Hi Larry,
Below is my Field Report for the Tilley TWC5 Outback hat.  The link to my
HTML report
is: http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/TESTS/FR%20-%20Tilley%20Outback\
%20-%20Brian%20Hartman/
 
http://snipurl.com/ycook
 

Thanks,
Brian 
 
 
FIELD REPORT
 
FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
 
During the past two months I wore the Tilley Outback on two multi-day
backpacking trips and two day hikes.  I also wore this hat around town and to my
kids' soccer games on weekends.  The weather during this time was unpredictable
I encountered everything from calm, sunny skies to driving rain and tornado
warnings.  Daytime temperatures during this test period ranged from 62 F (16 C)
to 86 F (30 C).  On my trips I hiked on established trails and gravel roads as
well as through dense forests with no trail markers.
 
1. Hoosier National Forest, Bloomington, Indiana:  My first trip during this
test period was a two day backpacking trip of approximately 12 miles (24 km). 
The weather was warm and sunny with highs in the mid 70's F (18 C) and nighttime
lows in the upper 50's F (14 C).  The terrain was heavily forested and quite
rugged.  I spent the majority of this backpacking trip off-trail.
 
2. Camp Frontier, Pioneer, Ohio:  Camp Frontier is an 1,100 acre Boy Scout camp
in Northwest Ohio.  The land we camped on was slightly hilly with several lakes
and lots of heavily forested areas.  This was our Troop's first time to an
out-of-council summer camp and fortunately I was able to join them for three
days.  While there I wore the hat continuously except while sleeping and taking
showers.  Temperatures ranged from 65 F (18 C) to 86 F (30 C) and the camp
elevation was approximately 960 ft (292 m).  There was a decent breeze most days
which provided some relieve for the high humidity.  The skies were cloudy when I
arrived but eventually cleared.
 
3. Westfield, Indiana: The temperature during this day hike went from 78 F (25
C) down to 64 F (17 C) when storms and heavy rain rolled through the park in mid
afternoon.  The trails were well maintained with minimal elevation changes.
 
4. Oldenburg, Indiana: The weather during this trip was partly sunny with
temperatures in the mid 70's (23 C).
 
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
 
<<IMAGE 1>>  The Tilley Outback hat performed flawlessly during my two months of
field testing.  So far it has passed my tests for comfort, ventilation, sun
protection and overall durability with flying colors.
 
Comfort and Fit: Despite many days on the trail, the Tilley Outback has managed
to retain its original shape and fit.  The outer fabric still feels smooth to
the touch with no fraying or pilling and the inner sweatband has remained soft
and smooth against my forehead.  Although the Tilley Outback is noticeably
heavier than my ball caps, it fits great on my head and is very comfortable to
wear even for long durations.  The deep crown and tailored fit has allowed the
hat to remain securely in place.  While climbing up steep embankments and over
fallen trees on my trip to Hoosier National Park, the hat stayed firmly on my
head.  Although I have subjected it to windy conditions on multiple occasions,
it has stayed firmly in place without the need for the wind cord.  I have also
been impressed with how well the brim retains its shape during heavy wind gusts
without flexing or bending.  According to my wife, it even adds a bit of good
looks when I am
  hanging out at our kid's soccer games.  PS.  I think she just said that so I
would stop asking her how it looked.  One final note regarding the fit of Tilley
Outback is that the back brim does not interfere with either my internal or
external frame backpacks.  I contribute this to Tilley's well thought out design
and attention to detail.
 
Ventilation: Hiking with the Tilley Outback at Camp Frontier in Northern Ohio
provided a good opportunity to test the venting and breathing capabilities of
this hat.  It was quite humid during this outing with daytime temperatures in
the mid 80's (28 C).  I'm pleased to report that the hat breathed well during
this trip and my head never became wet with perspiration.  The air circulated
through the large grommets providing welcome ventilation and the Hydrofil
sweatband did a great job of wicking away moisture so that it did not drip down
my face.  Despite the hot, humid conditions, the sweatband stayed mostly dry and
quite comfortable against my forehead.
 
<<IMAGE 2>>  Sun Protection:  With reports of skin damage on the rise, it is
comforting to know that the Tilley Outback provides UPF 50 protection against
the sun's UV rays.  In this regard, the Tilley Outback did an excellent job of
providing shade for my face and ears when hiking or camping in sun exposed
areas.  It has also been very easy for me to shape the brim as needed so that it
curves down in the front and back.  In this position the brim does a very good
job of protecting my neck from the sun's rays when combined with a collared
shirt.  When not wearing a collared shirt, I found that on a few occasions the
lower part of my neck got red by the end of the day.  This happened to me while
hiking in Oldenburg, Indiana and I contributed it to the fact that the sun was
getting under the brim as it moved lower in the sky.  As a side note, the Tilley
hat did a good job protecting me from ticks and other pesky insects while
backpacking off-trail
  through heavy forests.
 
Durability and Weather Resistance: Regarding durability, the Tilley Outback has
performed remarkably well so far.  I have not noticed any fading, stains or
sweat discoloration on the hat from my field use.  This has been an ongoing
grievance of mine in reference to most of my other hats as they tend to break
down after a few years of use.  Despite being worn continuous, accidently sat
on, and stuffed in my backpack, the shape of the Tilley Outback is almost the
same as when it first arrived, with the addition of a few creases.
 
While day hiking in Central Indiana, I was caught in a major downpour and had
the opportunity to test the Tilley Outback in pouring rain.  It held up fairly
well.  Although the hat is not waterproof, it is water resistant and did a
really good job of keeping the vast majority of rain off me.  As mentioned by
Tilley, the hat got really stiff once wet, which was a good thing because it
kept the brim from collapsing under the weight of all the water.  Once the
weather cleared, the hat dried out in a few hours and was as good as new. 
Because my Tilley hasn't gotten very dirty during testing, I have not yet washed
it.  Nor have I tested its ability to float in water.  With some additional
testing time, I'll be able to comment on those items in my long term report.
 
SUMMARY
 
I love this hat. It fits well, and is comfortable to wear on the trail and
around town. It is definitely on my short list of items to take on backpacking
trips throughout the year.
Thanks to Tilley Endurables and Backpackgeartest for the opportunity to test
this hat.
 
 
This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.




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

AB,
Thanks for the edits, sorry for the silly mistakes.
All edits made except for the Listed Weight. New file uploaded to site and test
version deleted.
Already getting lots of use out of these and looking forward to using them on Mt
Adams in 10 days!

See you for the FR,
Dave

--- In backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew Buskov" <rescue@...> wrote:
>
> David,
>
> Here are your edits. As usual;
> EDIT: Change me
> Edit: Think about changing me
> Comment: Everything else
>
> Nice report. Look forward to seeing our FR.
>
> AB
> ______________________
>
> > Test series by David Wilkes
> EDIT: You have a link here, but it doesn't appear to be pointing to anything.
Is it
> broken?
>
> > Torso:  19"(48 cm)
> EDIT: Add space before (, also as you use in throughout the rest of your
report,
> Please change it to in here as well instead of ".
>
> > to me. My current pack is around 30 lbs (14 kg), not including consumables.
> EDIT: As per the Survival Guide, please put some information in as to your
sleeping
> arrangements: Tent, Hammock, Shelter.
>
> > Weight:
> > Listed: [not listed]
> EDIT: as there is no listed weight per Julbo, you need not list it here.
>
> > Measured 1.4 oz (39 g) without case 4.1 oz (116 g) with case
> Edit: Reads weird, I suggest comma as such: " without case, 4.1 oz (116 g)"
>
> >
> > Dementions:
> EDIT: Dimensions please, not Dementions
>
> > Frame Width 5.5 in (144 mm)
> > Temple (hinge to tip)  4.5 in  (114 mm)
> EDIT: Remove extra space before 4.5
>
> > the part of the glasses attached to the sides of the frames  and extending
over
> EDIT: Remove extra space between frames & and.
>
> > larger size sunglasses, and these seem to fit my face. The second thing I
> Edit: Reads weird, suggest "larger size of sunglasses"
>
> > that I can purchase replacement or different  lenses for the Contest frames
via
> EDIT: Remove extra space between different & lenses
>
> > phone or PayPal.
> > Julbo offers a 30 day refund/exchange policy on all their products in the
event
> > the purchaser is not satisfied with the product.
> Edit: you have an extra line return here. Is this intentional?
>
> > and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test these poles.
> EDIT: Didn't think these were poles.. thought they were glasses.
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hi Patrick,

See below for my IR on the Nikwax.HTML loaded at:

http://tinyurl.com/2e3krzo

Cheers,

Jamie
************

   Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather

IR1
Image Courtesy Nikwax


     Test Series by Jamie Lawrence


         Initial Report - 1st July 2010 <#InitialReport>


         <#InitialReport>Long-Term Report - Due September 2010


       Tester Information

*Name:* Jamie Lawrence

*Email:* jlawrence286 (at) gmail.com

*Age:* 29

*Location:* Hobart Tasmania, AUSTRALIA

*Gender:* Male

*Height:* 1.70 m (5' 7")

*Weight:* 70 kg (154 lbs)

I was introduced to backpacking/tramping/hiking as a young child in Boy Scouts
and through my school physical/adventure education. After leaving school, I
mainly did short daywalks until recently when I started to re-walk some of
Tasmania's key routes and try others I have yet to attempt. I mainly walk in the
winter months, in Tasmania's central highlands area. I prefer light gear,
extended walks (3-5 days) in a group of 3 people, or shorter walks (1-3 days)
walking solo. I generally carry a base weight pack of around 8 kg - 10 kg (17
lbs - 22 lbs).

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


   Initial Report

1st July 2010


       Product Information & Specification

*Manufacturer:* Nikwax

*Year of Manufacture:* 2010

*Manufacturer's Website:* http://www.nikwax.com

*MSRP:* Not listed

*Listed Weight:* Not listed

*Measured Weight:* 120 g (4.2 oz)

*Volume:* 100 ml (3.4 fl oz)


On the tube Nikwax describe this product as ...Easy to use WaterBased
[sic] wax for smooth leather. Waterproofing Wax protects walking,
motorcycle, work and sports footwear plus bridle work and saddlery. As a keen
bushwalker and motorcyclist I have leather gear that gets a regular exposure to
wet weather. Unfortunately I am not overly handy with a horse so any test on
saddles or bridle work will have to wait for another time.

The easiest way to describe this product is that it is a thick yellow
liquid which looks a lot like mustard, although I am not sure if it
tastes just as good! It is contained within a tube that is around 15 cm (6 in)
long with a foam applicator on one end that is covered by a cap. Oddly enough
the label contains the above product description and a couple of warnings. This
information is then repeated in French. There are no directions for use nor
information to suggest how much coverage is possible from 1 tube of product.


       Trying it Out

I was lucky enough to find the directions for use on Nikwax's website.
It is a simple 2 step process, simply rub the wax into the leather then buff off
any excess to a gentile shine. Nikwax advise to pay special attention to seem
areas. I assume this is because seems are usually the most likely area for water
to enter. They also advise that the wax may darken leather slightly so a test
application is suggested. As I intended to apply the wax to my black leather
boots, I assumed they could not get any darker so I just flew straight into it.

IR2  IR3
Wax Applied to Boot  One Boot Polished, One Boot to be Polished


I immediately noticed that it was rather easy to apply too much wax by
over squeezing the tube and saturating the foam application pad. This
resulted in thick patches of the wax on my boots. As can be seen in the above
image, once applied to the leather, the wax gives a dull yellow finish. It took
me around 3-5 minutes to apply to each boot. I also noticed that it was easier
to get a more consistent amount of wax if I gave the tube a regular shake. I
assume the wax is suspended in some kind of base liquid, which may settle over
time so I found that a quick shake of the tube made the product coming out look
evenly mixed.

There was no indication as to any required drying time before removing
the wax. I decided to cover one boot, then let the wax dry slightly
whilst I applied wax to my other boot. Once I had applied to both boots, I then
started the process of buffing off. This was relatively easy (is polishing a
boot ever truly easy??) and I found I was able to buff awayall the wax and get a
some what muted shine to a boot after around 5 minutes of buffing. Nikwax state
on their website that this product will add too or enhance shine. I found the
opposite as my boots had a slightly matted finish after I'd finished applying
the Nikwax. I thought this may have been due to the fact that I had not fully
removed all the wax or my polishing cloth had a build up of wax so I grabbed a
clean cloth and tried to increase the shine. After little noticeable effect from
an extra minute or so of polishing I gave up. Total time to do both boots was
around 30 minutes (I did fiddle around a bit!)

After I had finished polishing both boots I quickly weighted the tube to get an
idea of how much product I'd used. I roughly calculated (as I do not have a
highly accurate scales) that I had used around 20 gm (0.7 oz) of product, or
around 20% of the tube contents. As the boots I was polishing are a high boot
that come half way up my shin, this seems like a reasonable amount to have used
and suggests to me that I could get coverage for around 4-5 pairs of boots out
of a single tube.


       Summary

All in all this is a fairly simple product. Wipe on, buff off.... not
too hard there! As far as polishing a pair of boots go, I found it easy enough
to apply and easy enough to remove and buff to a satisfactory finish. I was a
little surprised to note that my boots looked slightly more matted after I had
applied the wax but this doesn't phase me at all as I quite like the finish and
it certainly helped cover up little scuffs and scratches in the leather. I will
now venture outdoors and see how effective this product is at repelling water.

This concludes my Initial Report of the Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for
Leather. Please check back for the results of my testing in due course.

My thanks to Nikwax and www.backpackgeartest.org
<http://www.backpackgeartest.org> for the opportunity to test this product.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey Ralph,

Europe! Lucky bugger :) Travel safe and enjoy the warm weather!

Just double checked the html and there is no distict gap between the IR and FR
plus no links (or date for FR) at the top of the page.

Couple of edits below then upload away...

Jamie

--- In backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com, "Ralph Ditton" <rdassetts@...>
wrote:
>
>
> Field Report
> quick learning curve juggling the above for the first few kilometers (mile).

EDIT: My spell check wants kilometres

> At the blazed tree BZ 77 over 1, I collapsed the poles and attached them
> to my day pack as I was leading the group offtrack for a while through thick
scrub and the poles would have been a hindrance in that stuff.

EDIT: my spell check wants off track as 2 words. I usually use 2 words in this
instance.
>

>
> The country that I used them on was a mix of dirt vehicle tracks, wandoo
> tree off track country and granite outcrops.
>
> Elevation ranged from roughly 100 m to 400 m (328 ft to 1,312 ft). It was
undulating country.
> The day time temperature whilst walking, was around 17 C (63 F).

EDIT: You have a , after walking. This either needs to be deleted or a ,
inserted after temperature to make this correct.

That's it!

All done.

Sorry for the silly errors.



I still haven't been able to work out how to do a link at the top of the
page.

You will have to write to me offline with a step by idiot step so that I can
nut it out.



Yes, Europe here we come.
Pity you will be in Perth when I am in Paris. Your work is most
inconsiderate. <g>.

We will jag it soon where I will be here when you lob into town.



Good luck for tomorrow with your knee op.

Oh yes, I'll enjoy the heat and glad to get away from the cold.

Cheers

Ralph



From: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jamie
Sent: Wednesday, 30 June 2010 2:12 PM
To: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [backpackgeartesters] Re: FR- Leki Khumbu Aergon Speedlock Poles-
Ralph Ditton





Hey Ralph,

Europe! Lucky bugger :) Travel safe and enjoy the warm weather!

Just double checked the html and there is no distict gap between the IR and
FR plus no links (or date for FR) at the top of the page.

Couple of edits below then upload away...

Jamie

--- In backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:backpackgeartesters%40yahoogroups.com> , "Ralph Ditton"
<rdassetts@...> wrote:
>
>
> Field Report
> quick learning curve juggling the above for the first few kilometers
(mile).

EDIT: My spell check wants kilometres

> At the blazed tree BZ 77 over 1, I collapsed the poles and attached them
> to my day pack as I was leading the group offtrack for a while through
thick scrub and the poles would have been a hindrance in that stuff.

EDIT: my spell check wants off track as 2 words. I usually use 2 words in
this instance.
>

>
> The country that I used them on was a mix of dirt vehicle tracks, wandoo
> tree off track country and granite outcrops.
>
> Elevation ranged from roughly 100 m to 400 m (328 ft to 1,312 ft). It was
undulating country.
> The day time temperature whilst walking, was around 17 C (63 F).

EDIT: You have a , after walking. This either needs to be deleted or a ,
inserted after temperature to make this correct.

That's it!





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

Hi all,

Just to let you know informally, I will be OOP as from 3/7/10 to 3/8/10.

I will be in the United Kingdom and Europe without internet access.



Trek safe.



Cheers

Ralph



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

Hi,
	 I just got the OR Sentinel Women's shirt in the mail yesterday.  No issues.  IR
to follow after the holiday.
Cheryl McMurray

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

Greetings. The Circuit arrived and is undergoing scrutiny in prep for my IR,
which I'll post as soon as I get some pics and stats.

Cheers,

Rick

Double-greetings,

The Sentinel shirt arrived, and I'll get the IR up as soon as I can get some
pics. So far the bugs are steering clear.

Cheers,

Rick

Tim,

I don't see any communications in the BGT list that you have posted your IR
or had it edited, but yet you uploaded it to the folder for the product?
Did I miss something (very possible as I have been traveling a lot lately)?

If not and you uploaded it in error, please delete the file from the test
folder and follow the proper procedure of posting the HTML in the test
folder and posting the text to the list.

If you did upload and had the report edited, can you please advise as to the
date and/or message number?

Thanks!
Kathy

BridGet,



I completed a successful move to a great new house and had the ISP set for
an install yesterday.  Short version of the story is that didn't work and
now I am not sure how long it will be until I have it at home.  Can I have
an extension until Friday so I can get the files transferred onto my work PC
for the upload?



Sorry for the late request, but I was using vacation days and wasn't
anywhere near a PC with an active connection.



I'll be able to edit my tests here in a bit so no problems there!



-Brett







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

Brett,

You are optimistic!  How about we make it July 5 (holiday work schedules and fun
anticipation) and if you get it done before than, well, good?

Kathy

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Brett Haydin
   To: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 1:16 PM
   Subject: [backpackgeartesters] Extension Request - Black Diamond Octane -
Brett Haydin



   BridGet,

   I completed a successful move to a great new house and had the ISP set for
   an install yesterday. Short version of the story is that didn't work and
   now I am not sure how long it will be until I have it at home. Can I have
   an extension until Friday so I can get the files transferred onto my work PC
   for the upload?

   Sorry for the late request, but I was using vacation days and wasn't
   anywhere near a PC with an active connection.

   I'll be able to edit my tests here in a bit so no problems there!

   -Brett

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





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

Thanks!  I'm sure it will be before then, but I do appreciate the
leniency!!!  BTW the new place has a hot tub with unobstructed views of four
separate Fourteeners along the continental divide. All BGT volunteers are
welcome to pay a visit J



From: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Kathy Waters
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 1:23 PM
To: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [backpackgeartesters] Extension Request - Black Diamond Octane
- Brett Haydin





Brett,

You are optimistic! How about we make it July 5 (holiday work schedules and
fun anticipation) and if you get it done before than, well, good?

Kathy

----- Original Message -----
From: Brett Haydin
To: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:backpackgeartesters%40yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 1:16 PM
Subject: [backpackgeartesters] Extension Request - Black Diamond Octane -
Brett Haydin

BridGet,

I completed a successful move to a great new house and had the ISP set for
an install yesterday. Short version of the story is that didn't work and
now I am not sure how long it will be until I have it at home. Can I have
an extension until Friday so I can get the files transferred onto my work PC
for the upload?

Sorry for the late request, but I was using vacation days and wasn't
anywhere near a PC with an active connection.

I'll be able to edit my tests here in a bit so no problems there!

-Brett

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

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





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

Watch it!  I'm not that far from you <g>!

Kathy

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Brett Haydin
   To: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 2:15 PM
   Subject: RE: [backpackgeartesters] Extension Request - Black Diamond Octane -
Brett Haydin



   Thanks! I'm sure it will be before then, but I do appreciate the
   leniency!!! BTW the new place has a hot tub with unobstructed views of four
   separate Fourteeners along the continental divide. All BGT volunteers are
   welcome to pay a visit J

   From: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
   [mailto:backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Kathy Waters
   Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 1:23 PM
   To: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
   Subject: Re: [backpackgeartesters] Extension Request - Black Diamond Octane
   - Brett Haydin

   Brett,

   You are optimistic! How about we make it July 5 (holiday work schedules and
   fun anticipation) and if you get it done before than, well, good?

   Kathy

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Brett Haydin
   To: backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com
   <mailto:backpackgeartesters%40yahoogroups.com>
   Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 1:16 PM
   Subject: [backpackgeartesters] Extension Request - Black Diamond Octane -
   Brett Haydin

   BridGet,

   I completed a successful move to a great new house and had the ISP set for
   an install yesterday. Short version of the story is that didn't work and
   now I am not sure how long it will be until I have it at home. Can I have
   an extension until Friday so I can get the files transferred onto my work PC
   for the upload?

   Sorry for the late request, but I was using vacation days and wasn't
   anywhere near a PC with an active connection.

   I'll be able to edit my tests here in a bit so no problems there!

   -Brett

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

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

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





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

Steve, sorry for the delay, but I have had some ISP hiccups and haven't been
able to get back online to send edits.



HTML looks great, btw.  Overall I found this to be a really good report that
I found helpful as a potential purchaser.  Your edits are below, and feel
free to upload when ready.



<snip>

  Particularly, after a day that was over 80 F (27 C).

Edit: normally I wouldn't edit a sentence fragment, but this one stands out
as odd phrasing.  I might suggest ending the previous sentence with a
semi-colon and then getting rid of the comma after "particularly".  Your
call.



<snip>

  I'm said to have rather large calves, so this may only affect me.

Comment:  I get the same comment. although I generally hear "genetic
deformity" in the same sentence <grin>



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

Kurt,



What, no pictures?!  I'm only half-way kidding.  If you can make a point to
find a reason to take a photograph in the LTR, that would be great.  Maybe
to illustrate the durability or airing them out?



Only one comment and then you are good to upload.  See you in two months!



-Brett



<snip>

Shoes
Oboz Hardscrabble
Oboz Hardscrabble trail runners

Oboz Hardscrabble trail runners

Comment: Is the first one a separate shoe style?  If it is then great. If
not, then I would try to be consistent with the labeling.  Oh, and I love
the use of a chart here.



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

Hi Kathy,

Not Tim but I was just sitting down to edit his report and saw your note.  He
did post his IR (message 65312) but I haven't had a chance to edit it until now
and hadn't seen that he uploaded to the wrong file.  Thanks for picking that
up. 

His edit should be done shortly.

Pat

--- On Wed, 6/30/10, Kathy Waters <kathy@...> wrote:

From: Kathy Waters <kathy@...>
Subject: Nikwax - Waterproofing Wax
To: timothy.earley@...
Cc: mcne4752@...
Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 3:08 PM

Tim,

I don't see any communications in the BGT list that you have posted your IR or
had it edited, but yet you uploaded it to the folder for the product? Did I miss
something (very possible as I have been traveling a lot lately)?

If not and you uploaded it in error, please delete the file from the test folder
and follow the proper procedure of posting the HTML in the test folder and
posting the text to the list.

If you did upload and had the report edited, can you please advise as to the
date and/or message number?

Thanks!
Kathy






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

Thanks Brett, it up!

Steve

--- In backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com, "Brett Haydin" <bhaydin@...> wrote:
>
> Steve, sorry for the delay, but I have had some ISP hiccups and haven't been
> able to get back online to send edits.
>
>
>
> HTML looks great, btw.  Overall I found this to be a really good report that
> I found helpful as a potential purchaser.  Your edits are below, and feel
> free to upload when ready.
>
>
>
> <snip>
>
>  Particularly, after a day that was over 80 F (27 C).
>
> Edit: normally I wouldn't edit a sentence fragment, but this one stands out
> as odd phrasing.  I might suggest ending the previous sentence with a
> semi-colon and then getting rid of the comma after "particularly".  Your
> call.
>
>
>
> <snip>
>
>  I'm said to have rather large calves, so this may only affect me.
>
> Comment:  I get the same comment. although I generally hear "genetic
> deformity" in the same sentence <grin>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hi Tim,

I'm sure you saw Kathy's note.  So, please delete the file per her instructions.
In the future please, load your reports to the Tests Folder before they are
edited.

I also have a few items for you.  I use the typical convention of EDIT = change,
Edit = do something, Comment = just that.

Once the edits are taken care of you can upload to the proper file.

See you again in a couple months.

EDIT: I looked through the html you loaded on the site and the first thing I
noted was that the image is backwards.  I'm not sure how you do that but please
change that so it doesn't look like a mirror image of the product.

EDIT: I also noted that the Nikwax link actually takes you to a Stanley website.
Please change that.

"Weight listed: none"

Edit:  I know that the weight isn't listed but it would be good to include the
overall weight of the product and container.

"My package of two tubes of 3.4 fl oz(100mL) each arrived in a padded manilla
envelope."

EDIT: manila    Also, there really is no need to mention that the product
arrived in a manila envelope.  That was common here in the past but now is
discouraged.  You could simply say you received two tubes and leave it at that.

"I found this almost by accident as there is a 2 cm (.78 inch) tall symbol ..."

EDIT: 0.78 inch

"The product itself is an off-white almost manilla color with virtually no
smell."

EDIT: manila

"I don't mention this runniness as a negative; I believe it will make it easier
to apply and easier for the leather to absorb. It will probably help stitched
seams to absorb the product as well."

Edit: It sounds like you are projecting here.  It might be better to say that
you would like to see if it easier to absorb (or something to that effect).  You
can then test it and report the result in the next report.

I'd like to thank Backpackgeartest.org ..."

EDIT: BackpackGearTest.org

Hi Jamie,

Nice report.  I have a few things for you, then you can upload. Please remember
to delete the file from the Tests folder.

As usual, the convention is EDIT = change, Edit = do something, Comment = just
that.

See you again on the next round.

Pat

"On the tube Nikwax describe this product as ..."

EDIT: describes


"Nikwax advise to pay special attention to seem areas."

EDIT: advises
EDIT: seam

"I assume this is because seems are usually the most likely area for water to
enter."

EDIT: seams


"... I found I was able to buff awayall the wax and get a some what muted shine
to a boot after around 5 minutes of buffing."

EDIT: away all

"Nikwax state on their website that this product will add too or enhance shine."

EDIT: states

"After I had finished polishing both boots I quickly weighted the tube to get an
idea of how much product I'd used."

EDIT: weighed

My computer is pretty hosed by some sort of virus/root-kit and I'm
unable to get anything running on it yet. If I can get an extension, I'd
appreciate it. Hopefully I can get it cleaned out - I'd hate to have to
buy a new one...

Thanks
Dave

Brett,

Genetic Deformity is Kind!  They called me STUMP on my college rugby team!  ~S

--- In backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com, "Brett Haydin" <bhaydin@...> wrote:
>
> Steve, sorry for the delay, but I have had some ISP hiccups and haven't been
> able to get back online to send edits.
>
>
>
> HTML looks great, btw.  Overall I found this to be a really good report that
> I found helpful as a potential purchaser.  Your edits are below, and feel
> free to upload when ready.
>
>
>
> <snip>
>
>  Particularly, after a day that was over 80 F (27 C).
>
> Edit: normally I wouldn't edit a sentence fragment, but this one stands out
> as odd phrasing.  I might suggest ending the previous sentence with a
> semi-colon and then getting rid of the comma after "particularly".  Your
> call.
>
>
>
> <snip>
>
>  I'm said to have rather large calves, so this may only affect me.
>
> Comment:  I get the same comment. although I generally hear "genetic
> deformity" in the same sentence <grin>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hi Pam,

Here is my FR for the Ohm.  The html version can be found at:
http://tinyurl.com/243ytod .  Thanks for the edits!

Andy

Field Report

Field Conditions

I have been able to use this pack on two overnight backpacking trips for a total
of four days of field use. The first trip was in the southern end of the Lost
Creek Wilderness Area along the Front Range of Colorado. Elevation on this trip
ranged from 8,000 ft (2,400 m) to 9,400 ft (2,900 m). Terrain was moderately
wooded with a few open parks. Due to a late start, the first day of the trip
consisted of a short 2.5 mi (4 km) hike before darkness set in. The second day I
covered 13 mi (21 km) to complete my trip. Temperatures were quite warm, with
highs over 85 F (29 C) and I was fortunate enough to have blue skies, a moderate
wind, and occasional cloud cover.

The second trip was in the Gore Range of central Colorado. This was an
out-and-back trail leading to a lake and was 5 mi (8 km) each way. Once at the
lake, I walked around with the pack on while exploring and searching for an
ideal campsite. Temperatures were again quite warm, with highs near 80 F (27 C)
at the lake. There were a few afternoon clouds that threatened rain, but it
proved to be an empty threat. Other than these clouds, I was treated to blue
skies that persisted most of the trip.

Field Observations

The feathery weight of this pack belie its true capabilities. Based on my use so
far, I feel that it is a very serious pack for lightweight backpacking. I have
been most impressed with how well it carries. I trend towards lightweight
backpacking, but I'm not a fanatic about it. I still carry my MSR Whisperlite
stove, a good book, my digital SLR, and plenty of food. On both of my outings, I
was able to keep my pack weight slightly under 25 lb (11 kg), including food,
water, and fuel. I used my sleeping pad to add more support and cushion to the
backpanel of the pack (as show in my Initial Report), which proved to play a
significant role in providing a comfortable carry. The active suspension hoop
does an excellent job of transferring the load to the hipbelt; my shoulders
never got the slightest bit uncomfortable while carrying this pack. The
suspension straps and adjustment buckles all work very well and are easy to
access while hiking. My only complaint regarding the fit of the pack is the
hipbelt size I chose. I have a 33 in (84 cm) waist and selected the Medium
(non-replaceable) hipbelt. This also corresponds to the upper end of the hipbelt
range. When fully packed, the sleeping-pad-as-back-panel seems to round the
backpanel of the pack. This pulls the hipbelt attachment points backwards and
results in a slightly shortened hipbelt. This, in turn, results in minimal
excess strap length of the hipbelt for any adjustment. While it is just enough
for me, I would order the Large hipbelt if I were to do it over again.

Regarding volume, I was quite impressed with how well everything fit into the
pack. I was initially skeptical that I would be able to fit all of my gear in
the pack with the sleeping pad stowed inside. Much to my surprise, not only did
I fit all of my gear, but I had a decent amount of space to spare! I estimate
that I had enough volume to add five days worth of food to my pack, although I
have not verified this. I would imagine weight would become an issue if I added
this much food to the pack. When packing, I have realized that the front stretch
mesh pocket and the two side pockets are indispensable! They can hold an
extraordinary amount of gear, and I have found them most useful for items that I
would traditionally put in a top pocket. This includes a first aid kit, repair
kit, headlamp, maps, water treatment drops, etc. This ensures that I can easily
get at the items when I need to without digging through the interior of the
pack. As a side note, I was happy to discover that I could easily fit my
climbing helmet into the front mesh pocket even when the interior of the pack
was filled.

I have found all of the removable accessories useful, but I use the water bottle
holster, handloops, and hipbelt pockets the most. The hipbelt pockets have been
home to a small knife, my compass, trail snacks, and my maps. They are easy to
open with one hand and never interfere with my natural arm swings while walking.
The handloops provide a welcome change of position for my hands when hiking.
This prevents the dreaded "sausage fingers" when heading up to higher altitudes.
I've found that the water bottle holster secures my 1 L Platypus bladder quite
securely. While it is not designed for such a bottle, I have yet to dislodge it
while scrambling over rocks or jumping off downed logs. It takes some practice
(as well as two hands) to reattach the bottle while hiking, but this is not very
difficult. While I left the removable hydration sleeve in the pack on all trips,
I've only actually had a water bladder in it once. It fit my 2.5 L water bladder
with no issues, although it drapes a little funny over my sleeping pad. The
inner mesh pocket has proven to be an ideal size for a watch and my car keys. I
tried to fit some other bulky items into it, but they didn't fit well and took
up valuable real estate inside the pack. I found these items to fit better in
the side pockets or front mesh pocket.

The pack also appears to be quite durable based on my experiences. The main
durability concern I have is the front mesh pocket, just because of the
material. That said, I had the mesh pocket leaning up against a rock during a
break on my last hike. I had to pull the pack towards me several times to access
it, and the mesh rubbed against the rock while doing so. Despite this stress,
the mesh looks as good as new.

Likes (so far):
Carries very well
Perfect volume for my lightweight backpacking gear
Very functional pockets
Useful accessories

Dislikes (so far):
I chose a hipbelt that is slightly to small (my fault)

This concludes my Field Report.  I will append this report with my Long Term
Report in approximately two months.  Check back then for further details.

Thank you to ULA and BackpackGearTest.org for giving me the opportunity to test
this pack.

The Hennessy Hammock Hammock Cat Cape test is now complete! You can read the
test reports here: http://teststatus.backpackgeartest.org/link2310.htm or here:
<http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Rain Gear/Jackets and Pants/Hennessy 
Hammock Cat Cape/>

G'day.  I am BridGeT, the BGT Automation Robot working on behalf of the List
Administrator.  I am pleased to note that the above referenced test is now
complete.  Thanks to all who served on this series.  I have placed the Monitor
back into the Monitor pool, cleared the Testers, and notified the Manufacturer. 
I will continue to display this report as completed in the Test Administration
site for seven days.  After that time, I will remove it and the short link
referenced above will no longer work.

Thank you again to all who served to make this test possible.

BridGeT, Administration Automation

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 64.75 seconds.

248 HTML pages created.  Inlcuding:

44 Manufacturer detail pages.
72 Tester detail pages.
37 Monitor detail pages.
25 Moderator detail pages.
60 Short links for report.
Several one-shot administration pages are not included in my log counts.

1 Monitors were assigned to tests.
1 Manufacturers were notified of test progress.
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BridGeT, List Administration Automation

The OR Sentinel L/S came today.  Ive just now got stopped long enough to post. 
Fit is great and I got the color I requested.

Coy Boy

Hi Ray-

Seems like it has been a long time since I have had you as a test monitor! 
Anyway, below is my IR for the Highgear Axio Max watch.

The html is at: http://tinyurl.com/26fvt3m

Thanks in advance for the comments!

Cheers

-larry

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

Highgear Axio Max Watch

TEST SERIES BY LARRY KIRSCHNER


(Image courtesy of Highgear)


INITIAL REPORT - June 30, 2010




TESTER INFORMATION

NAME:  Larry Kirschner
EMAIL:  asklarry98 at hotmail dot com
AGE:  46
LOCATION:  Columbus, OH
GENDER:  M
HEIGHT:  5' 9" (1.75 m)
WEIGHT:  205 lb (92 kg)


I've been an intermittent camper/paddler since my teens, but now that my kids
are avid Boy Scouts, I've caught the backpacking bug. I typically do 8-10
weekend hikes per year, and have spent time over the past few years backpacking
the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and canoeing the Atikaki wilderness of
Canada. I like to travel "in comfort", but I've shrunk to medium weight, and
continue to work toward going lighter and longer. With all of my investment into
these ventures, I expect my wife and I will continue to trek long after the kids
are gone…


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

INITIAL REPORT
June 30, 2010

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Highgear
Year of Manufacture: 2010
Manufacturer's Website: www.highgear.com
MSRP: N/A

Model Tested:Axio Max Steel
MSRP: USD $210.00
Listed Weight: 71 g (2.5 oz)
Measured weight: 106.5 g (3.76 oz)

Dimensions (listed and confirmed by measurement):
    Case Diameter: 46 mm (1.81 in)
    Depth 15.8 mm (0.62 in)
    Visible LCD 26 mm (1.02 in)



Color: Black band/Steel casing/LCD face
Other model: Axio Max Black (Black band/Black nylon casing/LCD face, MSRP USD
$150)



ITEM DESCRIPTION

The Highgear Axio Max Steel watch is part of the Axio line of Highgear products,
which are aimed "for consumers looking for a light-weight straight forward
altimeter for their outdoor activities". In comparison to the
altimeter/barometer functionality of the Axio and the Axio Mini, the Axio Max
(or just "the Max") provides the additional functionality of a digital compass.

The Max is an awesome looking timepiece that is awash in features.It has so many
features that it actually has 5 buttons, with the spot for the 6th button being
the speaker. The buttons are labeled on the bezel as follows (clockwise starting
from the upper right): Recall/+, View/-, Mode, Light, and Adjust.



Because I seem to be hard on watches, I am testing the Steel version of the Max,
which has a steel watch casing and a mineral glass lens. The band is plastic and
fully adjustable with a brushed metal clasp that seems quite sturdy.



It has typical features of a digital watch, including the following features:

2 time zones
Automatic calendar
Day/month/weekday display
100 hour chronograph
2 daily alarms
Countdown timer (although this is called a "rest alarm")
In addition to these standard features, the Max has altimeter, barometer, and
compass functions, which I will describe in some more detail.

The altimeter has resolution down to 1 foot or 1 meter, and it can display in
either unit. In fact, tapping the "Recall/+" button briefly switches the display
from one unit to the other, whereas holding the button makes the change
permanent. The altimeter can be calibrated to a known reference using a fairly
straightforward procedure. I think this should come in handy, as the watch
displayed an elevation of -127 ft (-38 m) when I took it out of the box.(actual
elevation 780 ft/ 238 m). I'm not sure I'll ever test its limits, but the
altimeter is reported to have a working range from -2303 ft to 30045 ft (-702m
to 9158m).



There is also a barometer, which can show either a local or a sea-level
barometer. I am not exactly sure what is the difference between these two
values, although they are quite close on the watch. As with the altitude, the
Max can display results in either Imperial (inches Hg) or in metric
(millibar/Hecto-Pascal, whatever that is) units. The barometer is also used to
show a 12-hour weather forecast, which runs the gamut from "sunny" through
"partly cloudy" and "cloudy" to "rain". The forecast icon is updated
automatically every 12 hours, and is displayed on the watchface in time mode or
in the altimeter-barometer mode.

As noted above, the Max comes with a digital compass. From a quick look, the
compass looks reasonably accurate out of the box, despite the fact that I was
using it next to my computer. In any event, the compass setting can be adjusted
for magnetic declination, and the procedure for recalibrating the compass seems
fairly straightforward. In the photo below, the North end of the compass is
indicated with the single bar, whereas the South end is the 3 bars around the
end of the watchface.



The Max also has interesting alarm features. In addition to 2 daily alarms and a
countdown timer, it has 2 altitude alarms, which can be set to notify me when I
either reach certain milestones (I might set it at 10,000 feet/3050 m for
example) or if I'm getting dangerously high or low. It also has a "hydration
alarm", which is just an automatically resetting countdown timer that flashes
"drink" on the display when it goes off. It's sort of like having my Mom there
all the time on the trail reminding me to drink water before I get dehydrated!

In addition to these features, the Max comes with a Data mode, which stores
information from 10 trips, including starting altitude, maximum altitude and
total exercise time.

An additional feature of the Max is water resistance. It is rated to 5
atmospheres, equivalent to 164 ft/50 m.


INSTRUCTIONS AND WARRANTY

The Max came with a 2 instruction booklets, one containing the instructions in
English, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese, and the other in German,
Italian, Dutch, and Swedish. Instructions for all the features are reasonably
detailed, and the instructions run 27 pages in each language. Fortunately, most
of the features are manipulated in a fairly common sense fashion. For example,
the "Mode" button switches between features, the "Adjust" button allows me to
adjust the values, and so on.

The instruction book comes with 2 pages of product care cautions, notes, and
warnings. One of the warnings cautions against using the watch for snorkeling,
which makes me wonder if the 5 atm depth rating has any meaning. Most of the
cautions are reasonable, such as recommendations not to wear the watch in soapy
water, in a hot tub or in an extremely hot shower or bath. The watch can be
rinsed as needed in clean water, but solvents should be avoided.

The booklet also contains instructions for changing the battery, which appears
to be a fairly easy procedure using a coin to open the back of the watch.


TRYING IT OUT

When I pulled the watch out of its packing, I was struck by how large the watch
appears. It is quite a bit larger and heavier than my "regular" Timex Ironman
watch. However, when I compared it to another watch with an electric compass
(the Freestyle Navigator 2.0), I was surprised to find that the watch casing is
just about the same size in both dimensions. The difference is that the Axio Max
also has an altimeter and barometer, but also carries quite a bit more weight
(105 g/3.76 oz vs. 61 g/2.15 oz).

The watch itself is stylish with a shiny steel casing and black band, which is
easily adjustable and fits comfortably. I also like the watch face itself. The
light background with dark letters/numbers is highly visible and easy to read.
Even the small numbers or letters at the top or bottom of the display are easily
read. The light is good, providing a few seconds of illumination to the
watchface.

I spent several minutes playing with the buttons, which work well. It was easy
for me to adjust the timing and the altimeter to accurately reflect my current
elevation. I like the fact that pushing the Recall/+ button changes the display
units-very handy for BackpackGearTest.org!

I wore the watch around for 2 full days to see how I liked it. To be honest, I
did not really notice the extra weight until I took the watch off at night. Of
course, when I compared it to my other timepieces, the difference in weight was
quite obvious.


INITIAL IMPRESSIONS and EXPECTATIONS

I am really looking forward to testing this watch on the trail. It looks great
and has a ton of features. I requested and received the steel watchcase because
I am hoping for excellent durability, and I will see how it holds up during the
test. The other question I will need to answer is if the extra weight of this
A/B/C (Altimeter/barometer/compass) watch provides enough functionality to make
it worthwhile. Stay tuned for my thoughts on that question


THE STORY SO FAR
Impressive
Excellent functionality
Easy to read display for all features
Watch is stylish and fits comfortably
Concerns
Seems rather heavy for a watch-are the extra features worth it?
This concludes my Initial Report on the Highgear Axio Max watch. Please check
back in 2 months for my Field Report on this item.

Thanks to Highgear for providing this timepiece for testing, and to
BackpackGearTest.org for giving me the chance to participate in the evaluation
process.

-larry kirschner

I received today a short sleeve shirt in Barley color.
OR to follow shortly.

-larry

Hi Mike, sounds like you got in some good testing. I have just a couple of edits
for you. A few photos would be a nice touch, maybe you can include a few pics in
the LTR.



--- In backpackgeartesters@yahoogroups.com, Mike Wilkie <foreverwild76@...>
wrote:
>
> FR - Eureka Tessel 2 Tent - Mike Wilkie
>
> Saratoga Springs State Park - 2 days/1 night Base Camping
> Conditions were hot around 80 F (26.67 C), high humidity and a quick sprinkle
of rain over night.   The site conditions were in a small tight clearing within
spruce trees.  The ground cover was fine dirt, covered with spruce and pine
needles.

Edit: site conditions were should be was since it was a single site and night
this trip.

  The tent was use in various conditions, terrains and for various activities
such and canoe camping, backpacking and car camping.

Edit: use should be used

  I had some difficulty packing the tent for backing and was a bit cumbersome. 

Edit: not sure if you meant backpacking but backing make no sense, maybe be even
remove the for and make it into my backpack.

That's all I see, Fix to your satisfaction and see you for the LTR.

Coy Boy

PS: could have edited it yesterday but it was my 25th anniversary. the wife
might not have liked me giving a report attention instead of her.

This arrived today.  Nice and .light.  IR to follow shortly.

John Waters