by Lamont » Mon 14 May, 2018 2:04 pm
Just a wee update on the EX Featherweight.
I now have about 35-37 hours I think (absolutely NEVER wet out thus far), in total, all in the rain- Saturday morning just gone, I had 8 mm over four hours, with strong wind, on the jacket.
I walked (just short of) the entire time this last Saturday with the front vents fully open. I did shut them when I stopped for twenty to have a coffee, then left them shut for about 20 mins to warm back up. Temps were between 5-8 (with the wind chill). There is a BOM station nearby.
No rain ingress even when walking face first into the wind and rain. By that time though the rain was falling in smaller drops.
I was not dodging branches nor seeking them out, just walked, hit a few, brushed a few, got mud all over the back from the pack after putting it down in mud-Richard Cranium.
The movement (?) of that humid air seems worth remarking on.
One, through the fabric with absolute certainty I can't comment. Would need some apparatus for that. But my arms and torso not right near the vents were quite "dry" to my touch. My under (LS Merino polo shirt) clothes remained "dry", even the feel of my 100wt fleece (230gms in M) surface was "dry" except for two small patches 6cms X 6 above my chest. (And between my shoulder blades) I maintained a good pace walking up and down (not mountainous) for 4 hours covering about 18ks.
My very thin like a stocking almost, merino beanie remained "dry" as did my head under it. The inner fabric of the jacket hood was a tad "damp".
Two, through the vents. With them open I kept warm/comfy not over heated. Thus, I was pretty right for that temp with those clothes. I also had shorts and rain kilt on light mesh runners and my feet were wet (not cold) for about 2 and 1/2 hours.
Some bush (not heavy), track and road walking. Checked around all the points where rubbing abrasion might be noticed, none at all to be seen to the naked eye.
This was all done Daywalking, with a 3-5 kg pack- I loaded it heavier than I would normally and walked a bit faster to to try and inundate the fabric with some extra heat. Abrasion/or lack of from a heavier sack I cannot comment upon at this time.
I do trust it (to the extent that) now I will take it walking with me on my next multi day walk (4 days) using a 9-10 kg total sack, where I will be basically on tracks and where rain is expected, as my wet weather protection. So these are my preliminary (very) thoughts after very limited use.