Field Notes Nov-Dec. 2006

Field Notes

By Dave Freeman

This issue of field notes is based on a recent trip to British Columbia where it is quite wet this time of the year with a daily temperature of 30 to 50 and rain or snow every day. With that in mind when I went looking for products for this trip that would be windproof, waterproof and warm.

One of the items I came across for this trip was the Redhead Cold Weather System Parka RedHead says this Parka is the ultimate breathable, windproof, waterproof hunting system. Highly durable and ultra-quiet in even the coldest conditions, it consists of a rugged outer shell backed by an advanced, fully taped moisture-management laminate that allows perspiration vapors to escape, yet keeps wind and cold out. Add the removable high-comfort insulated liner, and you’re set for just about anything!

Advanced convertible design,100% waterproof/windproof/breathable fabric construction, warm zip-out thermal liner, and super-efficient pocket scheme combine to provide a level of comfort and versatility such as you’ve never experienced before. Bring it on - regardless of the weather, you’ll remain in control and fully focused on your hunt. The Parka features a ultra-quiet warp-knit polyester shell, full taffeta lining for easy on/off, underarm gussets for maximum mobility. This was important to me since there was a lot of walking and horse back riding involved The YKK® full-zip front with storm flap, removable insulated hood with snap closures and shock cord tighteners (hood also attaches to liner), snap adjustable wrists with tricot panels for silent bow draw, 2 zippered chest pockets, one 7” accessory pocket, 2 large cargo pockets with side-entry handwarmers, grommeted license tab on back.

The Reversible Liner Jacket/Vest features tough, quiet poly fabric, with 200 grams of Thinsulate® insulation in the body plus 150 grams in the sleeves (plenty of warmth plus extra freedom), reversible from camo to black poly, zip-off sleeves, fabric covered elastic waist. Machine washable.
I liked the fact that it was a three in one system. While most days I wore the whole unit, there were a few that I wore only the parka, some days the Jacket and on one day when it had really warmed up I wore it as a vest.

All the time in BC I kept thinking how this product would fit into my Ohio bow hunting very nicely. The other clothing that I had a chance to try on this trip was Under Armour® compression fit clothing. For this trip I used the HeatGear® we used the Turtleneck shirt and the cold weather leggings.
ColdGear® technology starts at the soft inner layer, channeling moisture to the outer layer, where rapid evaporation takes over. While the value of this product is enhanced by the layers you have on after the Under Armour I found that it kept me dry and comfortable.

Also I found that the tight fit of this product was of great benefit when it came to horse back riding
Like the Red Head Parka I found that not only did this product work great on my trip I look forward to using it during this bow season.