Gear Review: First Ascent BC-100 Jacket

The BC-100 is a lightweight, packable 2.5 layer, waterproof/breathable shell. At $130 Eddie Bauer has designed this shell as a bare bones "Everything you need, nothing you don't" go to for their high end First Ascent line. I have been packing and wearing one of these for about a year now. Jackets like this are designed to be packed down small into their own pocket and tossed into your bag in case you need it, but still be burly enough to be worn as your everyday shell in any condition. This jacket fits the bill. Pull it out and put it on and you are protected from rain, snow and wind. Like all waterproof/breathable jackets its more waterproof than it is breathable and my one issue in its design is its lack of vents or pit zips which doesn't help it breath. It has kept me dry from rain and snow in Washington's Cascades. The hand pockets are placed higher on the body so they are still accessible while wearing a back with a hip belt, the chest pocket is big enough for a gps unit and a camera. The hood is adjustable, large enough to fit over a helmet and has a built in visor. One of my favorite things about the First Ascent line is that just about everything is available in tall sizes and this jacket is no exception. At 6'1" my large tall fits perfect in the body with some extra in the sleeves. I like the body of my jackets long to cover the small of my bag when crouched and the long sleeves keep my wrists covered no matter what I'm doing with my arms.

Over the past year this jacket has earned a place in my pack. I've pulled it out to block wind and shed rain and snow. It hasn't snagged or torn, nothing has gone malfunction or broken or blown out. It has just worked. It hasn't done anything to draw attention to it. Which might be its best feature. Throw it in your pack and forget its there until you need it, then throw it on and forget about the weather. It's simple and a great value for the money.

Dave

Gear Review: Osprey Kode 30 Ski Pack

The Osprey Kode 30 is their ski and snowboard specific pack. Its designed for carrying skis and snowboards to your favorite backcountry powder stash. I'm a big fan of Osprey and their packs and this one is no exception. It is well built and smartly designed. Osprey seem to get all the big things right, and hit the little details you never notice because you shouldn't.

For $140 the Kode 30 in size large has a 2000 cubic inch capacity (the small and medium are 1600 and 1800 respectively), avalanche gear specific pockets for your shovel and probe, decent sized main compartment, fleece lined goggle pocket, an insulated routing for your hydration reservoir drinking tube, easy access pockets on the hip belt, emergency signal whistle on the chest strap and of course straps for carrying your skis, snowboard, ice axe or snowshoes. The stiff back panel functions like an internal frame and keeps loads comfortable, the shoulder straps and hip belt are well padded and making carrying heavy skis and boots as comfortable as possible. The pack is designed to cary skis in a couple of different configurations by routing the skis and straps in different ways. The straps are lined with a material designed to drip the boards of your choice. These are all the big things you expect from this kind of pack. Where Osprey excels is in the details. The zipper pulls are big, tough plastic and easy to grab and hold with gloves on. Not enough companies take gloved hands into account when designing cold weather clothing and gear. For the 2 months I have been using this pack it has performed great. My only issue has been that it is not waterproof. While hiking with a loaded pack while it was snowing, my body heat was melting snow and soaking the pack and its contents. Osprey does make a waterproof pack cover, but it obviously doesn't fit with skis strapped to the pack. This is a small caveat though. Pack your stuff in a dry sack inside the back and call it good.

All in all this is great ski and snowboard specific pack. Their are cheaper packs out there, but you won't find a better built, better thought out pack. I am a big fan of Osprey and they have built another great pack.

Dave  

Gear Test Update: Columbia Shimmer Me Timbers Jacket

I've had two weeks with the Columbia Shimmer Me Timbers Jacket, during which is has become my go to Jacket for day to day wear and outdoor trips. I have been really impressed with this jacket and its performance.

It has kept me warm in temps down to the low 20's, dry in light showers and has shrugged off strong wind. I have never been cold while wearing this jacket, it is as warm if not warmer than my 800 fill down jacket. The outer shell has been dragged across exposed nail heads and ran through trees without snagging or tearing. When I wear my down jacket i am always worried I am going to snag it on something and rip the outer fabric, I am never worried about it in this jacket, the outer shell has really inspired confidence. This thing is made tough. It a bit heavier than my down jacket and a bit heavier than other higher priced synthetic filled jackets but it is still a light and compressible jacket. Skiing at Mount Baker this weekend I wore this jacket as an insulation layer under my hardshell during the cold morning. It wasn't bulky or constrictive, it didn't bind or bunch. I didn't know it was there except for the extreme warmth. I was sweating skiing through trees and toasty on the chair lifts. Once it warmed up I took it off and stuffed it into a pocket of my shell and skied the rest of the day with it there, then pulled it out and put it on when I got back to the truck.

For the past two weeks I have worn this jacket every chance I have gotten and It has impressed me at every turn. I'm going to continue to test this jacket and keep updating the blog.

Dave