Columbia Sportswear Thunderstorm Jacket
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Trail Tested: Columbia Thunderstorm Jacket

Monday, November 17, 2008

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This past Saturday was a dreary, rainy day in Louisville. Rather than spend all day indoors, I decided to go out and take a walk on some trails near my neighborhood.

A quick check of the Weather Channel showed it was 42 degrees with winds of 19 mph.

I wanted to give my relatively new Columbia Sportswear Thunderstorm Jacket another test. Wearing just the jacket and my Columbia Omni-Dry Mountain Tech T-shirt as a base layer, I headed outside.

Even though the jacket is lined, I still felt a little cool when I first walked out the door. At first I thought that maybe I was going to need an additional thin layer, however, once I was out for about 5 minutes I began feeling more comfortable, except during the occasional strong gust of wind.

I walked in a steady rain/drizzle for just over an hour. The jacket kept me completely dry, and sufficiently warded off the wind.

Perhaps a much better test of my jacket occurred during a hike in the Flattops Wilderness Area in Colorado back in July. My hiking partners and I got stuck in a surprise thunderstorm which forced us to hike almost four miles in steady to heavy rain. Again, my upper body remained completely dry and I never felt chilled from the cool breeze. I was very pleased with the performance of the product and was glad that I made the upgrade from a competitor product.

The Thunderstorm Jacket is a waterproof, breathable jacket, which also resists internal condensation to keep you dry in any conditions. The Omni-Tech technology provides premium waterproof/breathable protection by using microporous membranes which keeps water from penetrating the fabric, yet allows perspiration to escape. Additionally, Columbia seals all seams on the jacket.

The Omni-Dry Mountain Tech T-shirt also did its job by keeping me dry during my neighborhood hike. I’m a pretty fast walker and I tend to generate a lot of heat, but the shirt didn’t feel sweaty after returning home.

I’ve been wearing wicking shirts for many years now. More than a year ago I purchased an Omni-Dry Mountain Tech T-shirt from Columbia Sportswear and have had the opportunity to use it on many occasions. It’s done an excellent job of keeping me dry in both warm and cold weather conditions. In addition to wicking perspiration away, the shirt has UPF-15 rated sun protection and resists the build-up of odor causing bacteria.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Smoky Mountain Day Hikers Store Quality gear and apparel from some of the best outdoor brands.
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Video: Selecting outdoor clothing for rainy weather

Friday, October 24, 2008

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Below is a short video from MountainZone.com that offers tips on selecting outdoor clothing for rainy weather. The video explains the differences between waterproof rain gear and Gore-Tex rain gear. It also gives a short review on using ponchos.

Selecting the right clothing will help you stay dry on the trail when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Having proper rain gear is absolutely essential when heading into the backcountry. It’s a piece of gear you should have in your backpack throughout the year, regardless of the forecast. A wet hiker in the mountains or deep in the backcountry can quickly turn into a hypothermic hiker.



If you’re in the market for new rain gear, let me offer a couple of suggestions.

If you wish to purchase a complete rainsuit, check out the Ibex Rainsuit from Columbia Sportswear. Columbia Sportswear guarantees that the Ibex Rainsuit will keep you dry in the most torrential of downpours. Constructed of 100% waterproof PVC with welded seams, the Ibex's authentic fit and 100% nylon backing will keep you as comfortable as can be while front and back mesh vents provide a bit of ventilation. This rainsuit isn't breathable, but it is extremely functional.

Ibex Rainsuits have an attached hood that comes with a visor and drawcord. They also have a snap-closed storm flap over the front zipper, and an open bottom with a drawcord. The Ibex Rainsuit is available in both men’s and women’s sizes, and are sold at very reasonable prices.

If you only need a jacket, I highly recommend the Columbia Sportswear Thunderstorm Jacket.

Several months ago I purchased the Columbia Sportswear Thunderstorm Jacket. So far, I’ve had only one chance to wear it. It did, however, receive a fairly good test on that one occasion. I was hiking in the Flattops Wilderness Area in Colorado this summer when we got caught by a surprise thunderstorm which forced us to hike four miles in steady to heavy rain. My upper body remained completely dry and I never felt chilled from the cool breeze. I was very pleased with the performance of the jacket and was happy that I made the upgrade from a competitor product.

The Thunderstorm Jacket is a waterproof, breathable jacket which also resists internal condensation, allowing you to stay dry in any conditions. The Omni-Tech technology provides premium waterproof/breathable protection by using microporous membranes which keeps water from penetrating the fabric, yet allows perspiration to escape. Columbia also seals all seams on the jacket.

Equinox Nylon Poncho
If you decide you ultimately want to go the poncho route, check out the Equinox Nylon Poncho. This might be a good option if you need to throw something over yourself and your backpack if caught in a surprise storm. Keep in mind though, if the storm includes wind, it can be difficult keeping the poncho from blowing around. Furthermore, the poncho won’t keep you warm should temperatures drop.

Made from extremely water repellent 1.9 ounce urethane coated rip-stop nylon, the Equinox Nylon Poncho includes an additional 14 inches of coverage in the back of the poncho to allow for backpack protection. Integrated snaps allow the extension to be folded neatly in place and out of your way when you aren't wearing a backpack. The full cut of the Nylon Poncho is longer than regular ponchos designed to provide full protection. A comfortably-sized hood draws snug to further protect against wind and precipitation. Reinforced, rust-resistant snaps form openings at the wrist and secure the sides of the Nylon Poncho.

For more in-depth information on any of the products discussed in this article, or to see the full selection of all our rain and hiking gear, please visit the Smoky Mountain Day Hikers Store.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.
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