Find attached my long term report for the YakTrax Pro, HTML can be
found here: http://tinyurl.com/28yzya

thanks

kathryn

----

Yaktrax Pro


Mar 1 2007


YakTrax Pro
Image from YakTrax.com


Personal Information:
Name: Kathryn Doiron
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Height: 1.7 m (5' 8")
Weight: 68 kg (150 lb)
Email: kdoiron 'at' gmail 'dot' com
Location: Washington DC, USA

Brief Background:

I started backpacking and hiking seriously almost four years ago. Most
of my miles have been logged in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. I
have recently finished 1200+ miles (2000+ km) of the Appalachian
trail. My style is to be as light as possible while not spending a
fortune. My pack weight tends to hover around 25lbs (11 kg). I have
recently started getting into winter hiking, snowshoeing and kayaking.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: YakTrax
Material: Black rubber with steel coils
Website: http://www.yaktrax.com
MSRP: US$27.95
Weight (as stated): Not stated
Weight (measured): 4.6 oz (130 g)
Size: Medium
Sized shoe: woman's 10-11 (men's 9)
Long Term Report:

Over the last few months, snow and ice have finally graced the city
and woods and I have been out giving the YakTrax a good workout, as
well as myself. The terrain I have been hiking over has been
relatively flat with modest climbing but the trail has been rocky with
root hazards. With the snow and ice, I have not been able to see the
rocks and roots. TheYakTrax have been able to give me a much better
grip then the soles of my shoes alone but I have had some gripping
problems when the rocks are not iced over. When there is nothing for
theYakTrax to grip onto I have found that they tend to simply slide
over the surface. I have experienced this on rocks mostly, but I did
find myself inside on linoleum tiling and felt like I was on a skating
rink before I pulled off theYakTrax.

I have used the YakTrax both with and without the performance strap
and found that I feel more comfortable with the strap on. I am not
sure if this is just my feeling. The strap does not hinder either the
removal or the placing on of theYakTrax and I have not determined if
the strap helps keep the YakTrax on. For mental security, I have felt
better with it on. The performance strap can make pulling the YakTrax
on a little more difficult if I have the strap set too tight, I then
have to loosen the strap to pull the YakTrax on. Most of the time, I
set the strap for the shoes in the morning, then I can pull them on
and off without readjusting. The YakTrax can be a little tough to pull
on when standing. I have bad knees which makes putting one ankle on
the other knee maneuver a little painful for me. I have pulled
theYakTrax on successfully using this maneuver and slightly less
successfully by trying to pull them on in the air. When pulling on the
YakTrax , I find I have to pull them out further past the heel then
make sure the rubber catches on each side of the heel before pulling
over the heel. As theYakTrax make for a snug fit, the extra pull can
be a little difficult but does allow for me to pull the YakTrax on
with one hand. This lets me grab a tree for support with the other
hand. I do find that when I am wearing thin gloves, it is possible to
pull the YakTrax on but I sometimes get the fabric of the glove caught
between the rubber and the shoe. Thicker gloves tend to get in the
way.

The YakTrax are in great shape still. There is some rusting on one
coil but the rubber is in good shape showing no sign of cracking. The
rubber is still pliable and has a good stretch to it allowing me to
pull theYakTrax out past the heel. The Velcro performance strap still
grips to itself well and the rubber slots that it is threaded through
are holding up well, with no stretching. I have noticed that when I
wear theYakTrax on shoes, I can feel the hug of the rubber ring around
the shoe. This is a minor annoyance that disappears once I get back
into walking mode. As for the boots, they are much stiffer and I have
not noticed this rubber hug with the boots. The rubber grips nicely to
the leather and has not caused any scratching or chaffing on the
leather. On suede, the rubber does leave a mark, but it looks like the
nap of the suede hassimply been rubbed the wrong way. The marks
eventually go away or I can take a buff brush and remove it faster.


Testing Terrain:

The Yaktrax have been tested about equally with both Asolo leather
boots and low rise trail hikers. Conditions encountered have included
some slush, snow and packed snow, and ice. Mostly the hikes have been
with little to no elevation gain but otherwise rugged. Temperatures
have varied from just above freezing to -20 C (-4 F). I have used
theYakTrax in Boston area hikes, Montreal area hikes and lately in DC
area hikes. A few of the more recent hikes have included the C&O canal
and various local parks and hikes around the C&O canal. The terrain on
the C&O is flat but the trails around the C&O is rocky and root
filled. The trails are well trod and sometimes the rocks are polished
smooth. The snow is well packed on the trail giving theYakTrax a nice
base to grip onto.


Pros:

       - Flexible and pliable rubber frame adapted well to different footwear

       - Coils form a criss cross pattern to prevent directional slippage


Cons:

       - Coils difficult to walk on with little or no snow underneath

The swine at the cable company cut me off because I didn't pay.  The nerve
of some people!  There won't be an update tonight...and as I'm typing this,
I'm realizing that this mail won't go out tonight either...duh...

I wonder if my dialup account works...

Shane

I haven't gotten any messages in quite a while - last night sometime.

Kathy

I have generated, and posted teh FR in the TEST folder.

The 3rd line states FIELD Report and the 4th line gives a date. I don't
want them in the report at that location.

Can anyone tell me how to remove these lines?

Ed morse

BGT and Outdoor Research are proud to bring you the OR
Celestial Jacket and Pants. Folks, together as a set,
they are less than a pound.

This test will be one test call but two seperate
reports. You will receive the Jacket and the Pants but
you need to post two seperate reports. Below is the
skinny on this awesome set of Rain gear.

Waterproof/breathable fabrics and fully taped seams
form the first line of defense against the elements.

Pants:
These light, compressible shell pants offer excellent
weather protection and take up very little space in
your pack. Side zips help them go on over your boots
or running shoes in a hurry.

http://www.orgear.com/home/style/home/apparel/apparel_shells/apparel_shells_stor\
m/55180


Jacket:
The Celestial is a light, compressible shell with
all-season features. It provides solid protection in
the backcountry, without adding weight or bulk to your
pack. The TorsoFlo™ side zippers allow it to ventilate
like a poncho on wet trail days.

http://www.orgear.com/home/style/home/apparel/apparel_shells/apparel_shells_stor\
m/55140


Fine Print:
Newbie Limit DOES apply
International IS welcomed
Please include 'Celestial' and 'Application' in the
subject line.

Everybody needs a nice set of ran gear so lets see
some apps flowing in here. This is VERY light for a
Gore-tex set of rain gear.

This call will end Thursday March 8th @ 11:59pm (EST)

Happy Applicating!
Chuck Carnes



________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.
http://new.mail.yahoo.com

Ray Estrella OOP through March 5th

Dave and I are doing a first (for us) winter ascent of San Gorgonio,
and then I am off to Utah for snowshoeing and such…

I will collect the apps for the Delorme Earthmate GPS when I get back.
Nothing else affected.

Ray

I am headed out this evening on a cross-country skiing / yurt trip.  The FRs for
the OR Men's Sequence LS T-shirts have been uploaded; no impact there.  As far
as my personal tests go, no impact there either.

Ryan L. Christensen
E-mail: mailto:bigdawgryan@...

"Excellence is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle



________________________________________________________________________________\
____
The fish are biting.
Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing.
http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php

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

> Thanks to whoever created the STABILicers Lite link under Snow
Gear>Traction
> Aids.  However, there aren't any folder links for the individual
testers.
> I'm ready to upload when you all are.

Please upload it into the test folder using the Test Report radio
button.

Individual folders are no longer created for individual testers.

Shane
List Admin

> I have generated, and posted teh FR in the TEST folder.

Looks good, too.

> The 3rd line states FIELD Report and the 4th line gives a date. I
> don't want them in the report at that location.
>
> Can anyone tell me how to remove these lines?

I could tell you how to remove them, but instead I'll tell you how to
make it right.  :)

You have:

Field Report
TEST SERIES BY EDWIN MORSE
FIELD REPORT
February 23, 2007

What you should do is replace the TITLE in the Field Report in the
Report Writer with "Outdoor Research Snowline Mitts", like this:

OUTDOOR RESEARCH SNOWLINE MITTS
TEST SERIES BY EDWIN MORSE
FIELD REPORT
February 23, 2007

The date can be changed in the Report Writer by editing the report
header - which is on the first tab when you open the Report Editor.
The date is required to be compliant with the Bylaws, so you
shouldn't remove it.

If you have any trouble with this, please let me know and I'll walk
you through it.

Shane
Report Writer Writer

Hi Karl, the html version of your field report looks good, go ahead
and upload to the folder created for this headlamp when you're ready.
Be sure to delete your report in the Test folder. Thanks! Will



--- In backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com, "Karl" <zkyf@...> wrote:
>
> Gday Will,
> FR in test folder ready for final edits and/or approval.
>
> http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/TESTS/FR%20PT%20Quad%20-%
> 20Karl%20Fuderer/
>
> I look forward to hearing from you,
> Karl
>

A glimmer of hope.  Yeah!!  Mine still has not arrived though.  I
guess it takes a bit longer to get all the way over to the West!!! :)

jamie in AZ

> --- edwardripleyduggan <erd@...> wrote:
>
> > RECEIVED: VALANDRE MIRAGE--TED/ATTN: CHUCK CARNES
> >
> > Hi Chuck,
> >
> > Received via DHL today. IR to follow. Nice bag.
> > Timing, while it's
> > late here, should be OK. Still cold enough to check
> > out the lower limits.
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > Ted.
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
_____________________________________________________________________
_______________
> Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate
> in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.
> http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545367
>

Hi Kathy. Sorry for the delay, I have been out snow camping for a couple of
days.  Your html version looks good, great photos.  I have one comment and a few
edits for you to consider below. Go ahead and upload when ready, and be sure to
delete your FR in the Test folder. Thanks, Will Rietveld, Test Monitor.

COMMENT: Kathy, under the new report system, the Bylaws say "Testers should
append their Field Test Report in a clearly delineated section." As you have it
in your html version, the reader doesn't know where the IR ends and the FR
begins. I believe it should say specifically state Field Report, the date, and
note that it reflects 2 months of testing.


While I did not witness any precipitation myself, there was in excess of 4
ft (1 m) fresh powder in Winter
EDIT: 4 feet is 1.2 meters


The teeth on both the FLIGHTboot and the FLIGHTdeck would surely
destroy my luggage (with the help of the baggage handlers, I thought.
EDIT: Needs a )


In the 4+ ft (1 m) of powder, I only sank down about 8"
(20 cm) which was not bad at all!
EDIT: 4 feet is 1.2 meters. I also suggest you use only one abbreviation system,
so if you use "ft" for feet, use "in" for inches.


I was able to determine the depth of the
off-trail powder by plunging my hiking pole into the snow which covered the
pole right up to the top. (Above right picture)
EDIT: Confusing, could you re-phrase this?


With only
about 5 mi (8 km)left to go to the trailhead, I was starting to get tired
and was stumbling along.
EDIT: Needs a space after ( )


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

Worth the wait, IMHO; very cool fabric, très
chic. Can't speak for performance yet, but the
down quality just feels excellent.


At 05:52 PM 3/1/2007, you wrote:

>A glimmer of hope. Yeah!! Mine still has not arrived though. I
>guess it takes a bit longer to get all the way over to the West!!! :)
>
>jamie in AZ
>
> > --- edwardripleyduggan <erd@...> wrote:
> >
> > > RECEIVED: VALANDRE MIRAGE--TED/ATTN: CHUCK CARNES
> > >
> > > Hi Chuck,
> > >
> > > Received via DHL today. IR to follow. Nice bag.
> > > Timing, while it's
> > > late here, should be OK. Still cold enough to check
> > > out the lower limits.
> > >
> > > Best,
> > >
> > > Ted.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>__________________________________________________________
>_______________
> > Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate
> > in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.
> >
>
<http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545367>http://answers.yahoo.com/\
dir/?link=list&sid=396545367
> >
>
>

Hi Jason. You're sure giving these a thorough test! Thanks for including lots of
photos. I have a few comments and edits for you to consider. Go ahead and upload
when ready, and delete your FR in the Test Folder. Thanks! Will Rietveld, Test
Monitor.


FWIW: Both "floatation" and "flotation" are used to mean buoyancy, but
"flotation" is more common. When I Google it, "flotation" is used more often.
You use both in your report, I suggest you choose one spelling and use it
consistently.


The only thing I don't like is that I cannot put my shoes into the FLIGHTboot
while wearing them; I have to take them off.
COMMENT: I had to read this several times to get the meaning. Perhaps it would
help to elaborate. Apparently your shoe fits very tightly in the FlightBoot, so
you can't just slip it in. Later on you mention that you got a hot spot from
your shoe sliding inside the FlightBoot; that seems to conflict with this.


The steel cleats on the boots have provided good traction and the boots
themselves have provided good flotation while on packed trails.
COMMENT: Here you use "flotation"; in the summary you spelled it "floatation".


The
floatation was only ok, but it is what I expected based on the size of the deck
and the unusually dry, fluffy snow that we received before and during my trips.
COMMENT: "floatation" this time


The boot cleats are
definitely showing signs of wear, but no more than I expected based on the harsh
conditions that I have put the through.
EDIT: .put them through.


As I mentioned earlier in my Field
Conditions, I walked for a total of 3 miles on a muddy gravelly trail that had
some bigger rocks. Not the ideal situation for the boots, but it is all I had
and I knew the snow would get deep as I gained elevation.
COMMENT: The reader will be wondering how well the boots did in the mud and
gravel. Any damage to the boots, or did the mud on the boots interfere with
putting the decks on later?


  I have not noticed any wear or
problems with the flexible hypalon where the binding connects to the deck.
EDIT: Hypalon is a proper name and is capitalized.


They did a good job shedding snow and did
not seem get wet during stream crossings or breaking trail.
EDIT: .did not seem to get wet.


The boots did not freeze solid like I expected, but where a little bit
difficult to get on the next morning.
EDIT: .but were a little difficult.


Please check back in several months for my Long
Term Report.
COMMENT: about two months





   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Jason Boyle
   To: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com ; willi_wabbit@...
   Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 10:28 PM
   Subject: Kahtoola FR - Jason B


   Will,
   Here is my FR, html can be found here http://tinyurl.com/2vmpm2

   Field Report - February 28, 2007

   Summary:
   I think the Kahtoola Flight System is a very neat system.  I have been happy
with the boots especially on packed trail and how much warmth they provide.  The
deck provides decent floatation and performs well on packed trail, but doesn't
perform very well in off trail or side hilling conditions. Additionally, I have
had one problem where the boots froze to the deck and I was unable to remove the
boots until the boots had thawed out at home.
   Field Conditions:
   I have used the Kahtoola's on 4 trips so far; three day trips and one
overnight backpacking trip.  The terrain for the trips included packed trails,
unpacked trails, and some serious off trail snowshoeing with a 30-45 degree
ridge ascent.  One of the trips also included using the boots on a mostly
muddy/gravel trail with some rocks for a total of 3 miles. Temperatures ranged
from 8 F to 32 F (-13 C to 0 C).  Elevation ranged from sea level to 4700' (1433
m) and I encountered pouring rain, blowing snow and a single clear day!



   Report:
   The Kahtoola Flight System is a very interesting product and based on my
experience thus far I would say the system is best suited for packed trails or
trails that require little sidehilling.  I am extremely happy with how easy it
is to use the entire system.  I have continued to use my Nike Air Zoom Cascades
as my trail shoe inside of the FLIGHTboot.  These trail runners have worked well
and I have been able to take them in and out of the boots with little effort. 
The only thing I don't like is that I cannot put my shoes into the FLIGHTboot
while wearing them; I have to take them off.  The zipper and hook and loop
fastener are easy to open and close and still look new.  The ratcheting buckle
on the boot has also performed well, but requires adjustment several times a
hike to ensure a tight fit.  Snow can build up underneath one end of the tab
causing the tab to come up and loosen the ratcheting mechanism.  I was surprised
by this the first time that it happened, but once I realized what happened I
began to check the ratcheting mechanism on my rest stops.  The steel cleats on
the boots have provided good traction and the boots themselves have provided
good flotation while on packed trails.  Off of packed trails the boots sink into
the snow like any other boot would.
   The decks are super simple to use as well, especially the step in feature that
the decks provide.  While my hiking partners are fumbling with straps and
gloves, I set the decks down and line up the front cleats with the SKYHOOK
binding and step in then I eat a snack while my partners catch up!  When I am
ready to take the decks off I usually have to just pull the T handle and shake
my foot a bit and the decks come off.  I say usually because I had one instance
where I could not get the boots off of the deck.  They had frozen to the deck. 
This is a serious problem for me because the last thing I want to happen on an
overnight or multiday trip is to not be able to take off my snowshoes.  I talked
to Kahtoola about this problem and they are aware of it and working on a fix. 
They explained to me that there is a gap on the binding where snow can enter and
if enough of it packs into the binding it can freeze and not allow the boot to
be released.  It has only happened to me once, but it is enough to make me wary
about using them on another overnight trip.
   Not everything is rosy though.  The traction provided by the decks leaves a
lot to be desired on the terrain that I find myself on here in the Pacific
Northwest.  Most of the trails in the Cascades are fairly steep and skirt the
side of ridges requiring snowshoes that have good sidehill traction which the
FLIGHTdecks do not have.  On two of my trips, my hiking partners were easily
crossing angled ridges while I was slipping and sliding off of the trail.  The
floatation was only ok, but it is what I expected based on the size of the deck
and the unusually dry, fluffy snow that we received before and during my trips.
   The boots and decks appear to be pretty durable.  The boot cleats are
definitely showing signs of wear, but no more than I expected based on the harsh
conditions that I have put the through.  As I mentioned earlier in my Field
Conditions, I walked for a total of 3 miles on a muddy gravelly trail that had
some bigger rocks.  Not the ideal situation for the boots, but it is all I had
and I knew the snow would get deep as I gained elevation.
   The deck is showing some signs of wear near the heel block from the rear
cleats on the boots contacting the protective plastic surrounding the heel
block.  So far I have not pierced the plastic, which is good, but I will be
watching this area over the long term report.  I have not noticed any wear or
problems with the flexible hypalon where the binding connects to the deck.


   Another area where the FLIGHTboot excelled is warmth.  I never had any cold
issues with the boots while snowshoeing.  If anything my feet were too warm and
the boots caused my feet to sweat.  They did a good job shedding snow and did
not seem get wet during stream crossings or breaking trail.  The only time I
soaked the boots was my slog on the snow free trail in the pouring rain. 
Everything I had wet out that day.
   I have had problems with footwear freezing in the winter and becoming very
difficult to put on and to warm up.  Not these boots.  On one of my trips, I
built an igloo for my shelter.  It was a balmy 28 F (-2 C) inside of the igloo
compared to the 8 F (-13 C) that it was outside.  I left my trail runners in the
boots inside the igloo overnight in anticipation of what I would find the next
morning.  The boots did not freeze solid like I expected, but where a little bit
difficult to get on the next morning.  However, after just a few minutes of
walking around getting breakfast ready my feet had warmed up and stayed warm the
entire morning!
   I have noticed some foot fatigue on long days while using the system.  On a
prolonged three hour downhill slog, my trail runners slid to the front of the
boot and started to cause a hot spot on the balls of my feet.  I have never had
blisters wearing these trail runners, so I can only attribute it to my trail
runners moving inside of the boots.
   Improvements:
   There are several areas where I would like to make recommendations for
improvement.  The first is regarding the traction of the decks.  I think the
shoes would perform better if the current longitudinal cleats were moved closer
to the edges of the shoe.  This would provide a larger tooth footprint for the
deck.  I think a third set of longitudinal cleats would also help.  Another area
that needs improvement is the binding system.  As I discussed earlier snow can
cause the boots to freeze into the binding system on the deck.  There is a gap
in the binding that needs to be sealed.  Maybe it can be permanently closed with
an epoxy or made into a single piece where snow cannot enter.  My final
suggestion would be to allow me to be able put the FLIGHTboot on without having
to take off my footwear.
   This ends my field report.  Please check back in several months for my Long
Term Report.  Thanks to Backpackgeartest.org and Kahtoola for allowing me to
participate in this test.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   8:00? 8:25? 8:40? Find a flick in no time
   with theYahoo! Search movie showtime shortcut.

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

HI, Gang-

I haven't received a digest from BGT for two days.  Usually, I get at least 3
per day, maybe 6.  Some of my other group messages have slowed to a trickle, as
well.

Is it Yahoo, me, or or have the lists been slower than usual?

Cheers!

Rosaleen

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

In a message dated 3/1/2007 8:00:15 PM Eastern Standard Time,
rosaleen43@... writes:

HI, Gang-

I haven't received a digest from BGT for two days.  Usually, I get at least 3
per day, maybe 6.  Some of my other group messages have slowed to a trickle,
as well.

Is it Yahoo, me, or or have the lists been slower than usual?

Cheers!

Rosaleen

##############

Yahoo went down for about 24 hours on some groups. All messages are in the
archives, but will not be forwarded to you directly.


Jim S.

If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can
solve them. - Isaac Asimov

<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free
email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from AOL at
http://www.aol.com.


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

The testers are:

Wayne Merry
Steve Nelson
Ben Mansfield

My thanks to Ray for managing the call.

Jim S.

If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can
solve them. - Isaac Asimov

<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free
email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from AOL at
http://www.aol.com.


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

REPOST OR Snowline Mitts - Ed Morse

ATTN: Thomas Vickers,

Here is my next attempt. I appreciate your patience in pushing me to
do the best possible.

The HTML is in the TESTS folder and should be found at one of the
following addresses:


http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/TESTS/OR%20Snowline%
20Mitts%20-%20Field%20Report%20-%20Ed%20Morse/#FRPT


http://tinyurl.com/yp4vlm

Following is just the Field Report text, as you asked. The only EDIT
you had for me was an oversight and I got that fixed. The TITLE line
I changed as per instructions from Shane.
I changed most of the Edits and comments you had. I could not see a
way to add the dates in the other places you suggested and I don't
think they are needed.
I could be convinced.

Ed M

<a name="FRPT">FIELD REPORT</a>

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS


During the Field Test period I have worn the Snowline Mitts for trail
work, hiking, XC skiing and snowshoeing. The weather has varied from
cool and rainy to snowy to cold and very windy. We finally got enough
snow for good skiing and snowshoeing, though still less than normal.
Generally I was out about every other day just to enjoy winter. When
doing trail work the temperature was generally between 30 F (-1 C)
and 45 F (7 C). When I was hiking the temperature was generally right
around freezing (32 F or 0 C). When I was skiing or snowshoeing the
temperature was mostly between 8 F (-13 C) and 28 F (-2 C)

I've used the Mitts in the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, which is
along the shore of Lake Michigan about 30 miles (48 km) west of
Traverse City, Michigan. I have used the Mitts in the Manistee
National Forest, which is about 45 miles (72 km) southwest of
Traverse City, Michigan and extends south about 120 miles (190 km). I
have also worn the Mitts frequently in the Pere Marquette State
Forest, which is south, east and northeast of Traverse City.
Elevations ranged from about 600 feet (183 m) along the Lake Michigan
shore line up to about 1500 feet (457 m) in parts of the Pere
Marquette State Forest further inland.

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

The Snowline Mitts have performed very well during all my outings for
the last two months. The waterproof fleece lined Mitts kept my hands
warm and dry during late December and early January. When it got
colder in late January, I first tried fleece gloves inside the Mitts.
Then I changed to fleece mittens under the Mitts. This  works better
for me. After I was barehanded for a few minutes my hands got warm
quicker by curling my fingers together inside the mittens. When the
snow finally got deep enough for skiing and snowshoeing I learned to
keep the top drawstring tight on the Mitts. This kept the snow out of
the mitts and away from my wrists and hands when I managed to fall.

I also learned to turn the Mitts inside out when I got back to the
truck so they could dry.  At the end of a day the inside fleece was
almost always wet from sweat. It doesn't usually take long for the
Mitts to dry, when turned inside out. If I turn them inside out as
soon as I get in the truck they are usually dry before I get home.

I have used the Mitts several times to sit on. This works much better
when sitting on a log than it does in deep snow. Following are a few
examples of what my activities with the Mitts and how they have
worked for me. Note, I carry a digital thermometer so I know the
temperature.

I frequently use both my GPS and digital camera when hiking,
snowshoeing or skiing. The control buttons on both items seem to be
made for very small fingers. I have to be bare handed and careful
when I use any of the menu functions.

In late December 2006, I hiked on the North Country Trail in the
Manistee National Forest doing trail cleanup. Weather was partly
cloudy and windy. It was 35 F (2 C) when I started and got up to 44 F
(7 C). I wore the Mitts to keep my hands warm and dry while moving
branches off the trail. I only walked about 4 miles (6 km), but
needed 6 hours cutting and moving branches off the trail. All the
branches were wet and many were still snow covered. My hands stayed
warm and dry.

In early January 2007, I went for a hike in the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
The temperature was about 29 F (-2 C) all the time I was out that
day. There was only a light dusting of snow. The sun was bright when
I started but heavy clouds soon moved in off the lake. Attached to
the pack shoulder straps was a Garmin 60C GPS, a compass/digital
thermometer and a camera. After about the first 10 minutes my hands
were warm except when I took the Mitts off, which was necessary every
time I used the GPS. The buttons on the GPS are too small to use when
wearing gloves or mittens. I have to be bare handed to operate the
buttons.  The Mitts worked great using the hiking poles, the Mitts
are flexible enough I can work them into the wrist straps for good
control. There was no problem checking the compass and thermometer
wearing the Mitts.
When I decided to start back, I used the GPS to get a bearing and
distance to the truck. I got back to the truck at 5:10 PM, before
sundown but already getting dark. I was frequently using the GPS for
directions and other information. I used the Mitts to sit on twice
when I stopped to rest, drink and check the GPS for direction. When I
wear the Mitts this is less fuss than carrying a pad to sit on. It
generally takes about 10 minutes for my hands to get warm again after
having the Mitts off. This was a comparatively short hike of only
about 7 miles (11 km).

In late January 2007, I went skiing at Sand Lakes Quiet Area, in the
Pere Marquette State Forest. The temperature was 9 F (-13 C) when I
started. I wore the Mitts over fleece mittens. My hands were cold for
about the first 15 minutes. Then the hills started and I got warm all
over. I stopped to take pictures three times, each time I had to take
off the Mitts to use the camera with very small buttons, my hands got
cold and it took about 10 minutes to get warm again.

<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "Skiing at Sand lakes">>
Skiing at Sand Lake
It was up to 17 F (-8  C) at that time.  The rest of the way I had to
break my own trail, with 2 more stops for pictures. When I got back
to the parking area the temperature was down to 12 F (-11 C).  Except
when I stopped for pictures with the Mitts off and the few minutes
getting warm again, my hands were warm and comfortable, though not
dry. When I took the Mitts off back at the truck both the inside
mittens and the inside fleece lining was very wet. Turned inside out,
they were dry before I got back home.

In late January 2007, I went skiing at Muncie Lakes, in the Pere
Marquette State Forest. This trip I used wide Trak Bushwhacker skis
and went mostly off trail. The temperature was 24 F (-4  C) when I
started and got up to 28 F (-2 C) by the time I quit. I took a few
pictures using a Nikon Coolpix L3 and my new Gorilla Pod tripod,
wrapped on a tree branch and braced on the tree trunk. When I stopped
for lunch I walked around a lot getting the camera set up. I have to
use bare hands to set up the camera and tripod. The tripod is 6" (15
cm) long with flexible legs to wrap around any available support. The
menu buttons on the camera to set the timer are so small I often push
the wrong one with bare hands.
The snow had softened and packed on the bottom of the boots and in
the bindings when I tried to put the skis back on. It was bare hands
and pocket knife work to get all the packed snow cleaned out of boots
and bindings.  The pocket knife I carry is a Leatherman Micra, much
too small to use with any type of hand covering. I have "step in"
bindings with a small bar on the boot to fit into the bindings. All
packed or frozen snow in either part must be thoroughly removed.
The Mitts kept my hands warm and worked well to sit on over a wet log
when I stopped for lunch and pictures.

<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "Mitts on log, ready for
lunch">>             mitts on a log, ready for lunch


  <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "Sitting on Mitts on log">>
eating lunch, sitting on the Mitts

In early February 2007, I went skiing at Sand Lakes, in the Pere
Marquette State Forest. There was about 5" (13 cm) of new snow on
older tracks. The Temperature stayed at 24 F (-4 C ) until I quit at
6 PM (almost too dark to see the trail). It was snowing fairly hard
the last 2 hours. I wore the Mitts over fleece mittens. I managed to
take one picture with the camera mounted on the Gorilla Pod wrapped
around branches of a small pine. My hands got cold playing around
with the camera and timer.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "Almost got in place">>

Everything functioned well. The fleece mittens inside the Snowline
Mitts were very warm but both Mitts and added mitten liners were wet
from sweat when I got back to the truck. It is necessary to remove
the fleece mittens and turn the Snowlines inside out when I am
finished for the day. Otherwise they will take several days to dry,
if not turned inside out.

In mid February  2007, I went skiing on the North Country Trail in
the Manistee National Forest. This trip I was exploring a potential
trail reroute and learning to use the track feature of the Garmin
60C. I wore the Snowline Mitts over fleece gloves, and soon took off
the fleece gloves. The temperature got up above 44 F (7 C) with
bright sunlight, when in the open.  I was much too warm, but I kept
on the Mitts in case I fell. I did not want snow on my hands and
wrists.
I skied 5 miles (8 km) of existing and proposed trails in 5 hours and
30 minutes. Most of the distance was unbroken trail with soft wet
snow. About one mile (1.6 km) was old snowshoe tracks 3 of us had
left several days earlier doing preliminary exploration. The Snowline
Mitts kept my hands warm even though I was up to my elbows in snow a
few times when I fell. I have learned to keep the upper cord of the
Mitts tight to keep the snow out. I stopped twice for pictures and
several times to use the GPS.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "Skiing on the NCT">>

Skiing on the NCT
Again I don't have the Mitts on because the camera self timer doesn't
allow that much time. I did put them on as soon as I had the camera
put away.

SUMMARY

I am very happy with the Snowline Mitts. The long gauntlet style
wrists add extra warmth, with the top pulltab tightened snow can not
get in to make my hands and wrists cold. I like the flexibility to
wear, or not wear, other mittens inside the Snowline Mitts. This
allows use of the Mitts in a much wider range of temperatures and
conditions.

I cannot put on snowshoes or take them off with the Mitts on, since I
can't loosen or adjust the bindings with the Mitts on. I can put on
and take off skis with the Mitts on unless I get snow packed in the
ski bindings. It is just a little difficult to get the Mitts into the
ski pole wrist loops but the added control is worth the effort. As
two of the pictures show, I usually leave the Mitts in the pole wrist
straps when I need to do something barehanded.

The best thing about the Mitts is that they are truly waterproof.
They don't get wet from outside but the fleece lining nearly always
gets very wet from my sweaty hands. Even wet and sweaty my hands stay
warm down to about 25 F (-4 C). Below that I need to add fleece
mittens inside to be comfortable. Fortunately I can turn them inside
out and they get dry fairly soon.

On the other hand, the worst thing about the Mitts is that they
really are waterproof. Have I stated often enough that I must turn
the Mitts inside out when I quit for the day? When I forgot to do
this early in the testing the Mitts were still wet inside the next
day.
I have worn a variety of gloves and mittens for winter activities in
past years. My hands were frequently cold and often wet. I prefer my
hands to be warm and sweaty wet rather than cold and wet. I may well
be a permanent convert to the Snowline Mitts.

I would like to thank BGT and OR Gear for giving me the opportunity
to test the Snowline Mitts.

This concludes my Field Report. The Long Term Report will be added in
about two months.



This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.

Wayne,

I sent your tester notice to the address below, but it bounced. Yahoo is
having som eissue, so it might be that.: wayne_merry@...

Please send me your shipping info off-list, please.

Jim S.

If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can
solve them. - Isaac Asimov


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

<http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Environmental%20Monitoring%20Gear/Weath\
er%20Recorder/Kestrel%203500/Ralph%20Ditton/Test%20Report%20by%20Ralph%20Ditton/\
>

Ralph, I've always figured you for the mad scientist type, and now I see I'm
right...  I enjoyed your report, and your photos are very good.  In
reviewing your report, though, I'm seeing some odd formatting.  It occours
throughout the report, but particularly in the Testing Locations section of
your report.  It seems like you have a lot of hard line returns after some
sentences.  If you scale your browser window, you'll see that they 'pop' as
you scale.  I don't think you have to fix it, but you might want to have a
look at it for the next report.

Shane

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Clothing/Jackets/MontBell%20Alpine%20Lig\
ht%20Jacket/Will%20Rietveld/Test%20Report%20by%20Will%20Rietveld/

While doing my usual scan of reports, this one stood out to me.  The
formatting is very nice, Will, and your photos very useful and pleasing.
Nicely done.

Shane

I also note the same issue in your SteriPen Report.

I also note, "It was very unpleasant in taste but I did not get sick in any
manner nor have I noticed any worms in my stools."

Gads...

Shane

:D

Testers are reminded that BridGeT will begin collecting statistical data on
your report performance as of today, and after a few weeks of collection, I
will throw the switches and publish the tester statistics on the individual
pages.

I am about to release all the updates, and send the Tester Status emails.

PLEASE CHECK THEM FOR ANY ERROR!

Yahoo didn't send me a lot of mail, and I picked everything up from the
group site, but that's REALLY hard to do on the management side.  Let me
know if something isn't right.

Shane
List Admin

G'day.  I am BridGeT, the BGT Automation Robot working on behalf of the List
Administrator.  This is to inform you that I have updated the BGT Test Status
site.  The BGT Test Status Site is: http://teststatus.backpackgeartest.org/

You should also check the individual Administration pages for Administration
Messages.
TESTER ADMINISTRATION: http://teststatus.backpackgeartest.org/ADMIN5.htm
MONITOR ADMINISTRATION: http://teststatus.backpackgeartest.org/ADMIN4.htm

Please notify the List Administrator of any error in the data I have reported.

I performed the following output tasks in 28.38 seconds.

255 HTML pages created.  Inlcuding:

44 Manufacturer detail pages were created.
90 Tester detail pages were created.
43 Monitor detail pages were created.
14 Moderator detail pages were created.
54 Short links for report folders created.
Several one-shot administration pages are not included in my log counts.

5 Manufacturers were notified of test progress.
90 Tester Status emails were sent.
9 Tester Reminder emails were sent.
1 Late Test Report Notification emails were sent.

Enjoy!

BridGeT, List Administration Automation

Hey Shane,
   I uploaded my IR for the Sierra Designs Hercules on 2/26/07.
Everything else looks great!  Thanks.

Andy Henrichs

>  I uploaded my IR for the Sierra Designs Hercules on 2/26/07.
> Everything else looks great!  Thanks.

I'm obviously having an issue somewhere.  I know for a fact that I saw your
report and marked it.  I'm losing dates somewhere.  I'll try to track it
down.  Let me know if you see anymore like that.

Shane

Hi Shane & BridGeT,

I'm not sure if this is a problem or just a test that's not in the system yet,
but my tracking
page (http://teststatus.backpackgeartest.org/T1679.htm) wasn't updated, so it
doesn't
have the AlpineAire Foods test that I was just selected for.

Sheila Morrissey


--- In backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com, "Shane Steinkamp" <shane@...> wrote:
>
> G'day.  I am BridGeT, the BGT Automation Robot working on behalf of the List
Administrator.  This is to inform you that I have updated the BGT Test Status
site.  The
BGT Test Status Site is: http://teststatus.backpackgeartest.org/
>
> You should also check the individual Administration pages for Administration
Messages.
> TESTER ADMINISTRATION: http://teststatus.backpackgeartest.org/ADMIN5.htm
> MONITOR ADMINISTRATION: http://teststatus.backpackgeartest.org/ADMIN4.htm
>
> Please notify the List Administrator of any error in the data I have reported.
>
> I performed the following output tasks in 28.38 seconds.
>
> 255 HTML pages created.  Inlcuding:
>
> 44 Manufacturer detail pages were created.
> 90 Tester detail pages were created.
> 43 Monitor detail pages were created.
> 14 Moderator detail pages were created.
> 54 Short links for report folders created.
> Several one-shot administration pages are not included in my log counts.
>
> 5 Manufacturers were notified of test progress.
> 90 Tester Status emails were sent.
> 9 Tester Reminder emails were sent.
> 1 Late Test Report Notification emails were sent.
>
> Enjoy!
>
> BridGeT, List Administration Automation
>

> I'm not sure if this is a problem or just a test that's not in the system
> yet, but my
> tracking page (http://teststatus.backpackgeartest.org/T1679.htm) wasn't
> updated,
> so it doesn't have the AlpineAire Foods test that I was just selected for.

It's there, Sheila.  Hit REFRESH in your browser on that page.

Shane

I have consulted the Oracle. You can leave your battery surgery in the
report.  Please add something about how it would be easier if Silva had
included the reset instructions in the manual. Would you run whatever
you change by your monitor.

If you want to discuss this any further contact me offline so we don't
eat any more bandwidth.

Jason B
Silva Moderator

here is the LTR section of my MontBell report.  the complete report
can be viewed in the Test folder:

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/TESTS/MontBell%20Thermawrap%20Colle\
en/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Long Term Report

Oh yes, it's love.  After 4 months of using the Thermawrap at least
once every week, carrying it on every hike, wearing it in blasting
wind, in the snow, in cold fog, on a wind-whipped peak... I love this
jacket.  The only thing that could make it more perfect would be a
hood, and MontBell offers a Thermawrap Parka with just that feature.
How do I love the Thermawrap?  Let me count the ways.

Pockets.   The openings are high enough to get into even with a belted
backpack, and deep enough that nothing has ever fallen out - despite
the fact that there are no closures and no flaps.  The interior
pockets are deep and roomy, and the jacket can actually stuff into one
if you want that.

Fabric.  The fabric's DWR is quite solid.  When I hand-washed the
Thermawrap in order to get smoke odors out, it was quite difficult to
get any water to permeate through the fabric.  However, when the
jacket was set down in the snow and some snow was allowed to melt on
it and then it was grabbed at the wet spot, it did begin to wet out.
The fabric is a touch slippery under pack straps, but nothing that has
ever caused a problem.  I did snag the Thermawrap roughly three times,
but the snags were small and never expanded.  The fabric does not seem
to "catch" easily.

Fit.  I love the fit of the Thermawrap.  It is comfortable and never
feels stretched tight across my back.  The sleeves stay in place quite
well - they don't seem to ride up at all.  The elastic keeps the cuffs
nicely sealed.  The rear of the collar has a tendency to roll away
from my neck and down a bit.  This is a bit of a mystery, but not an
annoyance.

Wind Resistance.  I did find that the Thermawrap is inadequate to
completely fend off winds of 60-70 mph/97 - 113 kph, but other than
that particularly fierce windstorm (dodging tumbleweeds at that speed
is fun!), the Thermawrap was delightfully warm even in brisk, stiff
winds.  Alas, that storm was the only time when I had access to wind
speed data.  I did wear it once on a mountain peak at 49 F/9 C with
winds that occasionally gusted strongly enough to affect my balance.
The Thermawrap, layered over a t-shirt weight merino wool shirt, was
not quite enough to keep the chill away, but adding a second layer of
merino wool did the trick.

Weight.  It's 8.4 oz/238 g!!

Warmth.  I've slept in the Thermawrap, in a sleeping bag, on nights
that dropped into the mid-20's F/roughly -4 C.  I've worn it in the
snow on a day that hovered around 35 F/2 C.  Except for times when by
my own foolishness I've let myself get too cold (sitting around on
cold ground in the shade too long, drinking something very cold on a
cold day), I have always been comfy and toasty in the Thermawrap.
Since the neck opening is rather spacious and I have a slender neck I
have had to occasionally augment it with a scarf or neck gaiter, which
is why a hooded model (the Thermawrap Parka) would possibly be, for
me, the perfect synthetic insulated jacket.  It is too warm to wear
while walking or otherwise being active in temperatures above 60 F/16
C, but from 50 F/10 C, I've been pretty content to leave it on the
whole day (bear in mind I tend to be cold-blooded).

Conclusions.  The Thermawrap is a winner.  Unless I replace it with a
Thermawrap Parka (only for the hood), it has earned a permanent spot
in my gear kit.  This is a stellar jacket.

Thank you very much to both MontBell and BackpackGearTest.org for the
opportunity to try out the Women's U.L. Thermawrap.