Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Cabellas - Rag Wool Gloves
What I was looking for: A pair of cheap, warm gloves to use when walking around outside. Not intended for any hard or technical use.
The Product: Ragg Wool Gloves, with Thinsultate from Cabellas (USD14)
Standard style woolen glove with inner lining.Purchased fromCabella's
Environments used in so far: 30-50 degrees
Planned uses in: They probably wont make it more than a few months of use
Most comparable item on the market: From recent Google Search (USD30)
Overall: A very cheap pair of Ragg Wool gloves to keep my hands warm while walking around, not doing anything in particular. Poor build quality makes purchase justifiable for 12-16 dollars depending on when and from who you buy from (the lining busted after one week of light use and I don't see conditions getting any better.) However, I would not recommend purchasing these gloves to keep your hands warm.
Planned uses in: They probably wont make it more than a few months of use
Most comparable item on the market: From recent Google Search (USD30)
Overall: A very cheap pair of Ragg Wool gloves to keep my hands warm while walking around, not doing anything in particular. Poor build quality makes purchase justifiable for 12-16 dollars depending on when and from who you buy from (the lining busted after one week of light use and I don't see conditions getting any better.) However, I would not recommend purchasing these gloves to keep your hands warm.
Pros: Moderately warm, cheap gloves
Cons: They are poorly made, not warm enough, not worth packing since they aren't useful for multi-purpose.
Triple Aught Design (TAD) - Stealth Hoodie
What I was looking for: Versatile middle-ish layer for active, multi-season use. Wind/Rain resistant. Of course like any product, durable.
The Product:
Stealth Hoodie(ME Gray, Medium) with Arm Patches (USD 299)
From Triple Aught Design
The Wearer:
5'8" Muscular/athletic build, average proportions
Environments used in so far:
- Hiking/Camping in West Virginia (late summer/early fall conditions)
- Northern Afghanistan (Fall/Winter/Spring)
Planned uses in Spring 2011:
India
Nepal
Most comparable item on the market:
The North Face Snoop Soft Shell Jacket (USD104)
As seen from Google Search
Overall:
The Steath Hoodie is of high quality and works as advertised in the wind, rain, in that "in betweener" environment for multi season usage and of course - it looks pretty sharp. Will work nicely in the weekend trek, cruising along on your bike in the city or on an extended trek in the mountains. Anything below mid 40s degrees you will want to start layering up with poly-pro base layer, and below that with additional medium weight fleece. If you are used that that very cushy warm feeling you remember from your issued fleece or any other similar type of gear - you're not gona get that here. I attribute that to what makes the Stealth Hoodie water and wind resistant, its a trade-off. This is a very good, three season jacket that can be used as an all-in-one, something most weight conscious hikers are looking for. If budget is not an issue, I would definitely recommend this jacket, otherwise consider less expensive, but likely as capable alternatives.
Pros:
- Water and Wind resistant as advertised. Held up well and I stayed dry moderate rain fall. I remember noting how well it worked during the last several days of the famed season of "The Wind of 120 Days."
- Solid Zipper construction (aids the previous)
- The "chin/neck" neck area that is so crucial to staying warm and cozy zips up nicely in combination with the adjustable cord that tightens down the hoody
- Pocket placement and angles to openings especially convenient
- Rear pocket/vents in addition to traditionally seen arm pit vents
-Convenient D ring inside chest pocket with media (headphone) hole
Cons:
- Not as warm and cozy as I hoped it would be, that being said, in fairness this thing is built to be used with layers in extended treks in especially cold environments.
- The hood folds neatly into a collar, but either side bugles out so much eventually that it becomes very annoying
- The sleeves are a bit too long for my body, I end up wearing this jacket with the sleeves rolled once up on my wrists
- Expensive!
The Product:
Stealth Hoodie(ME Gray, Medium) with Arm Patches (USD 299)
From Triple Aught Design
The Wearer:
5'8" Muscular/athletic build, average proportions
Environments used in so far:
- Hiking/Camping in West Virginia (late summer/early fall conditions)
- Northern Afghanistan (Fall/Winter/Spring)
Planned uses in Spring 2011:
India
Nepal
Most comparable item on the market:
The North Face Snoop Soft Shell Jacket (USD104)
As seen from Google Search
Overall:
The Steath Hoodie is of high quality and works as advertised in the wind, rain, in that "in betweener" environment for multi season usage and of course - it looks pretty sharp. Will work nicely in the weekend trek, cruising along on your bike in the city or on an extended trek in the mountains. Anything below mid 40s degrees you will want to start layering up with poly-pro base layer, and below that with additional medium weight fleece. If you are used that that very cushy warm feeling you remember from your issued fleece or any other similar type of gear - you're not gona get that here. I attribute that to what makes the Stealth Hoodie water and wind resistant, its a trade-off. This is a very good, three season jacket that can be used as an all-in-one, something most weight conscious hikers are looking for. If budget is not an issue, I would definitely recommend this jacket, otherwise consider less expensive, but likely as capable alternatives.
Pros:
- Water and Wind resistant as advertised. Held up well and I stayed dry moderate rain fall. I remember noting how well it worked during the last several days of the famed season of "The Wind of 120 Days."
- Solid Zipper construction (aids the previous)
- The "chin/neck" neck area that is so crucial to staying warm and cozy zips up nicely in combination with the adjustable cord that tightens down the hoody
- Pocket placement and angles to openings especially convenient
- Rear pocket/vents in addition to traditionally seen arm pit vents
-Convenient D ring inside chest pocket with media (headphone) hole
Cons:
- Not as warm and cozy as I hoped it would be, that being said, in fairness this thing is built to be used with layers in extended treks in especially cold environments.
- The hood folds neatly into a collar, but either side bugles out so much eventually that it becomes very annoying
- The sleeves are a bit too long for my body, I end up wearing this jacket with the sleeves rolled once up on my wrists
- Expensive!
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