKI Air Ergo 2 Backcountry Hiking Pole
>By Michael Lissner
>
>
>Product Information:
EDIT:> Is the manufacturer's weight available? If so can you please include
it here, if not, can you indicate so.


>Measured Weight*: 249.2 g (8.80 oz)
>*Weight was measured only recently, after a few modifications had been
>made and some minimalist wear had occurred. Sadly, their weight was not
>measured before these modifications.

EDIT:> Not sure about the "their weight" expression. I assume you are
referring to the point that you did not weigh the poles before the
modification.  Therefore your sentence should refer to you not getting your
weight before the modifications, rather than the manufacturers.

>2. One night while on a gram shaving rampage I cut off the lower section
>of foam grip that I never used, and that nobody could deny had some weight
>(perhaps an ounce or two [57or 113g]).

EDIT:> There should be a space between 57 and the "or" here. Also you need
to include the oz abbreviation.  Thirdly, I suggest you be consistent
throughout in your measurement sequencing. That is, either metric then
imperial or vice versa.


>Product Description:
>Out of the back of the top cork/latex composite piece comes the nylon
>wrist strap that is lined with some mysterious fuzzy synthetic fabric
>(probably nylon also) which is purposed to make the wrist strap more
>comfortable than it would be otherwise.

EDIT:> Should "purposed" be supposed, i.e., "... which is SUPPOSED to make
the wrist strap more comfortable than it would be otherwise."

>Background Information:
>They ranges from 90 to 150 centimeters, and have come to be quite useful
>as a reaching poles (more on that later).

EDIT:> "ranges" should be RANGE.  Imperial conversion required here please.
EDIT:> The "a" between "as A reaching poles" needs to be deleted.

>Second, the twist lock seemed to be a more reliable system than that in
>the other poles for sale that by and large involved flipping a lever or
>using a screwdriver (something I don't ever take along) to adjust.

EDIT:> Paragraph space required here please.

>Because I did not realize this at the time of purchasing them, or even
>until writing this report, I set out to test the poles, indifferent of
>which pole fell into which hand.

EDIT:> Paragraph space required here please.
EDIT:> Suggest you replace the "of" between "indifferent OF which pole fell
into which hand" to a TO, i.e., "... indifferent TO which pole fell into
which hand."

>The initial hikes I took with the poles were into the mountains along the
>northern coast of Spain, and consisted of rather few kilometers through
>fairly rough terrain, both plant wise and elevation gain/loss wise (EDIT????).

EDIT:> No edit required as far as I can see this morning.

>Comments and Review:
>During the many trips I have taken with just one pole of the two, I have
>found it to be a very useful ally. The uses of the pole essentially break
>down into the conventional and unconventional uses.

EDIT:> Paragraph spacing please.

>Of the many unconventional uses, probably the most useful feature of it
>that I have encountered has been its ability to serve as a third leg when
>balancing on two just is not as easy as it should be.

EDIT:> You need an " it is" between "two IS just" and to remove the "is"
between "just IS not", i.e., "... when balancing on two IT IS just NOT as
easy as it should be."

>This occurred most during a rather wet experience in the Adirondacks,
>during which many tricky river and swamp crossings were necessary, but has
>also been the case when in windy or rocky downhill areas. With a third
>touch down point, I have been able to traverse slippery logs much more
>quickly and dryly, pole vault streams too wide to simply jump, zip down
>potentially dangerous rocky areas without worrying as much about tripping,
>and keep my footing in windy and slippery areas, where otherwise it would
>not be possible. Equally importantly, I have been able to lean forward on
>this third leg while taking breaks, in many cases eliminating the need for
>that ideal sitting rock we all know must exist. Indeed, on the last trip I
>took my friend asked me why I never sat down at breaks.

EDIT:> Paragraph spacing please.

>I should say however that it almost serves this function too well. With a
>maximum length of 150 cm (59 in) it is far too long to serve as a hiking
>pole, even for the tallest of people.

EDIT:> Projecting. You are expressing your opinion, rather than fact. Can
you please change the sentence so that it clearly reflects this statement
as being your opinion.

>At 198 cm in height, I generally set it around 125 cm (49 in) for general
>hiking. This gives an extra 25 cm (10 in) of length that is for all
>intensive purposes extra. I have for some time now been considering
>cutting off this 25 cm (10 in) from the upper section of the pole in order
>to save yet more weight, though I have not yet gone forward with the plan.

EDIT:> Paragraph spacing here please.

>Additional unconventional uses of the pole that deserve at least some
>mention are the following: At night it serves admirably as a support for
>my tarp shelter; when attacked by some unidentified wild bird, I felt much
>more comfortable with a pole in my hand; and should an emergency occur
>during a trip, I plan on counting on it to make a field splint, a crutch,
>a gurney or even, if necessary, a traction splint. In short, in my
>experience a long, straight and strong pole is a very handy thing to have.

EDIT:> Paragraph spacing here please.

>On the subject of the conventional uses, I have come to find it to be a
>rather useful tool as well. I have been rather pleased with the grip and
>strap combination, finding them to be plenty supportive and comfortable
>when used properly. I use them by sliding my hand upwards through the
>wrist strap and then coming down on it to grip it and the pole with my
>fingers. At first I gripped the pole in a fist, as seems to be the natural
>thing, but as I grew more and more comfortable with the strap system, my
>style changed to a somewhat irregular one, involving putting first one
>finger (my pinky) behind the grip itself (with the pole between it and my
>ring finger) and then later going one step further and gripping the pole
>with two fingers in front of the grip and two behind. This both eliminates
>any possibility of my inadvertent death gripping of the pole, and puts my
>wrist at a comfortable angle. Several LEKI poles now have a 15 degree
>forward angle that would probably ameliorate any necessity to do this, but
>this one does not. It is, however, not something that bothers me, as I
>have found a solution that I am perfectly happy with, and to angle it
>forward would make the pole collapse less than it does now. I did however
>found two things to complain about in regards to the grip of the pole. The
>first of these is lower section of it. When I bought the pole I asked what
>it could possibly be for, and the storeowner told me it was for steeper
>sections of trail so that adjusting the pole would not be necessary. Since
>that time, I have never once found adjusting the pole to be shorter or
>longer to be so arduous that I would rather take my hand out of the
>supporting wrist strap and death grip the lower section of the grip than
>simply adjust it the overall length of the pole. Because of that
>preference, before the last trip I took with the pole I cut off the lower
>section of foam grip, and threw it in the trash. I cannot say I have any
>regrets for this action beyond being made fun of by my so-called friends
>for shaving off needless grams. I should mention to those of you that have
>this pole and are thinking about doing this that this does not leave the
>pole in pristine condition. Little bits of foam stay stuck to the pole,
>leaving it rough and dirty looking. The second thing that I found to
>complain about the grip is the way it turns sweaty hands a little black
>after a long day of use. If there is one thing I do not like doing while
>backpacking, it is washing my hands. Unfortunately, the foam material that
>the grip is made from wears off a little bit with every use, turning my
>hands black where it rubs on them, and forcing hand washings.perhaps this
>is a good thing after all.

EDIT:> Paragraph spacing here please. This is a big paragraph. Can you
please look at breaking it down.

>
>As far as the amount to which I have found the pole to help during uphill
>and downhill sections, I can say that I have indeed found it to be rather
>helpful. On the uphill sections, it gives my left leg a little bit of a
>needed boost that seems to get me to the top somewhat easier, and on the
>downhill sections, I have definitely found it to take much of the burden
>off my young but vulnerable joints, the proof being in the way one leg
>gets more sore in the joints than the other after a long day.

EDIT:> Paragraph spacing here please.

>The one big complaint that I have about the pole is its overall collapsed
>length (90 cm [35.4 in]). I generally carry a rather small pack, and even
>when collapsed it is much larger than the longest dimension of my pack,
>giving me pretty much nowhere to stow it when I want it entirely out of
>the way.  As I mentioned earlier, the length to which it extends is beyond
>that which any hiker could properly use. LEKI could have made it much
>shorter (up to 25 cm [10 in] in my case) without having reduced its
>usability in any way.
>
>Summary:
>Though I found two poles to be far too many for Brain to handle, I have
>found one to be a pleasure to use.

EDIT:> A "my" is need for before brain and brain should be all lowercase,
i.e., "... be far too many for MY brain to handle..."
--
http://BackpackGearTest.org : The most comprehensive interactive gear
reviews and tests on the planet


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I count myself fortunate to live far enough away from the fires to not
be *directly* affected by them.  Two of my husband's co-workers nearly
lost each of their homes and both families had to be evacuated.
Robert has had constant asthma attacks all week long.  Mine haven't
been as bad - or as frequent - as his.  Needless to say, between
picking up the slack from the missing coworkers, being sick, and
trying to keep up with "normal" work, not too much extra has been done
around our casa (and boy, does it show!)

It's raining right now.  Sucks for the trick-or-treaters, but goodness
knows we need it.  San Gabriel has had a whopping 0.2 inches in about
4 hours.  Not much, but too much right now will cause more problems
(landslides and debris flows) than it would solve.

So, without more babbling, here's my overdue report.  Thanks for the
understanding.  Rip away!
HTML version on BGT site:  http://tinyurl.com/t851

===========

Mountainsmith Relay Daypack- Long Term Report

Personal biographical information:

Name: Sonjia Leyva
Age: 36
Gender: Female
Height: 5' 7" (1.70 m)
Weight: ~190 lb. (86 kg)
Email address: sonjialeyva AT netscape DOT net
Location: San Gabriel, CA
Date: October 31, 2003
Backpacking background: 20 years plus of hiking, camping and
backpacking primarily in Southern California, although I've been known
to venture to the Sierras, the Central Coast, Oregon and Washington.
Currently a Geology Instructor at California State University, Los
Angeles.


Product information:

Manufacturer: Mountainsmith, LLC
Year of Manufacture: 2003
URL: http://www.mountainsmith.com
Listed weight: 2 lb. 6 oz./1.08 kg
Weight as delivered: 2 lbs. 5.5 oz./1.05 kg
MSRP: $ 89.99


Long Term Report:

During the past six months I have used the Mountainsmith Relay Daypack
for a variety of tasks. It has been used as a day pack while hiking, a
field bag for my Oceanography class and General Geology class, a
"sand-toy transporter" for play dates at local parks, a diaper bag,
and a book bag/laptop carrier. All testing was conducted in the
Southern California area in, more or less, the same temperature ranges
as discussed in Field Test #1 (below). While I do have a few minor
complaints regarding the Mountainsmith Relay daypack, for the most
part I have found the daypack to be well constructed, quite durable
and enjoyable to use.

Field Test #1: Day Hikes

The Southern California region had a hot, humid summer. Temperatures
ranged from the low 90's to over 100°F (32°C - 38°C) with 70 - 90%
humidity. This, my friends, is not normal So Cal summer weather! Our
humidity levels typically range around 30% or so. Additionally, I was
blessed with the task of testing three items for BackpackGearTest: the
Yakima GrassHopper Child Carrier, the Bite X-Trac OS 6501a Sandals,
and the Mountainsmith Relay Daypack. I could test the Bite X-Trac
sandals in conjunction with either the GrassHopper or the Relay
Daypack. However, unless my husband (or a friend) went with me on a
hike, I had to choose between the GrassHopper or the Relay. Added to
this decision was whether or not my 16 month-old daughter would be
with me as well. Most of the time she tagged along and thus the
GrassHopper, too. So the Relay was not used solely as hiking daypack
much this summer.

That is not to say that it did not get used! All of my dayhikes were
on short (5-6 miles round trip or so) trails in the foothills of the
San Gabriels. Most of these trails are well used and are in fair to
good condition. There are spots that are overgrown, particularly by
California Oaks, a protected species. A few times the pack got caught
up in some brush. While I did not baby the daypack, neither did I
abuse it either. Each time the pack got caught I carefully extricated
it (and, sometimes, myself) from the clutches of the brush and
examined it for damage. The ripstop nylon fabric was dirty, and, in a
few cases, slightly scuffed, but was otherwise undamaged.

The Relay was also very comfortable to wear. It fit nicely against my
back and did not shift around very much as I scrambled up a few
slopes. The wide, padded shoulder straps were also comfortable and did
not bind or cut in anyplace. One nice feature is the hip belt. It
tucks away nicely into a pocket in the back of the pack if you don't
want to use it. At one point I had tucked away in the pocket as I knew
I wasn't going to need it for a while. And promptly forgot all about
it. I wore the Relay with the belt tucked in on a few day hikes,
grumbling about the lack of a hip belt and determined to write about
it in my report. Imagine my embarrassment as I rediscovered it one day
as I was cleaning out the pack! The back of the Relay is well padded,
and thus I did not even feel the slight lump the hip belt made while
tucked away in the pocket.

In the Relay

small first aid kit:  5 1/8 oz (144 g)
emergency items (flashlight, space blanket, etc.): ~6 oz (170 g)
munchies: ~6 oz (170 g)
Nalgene water bottle (full):  2.6 lbs (1095 g)
maps:  2 oz (57 g)
Relay Daypack:  2 lb 5.5 oz (1.05 kg)

TOTAL WEIGHT:  5 lbs 9 oz (2.52 kg)


Field Test #2: Field Trips

A detailed description of my Oceanography and General Geology field
trips can be found in my Field Report, along with photos of the pack.
During the past six months the Relay has been with me on 6 field
trips. I really don't have too much to add to what I covered in my
Field Report, except to say that, despite being stuffed full of gear
on each trip, the MountainSmith Relay daypack performed very well had
has shown little signs of wear and tear. I've used many daypacks as
field packs over the past 15 years. Normally, after six months of use
the other packs were beginning to show definite signs of wear: frayed
seams, abraded or ripped fabric, straps about ready to fall off, etc.
Not so with the Relay. Granted, it hasn't seen as much abuse as I
normally put my packs through, but I'm still impressed with it's
durability.

In the Relay (typical for field trips)

small first aid kit:  5.1 oz (144 g)
REI Weatherproof journal:  3.3 oz (92 g)
Munsell Color Charts:  15.3 oz (440 g)
backpack towels:  3.3 oz (62 g)
pens/pencils:  1.3 oz (36 g)
hand lens + Leatherman Micra + lanyard:  3.0 oz (86 g)
Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army Knife:  3.4 oz (98 g)
camera:  12.9 oz (368 g)
sample bags:  1 oz (28 g)
rock pick:  21 oz (602 g)
cell phone:  6 oz (172 g)
measuring tape:  18.3 oz (520 g)
hat, vest, gloves:  19.1 oz (540 g)
Nalgene water bottle (full):  32.6 oz (1095 g)
munchies:  6 oz (170 g)
purse-wallet combo: 15.2 oz (438 g)
Relay Daypack:  2 lb 5.5 oz (1.05 kg)

TOTAL WEIGHT:  11 lbs 13 oz (5.5 kg)


Field Test #3: Nontraditional Uses (Toy carrier, Diaper Bag, etc.)

Playdates at the park require, for some reason, a lot of stuff: a
blanket to sit on, sand toys (buckets, shovels, dump truck), extra
wipes, a sweater for Julia, munchies, drinks - whatever happened to
just playing on the slide and swings? Normally I dump it all into a
large obnoxiously bright turquoise beach bag (hey, it was only $5!)
but one day I just didn't want to lug the bag around. So, I threw
everything but the blanket into the Relay on a lark to see if a
daypack was the way to go instead. Everything fit, and some of the
dads at the park looked quite enviously at the Relay, using the Relay
as a sand toy carrier just didn't work. The Relay is designed as a
high-end daypack for hiking and/or climbing - the sides are tapered,
the shape streamlined. Clothing and gear fit nice and compact inside
its ripstop nylon shell. Sand buckets, not so good of a fit. So, back
to the beach bag!

Many parents I know - both male and female - use daypacks instead of
diaper bags for their children's gear. In a way, daypacks are a better
choice: they're fairly durable, hold lots of stuff, not very "cutesy",
and can be used for another purpose once a diaper bag is no longer
needed. I used the MountainSmith Relay as a diaper bag for about two
weeks to see if I, too, should switch from a traditional diaper bag to
a daypack.

Traditional diaper bags are comprised of three compartments: a large
main compartment where most of the diapers, clothes, etc., are stored;
a side pocket/compartment for storing smaller items; and one or two
smaller side pockets for bottles or sippy cups. This system works
fairly well. A place for everything and everything in its place.
Appeals to the neat-freak in me. While the Relay does have the same
three compartments as does a diaper bag, the size of the main
compartment was just too big. I always had too much room in the
daypack, and spent a lot of time digging around in it for what I
needed. Plus, it was too big. I found it awkward trying to carry the
Relay plus my purse plus Julia, etc. In short: The Relay just didn't
work as a diaper bag for me.


Field Test #4: Book bag and laptop carrier

Let's face it: we ALL wanted a cool looking backpack to carry all of
our books in. And a high-tech, rugged, outdoorsy looking bag was 1)
cool looking and 2) gave the impression that you could afford to use
an expensive high-tech daypack for something as menial as homework
(not to dis homework, but we're talkin' about a teenager's mind here).
Thus, at one point in time during our lives, either we or someone we
knew bought a daypack that was not designed to use as a book bag
specifically to use as a book bag.  I try to leave my work at work.
Unfortunately, Julia is in daycare only on Tuesdays and Thursdays to
get anything on the computer done. So I occasionally have to bring a
textbook or two home with me, in addition to papers that need to be
graded, etc. Bering in mind that people often buy daypacks and use
them as book bags, I decided to test how well the Relay handed
carrying books and a laptop. The dimensions and weights of all items
are listed below. I found the Relay held everything nicely, and, as it
does with hiking gear, the back stayed nice and snug against my back.
One of the biggest problems one encounters when trying to use a
daypack as a book bag is fraying/tearing of the bottom edge of the
back. Book bags have a leather-reinforced bottom that extends 2 - 3
inches (5 - 7.5 cm) up the sides of the pack to help offset the
abrasion of the hard edges of the textbooks against the fabric of the
pack. Most daypacks (including the Relay) do not have this. They don't
need it because carrying books is NOT their primary function. I only
used the Relay as a book bag for maybe a month's worth of time over
the past six months. The pack was therefore not subjected to the
nearly daily wear and tear a normal book bag would receive. I did not
notice any abrasion along the bottom of the pack, however I loath to
say conclusively whether or not the bottom of the Relay would be able
to handle the abrasion. The Relay can function as a book bag quite
nicely, though, especially since the pack has a spot in the front
compartment just for pencils and pens.

In the Relay


Introduction to Environmental Geology 2 ed     43.75 oz (1250 g)
10 x 12 x 1.75 in (25.40 x 30.48 x 4.45 cm)
Oceanography Lab Book      68.75 oz (1980 g)      10.5 x 11.5 x 1.75
in (26.67 x 29.21x 4.45 cm)
pens/pencils:       1.3 oz (36 g)
hand lens + Leatherman Micra + lanyard:       3.0 oz (86 g)
CD Wallet:       23.5 oz (672 g)     6.5 x 6.5 x 2 in (16.5 x 16.5 x
5.08 cm)
Files with papers to grade:      45.3 oz (1283 g) varies     10.5 x
11.5 in (26.67 x 29.21 cm)
Dell Inspiron laptop:       100 oz (2835 g)     1.38 x 12.4 x 9.8 in
(3.5 x 31.6 x 25 cm)
Relay Daypack:   2 lb 5.5 oz (1.05 kg)

TOTAL WEIGHT:

  12 lbs 16 oz (6.3 kg)  without laptop
  19 lbs 3 oz (9.2 kg)  with laptop



Conclusions:

As the weather in Southern California has very little variability, and
travel to locales with weather and terrain sufficiently different from
my home base was not an option this summer, I instead tried to test
the Mountainsmith Relay Daypack in a variety of situations that were
not dependent upon climate or terrain. The pack was subjected to tasks
that probably will not apply to most backpackers. However, during each
test I learned a great deal about the Relay daypack and daypacks in
general. Example: Not all daypacks are created equal. Some, like the
Mountainsmith Relay, are primarily for hiking and/or climbing.
Features such as wide padded shoulder straps, a padded back, tapered
sides and a streamline shape were specially designed for these
activities. Other daypacks, ones designed for a multitude of uses and
not for one specific activity, are more basic. Shoulder straps are
typically thinner, most have a hip strap as opposed to a true hip
belt, and their shape is more boxy.

The following summarizes my likes and dislikes:

Likes:

* Padded back
* Padded shoulder straps
* True hip-belt
* Lots of pockets
* Streamline shape
* Comfortable, even when carrying rocks!
* Durable


Dislikes:

* No hand loop at the top of the pack. Nearly every other daypack has
one, and I'm constantly reaching for something that's not there . . .
* Hip belt digs a bit into my ribs.


Thank you to BackpackGear Test and MountainSmith for the opportunity
to test the Mountainsmith Relay Pack!

--
Sonjia Leyva
http://www.geophile.net

"Geologists are Scouts who hated to give up camping when they went to
college, so they majored
in geology."  Ellen Sue Blakey

Oh, Jerry, I would love to meet you too.
Unfortunately, I will be probably just driving
through... with eight other crazy college students on
the way to Orem at some unheard of hour. :)
But, it is certainly not the first time I've been to
Utah, and it will most probably be far from the last.
ICORE happens every year, so there is hope yet.  I
hope you are enjoying the snow out there!

Best,
Cora

--- Chief Moderator
<ChiefModerator@...> wrote:
> If you get near SLC give me a shout. We'll do lunch
> or something. I
> always like to meet people off the list. That was
> the thing I missed
> most about not making Tom's canyoneering meet.....I
> didn't get to meet
> Steph.
> Jerry
>

I'll look forward to it...and, yes, ma'am, I do. I'm just like a little
kid when it snows....lol.
Jerry


  <http://www.backpackgeartest.org/> http://www.BackpackGearTest.org :
the most comprehensive interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.

-----Original Message-----
From: Cora [mailto:cahhmc@...]
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2003 11:32 PM
To: BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [BackpackGearTest] Salt Lake



Oh, Jerry, I would love to meet you too.
Unfortunately, I will be probably just driving
through... with eight other crazy college students on
the way to Orem at some unheard of hour. :)
But, it is certainly not the first time I've been to
Utah, and it will most probably be far from the last.
ICORE happens every year, so there is hope yet.  I
hope you are enjoying the snow out there!

Best,
Cora

--- Chief Moderator
<ChiefModerator@...> wrote:
> If you get near SLC give me a shout. We'll do lunch
> or something. I
> always like to meet people off the list. That was
> the thing I missed
> most about not making Tom's canyoneering meet.....I
> didn't get to meet
> Steph.
> Jerry
>



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

OK - here's my report. I'm still going to call LEKI customer service
on Monday with respect to removing and installing new tips.  I'll
want to add that experience to this report.

Otherwise, this one's 99.9% done.  Please edit at your earliest
convenience.

-----------------------------------


LEKI Ultralite Ti AirErgo PA AS Trekking Poles
Long Term Report

Reviewed By: Andrew Mytys
Email: amytys (at) backpacker (dot) com
Date Published: November 1, 2003
Update History: None


Product Information:

Manufacturer: LEKI (http://www.leki.com)
Item: Ultralite Ti AirErgo PA AS Trekking Poles
Year of manufacture: 2003
MSRP: $149.95 (sold in pairs)
Listed Weight: 18.5 oz (524 gm) per pair
Weight as delivered: 18.9 oz (536 gm) per pair


Note that, the information in this Field Test of the Ultralite Ti
AirErgo PA AS Trekking Poles is to be taken in addition to my Field
Report and Initial Review.

-----------------------------------

Product Description:

These aluminum, three section telescoping poles come as a pair and
represent the latest in technological developments that LEKI has to
offer. The poles are meant to be used together, one in each hand,
and there's even an indicator on each pole that shows whether it
should be held in the right or left hand. These poles have hand
grips that are set at a 15-degree angle, providing for a
more "natural feel" to the poles, and shock absorbers built into
their shafts that are designed to lessen the amount of stress that's
transferred to your "joints and tendons in the wrist, elbows, and
shoulders."


Product Features and Statistics:

Size: 30 1/2 inches (77 cm) - fully collapsed.
53 1/2 inches (135 cm) - fully extended.

Weight: 18.9 oz (536 gm) per pair, including pole storage connector
and performance baskets.

Easy Lock System (ELS): Allows the user to lock the poles' length in
place without having to twist the poles "as tight as possible" in
order to produce a solid lock. This is a completely new locking
system that first appeared on 2003 model LEKI poles.

Soft, Antishock System (SAS): A completely redesigned antishock
system that, as with the ELS, is new for 2003.

Grips: Positive angle (PA) design, with cork tops and molded foam
handles (the "Air Ergo" design). The grips are set at a 15-degree
angle, with an adjustable "Automatic Comfort strap" (ACS) connected
to them that is covered with a fleece lining in areas that come in
contact with the wearer's hands. My poles came with the "Air Ergo
Long Grip", meaning that the foam extends another 8 1/2 inches (216
mm) down the poles' shaft from the base of the grip.

Performance Baskets: These help to prevent the poles from sinking
into soft ground and mud.

Tips: Carbide flex tip, designed to flex up to 30-degrees without
damaging the pole shafts.

Pole Connectors: Each pole has a plastic connector attached to its
shaft that slides into its corresponding segment found on the other
pole. When linked, this system insures that the poles are held
together along their shafts. If the baskets are also installed on
the poles, the lower segments can be secured by pressing the tip of
one pole and the bottom of the lower shaft of the other pole into
the slots provided on the baskets themselves.


Field Conditions:

Over the course of my testing period, I've used the LEKI UL Ti
AirErgo poles to poke, prod, drag, and push myself across some 800
miles (1300 km) of trail. These miles have been accumulated
primarily across multi-day hikes, with treks ranging anywhere from
10 to 25 miles (15 to 40 km). Exposure to wet conditions has been
limited to wading in rivers, creeks, and mud - there has been no
hiking in the rain. The poles have been used across a wide range of
temperatures, ranging from 32 - 95 degrees (0 - 35 C). The trails
themselves have also had a varying degree of surface composition -
sandy beaches, chest high mud, hard granite stone, mountain passes
filled with lingering snow, and nice, flat, dirt packed tread - the
pole's tips and baskets have had quite a workout. Locations where
the poles have been tested include Michigan, the La Plata and San
Juan mountain ranges of Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park
(Colorado), and the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California (Yosemite
National Park). Elevations have varied from 300 feet (90 m) to
11,493 feet (3503 m).


The Benefits of Poles:

Generally speaking, the use of poles has proved to be a great relief
to strains typically brought about by walking across uneven terrain
with a 30 lb (13.5 kg) pack strapped to my back. The poles were key
in establishing a rhythm to my stride, in addition to providing
balance and traction when traversing sections of trail that could be
described as precarious, at best. When ascending steep terrain, the
poles allowed me to get my upper body muscles helping with the
climb, and I found myself pushing off the poles with every step
while, at the same time, powering up the incline with my leg
muscles. Instead of a slow, meandering walk up the mountain,
accompanied with frequent stops for rest, I found myself in an
energized rhythm that had me standing straight in my gait, breathing
steadily, and working my arms and legs in unison. I was at the crest
of my climb in no time - enjoying the views instead of straining to
get to the top. When faced with slippery and wet surfaces, the poles
gave me a third and often fourth point of contact with the ground,
allowing me to steady myself while carefully advancing forward. When
faced with downward sloping trails, I was able to transfer the
weight of my body through the poles, rather than through my knees,
and I found I could walk for much longer periods of time before
stresses in my knees built up to the point of needing attention. In
fact, on many hikes I didn't need to tend to my knees at all. Hiking
without poles, I often find that I need to wear a neoprene brace
over my knee not long after the start of my day. With the poles, I
only experienced issues after the longest of days, typically when
distances traveled were above 15 miles (24 km) for the day. When all
the benefits from using the poles were combined, the result was a
hike filled with noticeably less stress to the body which, in my
case, had me arriving in camp with plenty of energy to set up my
shelter, cook dinner, and clean up afterwards.

In terms of my arms feeling tired from swinging the poles all day, I
found that this really wasn't an issue. The poles themselves weigh
only a few ounces each, and the natural swing that my arms have when
walking contains more than enough energy to bring the poles along
for the ride. I didn't even really have to grip the poles either -
the pole's strap around my wrist was enough of a connection to keep
to pole close at hand, and my loosely cupped hand around the grip of
the pole could then make any adjustments necessary for proper tip
placement. In most cases, this action was second nature and I didn't
have to focus on the trail - I was free to look about and enjoy the
scenery surrounding me. It was only in those area that contained
jagged terrain, loose and shifting rocks, fallen trees, and other
large obstacles that I had to slow down in order to establish where
the best spot to place the pole's tip was.

I also found that the trekking poles quickly became an integral part
of my shelter system, supporting my tarp in a multitude of fashions.


A Summary of Performance After Six Months of Use:

In terms of wear, the poles are still very functional, although not
as pretty as when they were when new. Here's a listing of the
components, and my experiences with each throughout the testing
period.

Easy Locking System (ELS) - With the Easy Locking System, it is
certainly easier to unlock and compress the poles than with older
LEKI designs. In the first few months of testing, I experienced an
occasional slippage in the ELS mechanism, causing one of the pole
sections to collapse. On one occasion, a section got so loose that
it slipped out of the pole altogether. As the poles got more wear on
them, however, the "lock" design became more solid. I've not had any
problems with the poles collapsing on me, or sections of pole
sliding out, in over 500 miles of hiking. I haven't tightened the
poles to any greater degree either. I feel that the poles just went
through a break-in period, and after a few annoying moments during
the initial few hundred miles of use, the locking system became more
solid. On their website, LEKI states that "the expanders are made of
plastic for optimum performance but they do wear out under normal
use and conditions. This is not a defect. It is recommended that
consumers replace expanders on a yearly basis. This will ensure
optimum performance." My take on this is that my expanders finally
are working well and I will therefore replace them when they die,
rather than annually. At the end of each hike I will simply
disassemble the poles for storage, and examine the condition of the
expanders at that time. Should slippage start to occur again, I will
assume that the expanders are starting to wear out and replacement.

When compressing the poles for storage, however, I found that I
continued to have issues with the Easy Locking System. If I loosened
the lowest segment just a bit too much, the expander/dowel inside
would not come into contact with adjoining segment's shaft. The
result was that there was no friction present to expand the ELS
system, hence the pole segment could not be locked tight. When this
occured, I had to turn the segment while pressing down on the tip of
the segment at a constant angle. This downward pressure at the tip,
in turn, forced the upper end of the pole section into the shaft
wall of the adjoining segment, creating just enough friction between
the dowel and the inner chamber of the pole to form a lock.

Soft Antishock System (SAS) - I've had mixed feelings about the new
Soft Antishock System. I really liked how quietly it performed,
especially when compared to my old, pre-2003, LEKI poles - gone are
the days of hiking down the trail sounding like you were jumping on
a pogo stick. However, I have had the system stick on me, and I
could feel and hear the SAS system's spring "pop" midway through my
motion of swinging the pole from plant to plant. Also, there was no
feeling of resistance to the SAS system. I couldn't feel
any "spring" in the pole when it was planted. This is by design, but
I find myself wishing for some feedback from the pole as to how
stable the surface in which I planted the pole was. It is difficult
to convey in words the lack of "feel" that the new SAS system gives
compared to the older "triple spring" LEKI mechanics - suffice it to
say that I had more confidence with the old poles. Your own
experience may vary.

I also found that at some point during my hike I would suddenly
realize that one of my poles felt "stiff". The cause of this was due
to the antishock system being disengaged. The problem is that I
always start my hikes with the SAS engaged and don't consciously
alter the setting during the course of my hike. In monitoring my
hands on the grips during pole use, I noticed that as I move forward
on a planted pole I turn the grips inwards. Perhaps a semi-
compressed shock, coupled with this twisting motion of the pole,
can, in cases where the pole's tip or basket is rubbing against
something, inadvertently switch the antishock feature "on"
and "off". At any rate, the disengaging of the SAS was a constant
issue throughout the span of my testing.

Positive Angle Grip (PAG) - With respect to the PAG, I really like
it. To date, I have not noticed stress in my wrist when hiking with
these poles and using them on relatively flat terrain for up to 25
miles (40 km) in a single day, carrying a pack weighing 30 lbs (13.5
kg). I have used the poles to support my SilNylon (read *very*
slippery material) tarp from the inside and have found no issues
with a more limited pole grip surface (remember the angle... it's
not flat) being in contact with the tarp.

The top of the grip is made of cork. I found this to be a durable
enough material. On one occasion, I even fell flat on the trail,
slamming the grip end of my pole into solid granite, with my body
coming down full force on top of it. The cork top of the grip did
sustain some damage - a small piece of cork was removed, not unlike
a chipped tooth. However, this damage was quickly smoothed and
soiled with continued use, and today I can barely find it.

Automatic Comfort Strap (ACS) - I have not found the fleece lined
wrist straps on the LEKI poles to be significantly more comfortable
than that of the old non-fleece designed poles. My wife, on the
other hand, immediately noticed the difference and thinks quite
highly of the improvement. I'll chalk this up to sensitivity
factors.

The lining of these straps, when new, had a texture to them similar
to that of a fine corduroy. Today, this texture has been smoothed in
areas, and the straps are stiff when not in use. I actually like
this stiffness, as there's no confusion as to how my hands should go
into the straps - the straps remain open and curved at an angle,
ready for my hand to slide into them.

The poles also have a screw on their handles that can be tightened
down on the straps, locking the length of the straps into place. I
tried to keep this screw as loose as possible at all times. Even
when the straps are not locked down, the system that's in place to
facilitate strap length adjustment does a good job of keeping the
strap fixed at the adjusted length - you really can't change the
length of the strap by "accident." With this in mind, not having to
deal with finding a tool to loosen the screw is the way to go. As
colder temperatures move in and I find myself thermal-regulating
(moving in and out of gloves), I want to be able to adjust the size
of my straps with relative ease. This means not having to deal with
the screw. Unfortunately, the vibration of the trail itself can
tighten the screw down onto the strap, and I sometimes found myself
looking for a coin to loosen the strap even when I started my hike
with the screw totally disengaged.

Foam Grips and Pole Shaft - As my hands do not sweat very much, I
really didn't find any major benefit to hiking with a foam grip, as
opposed to a cork or rubber grip. However, I was able to hike with
a "sweaty palms" hiker for a while, and he was using a rubber-grip
LEKI pole design. We switched poles for a while and I could
definitely feel my hand sliding along the grip at times. After a few
miles of trail, when I was sure my partner had ample time to get
some of his nasty sweat on my test poles, we switched back. I
noticed that the grips felt dry and my hand did not slip when
handling the poles.

Looking at the grips after six months of use, the areas where my
hand came into direct contact with the foam grips has had the porous
texture, which was characteristic of the foam when new, fused
together and it now has a shine to it, not unlike the shine that can
be achieved on a pair of wool trousers by holding a hot iron
directly to the material.

I also had a chance to use the extended foam padding that follows
the shaft down from the base of the grip. When negotiating steep
inclines, there's no need to decrease the length of the pole -
simply slide your wrist out of the strap and grab the pole's padded
shaft. However, I found that areas where the trail is steep enough
to warrant the use of the padded shaft were few and far between. The
only time I really made use of the extended grip was when I was
exiting a river, onto a steep, muddy bank that was about 2 feet (60
cm) higher than the riverbed I was standing in.

I did find the areas of the pole that were covered in foam handy for
attaching my tarp guy-lines, however. The foam was just soft enough
to allow the cord to maintain a solid grip on its set position.

The markings on the upper and lower pole shafts, used to indicate
the length to which the poles are extended, are showing wear. The
numbers have been rubbed off in places - some of the numbers have
disappeared completely. However, it is easy enough to adjust the two
poles to the same length, simply by lining up the physical
characteristics on one pole with those of the other.

Not surprisingly, considering the abuse I've put the poles through,
the shafts themselves have also been scratched up. These scratches
for the most part are superficial, and, in most instances, have only
broken through the gold paint covering the shafts. I do have a few
scratches that have gone beyond the paint, though these have grazed
the surface of the aluminum shafts just enough to create a rough
spot here and there. The strength of the shaft itself does not seem
to be compromised in any way by these incidental marks.

In terms of a smooth and unrestrained feeling when adjusting the
length of the poles, I can report that, after six months of use,
there is no gritty feeling in the adjustment mechanics at all, and I
have not noticed any sand or dirt making its way into the inner
mechanisms of the pole segments.

Performance Baskets - This is my first set of poles where I have
kept the baskets on while hiking outside of the winter months. I
never thought that baskets made that big of an impact. Boy, was I
wrong. In general, when used on soft terrain, the baskets prevented
the poles from sinking more than an inch or so below the surface.
This not only allowed me to realize a firm hold on the ground, but
allowed me to maintain a well balanced posture while hiking. Going
without baskets through areas of deep mud or snow had the poles
piercing deep into trail, forcing my back to follow with a deep
bending motion which had me fighting to keep my balance while my
packs weight awkwardly listed about on my back. In areas of
extremely soft snow or mud, where I found myself buried up to my
waist, having the poles stopped near the surface allowed me the
advantage of leverage and, especially in those areas where I found
myself fighting against boot-eating mud, I was able to pry myself
out of the muck, one foot at a time, and slowly make my way down the
trail. While the stock performance baskets are only about half the
diameter of the optional snowflake baskets, I find that they perform
adequately across a varying degree of snow. In areas with deep,
light, powdery snow, the snowflake baskets would indeed be
advantageous. However, in areas with either hard snow, or wet,
melting, snow, the baskets that come with the poles work just as
well as any others.

The baskets themselves have been worn down over the course of my
testing. The small "teeth" that circle the baskets and come into
contact with the trail are down to about half the length they were
at when new, and I can pull little pieces of frayed material off of
them. Given that the baskets are made of plastic, it is
understandable why they would show a lot of wear. Next to the poles
tip, the performance baskets are the part of the poles that strike
the trail the most and, at times when the poles are used to prevent
a fall, the baskets can actually come under quite a bit more stress
than simply that of the hiker's weight falling on them. The baskets
not only aid the hiker in maintaining posture and control while on
the trail but, in many instances, they actually protect the trekking
poles - the baskets prevent the pole from sliding into those narrow
crevasses between rocks encountered on the trail. This in turn
prevents undue lateral stress from being applied against the shaft,
which could severely bend or even break the pole. However, even
taking into consideration how much of the teeth have been ground
down, I find that my baskets are completely adequate for my needs.
In all honesty, I'm not quite sure what the teeth actually do -
perhaps they add to the pole's grip, biting into whatever surface
they plunge into, making it harder for the poles to freely spin
about. The benefit that I do notice from the baskets is that
of "floatation", and this is due to the basket's diameter, and has
little to do with the teeth themselves. In fact, the optional
snowflake baskets, designed to help keep poles from sinking into the
softest of snow, have no teeth at all. I am confident that, even
with my seemingly worn down baskets, they will continue to work well
for many miles to come - I see no need in replacing them at this
time.

I was also impressed at how well the removable baskets stay affixed
to the poles. On numerous occasions during my testing, I had the
baskets submerged in some pretty deep, boot sucking mud. As I was
following 250 runners down an extreme cross-country course, the mud
was very soft and had deep holes all through it where the runners
had passed. Needless to say, it was hard for my baskets to achieve
any floatation under such conditions. Even with the baskets impaled
deep into the collapsed mud, the baskets came out of the mud,
attached firmly to the poles, time and time again. While some
runners had lost shoes on this segment of trail, my baskets came
though without any failure.

Tips - The carbide tips are also showing wear, with a small portion
of one of the tips having broken off. This chip occurred in the
first two months of use, and in my Field Report, I indicated that,
based on years of experiences with LEKI poles, the longevity of the
carbide tips was a "crap-shoot". I still feel this is the case. Why?
Because I have since taken the poles into much more abusive terrain
and the tips look no worse than they did four months ago. In
Yosemite, I was especially cruel to the poles. I continued to
aggressively use the poles on trails littered with rock, trails
whose very makeup could be described as being cobblestone pathways
of granite. In other areas of the park, where high-use trails were
made of asphalt in various stages of neglect, I continued to stab
away with my poles. And, once closer to the valley, I would continue
to use the poles on concrete trail, using them to slow my decent and
support my exhausted frame. I couldn't get another chip out of the
tips to save my life.

My left pole tip, however, has developed a hollow "feel" and "clink"
to it whenever I plant it. I can't find anything loose in this area
of the pole, but something's going on. Looking at the LEKI website,
I notice that they sell replacement Universal Flex Tips for the
poles. It would be nice if LEKI provided instructions for replacing
these tips on their web page, so that I could take my tips off and
inspect them, then try putting them back on tightly. I can't seem to
figure out how to remove these tips on my own, and I hesitate to
just take a pair of pliers and brute force to the problem.

Storage and Maintenance - LEKI stresses that the poles should never
have lubricants introduced into the pole shaft segments, and
recommends cleaning the inside of shafts with a coarse gun barrel
brush or the LEKI cleaning brushes with adapter to remove any water,
dirt, and oxidation residue. All I ever did was to clean the dirt
and debris from the pole tips with a coarse nylon brush. Then, I
separated the poles into their six individual segments and wiped
each segment down with a damp rag. The poles were then stored
separated until I needed them again, at which time I would assemble
them and repeat the process again after my hike.


Thoughts About Upgrading:

There are four major differences between my old LEKI Makalus and
these LEKI Ultralite Ti AirErgo PA AS Trekking test poles - the Easy
Lock System, Soft Antishock System, the Positive Angle Grips, and
the foam-covered grips and upper shafts.

On a fifty-mile backpack (80 km) my wife came with me and brought
her old, pre-2003, LEKI Makalus (sans Positive Angle Grip). I was
able to try them out for a while around the mid-point of our hike.
My wrists immediately noted the difference. While I never had or
noticed any discomfort using non-PAG poles in the past, after hiking
with PAG poles for a number of miles going to a non-PAG system was a
major change. I actually felt more of a shock from the trail making
its way to my wrist, particularly with the old "triple spring"
antishock system set to "off". Whether set to "on" or "off", I felt
a difference and I can report that I prefer hiking with the
advantage of the Positive Angle Grip feature.

The foam-covered grips are also nice, especially for those customers
who's hands tend to sweat when using poles.

However, I have not found the fleece lined wrist straps on the LEKI
poles to be significantly more comfortable than that of the old non-
fleece designed straps.

I really like how quiet the new poles are - gone are the days of
hiking down the trail sounding like you were jumping on a pogo
stick. The hollow "clank" and follow-up vibration that occurs when
the pole suddenly comes into contact with a hard surface is also
much less audible, although it's still there.

Things with the new poles weren't all better though. As mentioned
above, I did feel an occasional "sticking" to the new Soft Antishock
System, and there's no feel of resistance that was so characteristic
in the old "triple spring" system. That lack of tension translates,
for me, into a lack of confidence when using the poles to balance
along uncertain terrain. While I did get used to the SAS feel, I
still prefer the action of the old triple-spring system. With the
old design, I simply had more feedback about what the pole was
balancing against - the level of stability, or lack thereof, that
the object had. It's difficult to explain if you haven't used the
old poles before - the contrast cannot be conveyed using simple
text. Existing customers will simply have to try it and experience
the SAS system for themselves.

I also mentioned that the SAS system in my test poles disengaged
itself. This happened on multiple occasions. However, this also
tended to happen on the old "triple spring" system, and in that
design the antishock moved from full to either semi-engaged or
disengaged. I don't feel that the new pole design is better or worse
in this respect - the antishock system doesn't remain as configured
by the user throughout the hike. It's a problem I've found both in
the new and old designs, and it's something that obviously needs to
be addressed.

As for the Easy Lock System, it may have a few instances of slippage
when new but, over time, I feel that it is more reliable that the
old locking system was. While I may still have issues locking my
poles in a collapsed setting, they stay secure once I get them
locked. I think a huge factor in the new pole's reliability can be
attributed to the reduced amount of debris that makes it into the
shafts of the poles. While my pole shafts might be scratched up,
there's no sand inside or gritty feeling found when adjusting the
poles.

Finally, there's that screw at the top of each pole's handle that's
used to enable and disable the ability to change the wrist strap
length. On my old LEKI poles, this screw is not there. To lengthen
the strap, I simply pulled up on the strap. To shorten, I just
pulled down on the "tip" of the strap. I never had the strap
suddenly change its length on me with the old system in place. The
screw system is a pain, in that it can lock down on its own, and it
has proved to be a new area where dirt can hide.


Personal Biographical Information:

Reviewer: Andrew Mytys
Email: amytys (at) backpacker (dot) com
Homepage: Andy's Lightweight Backpacking Site
Location: Michigan
Age: 33
Height: 6'1" (183 cm)
Torso Length: 21" (53 cm)
Weight: 165 lbs (75 kg)


Backpacking Background:

I live in Michigan and have been hiking seriously for 15 years,
although I've camped since I was 6 years old. I consider myself a
lightweight hiker. I carry the lightest gear I can get my hands on
which will provide a comfortable wilderness experience and
adequately support the goals of my trip. Unless my goals are
time/distance oriented, my pace is always slow. I rarely exceed 1.5
miles (2.4 km)/hour. I rest frequently, hike long days, and enjoy
whatever nature throws my way.

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