Ernie, et al:

After returning home from serving as a Scoutmaster at a BSA National
Youth Leadership Training camp, I picked up your edits.  I
incorporated them all, and have posted the report in the appropriate
folder.  I also deleted my file from the TEST folder.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.  See you again in two months.

Ryan

Here is the text for the FR on the Columbia Hot Shot shell.  Html can
be found here: http://tinyurl.com/443h7v

kathryn

--

Field Report:
June 30th 2008

Since receiving the Hot Shot shell, I have been using the jacket on
day hikes, backpacking trips and to tool around town. I have taken the
shell on two car camping trips of three days each, one multi night
backpacking trip, and at least three day trips. This amounts to 13
days of accountable use and many days of wearing the shell to and from
work.

The two car camping trips happened in April. One was a four night trip
and the other a two night trip and the weather was fairly constant
each day and night. On the first trip, the weather was fantastic
during the day but dropped to about 50 F (10 C) at night, the last
night felt colder as it was pouring rain. It rained off and on over
the trip mostly in the evenings and early morning. I put the shell to
good use to stay both warm and dry while it was raining. I combined
the shell with a down insert and rain pants to stay dry. The second
trip out was with similar overnight lows of 50 F (10 C). It rained the
second night out causing the temperatures to drop. It picked up
raining again somewhat early on the last morning and the rain shell
came in handy especially combined with rain pants. I was able to
finish packing everything in the car and tie down the kayaks without
getting wet. Due to the limited coverage of the hood, my face and
glasses did get wet.

There where three day hikes that occurred in the Northern Virginia and
Maryland area of the Potomac. One hike was Difficult run in Virginia,
which is a 5 mi (8 km) loop hike. Weather was overcast and
temperatures about 50 F (10 C). There was no rain but the shell was
definitely a plus against the wind on the over looks. The next hike
was in Maryland on the Gold Mine loop, a 6 mi (9.6 kn) total distance
hike. The weather was warmer, and the sun was out, temperatures were
about 65 F (18 C). I ended up peeling off the shell as I was getting
too hot. The last hike was in the Difficult Run area but took
different side trails. Distance was about 2 mi (3.2 km) and was in the
early evening after sunset. Temperatures were about 60 F (15 C). As we
were on a star gazing hike, the shell with a down insert was greatly
appreciated against the cooling night air.

The multi night backpacking trip was down in the George Washington
National forest at about 1100 ft (335 m), over a two night, three day
trip. Temperatures were about 80-85 F (27-29 C) during the day and
dropped down to about 50-55 F (10-13 C) over night. I didn't really
have much of a chance to hike in the shell as the day time
temperatures were simply too warm. The shell came in handy at night
when the wind started to pick up a little and the temperatures cooled
off.

As a shell, I found the Hot Shot has be performing very well in
keeping me dry against the rain, but I find that the lack of
ventilation is a challenge at times. In warm weather, when I was
wearing only a t-shirt, I find my arms stick to the inside of the
shell in an uncomfortable manner. This seems occur over a range of
temperatures and seems to depend more on how hot I am then how hot the
actual air temperature is. I tried to keep the large pockets open for
ventilation but I find that doesn't help so much. It is also not very
good to keep the pockets open when it is raining as anything inside
the pockets, or my shirt in the pocket vicinity gets a little wet.

I find that the hood of the shell is not that generous and while my
head does stay dry, my face and glasses get wet if I am not looking
down. The shock cord draw cord around the waist and hood are nice, but
require two hands to operate in order to tighten or loosen. The
pockets are very large and generous and I like to store maps, snacks
and bandannas in the pockets. My backpack hip belt does interfere with
pocket item retrieval, but this is true of all my jackets.

I will continue to wear the shell over the next phase of the test. As
the weather will becoming increasingly warmer, the shell will
primarily be used as a wind and rain shell, to be pulled on only when
needed, and for use around the campfire at night for warmth with
baselayers. As ventilation is an issue, I will look further into
whether the pockets can be used for some ventilation. I will look
further into long term wear and tear, and if I have a chance, how well
it blocks the wind from chilling me. I have already tested in the
rain, but if a chance to use the jacket in driving rain comes up, I
will gladly look into how well the shell keeps out the precipitation.

Pros and Cons so far:
Keeps out the rain and fits nicely.
Little ventilation and shallow hood coverage.

This concludes my field report on the Columbia Hot Shot Shell. The
long report will be appended onto this report in two months time
(around Sept) and will include more field testing and long term wear.
Please check back then for further information on the Columbia Hot
Shot series.

Here is the LTR for the GoLite Adrenaline.  Html can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/3zca7g

kathryn

--
Long Term Report:
June 24th 2008

I have taken the Adrenaline sleeping bag out on two more multi-night
trips totaling 4 nights. This bag has been used a total of 11 nights
in the great outdoors and two nights inside. The first trip was down
in the George Washington National forest at about 1100 ft (335 m),
over a two night, three day trip. Temperatures were about 80-85 F
(27-29 C) during the day and dropped down to about 50-55 F (10-13 C)
over night. I found the temperatures cold enough that I zipped up the
bag most of the way. I didn't feel the need to tighten the bag around
my face which did lead to a little bit of fighting with the bag to
ensure my face stayed lined up with the face opening. I tend to sleep
on my side or stomach and have to remember to roll the bag with me
when I roll.

The next trip was another two night trip at about 1500 ft (457 m),
with temperatures around 80-85 F (27-29 C) during the day and dropping
only to 70 F (21 C) over night. With the warmer weather I tend to
leave the bag about half way unzipped and wear just under clothes. The
bag lining feels nice against my skin and I find it doesn't stick to
me when I get a little too hot. The bag did seem to be close to its
upper limit at 70 F (21 C) for me. I did unzip the zipper all the way
to get maximum air flow and venting but found there is only so much a
front half zipper had deal with. I wasn't so uncomfortably hot that I
had to get out of the bag but had the temperature been any higher, I
might have found myself climbing out of the bag.

Overall I found this bag to be very comfortable once I have settled
into a comfortable sleeping position. I sometimes find the bag a
little restrictive around the chest area when pushing an arm down my
side to get into said position. I find the hood opening a little small
and even smaller when the draw cord is tightened. It wouldn't be a
bother except it doesn't quite stay lined up with my face when I start
tossing and turning. It did work fine when I stayed on my back. The
draw cord tightened easily although loosening was definitely a two
hand job. The half front zip was the most unusual part of the bag. I
had hoped it would be useful, but I found it was not as useful as I
had hoped. If it had been a little longer, it would have made getting
into the sleeping bag easier as I could then part the sides and scoot
my feet down before zipping up. I found this didn't work. I had also
tried to use it as a quilt and unzip it all the way and drape it
around my shoulders but again, I found the zipper was not quite long
enough for that purpose. Basically the zipper didn't function any
better or worse then a side zipper. When I laid down on my stomach I
could sometimes feel the coolness of the zipper.

All in all, I found the bag a pleasure to use. The material was soft
and the down was nice and puffy. I really liked the Pertex covering
the hood and foot areas as I did end up getting a large amount of
condensation in my tent one night and would have had wet ends on the
bag. I really liked the fact that GoLite seems to understand that
women are not all short. The regular (and largest) size of this bag
was more then generous enough to accommodate my 5'8" height. I had
plenty of wiggle room for my feet and even had room to push my pants
down to the bottom. The stuff sack gave the bag a very good amount of
compression to the point that I didn't feel the need to try to
compress it any more. The grap loop on the bottom of the stuff sack is
also well placed and the one handed draw closure it great.

Pros:

       - Generous amount of space for my height

       - Soft feel of the materials against my skin

       - Pertex hood and foot box are well thought out, as is the stuff sack

Cons:

       - Front zip is nice but could stand to be longer

       - Bag is a little restrictive in the chest area

This concludes my long term report on the GoLite Adrenaline 20F
women's sleeping bag. Thank you for following this test series, I hope
you have enjoyed it as much as I have had fun testing this bag.

Here is the text for the LTR on the GoLite Xanadu 2+ tent, html can be
found here:  http://tinyurl.com/4x9sfa

I wasn't too impressed with this tent and the last paragraph reflects
this and may be a little too blunt.  Please let me know if you think
it is too blunt and I will try to tone it down.

kathryn

--
Long Term Report:
July 1st 2008

I have taken this tent out on two more multi-night trips totaling
another 4 nights of use. In the end this tent has seen 9 nights of
outdoor use. The first trip was down in the George Washington National
forest at about 1100 ft (335 m), over a two night, three day trip.
Temperatures were about 80-85 F (27-29 C) during the day and dropped
down to about 50-55 F (10-13 C) over night. There was no wind as we
were sheltered in a bowl type depression. On both nights, with two
people in the tent, there was no condensation. I had the tent well
staked out and had the guy lines tight. With two people the amount of
room is very generous and we didn't feel any tightness in space.

The next trip was another two night trip at about 1500 ft (457 m),
with temperatures around 80-85 F (27-29 C) during the day and dropping
only to 70 F (21 C) over night. Again this was with two people in the
tent and no appreciable condensation on the walls. The warmer weather
combined with staking and tightening the guy lines seems to make a
difference in whether condensation will form. It may also be due to
the Epic breathable fabric the tent walls are made from.

Over the last four months of use, I have come to really dislike the
mesh door. I find it is in the way when entering and leaving as I
either have to open it all the way thereby leaving it in a position
for it to get stepped on, or I try to leave the door half open and get
caught up on it. When I prepare the tent for breaking down, I always
roll the mesh door up out of the way to make setup easier. Trying to
insert the poles into the pole pockets is always a challenge and I end
up simply shoving the poles in the general vicinity and micro manage
their position later. On nice evenings, I have also tied up the sides
of the vestibule or draped them over the side of the tent. Doing this
generally interferes with zipper operation on the mesh door. If the
poles are correctly in place, the mesh door zipper lies under the
vestibule and the zipper catches on the vestibule fabric. If the poles
are out of place pressing more towards the mesh door, which isn't that
uncommon, the zipper is pressed against the vestibule fabric almost
ensuring the zipper will catch on the fabric. I have to slide my hand
just in front of the zipper to keep the fabric out of the way.

Overall I wasn't that impressed with the tent. It did function as a
tent but some of the special features tended to be more of a nuisance
then helpful, such as the 4-season design with internal poles. The
vestibule really wasn't very generous especially in inclemental
weather. When it was raining, I couldn't duck all the way inside the
vestibule before entering the tent. I was under the impression that
4-season tents allowed for such sheltered entry to protect items
inside the tent. I even had leakage issues when the tent was exposed
to heavy rain. Not only did I have condensation raining down from the
seam, but the corners filled up with water. While this may have been
an isolated event, it was annoying and could have ruined the whole
trip as that occured on the first night out.

Pros:

       - Spacious interior

       - Plenty of pocket storage space

Cons:

       - Mesh door gets in the way due to design

       - Some condensation issues in cold weather

       - Leakage issues in very heavy rain

This concludes my long term report on the GoLite Xanadu 2+ tent. I
hope you have enjoyed following this test series.

Application: Exped MultiMat - Kurt Papke

Please accept my application to test the Exped MultiMat. I agree to
comply with all the report requirements including Chapter 5 found in
the BackpackGearTest.org bylaws v. 0609 which I most recently read on
June 6, 2008.

Name: Kurt Papke
Age: 54
Gender: Male
Height: 6' 4" (193 cm)
Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
Email address: kwpapke at gmail dot com
City, State, Country: Minneapolis, MN USA
Date: July 1, 2008

Backpacking Background: mostly in Minnesota - I've done all of the
Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) and Border Route (BRT).  Dayhiking in
Michigan, Wisconsin, Utah, Colorado and Oregon.  Mostly Spring/Fall
seasons, but plan to do more summer hiking this year. Have been a tent
camper in the past, but started using my new Hennessey hammock this
Spring.  Typically hike with ~20-25 lb baseweight, 15-17 miles/day
pace, most backpacking trips are 1 week in duration.

Field information:
Testing would take place in Oregon (spending July with my daughter in
Portland) if it arrives in time, on the North Shore of Minnesota, the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and western Wisconsin.  The terrain would
be forested hills/valleys, with some mountain hiking in Oregon.
Temperatures will vary during the test period from around the freezing
point to the 80's in July, though if the LTR period stretches into
November the mat could see some temperatures well below freezing.

Test plan:

My principal use will be as bottom insulation for my Hennessey
Explorer Ultralight Hammock.  I am an ardent user of the Hennessey
SuperShelter, so I will test its performance in many hammock
configurations:
- Laying on it directly in the hammock with/without the SuperShelter
- Using it as an adjunct to my Thermarest (no SS) inside the hammock
to keep my shoulders warm.  I could likely fold to double or even
quadruple the layers to test its effectiveness on my shoulders
- As the sole insulation layer above my Undercover (no OCF pad)
- As auxilliary insulation in the Supershelter (with OCF pad) as a
replacement for the space blanket I currently use
- As an additional layer to augment the OCF pad and space blanket

The way I have tested my current insulation system is to begin the
night with minimal insulation underneath me, and add layers as the
night gets colder.  I will use the same methodology with the MultiMat
to ascertain its effectiveness.

I will also test the mat a few times as a lining layer in my tent
underneath my Thermarest while begrudgingly sleeping on the ground.

I will evaluate the product for:

- Usability: how easy is the blanket to deploy (and keep in place)
inside the hammock or in the Undercover?
- Reliability & robustness: how well does the mat resist rips and
tears, particularly when entering/exiting the bottom entrance slit in
my HH?
- Functionality: How much warmth does the mat add?  How does it
compare with a space blanket?
- Insulation/weight effectiveness: the Multimat weighs in at 19 oz,
how well does it stack up to a space blanket or the Hennessey OCF pad
in warmth delivered versus weight and bulk?
- Packability: how small does the mat re-pack after use?  Can it be
rolled up in my #4 snakeskins with the rest of my SuperShelter?

I graduated from noobiness recently with the completion of my Kombi
Latitude LTR.  I am in LTR test on the Mountainsmith Boundary pack and
FR test on the Adventure Medical products, and waiting on delivery of
the Aquamira Pro Filter.  I have one other application pending on the
Moflow hydration system.

My reviews: http://www.backpackgeartest.org/tester_reviews/kwpapke

Thank you for your consideration.
--Kurt

Hi Chuck,



My tester status page shows an "Activity Late" entry against the DeFeet
socks.



I don't believe this is accurate as the report was submitted before the due
date, it was not edited for several after then there was a long debate over
several days as to the information which was later clarified by Pam.



I would like to have this updated if possible.



Many thanks

Mark



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

--- In backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com, "Mark McLauchlin"
<mark@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Chuck,
>
>
>
> My tester status page shows an "Activity Late" entry

Hey Mark,

Actually all Bridget issues (like this) go attn: Leesa. The mods and
monitors can not help these issues, except to forward them.

Anty time there is a lot of activity on a test post only the most
recent post will show up. So if you posted 20 times in 8 days only
the last one will show up in the Recent Reviews list. And if that is
the one that got noticed you are going to be listed as late.

Keep track of all of your posts and submit message numbers to
document that you were on time. That should get you past a negative
mark.

Ray

Thanks for the info Ray,



Cheers



   _____

From: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of rayestrella1
Sent: Wednesday, 2 July 2008 12:16 PM
To: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [backpackgeartesters] Re: DeFeet Tester Status ATTN: Chuck Carnes



--- In backpackgeartesters <mailto:backpackgeartesters%40yahoogroups.com>
@yahoogroups.com, "Mark McLauchlin"
<mark@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Chuck,
>
>
>
> My tester status page shows an "Activity Late" entry

Hey Mark,

Actually all Bridget issues (like this) go attn: Leesa. The mods and
monitors can not help these issues, except to forward them.

Anty time there is a lot of activity on a test post only the most
recent post will show up. So if you posted 20 times in 8 days only
the last one will show up in the Recent Reviews list. And if that is
the one that got noticed you are going to be listed as late.

Keep track of all of your posts and submit message numbers to
document that you were on time. That should get you past a negative
mark.

Ray





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

Looks like none of us were all that impressed with this tent.  it's
too bad.  If golite could break that 5 lb barrier for a TRUE 4 season
tent they'd be doing great. :/

On Tue, Jul 1, 2008 at 8:31 PM, Dark Lazarus <darklazarus@...> wrote:
> Here is the text for the LTR on the GoLite Xanadu 2+ tent, html can be
> found here: http://tinyurl.com/4x9sfa
>
> I wasn't too impressed with this tent and the last paragraph reflects
> this and may be a little too blunt. Please let me know if you think
> it is too blunt and I will try to tone it down.
>
> kathryn
>
> --
> Long Term Report:
> July 1st 2008
>
> I have taken this tent out on two more multi-night trips totaling
> another 4 nights of use. In the end this tent has seen 9 nights of
> outdoor use. The first trip was down in the George Washington National
> forest at about 1100 ft (335 m), over a two night, three day trip.
> Temperatures were about 80-85 F (27-29 C) during the day and dropped
> down to about 50-55 F (10-13 C) over night. There was no wind as we
> were sheltered in a bowl type depression. On both nights, with two
> people in the tent, there was no condensation. I had the tent well
> staked out and had the guy lines tight. With two people the amount of
> room is very generous and we didn't feel any tightness in space.
>
> The next trip was another two night trip at about 1500 ft (457 m),
> with temperatures around 80-85 F (27-29 C) during the day and dropping
> only to 70 F (21 C) over night. Again this was with two people in the
> tent and no appreciable condensation on the walls. The warmer weather
> combined with staking and tightening the guy lines seems to make a
> difference in whether condensation will form. It may also be due to
> the Epic breathable fabric the tent walls are made from.
>
> Over the last four months of use, I have come to really dislike the
> mesh door. I find it is in the way when entering and leaving as I
> either have to open it all the way thereby leaving it in a position
> for it to get stepped on, or I try to leave the door half open and get
> caught up on it. When I prepare the tent for breaking down, I always
> roll the mesh door up out of the way to make setup easier. Trying to
> insert the poles into the pole pockets is always a challenge and I end
> up simply shoving the poles in the general vicinity and micro manage
> their position later. On nice evenings, I have also tied up the sides
> of the vestibule or draped them over the side of the tent. Doing this
> generally interferes with zipper operation on the mesh door. If the
> poles are correctly in place, the mesh door zipper lies under the
> vestibule and the zipper catches on the vestibule fabric. If the poles
> are out of place pressing more towards the mesh door, which isn't that
> uncommon, the zipper is pressed against the vestibule fabric almost
> ensuring the zipper will catch on the fabric. I have to slide my hand
> just in front of the zipper to keep the fabric out of the way.
>
> Overall I wasn't that impressed with the tent. It did function as a
> tent but some of the special features tended to be more of a nuisance
> then helpful, such as the 4-season design with internal poles. The
> vestibule really wasn't very generous especially in inclemental
> weather. When it was raining, I couldn't duck all the way inside the
> vestibule before entering the tent. I was under the impression that
> 4-season tents allowed for such sheltered entry to protect items
> inside the tent. I even had leakage issues when the tent was exposed
> to heavy rain. Not only did I have condensation raining down from the
> seam, but the corners filled up with water. While this may have been
> an isolated event, it was annoying and could have ruined the whole
> trip as that occured on the first night out.
>
> Pros:
>
> - Spacious interior
>
> - Plenty of pocket storage space
>
> Cons:
>
> - Mesh door gets in the way due to design
>
> - Some condensation issues in cold weather
>
> - Leakage issues in very heavy rain
>
> This concludes my long term report on the GoLite Xanadu 2+ tent. I
> hope you have enjoyed following this test series.
>
>

Congratulations to the following testers on being selected for the Humangear
capCAP:

David Tagnani
Greg McDonald
Thomas Vickers

If you three will send me your information OFF list then I will send it to the
Mfg. I will need your:

Name
Shipping Address
Phone Number
E-mail

Thanks to all who applied!

Cheers

Kenny B

Application to test Westcomb Syncro Pant

NOTE:  Kenny's test call specified that we use the words "Westcomb
Synchro Pant" - however, the manufacturer spells it without the 'h'
as Syncro on their website, so I included both in the title.

Date:  July 1, 2008

I have read The BackpackGearTest.org Bylaws v. 0609 and the Survival
Guide. My tester agreement is on file. I agree to comply with
requirements as outlined in the Bylaws.

Biographical information -

Name: Pamela Wyant
Age: 50
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
Waist:  35 in (89 cm)
Hip:  44 in (112 cm)
Waist to ankle length:  37 in (94 cm)
E-mail address: pamwyant(at)yahoo(dot)com
Location: Western West Virginia, U.S.A.

Backpacking background:

Pursuing a long-time interest, I started backpacking four years ago,
beginning with day-hiking and single overnights.  Currently I'm
mostly a `weekend warrior', hiking and backpacking mainly in the
hills and valleys of West Virginia, but have started a project to
section hike the Appalachian Trail (AT), accruing a little over 200
mi (300 km) in the last two years.  My usual shelter is a hammock,
but occasionally I use a tent. In general my backpacking style is
lightweight and minimalist and I try to cut as much pack weight as I
can without sacrificing warmth, comfort, or safety.

Size required:  Women's XL

Why I'd like to test the Westcomb Syncro Pant –

Any time I hike and backpack I am wearing nylon pants.  I like the
protection they offer my lower legs over shorts, since I am usually
hiking in areas with a lot of vegetation, including plants like
stinging nettle, greenbrier, berry bushes, or tough rhododendron.   I
also wear nylon pants for car camping and numerous other outdoor
activities, as well as preferring them for casual use around home,
running errands, and traveling.

While I like the convertible cargo pants that I often wear, sometimes
they just seem to bulky due to the numerous cargo pockets and the
zippers.  I often feel like I would like to have something a little
sleeker to wear, and it appears the Syncro might be just the pants
for this, based on the website photo.


Field Information -

I would be testing the Westcomb Syncro Pant primarily in West
Virginia and Virginia.   Elevations could vary from 550 to over 4000
feet (150 to 1200 meters). I would use the pants for day-hiking,
backpacking, and car-camping.  Terrain would vary from hilly to
mountainous for the most part. Temperatures expected during an
anticipated test period ranging from late July to possibly November
(depending upon arrival time of the pants) could range anywhere from
lows slightly below freezing to highs as much as 100 F (38 C), with
conditions that would undoubtedly include a variety of the following:
dry, humid, damp, rainy, and possibly even snowy.  I would also wear
them several times a week for casual use running errands or around
the house.


Current planned trips include:

An overnight camping trip at one of our local Girl Scout camps in mid
July

A weekend backpacking trip to the Otter Creek Wilderness area of West
Virginia in early August.

A weekend camping and teaching canoeing at our local Girl Scout camp
in mid August

A weekend backpacking trip to the Seneca Creek area of the
Monongahela National Forest (MNF) in West Virginia in late August

A weekend teaching outdoor activities during Becoming An Outdoor
Woman fall workshop in mid-September, including an overnight
backpacking class.

A weekend backpacking trip to the Roaring Plains area of the MNF in
the latter part of September

A weekend training a Leave No Trace workshop (car camping and hiking)
in late September.

I also hope to fit in a couple of weekend hikes and possibly a longer
section hike on the Appalachian Trail during this time frame, which
will likely be in the Virginia area.

Test plan:

In my initial report I plan to include information on the sizing and
fit of the pants, the feel of the Schoeller Dynamic fabric the pants
are made of, the apparent quality of the construction, the weight,
and the features.

Issues I will look at will include:  Does the appearance of the pants
match the photo on the website, and do the materials and construction
appear to be of good quality?  Are there any indications of
irregularities such as loose or irregular stitching or flaws in the
material?  What type of features do the pants have?  The website
isn't very descriptive about these pants – in fact, clicking the
pants link brings up information on how the jacket is a perfect
companion to the pants!  How many and what type of pockets do the
Syncro pants have?  Do they have a mesh lining for quick drainage?
How does the waist fasten?  Is the belt apparent in the photo a full
belt, or just a partial one?  The legs look pretty simple in the
photo, but do they have any features such as zippers at the ankle for
easy on/off or fasteners to cinch them that aren't apparent in the
photo?

How is the fit?  I often find pants are large in the waist and tight
in the hip/thigh area for my build.  Does the Syncro fit well?  Is
the Schoeller Dynamic material as comfortable and elastic as claimed,
or does it bind anywhere?  Where does the waist ride?  How long are
the pants legs?

When field testing, I will be looking at the following issues, and
reporting the results in my field and long term tests:

Fit/Comfort:  How comfortable are the pants?  How do they fit in
various areas?  Are they full enough in the seat for a full range of
motion?  Do they feel too small anywhere (such as the thigh area) or
too short anywhere (such as the crotch area) or are they like all
Baby Bear's stuff in Goldilocks and the Three Bears (just right!).
Does the fabric feel good against my skin?  Does it feel breathable
as claimed?

Features:  Are the pockets generous enough to carry an array of items
I like to keep handy while hiking such as a bandana, tissues, lip
balm, and a knife?  Are they also large enough (and conveniently
placed enough) to include my camera?  Is there a zippered security
pocket to hold keys, drivers license, and some cash?  Is the belt
easy to fasten and unfasten?

Fabric: Is the Schoeller Dynamic fabric truly elastic enough for
supreme comfort and shape retention both as claimed?  I often find
the waist of nylon pants stretches out quite a bit over a weekend of
wear, resulting in a very loose fit that can feel uncomfortable under
a pack.  Does the Syncro pant waist remain well in place while still
stretching enough for comfort when I bend or stretch?  Is the
NanoSphere self-cleaning finish up to the job of repelling West
Virginia red clay mud or the rich black soil prevalent in the
Monongahela National Forest?  The fabric is supposed to be quick
drying, but is it also water resistant if I spill a few drops on it?
Is it odor resistant, or is it bad about retaining odors such as
sweat or the smell of swampy mud?

Packing:  To be quite honest, I seldom have need to pack my pants
while hiking or backpacking, since I am wearing them the whole time,
but do the Syncro's pack small to fit in a duffle or luggage for car
camping or travel weekends?

Quality and durability: Is the fabric as durable and abrasion
resistant as claimed?  Does it snag, abrade, or pill over the course
of the test?  Does the stitching (and seams) stay intact?

Link to all my completed reviews & reports:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/tester_reviews/pamwyant

Current Tests:

DeFeet ArmSkins – Long Term test phase – LTR due July 29.

Teva Wraptor Shield shoes – Long Term test phase -  LTR due July 29.

Sport Skirts Trikini Tank – Field Test phase – FR due July 29.

Kelty Carport Deluxe – selection just made, awaiting shipment.


Other current applications out:

X-Socks Airforce 1 Socks

Other BackpackGearTest activities:

Monitor
Mentor
Owner Review Editor

I usually have numerous tests running concurrently, since I often
volunteer to apply for and test little items that are low on
applications.  I feel a little `empty' right now with only four
tests, two of which are simple clothing items.  And two tests are
finishing up the end of this month, which will leave me testing only
two items!  (Assuming the Kelty Carport Deluxe ships soon.)

Even should I be selected to test the X-Socks Airforce 1 socks, I
should have no problem testing the Syncro Pant as well.  The Syncro's
will not conflict with any of the items I am testing. I have
occasionally had several tests due on the same date, and managed to
submit reports on time, so even in the unlikely event that the
Syncro's should ship out quickly and be due around July 29 with the
rest of my tests, this should not present a problem.  (Especially
since I can begin submitting these reports on July 15th, just a
couple of weeks away.)

As always, I would like to thank BackpackGearTest for providing
opportunities to test a variety of gear, for providing an unbiased
source to research gear I am interested in, and for the chance to
apply for this test.

Pam

Rick, et al:

The HTML version of my Field Report on the Kayland Convert Hiking Boots is
located in the TEST folder.  It may be accessed via this link:
http://snipurl.com/2skcg

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

The text version follows below.

FIELD REPORT
July 1, 2008

Summary:
During the Field Test Phase, I wore the boots more than forty days, including
thirteen days walking trails in the backcountry. The boots have seen rain, snow,
mud, cool and warmer temperatures. The soles are showing minimal wear. For the
most part, they have provided good traction and have kept my feet dry.
Nevertheless, I expected these Italian designed boots to perform better in terms
of comfort and durability than they have to date.

Pros:

     * Aggressive Tread
     * Padded Gusset
     * Padded Collar
     * Padded Heel Cup
     * Two Cinch Hooks on Collar
     * Knurled Toe Rand
     * Unique Lacing System
     * Initial Fit


Cons:

     * A seam in the leather upper on the right boot is separating.
     * Wearing them for eight consecutive days (6:00 am to 10:30 pm) made the
outer edge of my big toes sore.

Field Locations and Test Conditions:

During May, I wore the boots approximately sixteen day to work and kicking about
in Idaho Falls, Idaho, which is approximately 4,700 ft (1,433 m) above sea
level. Weather conditions included rain and temperatures ranging from the low
30s to the high 80s F (1 to 32 C).

In June, I wore the boots twenty five days. On June 5 - 7, I wore them on a
church youth retreat near Hebgen Lake, Montana. Hebgen Lake is 10 miles
northwest of West Yellowstone, Montana at an elevation of 6,547 ft (1,996 m).
The sky was overcast and we had rain, snow, and hail. Temperatures ranged from a
low of 27 F to a high of 49 F (-3 to 9 C).

Later in June, I wore the Converts an additional ten days, eight of them
consecutive, while serving as a Scoutmaster at the BSA Grand Teton Council’s
Cedar Badge National Youth Leadership Training camp at the base of the Teton
Mountains approximately 10 mi (16 km) east of Driggs, Idaho. The elevation is
approximately 6,500 ft (1,981 m). On June 13 - 14, the temperature ranged from
28 F to 72 F (-2 to 22 C) and there was 3 in (8 cm) of snow on the ground. June
21 - June 28 the temperature ranged from 37 F to 81 F (3 to 27 C) and the snow
was gone. I wore the boots walking the packed dirt and rock trails and climbing
the hills in camp for more than sixteen hours a day.

Observations:
[PHOTO HERE] Although not hiking with a pack on my back, the Converts got a good
workout during the Field Test period. The first few weeks I wore the boots
everyday to help break them in. I wore them to work and kicking around.
Initially, I wore medium weight merino wool socks. But after a week or so, I
also wore cotton socks. My feet were not sore in any way; I believe I could have
hiked in them after a day or so out of the box. After a couple of days, I felt
like they were broken in fairly well, and felt great on my feet. Consequently, I
believe the break-in period for these boots to be very short. During this
initial period, I particularly noticed what Kayland calls its "Enhanced Rocker."
As I walked, it felt as if there were springs in the heels helping the boot roll
forward. I really liked the feeling. Most of the walking during this period was
on asphalt and concrete. The soles showed minimal wear.

On the youth retreat near Hebgen Lake Montana, we did a lot of experiential
learning activities outdoors. Unfortunately, we had predominantly wet, cold
weather. We had rain, hail, and snow off and on the entire weekend.
Consequently, the boots were exposed to very wet and muddy conditions. I wore
medium weight merino wool socks, so my feet were nice and warm. The eVent liner
in the boots did an excellent job keeping my feet dry. The aggressive tread
provided excellent traction in the mud. The outsole even provided good traction
as I climbed over a 12 ft (4 m) plywood wall in a light drizzle. However, the
traction was not so great on the wet, smooth, basalt rocks. In fact, at times,
it felt as if I were climbing on ice blocks because of the limited of traction.
The soles were not as "grippy" as I had hoped they would be. In fact, I did not
feel like the boots lived up to Kayland's claim to "enable the wearer to move
safely and securely, even over wet,
  slippery terrain" at least as far as the wet rocks were concerned.

On my June 13 - 14th outing near Driggs, Idaho, the boots again provided
excellent traction in the snow and mud. They also kept my feet dry. The leather
did not even get too wet. I noticed that the leather did not even get overly
dirty, even with all the mud.

The June 21 - 28th outing near Driggs, Idaho, provided an excellent workout for
the boots. I wore them sixteen plus hours a day. For most of the time, I wore
medium weight merino wool socks. However, toward the end, I wore official BSA
socks, which are mainly cotton. Regardless of which sock I wore, my feet were
not overly sweaty. I believe the eVent liner breathed quite well. I am not sure
if it is due to too much room in the toebox, or whether the insoles are
insufficient, but by the end of the eighth consecutive day walking the rocky
trails of camp, the outer edge of the pads on my big toes were really sore. I
did not experience any hot spot, blisters, sore arches, or sore heels, just very
sore big toes. I will carry my third-party insoles with me in the future in case
I begin to experience sore toes again. That way I will be able to determine if
the insoles are insufficient, or if something else causes me the discomfort.

The photos below are the Converts at the end of June. Notice the separating seam
in the first two photos. This occurred sometime during my June 21 - 28 outing. I
was quite disappointed when I noticed the splitting seam as I took the boots off
at home the night of June 28th. Also notice that the leather uppers have "sueded
out" more than they were new [compare to photos in Initial Report seciton].

[THREE PHOTOS HERE]

Overall, the boots have performed well in terms of traction and keeping my feet
dry. The boots are easy to lace and the unique lacing system seems to do its job
of holding the heel in place. Not once did I feel my heel slip. In addition, the
padded heel cup and collar are very comfortable. There is a lot to like about
the Converts. Nevertheless, I expected these Italian designed boots to perform
better in terms of comfort and durability than they have to date. I will
continue to monitor the seam separation and other durability issues during the
long-term test phase.

Kathryn,

Nice report.  Just a few minor edits for you to address and then you
are good to upload.

EDIT: < a 6 mi (9.6 kn) > - should be "9.6 km" -- please correct

EDIT: < Hot Shot has be performing > - should be "has been peforming"
-- please correct

Edit: < This seems occur over > - I believe you are missing the word
"to" between "seems" and "occur" -- please correct

Edit: < how hot I am then how hot > - I believe "then" should be
"than"   -- please correct

See you again in two months.  Ryan

Whoops, forgot to include the word EDIT in the header...SORRY!


Kathryn,

Nice report.  Just a few minor edits for you to address and then you
are good to upload.

EDIT: < a 6 mi (9.6 kn) > - should be "9.6 km" -- please correct

EDIT: < Hot Shot has be performing > - should be "has been peforming"
-- please correct

Edit: < This seems occur over > - I believe you are missing the word
"to" between "seems" and "occur" -- please correct

Edit: < how hot I am then how hot > - I believe "then" should be
"than"   -- please correct

See you again in two months.  Ryan

first, any further discussion should go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BGTWeb/

I like to support companies that support BGT...so without futher adieu
(sp?), I thought it worth mentioning a copmpany we have tested with
made the list.

<http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/summary.php?
nothanks=1>

out of 952 tested 28 were rated as excellent.  Click on the most
effective and Badger is listed.

we tested thier lip balm but here is the sunscreen

http://www.badgerbalm.com/c-6-suncare.aspx

they mention on the site similar studies...

you will also notice that most of the big name brand sunscreens are
not on the list.  well not on the good side of the list.

second, I am not a big fan of sunscreen period and prefer to just
avoid mid-day sun. I think that some sunlight is good for us.
However, sometimes I cant avoid mid-day sun. For instance yesterday I
worked outside all day (well 7 AM thru 2 PM.  I didn't use any
sunscreen. wore a t-shirt and shorts.  And I have no idea how
accurate the claims made are. could be  there is some unknown factors
that could make the ones they list as best actually harmeful. But the
next time I buy some I am going to try to find the Badger (or at
least on listed on the good side).

Coy Boy

Doug –

Do you have any pictures of field use of the Fuel? It's not required
but would really add to the report and so far there are not pictures
of the Fuel actually being used as intended by any of the 3 testers.
Edits are noted with **. Feel free to upload after changes are made.

Thanks!

-Curt
______________________________________________________


On my 4 day Wenaha River (in Troy Oregon U.S.) canyon lands hike with
the elevations ranging from 1500 ft (475m) to about 3000 ft (914 m).
The temperatures were about in the mid 40's F (4 C) range during the
day and either 35 F (1 C) and drizzly or clear and freezing at night.

**Proper listing of towns should be (Troy, Oregon, U.S.) with commas
**Canyonlands is typically one word – your call
**First sentence is a fragment – maybe combine the two?



I used the headlamp the most on this trip because by the time I came
into camp on the first night, it was dusk and I had to use for tarp
set up and cooking.

**Missing a word. Should probably be "…and I had to use IT for tarp …."



I don't take books with my on my regular 3 season hikes so there was
no extended use of the lamp at any one time.

** "I don't take books with ME on my regular…"
  On my over nighter trips I used the headlamp pretty much in the same
style as the Wenaha trip save for the late night set up.
**Most use OVERNIGHTER as one word



When not on the trail with me the PT Fuel road around in my trunk bag
on my bag as a back up light.

** This sounds a little funny. What's a trunk bag on your bag?
Where it endured some more abuse.
**This should probably be part of the previous sentence
On one occasion my main light went out on me coming back from work. I
still had about 5 miles or so to go before I got home.
**Metric conversion on the miles, please



The headlamp got stashed into my main front pocket on my pack and
there it road for the duration.

** "… and there it RODE for the …"
and endured many other types of abuse and it still performed with
ought a glitch.
** "… still performed WITHOUT a glitch."



  The button still has a positive click feel, the bands is not fade or
falling apart in any way, overall workmanship still is functional.

** "… the BAND is not FADED or falling…"



Its' durabilty!!!

**Its doesn't have an apostrophe in this usage
**Durability is misspelled



CONTINUED USE
I plan on using the PT Fuel as my regular head lamp for backpacking or
in my bike bag for commuting back up purposes, Or it may just go in to
my tool box at work for when I need to work hands free and can't see
what I am working on.

** HEADLAMP should be one word
** There's an awkward transition in here after "purposes". Either make
them two sentences or join them differently.
** "…go INTO my tool…"



  What ever I do with it, it will get very used.

**Whatever is one word



Once again I would like to thank BGT and Princeton tec for letting
test such a fine piece of equipment.

**Tec should be capitalized
** "… for letting ME test…"  - missing a word

Mark – once again you really have a nice layout. Your reports are very
nicely formatted. Do you have any pictures of field use of the Fuel?
It's not required but would really add to the report and so far there
are not pictures of the Fuel actually being used as intended by any of
the 3 testers.

Edits are noted with **. Feel free to upload after changes are made.

Thanks!

-Curt
_________________________________________________________

Compared with the batter life noted in the field report, this shows
that batteries do indeed last longer when using lower output settings.
**Should be "…compared with the battery life…" – forgot the Y at the
end of battery



Once in camp, I find that I often would turn the headlamp down to
medium or even low when chores.
**Missing a word in there. How about "…medium or even low when DOING
chores."  ??



I never have to worry about feeling for which button to use and find
that operation becomes second nature.
**This reads a little funny. Do you mean `findING' ?



• If only it were slightly brighter for hiking tricky trails at night.
**No period at the end for consistency since you didn't use them in
the previous bullet list

I'll be out of pocket until July 6.  Have a great week everyone!  I don't think
this will affect any of my monitoring responsibilities.

Mike Wheiler

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

The filter arrived yesterday 7-1-08.

IR soon to follow.

Josh C

The Primus Primelite CT arrived today.

Initial Report will follow within a week.

Ed M

Hi Will,

I am editing this for Mark. You do still need to put the HTML version
in the test folder and alert us here.

Ray



EDIT: must be changed
Edit: should be changed but will be left to your discretion
Comment: just that or something to think about



***Dimensions: 20" x 72" x 2.5" (50.6x 182.16x 6.32 cm)

EDIT: these are the "listed" dimensions, right? What are your
measurements?



***Packed Dimension: 6"x 11"x 1.5" (15.18x 27.83x 3.8 cm)

EDIT: this must be your measurement as the listed rolled size is 2.5
x 10 inches. Is your number in the provided stuff sack?



***The chambers of the pad are all connected, so when its inflating,

EDIT: when "it's" inflating



***there is no problem with lack air dispersion due to kinking.

EDIT: I don't think you want "lack" in there



***When its being used the air equalizes itself throughout the pad.

EDIT: it's

Also you need to explain how the pad is made. The reader (me) has no
idea what you are talking about. What chambers? Describe the pad to
us.

***The inflation valve is very large and I found it easy to use.

Edit: how does it work?



***It took more air to fill than I would have preferred, but it was
not hard to
completely inflate the pad and I did not get light-headed.

Comment: that is a strange statement. Would you rather the pad be
thinner so as not to take so much air?



***The construction seems durable enough, but I am worried that since
it is basically an inflatable raft, it might pop on rocky ground or
if it gets poked by a stick.

EDIT: rather than speculate on its durability you should save that
for if it happens.



***The pad stuffs into the sleeve of the sleeping bag very easily. It
also seems quite comfortable to lay on.

EDIT: to "lie" on



***The one issue I noticed immediately is that the pad only seems to
be as wide as my torso, so if my arms fall to my side, they will rest
off the pad. I do not know
yet if this is going to be an issue or not. With the amount of
movement I have while sleeping, this pad would not be good for me
outside of the sleeve system of the Big Agnes Elbert SL.


Comment: you may want to say that your normal pad is a wide one if
that is the case. Do you use a 25" pad normally, to where the
standard 20" width of the Clearview is an issue?





***The pad appears to be everything that it was advertised to be. It
does seem to be a little bit more narrow than I expected.

Comment: same thing. What were you expecting?



***- easily popped?

EDIT: this should go unless proven

Hello again Will,

I just noticed something. You are testing the BA Elbert SL bag. That
only works with a mummy shaped pad, and I am pretty sure that they sent
you one. Yet you described the regular shape and weight in this IR.

Did you actually weigh it?

You may want to describe its shape too.

Ray

Delete request of Columbia Hot Shot IR so I can upload new FR.  Report
can be found here:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Clothing/Jackets/Columbia%20Hot%20Shot%2\
0Shell/Test%20Report%20by%20Kathryn%20Doiron/

thanks

kathryn

Hi Will,

I am editing this for Mark. You do still need to put the HTML version
in the test folder and alert us here.

Ray



EDIT: must be changed
Edit: should be changed but will be left to your discretion
Comment: just that or something to think about




***Listed Weight: 2.5 lbs (1.14 g)

EDIT: that is a light bag… I think you mean 1.14 "kg"



***The bag is filled with PrimaLoft Insulation. The info tag claims
that
PrimaLoft is more compressible than continuous filament.

EDIT: PrimaLoft SB (PrimaLoft makes different kinds of insulation)


Also this is not much of a description. Take a look at some other bag
reviews and see what we are looking for.



***I slept inside the bag in my bed and it kept me very cozy with the
AC turned down to 65 F (~18 C).

Comment: this is not the type of testing we do. I think that you need
to talk about how it works in a backpacking situation, not at home in
your bed



***I foresee that this might be a problem for warmer temperatures.

EDIT: rather than speculating about its shortcomings why don't you
wait until you have proof of it before complaining?

***The shoulder flaps have me excited.

Comment: what shoulder flaps? You should have that in your product
description so the readers will know what you are talking about.



***The fit of the bag allows me to lay on my stomach as well. Although
its a mummy and its much closer in all areas, I still think I am
going to be able to lay on my side and on my stomach.

Edit: In one sentence you say that you can, then in the next you say
you think you will be able. Which is it?

Hi Ryan-

Thanks--I'm trying!

The only reason I didn't wear the shell on some trips is because it
wasn't raining!  I have changed the wording of that part a little and
uploaded.
See you in 2 months

-larry

--- In backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan L. Christensen"
<bigdawgryan@...> wrote:
>
> Larry,
>
> Nice report.  You've made my job very easy.  I do however have a
> comment.
>
> <COMMENT> you mention that you have carried the shell on several
trips,
> but only used it once.  How many trips have you carried the shell
with
> you, and why did you not use it?  I think readers would like to know.
>
> Other than that, you are good to upload.  See you agian in two months.
>
> Ryan
>

IR - Big Agnes Elbert 35 SL Sleeping Bag

Mike Wilkie
7/2/08

Thanks in advance for your edits.  The HTML version has been uploaded to the
test folder and can be accessed via the link below.

http://tinyurl.com/6d6wlk


BIG AGNES ELBERT SL 35 SLEEPING BAG
TEST SERIES BY MIKE WILKIE
IR
July 02, 2008

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Mike Wilkie
EMAIL: foreverwild1885 at yahoo dot com
AGE: 31
LOCATION: Davenport, New York (USA)
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 8" (1.73 m)
WEIGHT: 148 lb (67.10 kg)

Hiking for me started at an early age, as I was always an avid camper and being
a young Scout began my backpacking obsession. Living in the Catskill Region
backpacking has become serious for me over the years. I camp, hike or multi-day
backpack through the Catskill or Adirondack Wilderness every weekend. As a
mid-weight packer I'm always prepared and use a tent for overnighters. Being an
aspirant of the Catskill 3500 Club and Adirondack 46ers, peak-bagging is now my
favorite outdoor activity. My long-term goals are to complete long distance
thru-hikes.


INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Big Agnes
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Manufacturer's Website: <<HYPERLINK GOES HERE - "http://www.bigagnes.com">>
MSRP: US$179.95 for regular size

Manufacturer Details - Regular Size Bag
Fill Weight: 18 oz (.51 kg)
Bag Weight: 2 lbs 8 oz (1.13 kg)
Shoulder Girth: 27 in (67.5 cm)
Hip Girth: 26 in (64 cm)
Foot Box Girth: 17.5 in (44 cm)
Stuff Sack Size: 7.5 x 15 in (19.05 x 38.10 cm)
Compressed Bag Size: 7 x 9 in (17.78 x 22.86 cm)

Other Manufacturer Details
Shell Material: WRM
Lining Material: WRM
Pad Sleeve Material (bottom): WRM

*Manufacturer details taken from bigagnes.com

Tester Details
Sleeping Bag Weight: 2 lbs 9 oz (1.16 kg)
Stuff Sack Weight: no weight registered on scale
Stuffed Sleeping Bag Weight in Stuff Sack: 2 lbs 10 oz (1.19 kg)
Mesh Storage Bag Weight: 3.2 oz (91 g)
Shoulder Girth: 30 in (76 cm)
Hip Girth: 27 in (69 cm)
Foot Box Girth: 17 in (43.18 cm)
Stuff Sack Size: 7.5 x 15 in (17.78 x 22.86 cm)
Stuffed Sleeping Bag Size in Stuff Sack: 7 x 15 in (17.78 cm x 22.86 cm)

<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 1"  IMAGE CAPTION = "Image courtesy of
bigagnes.com">>


INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The Elbert 35 SL Sleeping bag arrived in excellent condition and was well
packaged.  I was first impressed with the light weight of the package upon
arrival.  The sleeping bag was sent in a typical corrugated shipping box. 
Included in the box was the sleeping bag, stuff sack, mesh storage bag and the
compatible Clearview Sleeping Pad.  Reviews for the sleeping pad can be found on
<<HYPERLINK GOES HERE - "http://www.backpackgeartest.org">> as well.

<<HYPERLINK GOES HERE -
"http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Sleep%20Gear/Pads%20and%20Air%20Mattres\
ses/" LINK TEXT = "BGT Sleeping Pad Reveiws">>

Elbert 35 is one of the sleeping bags included in Big Agnes' Divide SL Series. 
The Big Agnes Divide SL Series is made up of three different temperature rated
bags with the Elbert rated their lightest with a comfort rating of 35 F (2 C). 
The Divide Series Sleeping Bags are superlight and technical synthetic mummy
style bags.

The Elbert bag has an integrated pad sleeve for what Big Agnes claims "never
roll off your pad again".

The shell, lining and bottom pad sleeve is constructed of Big Agnes WRM.  WRM is
30D micro-fiber ripstop nylon material that is tightly woven.  The design is
water resistant and has a durable water repellent coating.  This fabric ca shed
light amounts of water and helps prevent saturation from condensation.  The WRM
material is super lightweight, windproof and breathable.  The surface is WR
treated to repel water.

The synthetic insulation that fills the Elbert bag is Primaloft.  Primaloft is
high loft insulation with a down-like feel made specifically for sleeping bags. 
The ultra-fine polyester has a fiber structure that creates millions of tiny air
pockets that retain warmth.  .  This insulation provides the warmth needed
without bulkiness like other synthetic fill.   The silicone coated fibers are
water repellent and extremely soft and comfortable.  Combined with the
lightweight shell, lining and pad sleeve bottom this synthetic fill makes for a
super compressible bag affording minimal pack space and weight.  Big Agnes
states the bag offer superior drape and compresses as well as premium goose
down.  Thus far I would have to agree.

<<HYPERLINK GOES HERE - "http://www.primaloft.com">>

When I first saw the size of the tuff sack I didn't believe the bag would fit. 
Sure enough it fit like a glove.  The nylon stuff sack filled to a size slightly
larger than a professional football.

The mesh storage sack is a much larger sack that the sleeping bag will wear
loosely to preserve the high loft of the insulation.  The mesh storage sack is
made up of recycled materials.

Not only does the Elbert 35 Sleeping Bag have weight savings from its
lightweight materials, Big Agnes has also eliminated the bottom insulation which
also reduces much of its weight.  Instead of insulation they incorporated the
bottom pad sleeve to accommodate their compatible sleeping pad.  Big Agnes
believes that the pad with provide the insulation needed.  The Elbert 35 bag has
increased girth that allows me to toss and turn freely inside the bag while
remaining on the sleeping pad and never rolling off.

Big Agnes has also included a pillow pocket that will accommodate the Clearview
Ail Pillow.  I found my standard sized travel pillow to be a perfect fit. 
However any pullover or fleece will work just as well when stuffed inside the
pillow pocket.

Three other excellent features Big Agnes included in the design of the Elbert
bag are the no-draft collar, no-draft wedge and the no-draft zipper tube.  The
no-draft collar keeps cold air from entering the bag by sealing around the neck,
the no-draft wedge insulates between the bag and pad connection and the no-draft
zipper tube is an insulated flap that runs along the length of the zipper.

In the 2008 catalog Big Agnes states that the no-draft features are not included
on the Elbert bag.  Nor are the features include in the bags description on
bigagnes.com.  However the features are definitely included in my Elbert bag.

The last feature I feel is worth mentioning is the 60 in (152 cm) YKK #5 zipper.
This zipper will allow for a second bag integration with the same sized zipper. 
A right side zipper must mate with a left side zipper.  Now two campers with
similar bag styles can mate and snuggle close in the great outdoors.






TRYING IT OUT

So far my experiences with the sleeping bag hasn't gone beyond my bedroom floor
as of yet.  However I did jump right into the bag when I first received it as
well as several other times for initial evaluation.  My wife thought I was crazy
when she found me snoozing in the bag the first time I tried it out.  With the
compatible Clearview Air Pad I found the Elbert 35 bag to be super comfy and
allowed me to nap soundly on my bedroom floor.

Using the compatible Clearview Air Pad was a snap.  At first it was a bit fussy
try to get the pad into the sleeping bag pad sleeve but after a few goes I am no
able to put the system together in no time at all.  As for breaking the system
down, that was a snap as well.  It took know time to stuff the bag into the
stuff sack.  As we all know set up and break down times can take up valuable
trail time so be able to pack up set up this sleep system in minimal time is
crucial for me.  So far I'm very pleased with that aspect of the sleep system.



TESTING STRATEGY

In the up coming months I have many overnight trips planned to use and test the
Elbert 35 sleep system.  Most of these overnight trips will be in the Catskill
Mountains as I climb up, over and through the high peaks.  Some backpacking
trips will also take me within the Adirondacks as well.  Also planned are some
river trips where I will be traveling by canoe or Kayak.  The Elbert bag will
surely receive consistent and constant use throughout this test series.

SUMMARY

After catching those first few z's during the initial try out I am convinced
that Big Agnes is all about comfort and quality.  Comfort for while sleeping in
the bag as well as comfort when carrying the bag.  As I am learning to decrease
my pack weight and practice safe lightweight techniques I am please to be
testing this ultralight sleep system.

The added girth really adds to the comfort level.  Since I toss and turn during
sleep this extra space is much appreciated.  I can easily move around inside
without the bag following me nor do I feel trapped or claustrophobic like in the
traditional snug fitting mummy bags.  My knees can be bent pointing to the sky
with no tensioning of the bag and I can curl up into the fetal position without
restraint.  The bag extra girth can also accommodate a sleeping bag liner to add
to the comfort rating.  All of the qualities and features I feel were well
thought out by Big Agnes and they designed a superior ultralight sleep system.


Best Regards,
Mike Wilkie         

www.MountainViewMovies.com   

Wholesale DVD Movies and Video Games for the Lowest Wholesale Prices!!!      

The Westcomb Syncro Pant test call is officially closed.  I have received
applications from the following:

Arnold Peterson
David Tagnani
Gail Staisil
Nathan Kettner
Pamela Wyant
Richard Lyon
Sheila Morrissey

If you applied and I missed your application please send me an email w/ a
message # ASAP.

Cheers

Kenny B

The Humangear capCAP is expected to go out USPS and testers should expect it to
arrive early next week.  Have fun testing!

Cheers

Kenny B

Well then go get your fire starter (run so you get it before the holiday ends). 
Running to wherever you keep it would sure be nice in these trail runners

The Item:

Oboz
Ignition Trail Runner
Mens http://www.obozfootwear.com/#/mens-collection/ignition
Or http://tinyurl.com/6qfntv
Womens http://www.obozfootwear.com/#/womens-collection/ignition
Or http://tinyurl.com/5wo2q9

Some Details:

US Shipping Included
Newbie limit does not apply
Kenny B is the mod
Notes - Best for low to mid volume feet because of its bootie construction (vs.
A traditional
tongue configuration).  High Arches may have problems as well.  Seem to run to
true to size.
I’ll close this test call (final one before the OR show) next Wednesday July
9th at midnight MST.
Your subject line should include “Application Oboz Ignition”.  Happy
Applicating (and playing with fireworks)!

Cheers

Kenny B

Below is my IR for the Scarpa Kailash boots. HTML version has been
posted to the Test Folder and my be found here,
http://tinyurl.com/43gu49


SCARPA KAILASH BOOTS
TEST SERIES BY TOM CALLAHAN
IR
July 03, 2008

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Tom Callahan
EMAIL: tcallahanbgt AT yahoo DOT com
AGE: 49
LOCATION: Seattle, Washington, USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 11" (1.80 m)
WEIGHT: 170 lb (77.10 kg)

For the past 20 years I have lived off and on in Washington State,
backpacking in the Cascade Mountains. I get out regularly on day
hikes and multi-day trips and usually try to include a good off trail
scramble. During the winter I get out snowshoeing at every
opportunity. I also enjoy glacier climbing, summiting prominent peaks
like Mt. Rainier (14K ft/4K m) and Mt. Baker (10K ft/3K m).  My pack
weight will range from 15 - 50 lbs (7 - 23 kg) depending on the
season and the length and type of trip.


INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Scarpa
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Manufacturer's Website: <<HYPERLINK GOES HERE -
  "http://www.scarpa.com/">>
MSRP: N/A
Listed Weight: 630g (1 lb 6.2 oz) for size 42
Measured Weight: 3 lb 0.4 oz (1,360 g)
Size: 44.5

<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "Scarpa Kailash Boots"  IMAGE CAPTION
= "Scarpa Kailash Boots">>

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The boots arrived in a standard Scarpa boot box. The boots appearance
is true to the picture of the product on the Scarpa web site.
Although some pieces of the boots suede is slightly darker than
pictured, and another slightly lighter this is very minor. The
coloring and styling make for a good looking boot.

There were 3 hang tags with the product; a Scarpa tag that describes
the leather used in their product line and the proper care for the
leather. The other 2 tags were Gore-Tex product tags

The boot upper is constructed of a combination of nylon mesh and
suede, predominantly the latter. These panels curve and overlap to
provide flexibility across the front of the boot. Additional panels
provide support through the ankle and particularly in the heel which
is quite stiff. The interior lining of the boot is a very soft. There
is ample padding throughout the boots, with extra padding around the
top of the boot. This should make for a comfortable fit. The tongue
is also well very padded and gusseted nearly the entire length.  The
boot has a Gore-Tex liner that is built in to the boot, between the
boot exterior and interior padded liner.

The stitching and cut of materials are of very good quality. There
are no loose threads and all seams are nicely finished.  The lacing
system consists of nylon web and metal hook eyelets. The boot laces
up initially with an initial center web eyelet, 4 metal loop eyelets,
a pair of web eyelets, and then 2 pair of metal hook eyelets.

The sole of the boot is constructed of Vibram Hi-Trail Lite. The
tread is deep and the lugs are angled to provide traction. The lugs
are well spaced which will hopefully keep them from clogging up with
mud. Judging by pressing a fingernail into the The Vibram Hi-Trail
Lite rubber sole, it seems a little softer relative to other Vibram
soled boots I have owned. I'm hoping this will provide enhanced
traction on rough, slippery rocks.

TRYING IT OUT

I wear a thin liner sock and a medium weight sock when hiking and
typically take a 10 1/2 or 11 in US sizes, depending on the boot. I
tried on the boots with my hiking socks and these size 44.5 boots fit
very well.

My heel fit well in the heel cup, the boot was snug across the top of
my foot, the toe box provided enough room to move my toes a bit and
my toes did not press against the end of the boot. The boots flexed
well across the toes and the sole has medium stiffness. The boot is
quite stiff through the ankle, providing very good lateral support.
The ample cushioning of the boot felt very good and should provided
added comfort when hiking, especially with a heavy load. The weight
of the boots feels average for mid-weight hiking boot that is so
solidly constructed. There does seem to be a disparity with the
Scarpa web site listing this boot with a significantly lower weight
than what I measured (see Product Information & Specifications
section). Lacing of the boots is easy. The laces slide easily through
both the nylon and metal eyelets. The laces also fit well in the
metal hook eyelets.

SUMMARY

The Scarpa Kailash boots I received are what I expected. The boots
are of solid construction. The boot design, plus the interior padding
provides a very comfortable fit. The sole has a tread that should
readily handle mudd and rocks. The Gore-Tex liner should keep my feet
dry during stream crossing and rainy weather. These will be my
primary backpacking boot for the coming season and am looking forward
to testing them on a variety of terrain and conditions on trails in
the Pacific Northwest.

Initial likes: Good fit, solid construction, Gore-Tex liner
I will be watching during testing: how breathable is the boot in warm
weather, how well does the tread hold up over time, is the boot truly
waterproof.

This concludes my Initial Report.  The Field Report will be amended
to this report in approximately two months from the date of this
report.  Please check back then for further information.

Thank you to BackpackGearTest.org and Scarpa for the opportunity to
test these boots.

This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.