Ha, I was kidding Alex, hence the winky face.

But just wait 'til next time... ;-)

(Oh, there, I did it again.)

Ray

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "alex" <alexlegg2@...> wrote:
>
> Ray, I have to say, I have never thought you came across as mean.

I don't think there are any reviews of this one, so I went for it.  HTML at
http://tinyurl.com/7jms5zt

Thank you for your time and edits!

Kleen Kanteen Classic
Owner Review by Alex Legg
11/18/2011


Tester Information:
Name:  Alex Legg
Age:  30
Gender:  Male
Height:  6'4" (1.9 m)
Weight:  195 lbs (88 kg)
Email address:  alexlegg2 AT yahoo DOT com
City, State, Country:  Tucson, Arizona, USA

Backpacking Background:
I grew up backpacking in the Rockies.  I hike ranges near Tucson, Arizona during
winter, Colorado during summer.  I carry a light pack, mostly water.  I tend to
camp with a tarp whenever possible to reduce the weight of my two person tent. 
Primarily I do day hikes, but I am known to spend 5 days out.  Temperatures
range from to extreme winter to 100 F (38 C) , and elevation from 2000' (600 m)
to 14,000 (4,300 m).  I bag a mountain every weekend, and walk my dogs daily
through deep sand and overgrown mesquite trees in our local washes.

Product Information and Specifications:

Manufacturer:  Kleen Kanteen
Year of Manufacture:  2011
URL:   http://www.kleankanteen.com
Listed Weight:  6 oz (170 g)
Actual Weight:  5.8 oz (164 g)
Size:  27 oz (798 ml)
Available Sizes:  12 oz (355 ml), 18 oz (532 ml), 27 oz (798 ml), 40 oz (1,183
ml)
Color:  Ocean Blue
Available Colors:  Brushed Stainless, Active Pink, Be Green, Black Eclipse,
Commuter Orange, Forest Green, Glacier White, Green Energy, Indicator Red, Ocean
Blue, Pink Renewal, Prevention Purple, Reef Blue, Solar Yellow
MSRP:  $19.95

Product Description:

The Kleen Kanteen Classic 27 oz (798 ml) water bottle is a stainless steel water
bottle with a sport cap.  It is made of 18/8 food-grade stainless steel.  It is
completely BPA and other toxins free.  There is no need for a plastic or epoxy
lining like that on many aluminum bottles.  The plastic cap is also BPA free and
very strong and impact resistant.
When I open the water bottle, I notice that the mouth is wide enough to stuff
ice cubes into.  A great feature in my opinion as a steel bottle can heat up
fast in the sun.  I also notice that there is no odor of plastic or anything for
that matter.  The lid opens much like the classic water bottle associated with
bicycling.  I simply pop up the spout and begin drinking.  There is an air
release valve on the cap that automatically opens as liquid starts flowing out. 
This feature keeps the fluid flowing evenly and continually, but produces an
annoying squeaking sound.
The bottle stands 11" high while the cap is attached.  It can hold 27 oz (798
ml) of any fluid I want to put in it.   My bottle is a dark blue color with a
black cap, but there are many available color options.

Field Conditions:

I attached this water bottle to my bike and went up the Mount Lemmon Highway in
Tucson, Arizona.  This road offers the biological equivalent of driving from the
deserts of Mexico to the forests of Canada.  It is a 27 mile long trip one way
with elevation starting around 3,000 ft (914 m) and ending at 9,100 ft (2774 m).
The Kleen Kanteen was not my only water source, but instead it acted as a refill
for my hydration bladder that was inside my pack.  The temperature when I
started was about 80 F (27 C) and when I got to the top I was riding in a
pleasant 60 F (16 C).
I took my Kleen Kanteen with me to do some peak bagging in the Santa Rita
Mountains south of Tucson, Arizona.  Again, it served as a refill for my
hydration bladder.  I climbed from 4,000 ft (1219 m) to above 9,000 (2743 m) ft
in temperatures from 75 F (24 C) to 60 F (16 C).
I often carry this water bottle with me in the car.  In Arizona, I never leave
the house without extra water.  In this instance I drink directly from the
bottle.  It goes in the car with me on a daily basis driving across the city in
temperatures from 60 F (16 C) up to 110 F (43 C).

Performance:
The Kleen Kanteen has preformed as I expected.  It holds water or whatever I put
in it without spilling.  I like the classic style spout that reminds me of a
bicycle water bottle.  I am not too crazy for the sound that is made as air
flows through the valve on the cap, but I understand that it is necessary to
maintain a steady flow.  I love that the bottle is stainless steel.  I can throw
it around all I want and it keeps its shape.  I have even managed to open a few
beer bottles on the opening of the bottle, and aside from a few scratches it
looks undamaged.  I also like that the inside never has any lingering scents
from liquids, whether it be juice or beer or water.  I will continue to use this
water bottle as a daily driving companion and as an essential extra water
storage carrier.

Summary:
I got what I asked for with this water bottle.  I have a good clean way to carry
fluids without being concerned about toxic chemicals.  It is sturdy and strong
and I can't seem to break it no matter how hard I try.  I have noticed that it
has a habit of heating up quickly if placed in the direct sunlight, but that is
easily enough avoidable.  I thought the price was fair considering the rough and
tumble times I put it through.  All in all a good water bottle.

Pros:
1.  Food-grade stainless steel
2.  Doesn't spill
3.  Strong and durable

Cons:
1.  Makes a funny sound through the air valve while drinking.
2.  metal construction causes it to heat up quickly in the sun.

Erin,

As Alex's former mentor, I look forward to your ORs. Come to think of it now
that Alex has graduated, I need a new mentee.

Welcome, Richard

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "erinfoudy" <erinfoudy@...> wrote:
>
> Ooops, I just realized that I wrote that while my boyfriend was signed in.  I
guess now you know who my friend was who couldn't stop talking about the site! 
Sorry about that.  Thanks
>
> --- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "alex" <alexlegg2@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Kathy, its great to be here.  My name is Erin and I live in Tucson, AZ. 
A good friend of mine could not stop talking about this site, so here I am.  I
am an avid hiker and backpacker, and gear can be so hard to come by.  I hope to
have a mutually beneficial friendship with backpackgeartesrter.org.  I am very
excited to get started.  I will try and get my first review done by tomorrow. 
I've been reading many of them on the website, and I think I know what your
looking for.  Again, thank you for letting me join!
> >

Hey Jamie,

      Thanks so much.  I've uploaded my review with the corrected date and
hyperlink, and I deleted the old one.  I will definitely get to work on the next
OR.  I'll review the edits for the bailey fedora and see what I can apply to the
Svea OR.  Thanks again.

    -Rusty

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "Jamie D." <jdeben@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Rusty,
>
> Good job completing OR #1.  In looking through the uploaded version I noticed
your manufacturers URL is not working.  Please revisit your OR and get that
fixed ASAP. Additionally, the date of the report needs to be updated.  The
upload date will suffice. Thank you.
>
> Finally, if you intend to continue with the Optimus Svea 123 Portable Stove OR
you will need to revise it with what you have learned in the process of doing OR
#1 and repost it to the yahoo group before I can add it to the edit queue.
>
> Regards,
> Mrs. Jamie DeBenedetto
> Editors Team Director
>
> RICHARD - Rusty Gaidzik(1) – Bailey Glen Crushable Fedora Hat – Posted June 23
(msg#80348), Awaiting use clarification as of July 4, Repost Jul 15 (80371),
Taken Aug 8, Editor requested product verification on Aug 8 (80423), Editor see
comment Sept 11(80517), Edit Sept 12(80520), Follow-up sent Oct 14, Repost Oct
30(80665), Edit Oct 31(80673), Repost Nov 3, Edit/Approval Nov 4(80684), up Nov
15 – Mfg Url not working and date needs to be updated
>

Rusty,

Don't forget that you'll need a photo for this one.

Richard

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "George" <rustygaidzik@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Jamie,
>
>      Thanks so much.  I've uploaded my review with the corrected date and
hyperlink, and I deleted the old one.  I will definitely get to work on the next
OR.  I'll review the edits for the bailey fedora and see what I can apply to the
Svea OR.  Thanks again.
>
>    -Rusty
>
> --- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "Jamie D." <jdeben@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Rusty,
> >
> > Good job completing OR #1.  In looking through the uploaded version I
noticed your manufacturers URL is not working.  Please revisit your OR and get
that fixed ASAP. Additionally, the date of the report needs to be updated.  The
upload date will suffice. Thank you.
> >
> > Finally, if you intend to continue with the Optimus Svea 123 Portable Stove
OR you will need to revise it with what you have learned in the process of doing
OR #1 and repost it to the yahoo group before I can add it to the edit queue.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Mrs. Jamie DeBenedetto
> > Editors Team Director
> >
> > RICHARD - Rusty Gaidzik(1) – Bailey Glen Crushable Fedora Hat – Posted June
23 (msg#80348), Awaiting use clarification as of July 4, Repost Jul 15 (80371),
Taken Aug 8, Editor requested product verification on Aug 8 (80423), Editor see
comment Sept 11(80517), Edit Sept 12(80520), Follow-up sent Oct 14, Repost Oct
30(80665), Edit Oct 31(80673), Repost Nov 3, Edit/Approval Nov 4(80684), up Nov
15 – Mfg Url not working and date needs to be updated
> >
>

Thanks for the reminder Richard.  I will definitely include some good photos in
this next one.  I was also curious what your policy was on video.  Can you embed
or link to youtube/vimeo? How about uploading directly to backpackgeartest.org? 
I'm a film maker and I'm fairly tech savvy. So it would be fun and constructive
for me to make some videos of me using the gear.  Let me know. Thanks.

    -Rusty
--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "richardglyon" <montana.angler@...>
wrote:
>
> Rusty,
>
> Don't forget that you'll need a photo for this one.
>
> Richard
>
> --- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "George" <rustygaidzik@> wrote:
> >
> > Hey Jamie,
> >
> >      Thanks so much.  I've uploaded my review with the corrected date and
hyperlink, and I deleted the old one.  I will definitely get to work on the next
OR.  I'll review the edits for the bailey fedora and see what I can apply to the
Svea OR.  Thanks again.
> >
> >    -Rusty
> >
> > --- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "Jamie D." <jdeben@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Rusty,
> > >
> > > Good job completing OR #1.  In looking through the uploaded version I
noticed your manufacturers URL is not working.  Please revisit your OR and get
that fixed ASAP. Additionally, the date of the report needs to be updated.  The
upload date will suffice. Thank you.
> > >
> > > Finally, if you intend to continue with the Optimus Svea 123 Portable
Stove OR you will need to revise it with what you have learned in the process of
doing OR #1 and repost it to the yahoo group before I can add it to the edit
queue.
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > Mrs. Jamie DeBenedetto
> > > Editors Team Director
> > >
> > > RICHARD - Rusty Gaidzik(1) – Bailey Glen Crushable Fedora Hat – Posted
June 23 (msg#80348), Awaiting use clarification as of July 4, Repost Jul 15
(80371), Taken Aug 8, Editor requested product verification on Aug 8 (80423),
Editor see comment Sept 11(80517), Edit Sept 12(80520), Follow-up sent Oct 14,
Repost Oct 30(80665), Edit Oct 31(80673), Repost Nov 3, Edit/Approval Nov
4(80684), up Nov 15 – Mfg Url not working and date needs to be updated
> > >
> >
>

PLEASE READ THIS EMAIL IN FULL. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT!

Thanks for your Owner's Review. It has been added to the Owner Review Queue and
will be picked up by an Edit Moderator soon. If you are new to
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. Do not worry if nothing happens with it for
several days. All our Editors are volunteers and your report will be subject to
an official edit within fourteen days. If you have not had a response from an
Edit Moderator via the Yahoo Groups list within this timeframe, please let me
know directly at jdeben(at)hotmail.com

To assist in this process, if this is your first Owner Review we ask that you
post only ONE Owner Review for edit at a time. Our experience is that it is more
efficient for both the Editors and
yourself, if you post your first review, have it edited, approved and uploaded
before you post your second and subsequent reviews.

Once your first two Owner Reviews have been approved and you have submitted your
Tester Agreement you will be eligible to start applying for Tests. If you'd like
more assistance or guidance with the process you can request a mentor by sending
an email to Jenn K., the mentor coordinator, at mentor (at)
backpackgeartest.org.

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-submitting to the list
will usually result in a better review, as well as making things easier for the
official Editor. Please put REVISED in the subject line of your re-submitted
review if you take this route or make any
changes to your review BEFORE the review has been taken by an Edit Moderator.

Additionally, it is important for you to monitor the Yahoo Groups list to keep
track of the progress of your Owner Review. Once an Editor has taken your OR and
made the necessary edits they will post their comments to the list with EDIT in
the subject line. Once you have incorporated these edits into your review please
use REPOST in the subject line. When your OR has been approved by the Editor
they will use APPROVED in the subject line.

If you'd like to keep track of the progress of your OR while it's in the edit
queue, the entire Owner Review Queue is posted to this yahoo group list on
either Thursdays or Fridays.

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

Regards
Jamie DeBenedetto
Editors Team Director

Excellent on all accounts Rusty. Thank you.

Jamie D

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "George" <rustygaidzik@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Jamie,
>
>      Thanks so much.  I've uploaded my review with the corrected date and
hyperlink, and I deleted the old one.  I will definitely get to work on the next
OR.  I'll review the edits for the bailey fedora and see what I can apply to the
Svea OR.  Thanks again.
>
>    -Rusty
>

Edited and reposted, thank you!  On to the next one.

Lori

On Nov 14, 2011, at 3:31 PM, richardglyon wrote:

>
> Lori,
>
> Excellent Review; only a few edits, in the standard format. After
> revising upload to http://tinyurl.com/ngor6r
>
> Cheers, Richard
>
> <<Size: Medium
> Dimensions: 66 in (168 cm) long>>
> EDIT: Listed or measured? Please indicate, and if listed, add
> measured ones.
>
> <<The thickness gives it a notable drop if part of the body happens
> to stray from the narrow mattress to the ground.>>
> Edit: The user not the thickness gets the drop – "gives me a notable"
>
> <<Locations: >>
> Comment: Wow – sounds like a California hiking guide. I'm jealous.
>
> <<and no less noise than other air mattresses or self inflating
> pads I have had.>>
> Edit: self-inflating [with a hyphen]
>
> <<Most of the rolled mattress will fit in a quart size storage bag. >>
> Edit: quart-size [with a hyphen]
>
> <<When using it in the hammock I inflate the NeoAir to about half
> full, and do not notice a dropoff in performance even then.>>
> Edit: drop off [two words]
>
> <<The usual temperature range at night for my outings tends to be 30 -
> 40 F (-1 - 4 C) when in the mountains, >>
> EDIT: Use of the minus sign and dash is confusing – "(-1 to 4 C)"
>
> <<* still only 20" (51 cm) wide unless you get the largest size>>
> Edit: This is more style than substance, but your comments tell me
> that your dislike is that you need to get the longer pad to
> increase width. I'd say "longer size."
>
>
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Ok, here is OR number one!  After watching Alex write these, I feel I have the
right idea.  Thank you!


Patagonia Women's Down Sweater Vest
Owner Review by Erin Foudy
11/17/2011

Tester Info:
Name:  Erin Foudy
Age:  31
Gender:  Female
Height:  5'11''
Weight: 150 lb
Email address:  erinfoudyATyahooDOTcom
City, State, Country:  Tucson, Arizona, USA

Backpacking Background:
I started backpacking while working for the National Park service ten years ago.
I have been a backcountry ranger/LE ranger and served on search and rescue
crews.  I typically take two or more camping trips a month, year round.  I
appreciate light weight, but am not obsessed by it.  I often carry a 30 lb pack
and stay out from three to nine days at a time.  I also enjoy day trips with
only water on my back.  I take trips to Colorado and Montana in the summertime
and enjoy the outdoors there as well.

Info and specs:
Manufacturer:  Patagonia
Year of Manufacture:  2010
URL:   http://www.patagonia.com
Listed Weight:  325 g (8.3 oz)
Actual Weight:
Size:  S
Available sizes:  XS - XL
Color:  Black
Available Colors:  Bougainvillea, Black, Pearl, Sky, Watercress
MSRP:  $150.00

Description:
The Patagonia Women's Down Sweater Vest is lightweight, water - resistant, and
windproof.  It has a quilted design stuffed with premium European goose down. 
There are two pockets that my hands fit into nicely.  The pockets have zippers
to keep my important items from being lost.  The lining and the shell are made
from 100% polyester.  Patagonia uses recycled soda bottles, unusable second
quality fabrics, and worn out garments to produce many of their clothes.  The
fabric on the vest is finished with their water repellant Deluge DWR technology.
Patagonia does not make tall sizes, so the fit is a bit shorter than I would
like.

In the Field:
I have worn this vest in many different conditions; I will describe three of
these conditions here.  I wore this vest in Glacier National Park during two
multiple day backpacking trips last year.  Temperatures during these trips
typically ranged from 20 F  (-7 C) to 55 F (13 C).  On one of these trips I set
up a base camp, and hiked to a nearby fire lookout.  Elevation gained was from
3,000 ft (914 m) to 8436 ft (2571 m) at the Swiftcurrent lookout.   This vest
did well at blocking the cool breeze once at the lookout.  It's surprising how
well a vest alone can serve to keep the body warm.  The wind did not pass
through the shell of the vest, and I was not ever very chilly.  I had to pull
out my rain gear a few times to keep my arms dry, but that's it.

I also wore this vest on a two day trip in Teton National Park on my way back to
Arizona.  It did a fairly good job protecting me from the rain, at least the
areas of my body that a vest actually covers.  I did wish that I had a jacket on
at the time of the storm, but looking back it wasn't all that bad.  My arms got
soaked, but my torso was warm and dry.  I was comfortable enough that I didn't
feel it necessary to stop and dig for my rain gear in my pack.  However, I did
look pretty funny when I took off the vest at camp to show my dry torso and
drenched arms.  The temperature ranged from 30 F ( -1 C) to 60 F (16 C) over the
two day trip.

I wear this vest often during the mild winters in Tucson, AZ.  I like that it
warms my core enough that a coat is not necessary.  The winters here only get
down to about 35 F (2 C), though rarely does the temperature drop this low. 
Average highs are still in the 60's F (16 C).  I walk in the washes on a daily
basis throughout the winter at around 2,000 ft (610 m), and I even allow myself
to get dragged up to some of our highest peaks at around 9,000 ft (2743 m). 
This vest was my everyday jacket last winter, and it's looking like it will be
again this winter.

Performance:
As far as vests go, I think this one is pretty good.  I have a full range of
motion that I feel is sometimes stifled by a heavy coat.  The vest blocks the
wind and rain in all the areas of my body that it covers.  It is a warm garment
for moderately cold temperatures.  The shell has not torn which is great
considering some of the rough terrain I have worn it in.  My biggest complaint
is that this vest does not come in tall. Being 5'11 I have a very long torso,
and feel that if the vest were longer I would experience even better results.  I
asked a Patagonia representative over an online chat discussion about this
recently, and they said that they have been exploring the option of offering
tall sizes, but that nothing has been made yet.

Summary:
I really like the Patagonia down vest.  It keeps me warm without being bulky
like a coat.  It is much warmer than I had anticipated, and it is a great
addition to my closet.  It was expensive, but I was fortunate enough to purchase
it using a pro deal I had with Patagonia as a park ranger.  I have gotten a lot
of use out of it and it's holding up great!  Now if Patagonia would just offer
some tall sizes, it would be perfect.

Things I like:
1.  Warm
2.  Lightweight
3.  Wind proof
4.  Full range of motion

Things I don't like:
1.  Doesn't protect my arms from the rain
2.  Expensive
3.  No tall sizes

TESTER INFORMATION
Name: Karen Bissonette
Age: 40
Gender: F
Height: 5’10” / 1.52M
Weight: 200lb/ 91kg
Email address: gremlin (hyphen) at yahoo dot com
City, State, Country: La Crosse, Wisconsin USA         
Date: November 
Backpacking Background:  I am a single mother who has taken up backpacking in
the past three years because I homeschool a child who will not be contained by 4
walls and a roof.  We love the back-of-beyond, hiking all
over Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa for shorter (weekend) trips, and the
Bighorns, Rockies and Black Hills for longer ones.  My child’s stated goal
is to have the AT section-hiked by the time she’s 16.   We are both in
shape; I tend to pack about 45-50lbs (20-23KG) and she packs 20lbs (9KG).  
Both of us enjoy high-quality gear that is easy-maintenance, and long lasting. 
Assistant Reviewer Data
Wakinyan Win Bissonette, female, 7 years of age, 60 lb (27 kg), 50” (127 cm)
tall.


The Product
Manufacturer: Osprey
Web site: www.ospreypacks.com
Product: Jib 35
Year manufactured: 2010
MSRP: N/A
Price Paid: 119.00 USD
Weight listed: 3 lb 3 oz (1.46 kg) 
Actual weight 3 lb 3 oz (1.46 kg) 
Volume: 2136 cu in (35 L)
Size: fits torso range of 13-19” (33-48CM)
Color reviewed: Cherry Shake (also available in Blue Yonder)
Warranty: This product is covered by Osprey’s “Almighty Guarantee”  which
states, in part (From the company website): “Osprey will repair for any
reason, free of charge, any damage or defect in our product – whether it was
purchased in 1974 or yesterday. If we are unable to perform a functional repair
on your pack, we will happily replace it. We proudly stand behind this
guarantee, so much so that it bears the signature of company founder and head
designer, Mike Pfotenhauer.”
 
 
Product Description
 
Out-of-the-box first impression:  This is a totally real, well-built,
excellently conceived and beautifully executed backpack.  Second first
impression:  WOW!

The Osprey Jib 35 pack (hereafter referred to as the jib or pack) is a
top-loading fully-functional backcountry backpack, the smallest of Osprey's
sprint backpacks that’s appropriate and designed for true backpacking.  From
the website, the general description of the pack says: “The Jib 35 is a great
choice for children that want to start carrying their own gear.  The spacious
top loading design makes loading simple, while the superb suspension compensates
for less than meticulous packing technique.”    Nothing in my experience
with this pack suggests otherwise, in fact, it’s good for a great deal more
than that.   The red sections of the pack are 420D nylon pack cloth. The grey
areas and the bottom are heavier 600D polyester. The front stretch panel and the
side pockets are made of very elastic, strong and durable material with lycra
which dries quickly when wet.   The front pocket of the pack has the osprey
logo printed in a
  reflective material, and other places on the pack have various bits of this
reflective material, so that in the dark a flashlight will easily illuminate the
pack from just about any angle. 

 
The main pack compartment is a single top-loading sack with a strong drawstring
with cord lock that is easy to operate even while wearing gloves or mittens. 
There is an internal pocket for a hydration bladder, no strap or hook to hang it
on (But with Osprey’s Hydroform reservoir, it’s not needed) and the
bite-valve tube can be routed out either side of the pack.  On each side is a
large pocket with stretch mesh coverings, which are cut higher in the front and
lower in the rear to allow for on-the-go access. 
 
Z-styled compression straps are located on either side near the bottom covering
the pockets.  Nearer the top are slightly slanted front-to back compression
straps.  The upper compression straps have quick-disconnect buckles to provide
for easy and immediate loosening.    The front stretch pocket has a centered
quick-disconnect buckle with a short, 5-inch, adjustment strap.   Screened
into the interior of the pack are 7 principles of LNT (leave no trace) in both
English and French. 
 
 
The fixed (as opposed to floating or removable) pack lid has an external access
zipper with a large yellow pull that is easy for small hands to operate.  The
pack lid is easy to get into and contains a key-clip and small plastic
identification card slot.  Under the lid there is a smaller zippered access
pouch with a list of ten trip essentials.   At the rear of the lid is a
full-strength handle that can be used to help lift the pack, or that an adult
can use to life the pack to help while the child buckles the straps on.  The
fully-loaded pack can be hung by this strap with out concern of tearing it out
or failing in any way.   
 
On either side of the face of the pack there are daisy chains for attaching
extras.  Nearer the bottom of the pack is a small zippered pouch containing a
built in rain cover for the pack.   The bottom of this pouch has a 1-inch
(2.5cm) hole covered by mesh for water drainage and ventilation of the rain
cover pocket).  The integrated rain cover is attached inside the pocket, but
can be easily deployed without detaching it.  This rain cover is detachable and
can be left behind if good weather is guaranteed providing an additional
“cubby” for kids to store treasures. 
 
The Jib uses Osprey’s “AirScape backpanel, which is integrated into the
shoulder harness.  The harness/backpanel provides 5-6” (12.5-15 cm) of torso
adjustment, which is accomplished by simply sliding the hand behind the panel to
disengage the hook-and-loop fastener and sliding the whole system up and down
the exposed aluminum packframe.   Numbers printed in the hook-and-loop help to
determine the torso length at a glance. 
 
The shoulder straps are made of mesh-covered foam with holes cut out of it to
reduce weight and allow ventilation. Both shoulder straps are two small nylon
loops that may act as hydration tube guides if the bite valve is removed prior
to threading the tube through or can be used to slip a carabineer/locking clip
through to attach something.   The left shoulder strap has a stretch material
pocket, which can hold small drink-packer mixes or other small sundry items. 
At the top of the shoulder straps are load-riser straps to help adjust the load
on the trail,
  and at the bottom the straps attach to the rear bottom of the packframe.  
The sternum strap adjusts up and down on a 5-inch rigid cord, and the
quick-disconnect buckle has an integrated whistle which, when blown, is LOUD!

The easily-removable hip belt is constructed of foam covered with spacer mesh.
It has a standard quick connect buckle with the Osprey ErgoPull design used on
most Osprey adult packs.   When removed from the pack, the hipbelt has a
unique design that allows it to be expanded by about 4 inches to allow for child
growth.   It can also be let out enough to allow an adult to don the pack.  
There are small pockets on both the right and left sides which allow a child to
carry and easily access candy/energy bars, bandanas, mittens or hats, and other
small bobbles that children regularly feel the need to tote everywhere. 
 
The Jib has both an ice-ax loop and external sleeping pad loops.  Both are easy
for a child to use, and well constructed.  

Field Data:  Yellowstone National Park, WY
The first trip we used the Jib on was a day-hike in Yellowstone Nation al
Park.  Myself, my father, and my little one made the 7-mile (11.2KM) round-trip
hike along DeLacy creek to Shoshoni Lake – the largest of the backcountry
lakes in Yellowstone.  The day was rainy and cool, and the Jib was loaded with
about 12 LB (5.4KG) of clothing, water and food.
 
After the first mile, during which we stopped several times to adjust the
various straps and buckles and re-arrange the contents for a smoother carry, the
only complaint I got was wet feet.   During the return trip, it rained, and we
found the integrated raincover to be easy to deploy and effective at keeping the
pack and it’s contents dry.   The return trip was considerably more weighed
down as (unbeknownst to me) she had filled much of the available space with
rocks and cute sticks found at the lake. She hiked this load out without
complaint…..she wanted those rocks!
 
Later that trip, we did some day-hiking in the Tetons, and I was able to quickly
and easily adjust the pack to fit me as a day pack. 
 
After returning to home, we took the pack in to the local outfitter and had one
of the store personnel help us learn how to make the most of this pack.  We
explored various pack adjustments, and various ways to place gear in and on the
pack.  Given the versatility of this pack, that was a good choice.   Several
day-trips in local parks training helped us to be able to increase the weight
carried comfortably and learn some hiking while loaded. 
 
Itasca State Park, MN
 
Our second camping trip was a 2-week trip to Lake Itasca State Park in
northern Minnesota.  The first 3 nights were spent in regular car-camping
sites, and then we made the 3.5 -mile hike back to McKay Lake. For a 3 night
stay.  The hike in was on a rainy day, on a grass/gravel/mud 2-track, with 1 or
2 moderate hills. 
 
On this trip, Wakinayn Win carried her sleeping bag, camp pad, clothing, stuffed
animal and water.  Her pack was loaded to about 15Lb (6.8KG).  She carried
this load with ease, owing to our training and improved packing skills. 
 
Coming up one hill, she got tired, and given the design of the pack, I was
easily able to loop the shoulder straps over one arm and carry her pack in
addition to my own for about a quarter mile to give her a break.  My pack was
about 40 lb (20KG), so the added weight was not too bad.  
 
Subsequent trips have seen an increase in the load she is able to carry, now
about 20 Lb (9 KG).  Rarely do I need to help in any way, except to help get
the sleeping bag into the bottom of the pack and sometimes to help hold the pack
while she buckles it on.  Currently, for a 4-5 night trip, her pack contains:
her sleeping bag and camp pad, clothes, headlamp and spare batteries, water,
bowl/cup/spork for meals, an emergency blanket, 50’ (15M) paracord, the camp
stove and pot, one isopro canister, a book, camp journal, some other activities,
various rocks collected, an assortment of energy/candy bars and other snacks,
watercress collected from wherever (in various states of dessication), and her
stuffed Rhinoceros (named: Him) who, I am informed, will NOT tolerate being left
behind, nor riding anywhere but in the front pocket – although he will consent
to riding under the raincover, but only if it is raining.   
 
Observations:
 
When the little one decide that we were going to start backpacking, primarily
because of the experiences we had with disrespectful campers in car-camping
sites, I started looking for a pack for her.  We rejected several based upon
poor reviews from users, and finally chose this one.  I was attracted to the
warranty, the awesome adjustability and the thoughtfulness of the design. 
 
Some might quake at spending over a hundred dollars on a backpack for a child,
but rest assured, this is a great investment.  It will last your child forever,
and will remain usable well into adulthood.  In every respect, it is a
mini-version of a great expedition backpack, with all the features that a
backpacker would expect.   It may be light on some of the extravagances that
some packs offer, but for a child to learn on, it’s worth every penny and then
some. 
 
Osprey’s website says that this pack is designed for kids ages 10-14, but we
decided that it was so well made that we’d finagle something for her.  As it
turned out, the pack is a little long yet, but it’s so adjustable that she
barely notices.   It is so well designed that she can easily carry 1/3 of her
body weight.  I would not load her down so heavily, but she wants to go out
further and longer, and I can carry no more.  Her Gymnastics coach helps us
with conditioning and the local outfitters help with finding innovative ways to
pack and use equipment to help minimize her carry weight. 
 
The side pockets are wide and deep and made from a stretchy material that easily
allows us to put shoes, sandals, water bottles, hiking poles and various other
things in them, and longer items can be slipped under the upper compression
straps to hold them in place. 
 
Pro’s:
1.    It’s a real, fully functional, backpacking and trekking backpack,
made of the same quality materials and solid construction as my Osprey Ariel 65,
with all the features that a backpacker-in-training could need, and then
some.  
2.    It’s covered by Osprey’s Almighty Guarantee, user-replaceable
broken parts are warrantied quickly and without fuss, simply by calling Osprey
and explaining what broke.
3.    It is ridiculously adjustable.  It can fit a small child, and in less
than 2 minutes can be re-adjusted to fit most adults.   This pack makes an
ideal day-pack for an adult or a backcountry pack for a child. There is no
question that she will be able to use this pack well into adulthood – even
after she needs to upgrade to a larger one for extended trips.
4.    This pack is comfortable and can carry loads up to about 25 – 30 lbs
(11-13 KG) easily and with no discomfort, even to a smaller child. 
5.    The Jib has fun colors and printing on the fabric with ample places
for the “junior Ranger” patches that are offered at many parks to be proudly
displayed. 
6.    There are several pockets for children to ferret away their prized
finds on the trail. 
7.    When asked, “What do you like about your pack?” Wakinyan Win
answered:
a.    I like that it does not get hot on my back
b.    It looks just like a real technical backpack, not some little kid
piece of junk.  (Mom’s thought: it IS a real technical pack, not a little kid
piece of junk)
c.    There are lots of pockets and places to put things.  
d.    The cool whistle
 
 
Cons:
1.    In the hydration pouch sleeve inside the main pack, there is no way to
suspend a non-Osprey water reservoir; they tend to slouch to the bottom of the
pack.  Adult Osprey packs have a buckle that suspends the bladder.  
Osprey’s reservoirs have a rigid back so they don’t’ crumple at the
bottom. This problem is easily remedied by sewing a D-ring onto the seam above
the bladder. 
2.    The camp-pad straps are attached at the bottom to the rear seam where
the bottom of the pack is sewn to the rear pack wall.  The top attachments are
sewn to the front of the pack about 1/3 the way up.  This allows the pad to
slip down and rearward so that it occasionally can impede normal walking. 
  Making sure that these straps are VERY tight can help this. 
3.    The side pockets have pack compression straps that go over them (as
opposed to the inside-out straps on many other Osprey models) which make getting
into the side pockets hard without loosening the straps – something that’s
hard to do by yourself on the trail.  Routing them inside the pockets or using
the inside-out style would be less frustrating for smaller kids. 
 
Conclusion:
 
The Osprey Jib 35 is a great starter pack for young children.  It is immanently
adjustable and has many uses.  It is a very well constructed pack with one of
the best warranties in the industry.   We are totally delighted with this
purchase and have absolutely no regrets. 
 
We plan to get many more years use from this pack, and will likely not need to
upgrade until it’s time for a full-fledged adult pack.   Even then, this
pack will continue to see service as an adult day-pack, or be willed down the
generations to future backpackers yet to come.  

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

I am very pleased to see the number of ORs coming through.  It's great!

This is just a reminder to writers and editors about submitting original
work.  There have been a couple of ORs lately which stretch imitation
(flattery) a bit too far (forgery).

While it's ok/commendable for writers to look over similar products to make
sure they've covered the high points of the product, following someone
else's format and using their sentences, is not.  I suggest looking at
similar ORs AFTER completing your own to check for omissions not before.

Please be careful, boys and girls and please keep those ORs coming.

Thanks!
Kathy

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/OR%20-%20REI%20Peak\
%20UL%20Trekking%20Poles%20-%20Andrei%20Girenkov/

Sorry for the delay, here is an uploaded version with images.  Plain text
version follows:


REI PEAK UL CARBON COMPACT TREKKING POLES
BY ANDREI GIRENKOV
OR
October 06, 2011

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: ANDREI GIRENKOV
EMAIL: agirenkov[AT]yahoo[DOT]com
AGE: 29
LOCATION: New York, New York, USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 10" (1.78 m)
WEIGHT: 150 lb (68.00 kg)

I have been backpacking for 6 years, mostly 3-season weekend trips in the
Adirondacks, and other parks in the North-Eastern US.  Additionally, I try to
take at least one 5-7 day trip each summer to other destinations in Canada,
Western states and Central America.  I use lightweight gear on a budget.  My
multi-day pack weight is around 20-25 lb (9-11kg).  I enjoy sleeping comfortably
and cooking a hot meal at night

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Manufacturer:  Komperdell for Recreational Equipment Inc. (according to
packaging).
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Manufacturer's Website: <<www.rei.com>>
MSRP: US$129.00
Listed Weight: 11.2 oz (318 g)
Measured Weight: 12.4 oz (352 g)
Minimum length: 24 in (61 cm)
Maximum length: 49 in (125 cm)


The REI Peak UL Carbon Trekking Poles are made by Komperdell but marketed under
the REI brand.  They provide a very attractive feature set.

The grips are made of contoured black foam.  This foam is comfortable and
rugged.  It has not torn in 3 years of use by me.   Attached to the grips are
black padded neoprene wrist straps.  The wrist straps are adjustable by the use
of a plastic wedge which allows adjustment when pulled out and secures them into
place when pushed back in.

The shafts themselves are made of very dark greenish grey carbon fiber with a
clear protective coating on top.  The shafts consist of three collapsible
sections.  Twisting each section in one direction releases the lock, and
twisting it in the opposite direction secures it in place.  The locks worked
very well initially, but the sections have started to slowly collapse when full
body weight is put on the pole after 3 years of use.

The bottom of the pole is finished off with a narrow plastic basket and a
tungsten carbide tip.  The baskets are there to prevent the pole from sinking
into sand, snow, and mud.  I found them adequate when traversing packed snow. 
The carbide tip is shaped into a star pattern on the bottom.  This pattern
creates friction when traversing rocks.  The tips are capped with two pieces of
plastic for safety.  The caps are useful for safely transporting the poles on
public transit.

When collapsed the entire pole is only 22 inches (55 cm) long.  This is short
enough to carry with airplane carryon luggage inside or outside a pack.  The TSA
did not give me any issue over carrying these on an airplane (with the above
mentioned tip caps on).

FIELD USE

These are some of the hikes on which I took these poles.

I took these poles on 5-6 local hikes in the Catskill and Adirondack mountains
of New York over the summer.  On a recent representative hike, I covered 16-mile
(25-km) loop through the High Peaks area of the Adirondacks.  I climbed 7
summits in 2 days.  The maximum elevation was around 5,000 ft (1525 m).  Trails
were mostly dirt and rock.  It was very muddy on one of the days.  Temperature
ranged from 60-70F (16-21C).  The poles performed very well on this trip.

I then used them in a 45-mile (72-km) 4-day hike through Sequoia National Park
to  climb Mt. Kiweah.  The weather was sunny.  Temperatures ranged from 55-70 F
(12-21 C).  The trails consisted of dirt, rock, and scree.  The highest
elevation was 13,800 feet (4200 m).  I twisted my knee right before the ascent
to Kiweah summit on day 2.  I spent the last two days limping, and putting all
my weight on the poles without any problems at all.  I was worried that the
twist locks would give out, but they held very well.

I used them on an 8-day glacier hike in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in
Alaska.  The trip involved traversing glaciers, climbing boulders and snow, and
crossing many rivulets.  Temperatures ranged from 40-65F (5-18C).  Elevation
ranged from 1,500 - 8,000 ft (450-2450 m).  Many places were covered in deep
packed snow. Some of my companions used baskets from ski poles to prevent from
sinking into the snow.  I used the stock baskets and found them more than
adequate.  The situation may be different on freshly fallen loose snow.

I also carried them on a 5-day trip to the Buckskin Gulch in the Arizona desert.
This is a very narrow (sometimes have to squeeze through between walls) 13-mile
(20-km) long slot canyon. It rained 3 days prior to my arrival, and the gulch
was still drying out from a flash flood.  Ground varied between desert sand,
clay, and ankle deep water.  Temperatures were around 90 F (32 C).  The carbide
tip on these poles has small teeth that are designed to grip the rock.  On this
trip wet clay built up around the tip and made the poles very slippery when
planted on a rock.  I had to frequently wash the tips in water puddles to
prevent this.  On this trip I also experienced a partial locking mechanism
failure.  I injured my ankle and compensated by putting more of my weight on the
pole.  Over time the sections slowly collapsed.  I lost approximately 2 inches
(5 cm) of pole length every 10 minutes and had to stop and adjust them.  I am
not certain whether this failure was due to mechanical design or environmental
causes such as sand getting into the mechanism.



SUMMARY

These are very compact and lightweight poles.  It is very convenient to carry
these poles as carryon luggage in an airplane by strapping them to the outside
of a pack.

They served me very well in the moderate environments of Adirondack, Catskill,
and Sierra Nevada mountains.  My arms were never tired from the weight or the
grip.  I was disappointed with their performance in the Arizona desert after 2
years of use.  The locks began to lose their hold, and sections of the pole
began to collapse when full body weight was put on them.



THINGS I LIKE

The poles are light weight, collapsible to travel size, and grip stone trails
very well.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

After several years of use the locks have started to slip.

SIGNATURE

Andrei Girenkov



This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.

OK, Andrei, we're getting close.  I have some edits, in the same format as
before:

EDIT (all caps) – required change
Edit (initial cap) – suggested change or request for clarification
Comment – just that, no change required

First though a word on BGT procedures. If your editor requests that you re-post
your Review, as I did, the subject line in the repost to the list should begin
with the word REPOST, followed by the product name and your name.  This isn't
just a silly rule; editors and the list administrators look for that lead-in, so
please include it (rather than "Update") this time around.

Edits below.

Thanks, Richard

<< I have been backpacking for 6 years, mostly 3-season weekend trips in the
Adirondacks, and other parks in the North-Eastern US.>>
EDIT: Northeastern [one word]

<< Additionally, I try to take at least one 5-7 day trip each summer to other
destinations in Canada, Western states and Central America. >>
EDIT: Western United States [Australia has Western states too]

<< Manufacturer: Komperdell for Recreational Equipment Inc. (according to
packaging).>>
EDIT: Add a comma after Recreational Equipment.  All official names must be
exactly correct.
EDIT: You can drop the parenthetical if you prefer.  Sorry, I wasn't clear on my
earlier post. If the packaging is clear, your statement is OK. I just wanted you
to verify your source.

<<Manufacturer's Website: <<www.rei.com>>
EDIT: This is missing in the html version. Please add, making sure it's
clickable.

<<Twisting each section in one direction releases the lock, and twisting it in
the opposite direction secures it in place.>>
Edit: Consider indicating which turn is which (e g, counterclockwise to open,
clockwise to close). Up to you.

<<These are some of the hikes on which I took these poles.>>
EDIT: You've used these poles enough to select typical hikes rather than
identifying each. But you need to add an estimate of total usage, in miles or
days.

<<Temperature ranged from 60-70F (16-21C). >>
EDIT: Add a space after the numerals and before F or C (60-70 F, 16-21 C). Check
your Review for other instances of this.

<< I then used them in a 45-mile (72-km) 4-day hike through Sequoia National
Park to climb Mt. Kiweah. The weather was sunny. >>
EDIT: Sequoia National Park, California

<<The situation may be different on freshly fallen loose snow.>>
EDIT: This is projection and thus not allowed. You could say "I haven't used the
poles on freshly fallen loose snow."

<<The poles are light weight, collapsible to travel size, and grip stone trails
very well.>>
Edit: lightweight [one word]

Kurt,
Please review my application to test the Injinji Excelerator Socks. I
have read and understood the current requirements in the Survival Guide
Version 0609, and I agree to comply with all of these requirements as a
tester particularly those stated in Chapter 4 and Chapter 5. I also have
  a signed tester agreement on file.

Name: Gail Staisil
Age: 59
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight: 145 lb (66 kg)
Email: woodswoman2001 AT yahoo DOT com
Location: Marquette, Michigan USA

------

Test Field Locations:

During
  the next four months I plan to do at least one four-day back country
trip every month. This includes winter backpacking. I already committed
to one six-day sledge trip in January but many other trips will occur
before that. I am known for my spontaneity in making trips happen. I
also will be doing three rustic cabin trips between December and the end
  of February that are four days a piece (I will be carrying my gear in
each way plus snowshoeing and cross country skiing every day).

The
  terrain will be mostly rocky trail before the snow starts piling up and
  then I will be snowshoeing or skiing while pulling a sledge on snow and
  ice. I'm active in the outdoors on an almost daily basis (once in
awhile I take a day off!). Temperatures will surely average from around
zero (O F/-18 C) to as high as 32 F (0 C). Low temps could drop to -20 F
  (-29 C. Elevation will be up to 2000 ft (610 m).

------

Testing Strategy:

I
  cross country ski (last year over 80 days skiing alone), snowshoe and
winter camp all winter long. I would test the Injinji Excelerator Socks for
comfort, friction control, enhanced circulation and more. The socks would be
worn with cross country ski boots, winter snow boots, mukluks and trail
boots/shoes.

Current Tests and Stage (5):

-Knudsen Recharge Sports Drink - LTR due December 24 
-Fenix MC11 Angle Light -LTR due Dec 6
-CamelBak HighWire Pack - LTR due Nov 22
-Tilley TT W-2 Hat - FR due January 3
-MontBell Frostline Jacket - FR due January 3


Test Status Page:

http://teststatus.backpackgeartest.org/T1341.htm


Many of my Completed Tests (62) and Owner Reviews (25) - 4 new OR's in the last
year can be seen here:

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/tester_reviews/isleroyalegirl

Other Applications Pending: (0)

Monitor (2 Currently):

-Brook Range Map Tools
-Sea to Summit Delta Series Kitchen


Thanks for your consideration.

Gail

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

Name:  Rebecca Hendershot
Age:  30
Gender:  Female
Height:  5’6” (168 cm)
Weight:  212 lbs (56 kg)
Email address: bexylady@... bexylady AT cox DOT net
City, State, Country: Chesapeake, Virginia, United States
Date:  November 21, 2011
Backpacking Background:
Currently, I am a day trip hiker with an ultra-light style.  Usually I
am on anything from city streets to swamp, hilly or dirty and wet
terrain.  I take daily short walks, and about once a month I take a
10-12km (6.2-7.4 mi) hike.

Owner Review – Kyjen Outward Hound Dog Backpacks (size Medium)

Testing Doggie Information:  I own two standard poodles, approximately
22-25 inches at the shoulder (lab sized or slightly taller) and weighing
in at 45 and 50 pounds.  They are built similarly to sight hounds in
weight, but more heavily boned.  They are also in the standard
Continental clip (the one you see in all the dog shows) since it was
particularly designed to facilitate outdoor/hunting activity for such a
long haired breed.

Item being reviewed:
Outward Hound Excursion Backpack
MSRP: $34.95
Year of Manufacture:  2011
Other manufacturer specs unavailable.
Outward Hound Backpacks, available online or at pet stores.  I purchased
one at Petsmart for $34.99 and the other online for about $25.
Available sizes:  Small to extra large
Available colors:  red and java, elephant and ice blue, pink and
elephant
Colors tested:  Red and java, Ice blue and elephant
When I measured it:
Weight:  9 oz (255 g)

(Include picture with dogs)
Structure of the Item:
The backpack consists of two saddlebags that are built into a mesh back
with fabric reinforcement.  There is a handle strap in the middle of the
back piece, and each bag has two zippered entries.  It has three straps,
two running under the torso of the dog and the third a chest strap.  The
clips of the straps are adjustable and have a padded piece to protect
the dog from getting caught in the clip.

Initial Report:  They were both in good condition when I received them,
with no particular flaws, loose pieces, or unfinished edges.  Neither
came with instructions, but it was fairly simple to figure out.  I was
extremely disappointed at the size of the saddlebags, as the large dog
bags were almost twice as big, but the straps would not get short
enough.  My dogs are a little in-between in sizes, they have long enough
backs for the large size, but are too narrow in the ribcage and waist.
My male, Chef took to the pack immediately, as he had trained with a
similar pack as a puppy, and knows that it means he gets to go exploring
the world.  My female, Veronica,  was extremely nervous, which is
unsurprising, but aside from trying to sniff it a lot and moving around
as if she was stiff, she handled it exceptionally well for her.

Short term field testing:

I started off by using the backpacks during the daily walks through the
neighborhood in order to build up their weight tolerance.  Canned
vegetables and soups are great because they are specifically weighted
and you can make sure both sides are as even as possible and you don’t
get a lopsided dog.  A fairly small amount of weight, appx 3 lbs, was no
more distressing to the dogs or the backpacks than being empty.
However, the bags stick out quite a bit with things in them, and the
dogs weren’t particularly good at not running them into things.  I
didn’t wait too much longer to take them out on the trail with me.  They
carried kibble and water, at a significantly lighter weight than their
normal load.  The bags bumped into things, but generally did not catch
on branches or tear bark off trees.

Sucked:
Tiny saddlebags.  Can barely fit a small dasani water bottle and small
Ziploc bags of kibble.
Bags are sewn to the mesh on the back.
No reflective strip
Excess length of straps must be trimmed, not very good method if one
backpacks is being alternated on dogs.

Didn’t suck:
Fairly adjustable
Padding between clips and dog, as well as covers over the straps.
Nice colors, and available in a couple of others.
Easy to figure out.

Long term field testing:
Each dog can safely carry about 12-15 pounds.  The most I have on either
dog at one time right now is 9.  I have no intention of overnight
backpacking with these dog backpacks.  Once I hit more than 5-6 pounds
total per backpack, the design flaws became apparent.  The adjustable
straps do not stay adjusted.  It isn’t too bad under the ribs, except
for it rubbing a little.  They have plenty of hair there and so far show
no signs of irritation.  My major concern is the fact that the chest
strap loosens significantly during a 15-30 minute walk down city
streets.  I have to stop several times during the course of a single
walk to retighten it so that the load is more close to the shoulders and
not sitting directly in the middle of the dog’s back, that being the
weakest point.  I generally have not caught hair in the clips, which is
a bonus.

They have been used with a lighter load (a water bottle, kibble, shot
records and plastic poop bags) on

Sucks:  Heavy (by which I mean more than 5 pounds) weight drags the
saddlebag on the mesh.  I’m just waiting for it to give.
Not particularly water-resistant.
Straps do not stay tightened and leave the weight centered squarely on a
dogs weakest point.
A month or so into use, I pulled off one of the zippers.  The load was
just a little too big, but when I tugged on it, right as I realized it
wasn’t going to work the zipper gave way.

Rebecca Hendershot
CMT and Reflexologist
Category IV Wildlife Rehabilitator


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

Many thanks for your first owner review.

There is an issue that, as senior edit moderator, I need to bring to your
attention. In your profile, you indicate that you are a day trip hiker. The
Backpackgeartest organization is, as the name implies, concerned primarily with
testing gear in the context of backpacking, whether it be overnighters or long
multiday or multiweek excursions. All of us, I would suspect, also do regular
day hikes as you do, but the gear testing we do (with a very few exceptions)
demands multiple overnight excursions.

I feel less than happy responding to an enthusiastic potential reviewer with
outright rejection; indeed, as a dog backpack, I don't think the overnight
requirement is essential for this specific review. However, the bottom line is
that you are solely a day-hiker. As I have outlined, we are a backpacking site
and I fear that as matters stand we are not a good fit for your reviews. If in
the future you do become enthused by backpacking, we would very much welcome
your contributions to the BGT community!

Kind regards,

Ted

Gail--wrong list!

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, woodswoman <woodswoman2001@...> wrote:
>
> Kurt,
> Please review my application to test the Injinji Excelerator Socks. I
> have read and understood the current requirements in the Survival Guide
> Version 0609, and I agree to comply with all of these requirements as a
> tester particularly those stated in Chapter 4 and Chapter 5. I also have
>  a signed tester agreement on file.
>
> Name: Gail Staisil
> Age: 59
> Gender: Female
> Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
> Weight: 145 lb (66 kg)
> Email: woodswoman2001 AT yahoo DOT com
> Location: Marquette, Michigan USA
>
> ------
>
> Test Field Locations:
>
> During
>  the next four months I plan to do at least one four-day back country
> trip every month. This includes winter backpacking. I already committed
> to one six-day sledge trip in January but many other trips will occur
> before that. I am known for my spontaneity in making trips happen. I
> also will be doing three rustic cabin trips between December and the end
>  of February that are four days a piece (I will be carrying my gear in
> each way plus snowshoeing and cross country skiing every day).
>
> The
>  terrain will be mostly rocky trail before the snow starts piling up and
>  then I will be snowshoeing or skiing while pulling a sledge on snow and
>  ice. I'm active in the outdoors on an almost daily basis (once in
> awhile I take a day off!). Temperatures will surely average from around
> zero (O F/-18 C) to as high as 32 F (0 C). Low temps could drop to -20 F
>  (-29 C. Elevation will be up to 2000 ft (610 m).
>
> ------
>
> Testing Strategy:
>
> I
>  cross country ski (last year over 80 days skiing alone), snowshoe and
> winter camp all winter long. I would test the Injinji Excelerator Socks for
comfort, friction control, enhanced circulation and more. The socks would be
worn with cross country ski boots, winter snow boots, mukluks and trail
boots/shoes.
>
> Current Tests and Stage (5):
>
> -Knudsen Recharge Sports Drink - LTR due December 24 
> -Fenix MC11 Angle Light -LTR due Dec 6
> -CamelBak HighWire Pack - LTR due Nov 22
> -Tilley TT W-2 Hat - FR due January 3
> -MontBell Frostline Jacket - FR due January 3
>
>
> Test Status Page:
>
> http://teststatus.backpackgeartest.org/T1341.htm
>
>
> Many of my Completed Tests (62) and Owner Reviews (25) - 4 new OR's in the
last year can be seen here:
>
> http://www.backpackgeartest.org/tester_reviews/isleroyalegirl
>
> Other Applications Pending: (0)
>
> Monitor (2 Currently):
>
> -Brook Range Map Tools
> -Sea to Summit Delta Series Kitchen
>
>
> Thanks for your consideration.
>
> Gail
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

I see.

Ok, well, folks, I guess it's sayonara for now until I can finish putting
together an overnight kit. Best of luck to you all until then.

Rebecca/Becca/Becky Hendershot
CMT and Reflexologist
Category IV Wildlife Rehabilitator
Virginia Living Museum Volunteer
Chairman pro-tem Wildlife Response, Inc Hotline

On Nov 22, 2011, at 20:26, "Edward" <erd@...> wrote:

> Many thanks for your first owner review.
>
> There is an issue that, as senior edit moderator, I need to bring to your
attention. In your profile, you indicate that you are a day trip hiker. The
Backpackgeartest organization is, as the name implies, concerned primarily with
testing gear in the context of backpacking, whether it be overnighters or long
multiday or multiweek excursions. All of us, I would suspect, also do regular
day hikes as you do, but the gear testing we do (with a very few exceptions)
demands multiple overnight excursions.
>
> I feel less than happy responding to an enthusiastic potential reviewer with
outright rejection; indeed, as a dog backpack, I don't think the overnight
requirement is essential for this specific review. However, the bottom line is
that you are solely a day-hiker. As I have outlined, we are a backpacking site
and I fear that as matters stand we are not a good fit for your reviews. If in
the future you do become enthused by backpacking, we would very much welcome
your contributions to the BGT community!
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Ted
>
>


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

Optimus Svea 123 Portable Stove
By Rusty Gaidzik
Owner Review

November 22nd, 2011

Tester Bio
Name:  Rusty Gaidzik
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Height: 6' 2" (1.87 m)
Weight: 190 lb (86 kg)
Email address: RustyGaidzik AT yahoo DOT com
City, State, Country: Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Date: June 23, 2011
Backpacking Background:  I learned how to backpack in Boy Scouts with a strong
emphasis on outdoor ethics and leave-no-trace camping.  I did several weekend
backpacks and a couple 4 and 5 day trips.  After college I got back into it. 
I've done some solo trips and a couple group hikes mostly 1 to 2 nights.  I
mostly hike Los Padres and other southern California national forests. I prefer
to hike light, but as I am a film-maker I often carry heavy camera gear and
sometimes fishing gear.  Still I manage to keep my pack in the medium light
range, usually between 30lbs to 40lbs.
Product Information

Manufacturer:  Optimus (Svea)
Year of Manufacture: 1970
URL: http://www.optimusstoves.com/seen/
Listed weight: 19 Oz (538 Grams)
Measured weight w/o saucepan lid: 18.3 Oz (518 Grams)
Dimensions: 3.9" x 5.1" (100 mm x 130 mm)
MSRP: $90

Tank Capacity: 6.08 Fl oz (0.18L)
Fuel: White Gas or Coleman Fuel
Brass Construction
Rating: 14000W / 4,700 BTU
Burning time: Appr. 50 minutes on one filling at high output.
Boiling time, one liter of water is approx. 7 minutes

The Svea 123 comes with a cleaning tool, saucepan with detachable handle, valve
key and windscreen(which provides a stable pot support).  Priming pump, spare
parts kit, eye dropper, optional starting gel, and filling funnel sold
separately.
	 This stove operates similarly to other white gas stoves that I have used.  A
small amount of fuel is poured into the well beneath the burner and ignited to
warm the stove.  Once warmed the gas inside vaporizes and starts flowing out the
nozzle where it can easily be ignited.  One tricky part about lighting this
stove is that you have to put the windscreen on before you begin the process.
Otherwise it can be difficult to put on after everything is hot.  At just over a
pound it is not the lightest stove, but it is still relatively light and
compact.  As a medium weight backpacker, I find it more than adequate for my
purposes.
	 This is a classic mountaineering stove.  It has inspired many other designs
because of its quality engineering.  It is made of brass and has only one moving
part.  It has an excellent reputation for being reliable over many years of use
with little to no maintenance. I found a video on Youtube of a guy who
successfully lights this stove with the fuel left in it after being stored for
over 25 years.  Though it is no longer in production, I found this stove and its
accessories available through various vendors on the internet.
I have used this stove without fail all over southern California.  I even used
it on Mt. Whitney at 12,000 ft (3500m). Temperatures were about 20 to 30F (-7 to
-1C). On my trip to Whitney in June 2011 the Svea 123 outperformed an MSR
Whisperlite.   It boiled 16oz of water about three minutes faster than the
Whisperlite.  I have never used this stove in the rain, but I have used it in
snow, cold humid conditions, and hot dry conditions.  The coldest temperatures
and highest elevation I've used the stove were on Mt. Whitney, 20F (-7C),
elevation 12,000 ft (3500m).  The hottest were in Los Padres National Forest,
near Sespe River, 80F (27C), elevation 680 ft (207m).  The lowest elevation was
in my backyard is West Los Angeles at approximately 200ft (60m), at a
temperature of about 60F (15C).
	 The Svea 123 performs well in all the scenarios I've used it.  I have only
small complaints in my experience with this stove.  The first is not really the
manufacturer's fault, though one could argue that it is.  In order to operate
the stove you need a detachable key to turn the valve.  The key cannot be
permanently attached because it would obstruct the windscreen when attaching or
removing it.  The obvious drawback to this is that if you lose the key you can't
operate the stove.  Ordinarily this is prevented by a small chain that attaches
the key to the stove.  I got my stove from my dad who got it back in the 70s. 
The only drawback, when he gave it to me the key was missing.  I cannot find an
easy way to replace the key.  I cannot find one for sale on the web, and making
one would require a bit of time and effort.  My short term solution has been to
use a small vice grip pliers to operate the valve.  It works, but it's hard to
use, it scratches the brass on the valve knob, and it adds about 12oz to the
weight of the stove.  Not the ideal solution, but I'm not a lightweight
backpacker and the reliability of the stove makes it worth it.
	 Second, the stove is noisy.  Not the noisiest. To be honest I don't think it's
much louder than the Whisperlite.  Personally, noise is not a high priority when
I'm picking stoves.  Many of my backpacking trips are solo so being able to talk
over the stove is not important to me.
	 My only other complaint is that when the nozzle isn't clean the stove
performance can be very poor.  One time I was at Sespe River in Los Padres
National Forest.  It was a cool March morning.  I hadn't cleaned the nozzle in a
while, but I didn't realize until it was already lit. Once I got the stove going
it seemed like too much hassle to have to stop it, let it cool down, clean it,
and then restart it.  This ended up being a poor decision as it took about twice
as long as normal to boil my water.  So now I just give it a quick cleaning with
the convenient cleaning tool before and after each use.  Since starting this
practice I have observed flawless operation of the stove.  I couldn't be
happier.

Summary

When I first got the stove I didn't like it.  Since then I have gone on numerous
trips with a friend of mine who has a similar Optimus stove which he also got
from his dad.  His had a slightly different design with a windscreen that was
separate and did not attach but fit into a separate cook set.  We have used our
stoves head to head against the MSR Whisperlite and every time it has
outperformed the newer lighter Whisperlite, both in setup time and boiling time.
I know the Whisperlite requires quite a bit of finesse in its operation.  This
may account for some of the difference in time.  The point is after several
nights in the mountains with this stove it has really grown on me.  I don't care
about the little extra weight.  It works every time with little hassle. I've
even grown to enjoy it for its aesthetic.  It is a classic mountaineering stove
which a lot of the old timers recognize.  Until I find something that is
lighter, more practical, and outperforms the Optimus Svea 123, this will be the
only stove in my pack.

Pros:
-Rugged, durable, and reliable.
-boils water surprisingly fast, can compete with modern white gas stoves.
-attachable windscreen provides stable pot support.

Cons:
-nozzle must be cleaned regularly for max performance
-valve key is hard to replace if lost
-noise; not the quietest stove

REI PEAK UL CARBON COMPACT TREKKING POLES
BY ANDREI GIRENKOV
OR
October 06, 2011

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: ANDREI GIRENKOV
EMAIL: agirenkov[AT]yahoo[DOT]com
AGE: 29
LOCATION: New York, New York, USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 10" (1.78 m)
WEIGHT: 150 lb (68.00 kg)

I have been backpacking for 6 years, mostly 3-season weekend trips in the
Adirondacks, and other parks in the Northeastern US.  Additionally, I try to
take at least one 5-7 day trip each summer to other destinations in Canada,
Western United States and Central America.  I use lightweight gear on a budget. 
My multi-day pack weight is around 20-25 lb (9-11kg).  I enjoy sleeping
comfortably and cooking a hot meal at night

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Manufacturer:  Komperdell for Recreational Equipment, Inc. (according to
packaging).
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Manufacturer's Website: <a href=http://www.rei.com>http://www.rei.com</a>
MSRP: US$129.00
Listed Weight: 11.2 oz (318 g)
Measured Weight: 12.4 oz (352 g)
Minimum length: 24 in (61 cm)
Maximum length: 49 in (125 cm)


The REI Peak UL Carbon Trekking Poles are made by Komperdell but marketed under
the REI brand.  They provide a very attractive feature set.

The grips are made of contoured black foam.  This foam is comfortable and
rugged.  It has not torn in 3 years of use by me.   Attached to the grips are
black padded neoprene wrist straps.  The wrist straps are adjustable by the use
of a plastic wedge which allows adjustment when pulled out and secures them into
place when pushed back in.

The shafts themselves are made of very dark greenish grey carbon fiber with a
clear protective coating on top.  The shafts consist of three collapsible
sections.  Twisting each section in one direction releases the lock, and
twisting it in the opposite direction secures it in place.  The locks worked
very well initially, but the sections have started to slowly collapse when full
body weight is put on the pole after 3 years of use.

The bottom of the pole is finished off with a narrow plastic basket and a
tungsten carbide tip.  The baskets are there to prevent the pole from sinking
into sand, snow, and mud.  I found them adequate when traversing packed snow. 
The carbide tip is shaped into a star pattern on the bottom.  This pattern
creates friction when traversing rocks.  The tips are capped with two pieces of
plastic for safety.  The caps are useful for safely transporting the poles on
public transit.

When collapsed the entire pole is only 22 inches (55 cm) long.  This is short
enough to carry with airplane carryon luggage inside or outside a pack.  The TSA
did not give me any issue over carrying these on an airplane (with the above
mentioned tip caps on).

FIELD USE

These poles have seen approximately 60 days of usage on the trail.  The
following are some of the typical hikes on which I used them.

I took these poles on 5-6 local hikes in the Catskill and Adirondack mountains
of New York over the summer.  On a recent representative hike, I covered 16-mile
(25-km) loop through the High Peaks area of the Adirondacks.  I climbed 7
summits in 2 days.  The maximum elevation was around 5,000 ft (1525 m).  Trails
were mostly dirt and rock.  It was very muddy on one of the days.  Temperature
ranged from 60-70 F (16-21 C).  The poles performed very well on this trip.

I then used them in a 45-mile (72-km) 4-day hike through Sequoia National Park,
California to  climb Mt. Kiweah.  The weather was sunny.  Temperatures ranged
from 55-70 F (12-21 C).  The trails consisted of dirt, rock, and scree.  The
highest elevation was 13,800 feet (4200 m).  I twisted my knee right before the
ascent to Kiweah summit on day 2.  I spent the last two days limping, and
putting all my weight on the poles without any problems at all.  I was worried
that the twist locks would give out, but they held very well.

I used them on an 8-day glacier hike in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in
Alaska.  The trip involved traversing glaciers, climbing boulders and snow, and
crossing many rivulets.  Temperatures ranged from 40-65 F (5-18 C).  Elevation
ranged from 1,500 - 8,000 ft (450-2450 m).  Many places were covered in deep
packed snow. Some of my companions used baskets from ski poles to prevent from
sinking into the snow.  I used the stock baskets and found them more than
adequate.  I haven't used the poles on freshly fallen loose snow.

I also carried them on a 5-day trip to the Buckskin Gulch in the Arizona desert.
This is a very narrow (sometimes have to squeeze through between walls) 13-mile
(20-km) long slot canyon. It rained 3 days prior to my arrival, and the gulch
was still drying out from a flash flood.  Ground varied between desert sand,
clay, and ankle deep water.  Temperatures were around 90 F (32 C).  The carbide
tip on these poles has small teeth that are designed to grip the rock.  On this
trip wet clay built up around the tip and made the poles very slippery when
planted on a rock.  I had to frequently wash the tips in water puddles to
prevent this.  On this trip I also experienced a partial locking mechanism
failure.  I injured my ankle and compensated by putting more of my weight on the
pole.  Over time the sections slowly collapsed.  I lost approximately 2 inches
(5 cm) of pole length every 10 minutes and had to stop and adjust them.  I am
not certain whether this failure was due to mechanical design or environmental
causes such as sand getting into the mechanism.



SUMMARY

These are very compact and lightweight poles.  It is very convenient to carry
these poles as carryon luggage in an airplane by strapping them to the outside
of a pack.

They served me very well in the moderate environments of Adirondack, Catskill,
and Sierra Nevada mountains.  My arms were never tired from the weight or the
grip.  I was disappointed with their performance in the Arizona desert after 2
years of use.  The locks began to lose their hold, and sections of the pole
began to collapse when full body weight was put on them.



THINGS I LIKE

The poles are lightweight, collapsible to travel size, and grip stone trails
very well.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

After several years of use the locks have started to slip.

SIGNATURE

Andrei Girenkov



This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.

Andrei,

Before I can edit this I need you to delete the older version of your Review in
the Tests/OR folder, upload the revised version, and post a link in tinyurl
format to this list. At this point I edit from the html version.

Also, when reposting to this list after an edit, please include REPOST (not
Update), the product name, and your name in the subject line, as I requested in
my edits.

Cheers, Richard

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "agirenkov" <agirenkov@...> wrote:
>
>
> REI PEAK UL CARBON COMPACT TREKKING POLES
> BY ANDREI GIRENKOV
> OR
> October 06, 2011
>
> TESTER INFORMATION
>
> NAME: ANDREI GIRENKOV
> EMAIL: agirenkov[AT]yahoo[DOT]com
> AGE: 29
> LOCATION: New York, New York, USA
> GENDER: M
> HEIGHT: 5' 10" (1.78 m)
> WEIGHT: 150 lb (68.00 kg)
>
> I have been backpacking for 6 years, mostly 3-season weekend trips in the
Adirondacks, and other parks in the Northeastern US.  Additionally, I try to
take at least one 5-7 day trip each summer to other destinations in Canada,
Western United States and Central America.  I use lightweight gear on a budget. 
My multi-day pack weight is around 20-25 lb (9-11kg).  I enjoy sleeping
comfortably and cooking a hot meal at night
>
> PRODUCT INFORMATION
>
> Manufacturer:  Komperdell for Recreational Equipment, Inc. (according to
packaging).
> Year of Manufacture: 2008
> Manufacturer's Website: <a href=http://www.rei.com>http://www.rei.com</a>
> MSRP: US$129.00
> Listed Weight: 11.2 oz (318 g)
> Measured Weight: 12.4 oz (352 g)
> Minimum length: 24 in (61 cm)
> Maximum length: 49 in (125 cm)
>
>
> The REI Peak UL Carbon Trekking Poles are made by Komperdell but marketed
under the REI brand.  They provide a very attractive feature set.
>
> The grips are made of contoured black foam.  This foam is comfortable and
rugged.  It has not torn in 3 years of use by me.   Attached to the grips are
black padded neoprene wrist straps.  The wrist straps are adjustable by the use
of a plastic wedge which allows adjustment when pulled out and secures them into
place when pushed back in.
>
> The shafts themselves are made of very dark greenish grey carbon fiber with a
clear protective coating on top.  The shafts consist of three collapsible
sections.  Twisting each section in one direction releases the lock, and
twisting it in the opposite direction secures it in place.  The locks worked
very well initially, but the sections have started to slowly collapse when full
body weight is put on the pole after 3 years of use.
>
> The bottom of the pole is finished off with a narrow plastic basket and a
tungsten carbide tip.  The baskets are there to prevent the pole from sinking
into sand, snow, and mud.  I found them adequate when traversing packed snow. 
The carbide tip is shaped into a star pattern on the bottom.  This pattern
creates friction when traversing rocks.  The tips are capped with two pieces of
plastic for safety.  The caps are useful for safely transporting the poles on
public transit.
>
> When collapsed the entire pole is only 22 inches (55 cm) long.  This is short
enough to carry with airplane carryon luggage inside or outside a pack.  The TSA
did not give me any issue over carrying these on an airplane (with the above
mentioned tip caps on).
>
> FIELD USE
>
> These poles have seen approximately 60 days of usage on the trail.  The
following are some of the typical hikes on which I used them.
>
> I took these poles on 5-6 local hikes in the Catskill and Adirondack mountains
of New York over the summer.  On a recent representative hike, I covered 16-mile
(25-km) loop through the High Peaks area of the Adirondacks.  I climbed 7
summits in 2 days.  The maximum elevation was around 5,000 ft (1525 m).  Trails
were mostly dirt and rock.  It was very muddy on one of the days.  Temperature
ranged from 60-70 F (16-21 C).  The poles performed very well on this trip.
>
> I then used them in a 45-mile (72-km) 4-day hike through Sequoia National
Park, California to  climb Mt. Kiweah.  The weather was sunny.  Temperatures
ranged from 55-70 F (12-21 C).  The trails consisted of dirt, rock, and scree. 
The highest elevation was 13,800 feet (4200 m).  I twisted my knee right before
the ascent to Kiweah summit on day 2.  I spent the last two days limping, and
putting all my weight on the poles without any problems at all.  I was worried
that the twist locks would give out, but they held very well.
>
> I used them on an 8-day glacier hike in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in
Alaska.  The trip involved traversing glaciers, climbing boulders and snow, and
crossing many rivulets.  Temperatures ranged from 40-65 F (5-18 C).  Elevation
ranged from 1,500 - 8,000 ft (450-2450 m).  Many places were covered in deep
packed snow. Some of my companions used baskets from ski poles to prevent from
sinking into the snow.  I used the stock baskets and found them more than
adequate.  I haven't used the poles on freshly fallen loose snow.
>
> I also carried them on a 5-day trip to the Buckskin Gulch in the Arizona
desert.  This is a very narrow (sometimes have to squeeze through between walls)
13-mile (20-km) long slot canyon. It rained 3 days prior to my arrival, and the
gulch was still drying out from a flash flood.  Ground varied between desert
sand, clay, and ankle deep water.  Temperatures were around 90 F (32 C).  The
carbide tip on these poles has small teeth that are designed to grip the rock. 
On this trip wet clay built up around the tip and made the poles very slippery
when planted on a rock.  I had to frequently wash the tips in water puddles to
prevent this.  On this trip I also experienced a partial locking mechanism
failure.  I injured my ankle and compensated by putting more of my weight on the
pole.  Over time the sections slowly collapsed.  I lost approximately 2 inches
(5 cm) of pole length every 10 minutes and had to stop and adjust them.  I am
not certain whether this failure was due to mechanical design or environmental
causes such as sand getting into the mechanism.
>
>
>
> SUMMARY
>
> These are very compact and lightweight poles.  It is very convenient to carry
these poles as carryon luggage in an airplane by strapping them to the outside
of a pack.
>
> They served me very well in the moderate environments of Adirondack, Catskill,
and Sierra Nevada mountains.  My arms were never tired from the weight or the
grip.  I was disappointed with their performance in the Arizona desert after 2
years of use.  The locks began to lose their hold, and sections of the pole
began to collapse when full body weight was put on them.
>
>
>
> THINGS I LIKE
>
> The poles are lightweight, collapsible to travel size, and grip stone trails
very well.
>
> THINGS I DON'T LIKE
>
> After several years of use the locks have started to slip.
>
> SIGNATURE
>
> Andrei Girenkov
>
>
>
> This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
> Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
>

As requested:

http://tinyurl.com/bttvevv


--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "richardglyon" <montana.angler@...>
wrote:
>
> Andrei,
>
> Before I can edit this I need you to delete the older version of your Review
in the Tests/OR folder, upload the revised version, and post a link in tinyurl
format to this list. At this point I edit from the html version.
>
> Also, when reposting to this list after an edit, please include REPOST (not
Update), the product name, and your name in the subject line, as I requested in
my edits.
>
> Cheers, Richard
>
> --- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "agirenkov" <agirenkov@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > REI PEAK UL CARBON COMPACT TREKKING POLES
> > BY ANDREI GIRENKOV
> > OR
> > October 06, 2011
> >
> > TESTER INFORMATION
> >
> > NAME: ANDREI GIRENKOV
> > EMAIL: agirenkov[AT]yahoo[DOT]com
> > AGE: 29
> > LOCATION: New York, New York, USA
> > GENDER: M
> > HEIGHT: 5' 10" (1.78 m)
> > WEIGHT: 150 lb (68.00 kg)
> >
> > I have been backpacking for 6 years, mostly 3-season weekend trips in the
Adirondacks, and other parks in the Northeastern US.  Additionally, I try to
take at least one 5-7 day trip each summer to other destinations in Canada,
Western United States and Central America.  I use lightweight gear on a budget. 
My multi-day pack weight is around 20-25 lb (9-11kg).  I enjoy sleeping
comfortably and cooking a hot meal at night
> >
> > PRODUCT INFORMATION
> >
> > Manufacturer:  Komperdell for Recreational Equipment, Inc. (according to
packaging).
> > Year of Manufacture: 2008
> > Manufacturer's Website: <a href=http://www.rei.com>http://www.rei.com</a>
> > MSRP: US$129.00
> > Listed Weight: 11.2 oz (318 g)
> > Measured Weight: 12.4 oz (352 g)
> > Minimum length: 24 in (61 cm)
> > Maximum length: 49 in (125 cm)
> >
> >
> > The REI Peak UL Carbon Trekking Poles are made by Komperdell but marketed
under the REI brand.  They provide a very attractive feature set.
> >
> > The grips are made of contoured black foam.  This foam is comfortable and
rugged.  It has not torn in 3 years of use by me.   Attached to the grips are
black padded neoprene wrist straps.  The wrist straps are adjustable by the use
of a plastic wedge which allows adjustment when pulled out and secures them into
place when pushed back in.
> >
> > The shafts themselves are made of very dark greenish grey carbon fiber with
a clear protective coating on top.  The shafts consist of three collapsible
sections.  Twisting each section in one direction releases the lock, and
twisting it in the opposite direction secures it in place.  The locks worked
very well initially, but the sections have started to slowly collapse when full
body weight is put on the pole after 3 years of use.
> >
> > The bottom of the pole is finished off with a narrow plastic basket and a
tungsten carbide tip.  The baskets are there to prevent the pole from sinking
into sand, snow, and mud.  I found them adequate when traversing packed snow. 
The carbide tip is shaped into a star pattern on the bottom.  This pattern
creates friction when traversing rocks.  The tips are capped with two pieces of
plastic for safety.  The caps are useful for safely transporting the poles on
public transit.
> >
> > When collapsed the entire pole is only 22 inches (55 cm) long.  This is
short enough to carry with airplane carryon luggage inside or outside a pack. 
The TSA did not give me any issue over carrying these on an airplane (with the
above mentioned tip caps on).
> >
> > FIELD USE
> >
> > These poles have seen approximately 60 days of usage on the trail.  The
following are some of the typical hikes on which I used them.
> >
> > I took these poles on 5-6 local hikes in the Catskill and Adirondack
mountains of New York over the summer.  On a recent representative hike, I
covered 16-mile (25-km) loop through the High Peaks area of the Adirondacks.  I
climbed 7 summits in 2 days.  The maximum elevation was around 5,000 ft (1525
m).  Trails were mostly dirt and rock.  It was very muddy on one of the days. 
Temperature ranged from 60-70 F (16-21 C).  The poles performed very well on
this trip.
> >
> > I then used them in a 45-mile (72-km) 4-day hike through Sequoia National
Park, California to  climb Mt. Kiweah.  The weather was sunny.  Temperatures
ranged from 55-70 F (12-21 C).  The trails consisted of dirt, rock, and scree. 
The highest elevation was 13,800 feet (4200 m).  I twisted my knee right before
the ascent to Kiweah summit on day 2.  I spent the last two days limping, and
putting all my weight on the poles without any problems at all.  I was worried
that the twist locks would give out, but they held very well.
> >
> > I used them on an 8-day glacier hike in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in
Alaska.  The trip involved traversing glaciers, climbing boulders and snow, and
crossing many rivulets.  Temperatures ranged from 40-65 F (5-18 C).  Elevation
ranged from 1,500 - 8,000 ft (450-2450 m).  Many places were covered in deep
packed snow. Some of my companions used baskets from ski poles to prevent from
sinking into the snow.  I used the stock baskets and found them more than
adequate.  I haven't used the poles on freshly fallen loose snow.
> >
> > I also carried them on a 5-day trip to the Buckskin Gulch in the Arizona
desert.  This is a very narrow (sometimes have to squeeze through between walls)
13-mile (20-km) long slot canyon. It rained 3 days prior to my arrival, and the
gulch was still drying out from a flash flood.  Ground varied between desert
sand, clay, and ankle deep water.  Temperatures were around 90 F (32 C).  The
carbide tip on these poles has small teeth that are designed to grip the rock. 
On this trip wet clay built up around the tip and made the poles very slippery
when planted on a rock.  I had to frequently wash the tips in water puddles to
prevent this.  On this trip I also experienced a partial locking mechanism
failure.  I injured my ankle and compensated by putting more of my weight on the
pole.  Over time the sections slowly collapsed.  I lost approximately 2 inches
(5 cm) of pole length every 10 minutes and had to stop and adjust them.  I am
not certain whether this failure was due to mechanical design or environmental
causes such as sand getting into the mechanism.
> >
> >
> >
> > SUMMARY
> >
> > These are very compact and lightweight poles.  It is very convenient to
carry these poles as carryon luggage in an airplane by strapping them to the
outside of a pack.
> >
> > They served me very well in the moderate environments of Adirondack,
Catskill, and Sierra Nevada mountains.  My arms were never tired from the weight
or the grip.  I was disappointed with their performance in the Arizona desert
after 2 years of use.  The locks began to lose their hold, and sections of the
pole began to collapse when full body weight was put on them.
> >
> >
> >
> > THINGS I LIKE
> >
> > The poles are lightweight, collapsible to travel size, and grip stone trails
very well.
> >
> > THINGS I DON'T LIKE
> >
> > After several years of use the locks have started to slip.
> >
> > SIGNATURE
> >
> > Andrei Girenkov
> >
> >
> >
> > This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
> > Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
> >
>

Dear OR Editors,



I don't have any reports due this week so I thought I would put together an
OR for your editing pleasure. The html is at http://tinyurl.com/7j8s936 and
the text version follows below.  As usual, all constructive feedback is
welcome!  I have a number of OR's in the works, but I'll only burden you one
at a time!  I did notice a missing conversion in my bio which I have already
corrected.  Oops.  If you need me to repost a fresh copy, let me know!



-Bretter



Marmot Guides Down Sweater
Owner Review by Brett Haydin




TESTER INFORMATION


NAME:

Brett Haydin


EMAIL:

bhaydin AT hotmail DOT com


AGE:

38


LOCATION:

Salida, CO, USA


GENDER:

M


HEIGHT:

5' 11" (1.80 m)


WEIGHT:

200 lb (90.70 kg)


CHEST:

42 in (107 cm)


WAIST:

36 in (91 cm)


SLEEVE:

33 in (84 cm)

I started backpacking in Wisconsin as a youth, being involved in the Boy
Scouts programs. As a young adult, I worked at a summer camp leading
backpacking, canoeing and mountain biking trips. I now generally take short
weekend or day trips in rough, mountainous terrain, although I have
extensive experience in the upper Midwest as well. I take one or two longer
trips each year, where I typically carry about 40 lb (18 kg). I prefer to be
prepared and comfortable, but I have taken lightweight trips as well.



   _____


Product Information & Specifications


Year of Manufacture: 2010
Manufacturer: Marmot Mountain, LLC
Manufacturer's Website: www.marmot.com
<http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/OR%20-%20Marmo
t%20Guides%20-%20Brett%20Haydin/www.marmot.com>
MSRP: $165 US
Listed Weight: 1 lb 4.8 oz (590 g) for size medium
Measured Weight: 1 lb 7 oz (652 g) for size XL
Color Tested: Black
Colors Available: Blue Ocean/Surf, Forest/Fatigue, Gargoyle/Slate Grey,
Golden Yellow/Blue Ocean, Team Red/Brick
Size Tested: Extra Large (also available in small, medium, large and XXL)
Warranty: One year from purchase on defects in material or workmanship




Other Details provided by Manufacturer


* DriClime Lined Collar and Chin Guard - Moisture Wicking Fabric for
Comfort Around Your Neck and Face
* Zippered Handwarmer Pockets - Soft Fabric to Warm Hands
* Interior Zippered Pocket
* Wind Flap Behind Front Zipper - Protects Against Drafts
* Adjustable VelcroR Cuff - Adjustable Velcro Cuff
* Elastic Draw Cord Hem - For Adjustability in Serious Weather
* Angel-Wing MovementT - Allows Full Range of Motion in Arms so Jacket
Doesn't Ride Up
* 27 1/2" Center Back Length for Size Medium


Product Description


The Marmot Guides Down Sweater, hereafter referred to as the Guide or
sweater, is a 650-Fill down sweater with a full length zipper on the front.
650 -Fill refers to the down quality; 550-750 is considered very good and
750+ is considered excellent (and pricey!). The down is held in place by 6
in (15 cm) tubular baffels that run horizontally across the sweater, five in
all. The amount of the fill as well as it's loft combine to give the sweater
a "puffy" look. The sleeves use a box wall baffel construction; essentially
squares stitched into the fabric to keep the down equally distributed.

The inside of the collar is lined with fleece as are two pockets for my
hands. The collar is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide and is also down filled. The
collar is lined with Dri-Clime, as well as the chin guard. According to the
manufacturer, Dri-Clime is a moisture-management technology woven into the
fabric that enhances the wicking properties. It aids in spreading the
moisture away from my body and out through the layers.

The cuffs on the Guide are elastic and adjustable thanks to a Velcro tab.
The other adjustable are is the waist hem, which has an elastic draw cord in
the pockets. The draw cord is secured in place with a quick release that is
anchored to the jacket. I like this because I can just tug on the cord to
cinch it. There is also another pocket in the interior (my right as I am
wearing it) that is quite deep. In addition to being a great storage
location, the pocket doubles as a storage sack for the sweater. There is
also a fabric loop sewn into this interior pocket so when I have it stuffed
I can hang it; on a hook or a tree branch.

All the zippers are YKK zippers. There are several different zipper pulls
used. The exterior pulls are made of cord that is looped around the zipper
and then held together by a rubber tab with either "Marmot" or the logo
stamped on it. It is attractive and functional since it provides a solid
place to grab, even with a gloved hand. The interior zipper does not have a
pull attached to it. The sweater's exterior is made from 100% Polyester
ripstop DWR (Durable Water Repellent) nylon. The interior is 100% Polyester
embossed WR. The DWR finish helps to keep the sweater dry in a light snow or
rain.

There is a Marmot logo embroidered into the back-right shoulder. On the
front left is "Marmot" embroidered into the sweater. There are several tags
in the interior of the Guide. A patch with "Marmot" on it is sewn into the
center back. There is also a loop with "650 FILL" written on it to hang the
sweater with. Next to the hang loop is a sizing tag (mine says XL) as well
as "Made in China". On the lower right, there are five more tags sewn into
the sweater interior. One provides care instructions, two have fabric
information, one states the down lot number and the last has a bunch of
numbers, which I presume is some


Field Use


I purchased the Marmot Guides Down Sweater in December of 2010 as my first
down jacket. My hiking and backpacking takes my high up in the Colorado
Rockies, often over 14,000 ft (4,267 m) where temperatures can dip to -15 F
(-26 C) or lower not including wind chill factor. Even with windproof
shells, fleece layers just weren't sufficient so I needed an upgrade! I have
used the sweater faithfully for the past year on well over 20 trips
backpacking from 1-3 nights each. Most of my trips have been in the Colorado
Rocky Mountains, but I have also used the sweater in Utah, New Mexico and
Wisconsin. Elevations ranged from 500 - 14,400 ft (152 - 4,389 m) with
temperatures anywhere from -10 to 50 F (-23 to 10 C). It was probably warmer
on some trips, but I didn't wear it when it was warm!

In addition to a layering system for hiking, I used the Marmot Guides Down
Sweater as insulation on some overnights in lieu of a sleeping bag. I was
testing a unique wearable-bivy-jacket-combination for another manufacturer.
I spent approximately nine nights with this configuration.


General Impressions


I love my Marmot Guides Down Sweater. It is comfortable, warm and light;
what more could I ask for in an insulating layer?! The Guide has accompanied
my up dozens of mountains and kept me warm faithfully the past 11 months.
Generally speaking, we see wild temperature swings in Colorado; especially
at higher elevations. Many of my trips take me to campsites between 11,000
and 12,000 ft (3,350 and 3,660 m) where morning temperatures can be 15 F (-9
C) only to rise to 60 F (16 C) or higher in the afternoon. Because of this,
I even take the Guide with me well into the summer.

The sweater provides excellent warmth to weight ratio. Even though I start
out wearing the jacket in the morning, I can compress the jacket down to a
manageable size for a day pack, summit pack or back into my multi-day pack.
The picture to the left shows the compressed and packed size compared to a
ruler. I remember one chilly morning high up on Mt Elbert; the highest peak
in Colorado, where the morning temperature was 10 F (-12 C). On that trip, I
put on the Guide and was warm enough with just a base layer underneath as I
broke down camp.

I have found that the sweater is great to wear even when I need a wide range
of motion. I have snowshoed quite a bit in this sweater, always with
trekking poles. Whether I was tripping over my own two feet or reaching out
with a pole, I never felt like my movement was restricted at all. While
climbing Kit Carson Peak in Colorado, I also had to do a fair amount of hand
and foot scrambling which wasn't a problem either. The weather was mostly
too warm for the jacket, but it did cool off as a storm started to threaten.
I put the sweater on and was toasty warm again! The image at the top of this
review is of me on top of Mt Huron in Colorado in a similar scenario.

I really like the fleece-lined pockets and collars. While the interior
fabric is nice, the fleece makes winter weather much more tolerable. The
zippers continue to be easy to operate. The zipper pulls are still intact
and going strong. The only problem that I have had at all with durability
was last winter while bushwhacking through a forest. There were a number of
trees that were blown over and created a major obstacle for me. I should
have taken my snowshoes off, but I didn't. As a result I went crashing into
a tree that poked a hole in the fabric. It was a relatively small puncture
that only went through the exterior fabric, so a little patching tape and it
has held up well. I've crashed through my fair share of trees since, and
taken small tumbles down scree slopes and the Guide has held up just fine
since.

I mentioned that I used the jacket in part as sleeping gear this past year.
The product I was using at the time allowed for standard insulating fabrics
to take the place of a sleeping bag. One particular night was colder than
expected; a low of 35 F (2 C). Despite the cold, I stayed more or less warm.
In fact, it was my legs that were cold, not my upper body, and I think a lot
of that has to do with the lack of down pants.

I admit that I hate stopping to shed layers, especially in the winter when I
need to do it the most. As a result, I probably wear the Guide longer than I
should while hiking. Despite this, I haven't had the post-hike chills from
excessive perspiration ever while wearing this sweater. The back of the
sweater is subject to more moisture since it is next to my pack, but still I
feel like the jacket does a great job of shedding moisture. While I have
worn it under a shell as well, I can easily pull it out and let it dry off
as needed.

On especially gusty days, I do feel the wind blowing through the sweater.
Marmot makes no claims that this is windproof, only that there is some
protection from drafts. I don't have any problems with drafts, just heavy
winds! Of course, a shell worn over the Guide is a simple solution and I
always bring some form of a shell. My only complaint is that adding a shell
can really cause the heat to get trapped and more perspiration. On one final
note, I have used the jacket as a pillow from time to time. Because the
stow-away pouch is made completely of polyester, it does tend to slide
around a bit. However, it is quite comfortable as a pillow!


Summary


I am very happy with the Marmot Guides Down Sweater. It has become my "go
to" layer in cooler weather because of its light weight and warmth.

Pros:

* Lightweight
* Warm
* Easy to pack
* Doubles as a comfortable pillow

Cons:

* Wish the exterior fabric provided more wind protection





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

Time for a few ORs.  Here's one on a summer hat. Html version at
http://tinyurl.com/7rz8ped

Richard



TILLEY ENDURABLES TH4 HEMP HAT
Owner Review by Richard Lyon
November 28, 2011

Personal Details and Backpacking Background

Richard Lyon
Male, 65 years old
Height: 6'4" [1.91 m], Weight 205 lb [91 kg]
Home: Dallas, Texas USA
Email: Montana DOT angler AT gmail DOT com
Hat size: 7 5/8 US

I've been backpacking regularly in the Rockies since 1986. I do at least one
weeklong trip every summer, and often take three-day trips. I'm usually camping
in alpine terrain, at altitudes 5000 to 10000 ft (1500-3000 m). I prefer base
camp backpacking, a long hike in with day trips from camp. Recently I've been
actively reducing my pack weight, but still sleep in a floored tent and often
include my favorite camp conveniences. Summer camping is often planned around
flyfishing opportunities.

THE HAT

Tilley's TH4 is a medium-brimmed, medium-crowned, bush-style hat made of a
breathable hemp fabric.

Manufacturer: Tilley Endurables, www.tilley.com
Measurements, listed: Brim size: Front and back: 3.5 in [89 mm], Sides: 2.5 in
[64 mm], verified accurate

Weight, listed: 5.9 oz [167 g], size not specified
Weight, measured: 7.0 oz [198 g], size 7 5/8
Size: 7 5/8 US, available in one-eighth increments from 6 7/8 to 8+. Tilley's
website has a sizing chart that describes how to ascertain hat size.
Color: Natural.  Now available only in mocha.
MSRP: $84 US
Material: 100% natural hemp.  The hat has eight metal grommets: two on each side
of the crown for ventilation and two on each side for the reinforcing band that
hold the chin strap.
Related product: Tilley's TR5 is a similar hemp hat with a slightly narrower
brim.
Warranty: Tilley takes seriously the "Endurables" part of its name: "Guaranteed
for life not to wear out." For two years after purchase Tilley will also replace
any of its hats that is lost or stolen at a fifty per cent discount.

secret pocketThe TH4 has a simple yet sturdy construction.  The brim has a
heavyweight hem all around, and stitching every one-eighth of an inch (3 mm)
from there to the base of the crown.  The sides of the crown are two pieces,
with a visible inside stitch in the middle.  The lower inch (25 mm) is a strip
reinforced on the inside and outside, sewn to a single 2.5-inch (62 mm) strip of
fabric, sewn at its other end to a one-piece top.  All stitching is on the
inside/underside.  The two pairs of grommets are in the middle (looking front to
back), the strap holes on the reinforced strip and the ventilation holes just
below the top.

The strap is in fact a double strap, as shown in the photo, and it's adjustable
by loosening one of the loops, which automatically tightens the other one.  The
strap is made of shoelace-like fabric, one-quarter inch (6 mm) in width.

The underside of the top piece has Tilley's label (pictured) and a Tilley
signature feature – a secret pocket accessed by means of a hook-and-loop closure
at the bottom of the label.  The pocket is about five inches (13 cm) square,
large enough for a passport or money clip.

FIELD CONDITIONS

As an outdoorsman who is also a fair-skinned former redhead, for three decades
I've been under doctor's orders to take all possible precautions against
overexposure to the sun.  That includes high-SPF sunscreen, long-sleeved shirts,
and headgear.  The last of these has increased in importance as my hair has
decreased in scalp coverage.  Wearing a hat when outdoors has become second
nature.

Except for summer 2010, when I was testing another hat, in the five or so years
since I purchased the Tilley TH4 it's been my first hat choice more than any
other topper I own.  It's suitable for year-round use here in the Southwest, not
only for backcountry activities but also for casual wear outdoors – attendance
at sporting events or outdoor concerts (here in the western edge of our time
zone it can stay light until 10 pm in high summer), daily walks with my dog,
yard work, you name it.  Though I limit its use to spring through early autumn
in the Rockies, it gets a workout there too, especially on hiking or fishing
days.  I haven't kept count but I'm sure the TH4 has been on my head for more
than 300 days.

High temperatures on days I have worn it extend from 40-110 F (4-44 C), and the
hat has experienced most weather, from bright sun to a couple of thunderstorms
and everything in between, even a pea-sized hail storm on one afternoon.

OBSERVATIONS

Hat at Lake WorthBlocking the sun.  That's the main reason I wear a hat, and the
TH4 does this very well.  The brim is large enough to keep much of my face and
most of my neck in shadow in the brightest sunlight.  I haven't dispensed with
sunscreen, of course (Tilley advises 30 SPF or higher even when wearing one of
its hats) and so cannot attest to the hat's ability to block ultraviolet rays
(which Tilley claims is equal to SPF 50+), but the hat keeps my face cool and my
eyes from squinting.  Once in awhile on or near water I've experienced a bit of
glare reflected off first the water and then the underside of the brim, but this
has never severely impaired my vision.

The brim is flexible but fixed – I cannot adjust it much on its own.  If there
is particularly bright sunlight from one direction, say to the right just above
the horizon, I must tilt the entire hat to that side to lower the brim.

Blocking the rain.  Tilley says the hemp fabric "repels rain," and indeed it
does to a great extent. The tight weave of the hemp makes the TH4 impervious to
light rain, even to a brief thundershower.  After about an hour of continuous
exposure to rain, however, the hat starts to absorb some of the water and become
damp and heavy.  For this reason I'll wear a waterproof hat when I expect
sustained rain, or maybe even when the forecast is uncertain.  The TH4's brim is
floppy enough so that I can scrunch the TH4 under the hood of most of my rain
shells should I encounter a surprise downpour.

Breathability.  Though the hemp is not especially lightweight the TH4 breathes
exceptionally well.  One drawback of always wearing a hat is that it generates
perspiration where the fabric meets my head, a phenomenon made worse when
wearing some waterproof hats I own.  The inside headband of the TH4 and the
natural hemp wick away much of the sweat, especially if there's a breeze.  The
ventilation holes help circulate fresh air around the top of my head, and the
light-colored fabric reflects rather than absorbs light.  The TH4's overall
ventilation continues to work even in the brutal direct sunlight here in the
Southwest.  I have damp hair when I remove the TH4 when hitting a shady spot on
a 100+ F (38+ C) day, but much less than when I'm wearing tighter-fitting (i.e.
baseball cap) or waterproof hat.

Fit.  My favorite feature of this hat is individual sizing, that it's available
(as are most Tilley hats) in my exact hat size rather than a few broader size
ranges (S, M, L, etc) each of which requires some adjustment to fit my head. 
This meant that I could buy a hat that fit me as I like, with a small bit of
"give" around my forehead.  That aids ventilation and comfort (I don't like
tight-fitting hats), but I don't have to risk losing my lid in a gust of wind
because I can cinch up the chinstrap in windy conditions.

I bought this hat in a local retail store, ordering the TH4 in my size after
trying on several different sizes of other Tilley hats available there.  I
recommend that any interested buyer follow this procedure.

Other features.  I've only used the secret pocket once or twice, and then mostly
from curiosity.  It's suitable for an emergency wallet, with a bill or two,
driver's license, and credit card, but anything heavier I find to be
uncomfortably bulky.  A full wallet goes elsewhere.

The double chin strap takes some practice, but now I can easily manipulate it to
tighten it up in a stiff wind, or loosen it to permit me to push the hat back
when I get a respite from the sun.  The flat strap is much more comfortable
against my chin than the circular and denser straps on most of my other hats.

Durability and care.  Durability is another stick-out trait of the TH4.  Despite
regular use for five years this hat still looks great, smart enough even for
relatively formal frontcountry wear (garden party or outdoor lunch, say).  This
despite genuine mistreatment from its owner, as this hat has been stuffed into
my back every which way more times than I can count.  This may be the flip side
of the floppy brim; there's no wire or pressed material to deform.  It has
always emerged slightly wrinkled but functionally sound.

I have followed Tilley's advice of frequent washing, to avoid the build-up of
sweat stains.  Usually I'll wash the hat by hand, but occasionally it's gone
into my front-loading washer, gentle cycle.  In either case I use non-detergent
soap, placing a bit directly on a dirty spot or the headband.  The hat is always
air-dried. When dry I re-shape it by hand or, if I detect some misshaping, with
a knee in the crown and a tug on the opposite side.  There are a few persistent
stains on the sweatband and chin strap but none on the outside.

Summary.  Last summer's successful test of a sun hat from another manufacturer
cut the TH4's backcountry time when it's really hot (above 90 F/32 C) or when
I'm going to be on or near water.  But the TH4 still gets its innings in, in all
seasons and most weathers, in the woods and on the street.

WHAT I LIKE

Regular sizing –helps get just the right fit.

Blocks the sun

Breathes well

Comfortable chin strap

Really tough

WHAT I DON'T

No longer available in natural (so I'd better not lose the one I own).

Andrei,

Very well done. Just a few minor tweaks (same format: EDIT, Edit, Comment) and
one addition. After revising you may upload to http://tinyurl.com/bcs4qr  Be
sure to delete your Tests/OR folder copy.

As this is your second Owner Review, you are now officially a Newbie and
eligible to apply to test gear. Congratulations! To do this, you need to join
BGT's sister Yahoo group, backpackgeartestERS, and watch for Test Calls.  I know
that there are a few pending now, so get your application off!  A hint – keep
posting Owner Reviews. That will earn you credit with the Test Managers.

Cheers, Richard


  <<Manufacturer's Website: http://www.rei.com>>
EDIT: Your link isn't clickable – it should take you to the REI home page.
Please revise.

<<The locks worked very well initially, but the sections have started to slowly
collapse when full body weight is put on the pole after 3 years of use.>>
Edit: I'd move "after 3 years of use" to immediately after "but", for clarity.

<< The TSA did not give me any issue over carrying these on an airplane (with
the above mentioned tip caps on). >>
EDIT: The government security personnel did not give me [Non-Americans may be
unfamiliar with the TSA.]

<<Ground varied between desert sand, clay, and ankle deep water. >>
Edit: ankle-deep [with a hyphen]

<< I was disappointed with their performance in the Arizona desert after 2 years
of use. >>
Edit: Again, I'd move "after 2 years of use" to the beginning of the sentence. 
It was two years of use overall, not two years' use in the desert.

BIG AGNES FLY CREEK UL2
BY HARLAN GILES
ON
November 30, 2011

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Harlan Giles
EMAIL: harlangiles@...
AGE: 28
LOCATION: Castle Rock, CO
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 6' 0" (1.80 m)
WEIGHT: 190 lb (86.20 kg)

Backpacking Background:  I have been backpacking for 4 years now.  Most of my
trips include weekend hikes but I will also go out for 7-10 days at a time.  I
try to keep my pack light, but I also enjoy hiking with heavy loads at times. 
Most of my hiking consists of going into the back country here in Colorado, as I
enjoy being at high elevations and also challenging terrains.



FIELD USE

This fall, I used the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 on several back country trips. 
The longest of the trips being 7 days at 11,000 ft (3353 m) elevation above sea
level.  The weather and temperatures were a constant change.  During the night
it would get down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 Celsius) and during the
afternoon it would warm up to a balmy 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 celsius). 
There was also a storm that came in later in the week and it rained for 2 days
straight.  The wind was calm during the whole trip.

The Tent

<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "Fly Creek UL 2">>

Although the Fly Creek UL2 is advertised as a three season tent, it performed
flawlessly in all the weather conditions that were experienced.  The tent
includes a stuff sack which compresses it down to approximately 6" x 19" (15.25
cm x 48.25 cm).  This made the tent easy to backpack in as it is lightweight and
small.  If having as much pack space as possible is important to you, then you
will love this tent.

During the two straight days of rain, the tent held up well.  By using the
included rain fly, there was never a condensation build up and the inside of the
tent never got wet.  The tent bottom comes up the sides to help with keeping it
waterproof.  Although the tent is mesh on top, it never became too cold while
sleeping at night.  I would say though that this would not be the tent for below
0 degree Fahrenheit (-17 celsius) camping.  The front vestible of the tent was
good for storing my pack and boots while sleeping at night.  Although when it
rained, the vestible became useless.

Big Agnes describes the tent as:

Three season, free standing, ultralight backpacking tent
DAC Featherlite NSL pole system with press fit connectors and lightweight hubs -
featuring eco-friendly anodizing
All DAC poles made from TH72M aluminum: the latest technology in lightweight
tent poles featuring improved durability
Fly is ultralight silicone treated nylon rip-stop with a 1200mm waterproof
polyurethane coating
Floor is ultralight silicone treated nylon rip-stop with a 1200mm waterproof
polyurethane coating
Tent body is ultralight breathable nylon rip-stop and polyester mesh
Mesh body offers excellent ventilation
Single hub/pole design makes set up easy
DAC Twist clips attach tent body to the pole frame for quick and easy set up
Single door and vestibule
Three side mesh pockets included
Reflective guyline and reflective webbing on tent corners for nighttime
visibility
All seams taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane (No PVC or VOC's)
tape
Gear loft loops included: Fits Big Agnes TRIANGLE gear loft - sold separately
11 Superlight aluminum J stakes - featuring eco-friendly anodizing - included

Specifications are:

Trail Weight 2lb 2oz
Packed Weight 2lb 10oz
Footprint Weight 5oz
Fast Fly Weight 1lb 11oz
Packed Size 6" x 19"
Floor Area 28sq ft
Vestibule Area 7sq ft
Head Height 38"
Foot Height 24




THINGS I LIKE

There are many things I liked about the tent.

1.  It is very lightweight and packs down small
2.  It is fast and easy to set up - I can set the tent up in 5 minutes or less
3.  It held up well during the rain and did not leak
4.  The vestible in the front was good for storing items when it wasn't raining
5.  The tent is free standing.  This made it a breeze for setting up.
6.  The rain-fly can be used with a footprint during the warmer months to
provide a cover and allow for   ultralight camping.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

Although there were several things I did like about the tent, I do feel there
are areas of improvement.

1.  The fabric is thin and looks like it could rip easy.
2.  Without the use of a footprint, the bottom of the tent can be easily
damaged.
3.  Expensive - the tent retails for $349.95
4.  Small.  Although the tent is advertised as a 2 person tent, I found it
cramped with 1 person and their gear inside.



This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.

BIG AGNES FLY CREEK UL2
BY HARLAN GILES
OR
November 30, 2011

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Harlan Giles
EMAIL: harlangiles@...
AGE: 28
LOCATION: Castle Rock, CO
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 6' 0" (1.80 m)
WEIGHT: 190 lb (86.20 kg)

Backpacking Background:  I have been backpacking for 4 years now.  Most of my
trips include weekend hikes but I will also go out for 7-10 days at a time.  I
try to keep my pack light (less than 20 lbs (9 kg)), but I also enjoy hiking
with heavy loads at times (40-50 lbs (18 - 23 kg)).  Most of my hiking consists
of going into the back country here in Colorado, as I enjoy being at high
elevations and also challenging terrains.  The terrain ranges from aspen and
pine trees to high alpine tundra.

FIELD USE

This fall, I used the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 on several back country trips. 
The longest of the trips being 7 days at 11,000 ft (3353 m) elevation above sea
level.  The weather and temperatures were a constant change.  During the night
it would get down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 Celsius) and during the
afternoon it would warm up to a balmy 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 celsius). 
There was also a storm that came in later in the week and it rained for 2 days
straight.  The wind was calm during the whole trip.

The Tent

Although the Fly Creek UL2 is advertised as a three season tent, it performed
flawlessly in all the weather conditions that were experienced.  The tent
includes a stuff sack which compresses it down to approximately 6" x 19" (15.25
cm x 48.25 cm).  This made the tent easy to backpack in as it is lightweight and
small.  If having as much pack space as possible is important then this is a
great tent since it packs small.

During the two straight days of rain, the tent held up well.  By using the
included rain fly, there was never a condensation build up and the inside of the
tent never got wet.  The tent bottom comes up the sides to help with keeping it
waterproof.  Although the tent is mesh on top, it never became too cold while
sleeping at night.  I would say though that this would not be the tent for below
0 degree Fahrenheit (-17 celsius) camping.  The front vestible of the tent was
good for storing my pack and boots while sleeping at night.  Although when it
rained, the vestible became useless.

Big Agnes describes the tent as:

Three season, free standing, ultralight backpacking tent
DAC Featherlite NSL pole system with press fit connectors and lightweight hubs -
featuring eco-friendly anodizing
All DAC poles made from TH72M aluminum: the latest technology in lightweight
tent poles featuring improved durability
Fly is ultralight silicone treated nylon rip-stop with a 1200mm waterproof
polyurethane coating
Floor is ultralight silicone treated nylon rip-stop with a 1200mm waterproof
polyurethane coating
Tent body is ultralight breathable nylon rip-stop and polyester mesh
Mesh body offers excellent ventilation
Single hub/pole design makes set up easy
DAC Twist clips attach tent body to the pole frame for quick and easy set up
Single door and vestibule
Three side mesh pockets included
Reflective guyline and reflective webbing on tent corners for nighttime
visibility
All seams taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane (No PVC or VOC's)
tape
Gear loft loops included: Fits Big Agnes TRIANGLE gear loft - sold separately
11 Superlight aluminum J stakes - featuring eco-friendly anodizing - included

Specifications from Big Agnes are:

Trail Weight 2lb 2oz
Packed Weight 2lb 10oz
Footprint Weight 5oz
Fast Fly Weight 1lb 11oz
Packed Size 6" x 19"
Floor Area 28sq ft
Vestibule Area 7sq ft
Head Height 38"
Foot Height 24


THINGS I LIKE

There are many things I liked about the tent.
1.  It is very lightweight and packs down small
2.  It is fast and easy to set up - I can set the tent up in 5 minutes or less
3.  It held up well during the rain and did not leak
4.  The vestible in the front was good for storing items when it wasn't raining
5.  The tent is free standing.  This made it a breeze for setting up.
6.  The rain-fly can be used with a footprint during the warmer months to
provide a cover and allow for   ultralight camping.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

Although there were several things I did like about the tent, I do feel there
are areas of improvement.
1.  The fabric is thin and looks like it could rip easy.
2.  Without the use of a footprint, the bottom of the tent can be easily
damaged.
3.  Expensive - the tent retails for $349.95
4.  Small.  Although the tent is advertised as a 2 person tent, I found it
cramped with 1 person and their gear inside.

SIGNATURE

Harlan Giles



This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "harlangiles@..." <harlangiles@...>
wrote:
>
> BIG AGNES FLY CREEK UL2
> BY HARLAN GILES
> ON
> November 30, 2011
>
> TESTER INFORMATION
>
> NAME: Harlan Giles
> EMAIL: harlangiles@...
> AGE: 28
> LOCATION: Castle Rock, CO
> GENDER: M
> HEIGHT: 6' 0" (1.80 m)
> WEIGHT: 190 lb (86.20 kg)
>
> Backpacking Background:  I have been backpacking for 4 years now.  Most of my
trips include weekend hikes but I will also go out for 7-10 days at a time.  I
try to keep my pack light, but I also enjoy hiking with heavy loads at times. 
Most of my hiking consists of going into the back country here in Colorado, as I
enjoy being at high elevations and also challenging terrains.
>
>
>
> FIELD USE
>
> This fall, I used the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 on several back country trips. 
The longest of the trips being 7 days at 11,000 ft (3353 m) elevation above sea
level.  The weather and temperatures were a constant change.  During the night
it would get down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 Celsius) and during the
afternoon it would warm up to a balmy 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 celsius). 
There was also a storm that came in later in the week and it rained for 2 days
straight.  The wind was calm during the whole trip.
>
> The Tent
>
> <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "Fly Creek UL 2">>
>
> Although the Fly Creek UL2 is advertised as a three season tent, it performed
flawlessly in all the weather conditions that were experienced.  The tent
includes a stuff sack which compresses it down to approximately 6" x 19" (15.25
cm x 48.25 cm).  This made the tent easy to backpack in as it is lightweight and
small.  If having as much pack space as possible is important to you, then you
will love this tent.
>
> During the two straight days of rain, the tent held up well.  By using the
included rain fly, there was never a condensation build up and the inside of the
tent never got wet.  The tent bottom comes up the sides to help with keeping it
waterproof.  Although the tent is mesh on top, it never became too cold while
sleeping at night.  I would say though that this would not be the tent for below
0 degree Fahrenheit (-17 celsius) camping.  The front vestible of the tent was
good for storing my pack and boots while sleeping at night.  Although when it
rained, the vestible became useless.
>
> Big Agnes describes the tent as:
>
> Three season, free standing, ultralight backpacking tent
> DAC Featherlite NSL pole system with press fit connectors and lightweight hubs
- featuring eco-friendly anodizing
> All DAC poles made from TH72M aluminum: the latest technology in lightweight
tent poles featuring improved durability
> Fly is ultralight silicone treated nylon rip-stop with a 1200mm waterproof
polyurethane coating
> Floor is ultralight silicone treated nylon rip-stop with a 1200mm waterproof
polyurethane coating
> Tent body is ultralight breathable nylon rip-stop and polyester mesh
> Mesh body offers excellent ventilation
> Single hub/pole design makes set up easy
> DAC Twist clips attach tent body to the pole frame for quick and easy set up
> Single door and vestibule
> Three side mesh pockets included
> Reflective guyline and reflective webbing on tent corners for nighttime
visibility
> All seams taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane (No PVC or VOC's)
tape
> Gear loft loops included: Fits Big Agnes TRIANGLE gear loft - sold separately
> 11 Superlight aluminum J stakes - featuring eco-friendly anodizing - included
>
> Specifications are:
>
> Trail Weight 2lb 2oz
> Packed Weight 2lb 10oz
> Footprint Weight 5oz
> Fast Fly Weight 1lb 11oz
> Packed Size 6" x 19"
> Floor Area 28sq ft
> Vestibule Area 7sq ft
> Head Height 38"
> Foot Height 24
>
>
>
>
> THINGS I LIKE
>
> There are many things I liked about the tent.
>
> 1.  It is very lightweight and packs down small
> 2.  It is fast and easy to set up - I can set the tent up in 5 minutes or less
> 3.  It held up well during the rain and did not leak
> 4.  The vestible in the front was good for storing items when it wasn't
raining
> 5.  The tent is free standing.  This made it a breeze for setting up.
> 6.  The rain-fly can be used with a footprint during the warmer months to
provide a cover and allow for   ultralight camping.
>
> THINGS I DON'T LIKE
>
> Although there were several things I did like about the tent, I do feel there
are areas of improvement.
>
> 1.  The fabric is thin and looks like it could rip easy.
> 2.  Without the use of a footprint, the bottom of the tent can be easily
damaged.
> 3.  Expensive - the tent retails for $349.95
> 4.  Small.  Although the tent is advertised as a 2 person tent, I found it
cramped with 1 person and their gear inside.
>
>
>
> This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
> Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
>

Thank you for your help Richard, the review is uploaded and I joined the testers
group.  When you suggest to post more Owner Reviews - do I do that through this
group, through the testers group, or on my own?

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "richardglyon" <montana.angler@...>
wrote:
>
> Andrei,
>
> Very well done. Just a few minor tweaks (same format: EDIT, Edit, Comment) and
one addition. After revising you may upload to http://tinyurl.com/bcs4qr  Be
sure to delete your Tests/OR folder copy.
>
> As this is your second Owner Review, you are now officially a Newbie and
eligible to apply to test gear. Congratulations! To do this, you need to join
BGT's sister Yahoo group, backpackgeartestERS, and watch for Test Calls.  I know
that there are a few pending now, so get your application off!  A hint – keep
posting Owner Reviews. That will earn you credit with the Test Managers.
>
> Cheers, Richard
>
>
>  <<Manufacturer's Website: http://www.rei.com>>
> EDIT: Your link isn't clickable – it should take you to the REI home page.
Please revise.
>
> <<The locks worked very well initially, but the sections have started to
slowly collapse when full body weight is put on the pole after 3 years of use.>>
> Edit: I'd move "after 3 years of use" to immediately after "but", for clarity.
>
> << The TSA did not give me any issue over carrying these on an airplane (with
the above mentioned tip caps on). >>
> EDIT: The government security personnel did not give me [Non-Americans may be
unfamiliar with the TSA.]
>
> <<Ground varied between desert sand, clay, and ankle deep water. >>
> Edit: ankle-deep [with a hyphen]
>
> << I was disappointed with their performance in the Arizona desert after 2
years of use. >>
> Edit: Again, I'd move "after 2 years of use" to the beginning of the sentence.
It was two years of use overall, not two years' use in the desert.
>

Andrei,

ORs are posted to this list. Same process as the first two - plain text posted
here, html to the Tests/Owner Review folder, and then edited by one of our
editors.

Regarding your OR on the Peak poles, your link to  REI's website is still not
clickable. Please revise so that when clicked one goes to REI's homepage.

Thanks, Richard

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "agirenkov" <agirenkov@...> wrote:
>
> Thank you for your help Richard, the review is uploaded and I joined the
testers group.  When you suggest to post more Owner Reviews - do I do that
through this group, through the testers group, or on my own?
>

> >  <<Manufacturer's Website: http://www.rei.com>>
> > EDIT: Your link isn't clickable – it should take you to the REI home page.
Please revise.
> >