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Folks,
My apologies for the lack of OR's of late. The move has taken a little too much of my time. Let me know what to work on! I look forward to your edits.
~SMK
HTML:
http://alturl.com/5esb4 http://alturl.com/5esb4
OR
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/OR-BLACK%20ROCK%20HAT-STEVE%20KIDD/ http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/OR-BLACK%20ROCK%20HAT-STEVE%20KIDD/
TEXT:
BLACK ROCK GEAR ORIGINAL DOWN HAT
BY STEVEN M. KIDD
OR
November 10, 2014
TESTER INFORMATION
NAME: Steven M. Kidd
EMAIL: ftroop94ATgmailDOTcom
AGE: 42
LOCATION: Carmel, IN
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 9" (1.75 m)
WEIGHT: 185 lb (83.90 kg)
Backpacking Background: I've been a backpacker on and off for over 30 years. I backpacked as a Boy Scout, and then again almost every month in my twenties, while packing an average weight of 50+ lbs (23+ kg). In the last several years I have become a hammock camping enthusiast. I generally go on one or two night outings that cover between 5 to 20 mi (8 - 32 km) distances. I try to keep the all-inclusive weight of my pack under 20 lb (9 kg) even in the winter.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 1" IMAGE CAPTION = "Image Courtesy of Black Rock Gear">>
Manufacturer: Black Rock Gear
Year of Manufacture: 2014
Manufacturer's Website: <<HYPERLINK GOES HERE - "http://www.blackrockgear.com/">>
MSRP: US $65
Listed Weight: 27 g (0.95 oz) {Based on a size Large in Black}
Measured Weight: 25.5 g (0.9 oz) {Based on a size Large in Black}
Available Colors: Black*, Blue, Red, Green
Available Sizes: XS/S, M, L, XL & Specialized Sizing
*Black hats are made with a thinner denier material than the other colors and the manufacturer claims they are 10% lighter. {I've only worn a black hat}
The Black Rock Gear Original Down Hat is a 900 fill goose down hat that is hand made in the Seattle, Washington area. Black Rock offers the hat in several sizes and colors. The company website states that the hats are made with a sweat wicking DryLine headband. It also clarifies that Gutterman brand polyester thread is used to sew the hat.
FIELD USE
The Black Rock Down Hat, a cottage industry manufacturer, has been a staple of my winter camping for over two winters. Since the item weighs less than an ounce and easily balls up to tangerine-like size I've tended to carry it not only in the coldest of temperatures, but also on the shoulder seasons.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 2" IMAGE CAPTION = "Cold Christmas Eve at Ravens Point">>
I find the handmade hat to be an ideal source of warmth around camp and while I'm sleeping. I primarily hammock camp, and as such I use a topquilt and underquilt in place of a sleeping bag. Topquilts lack a hood, so I need an item to keep my head warm when I'm slumbering. This lightweight down hat easily does the trick for me.
I generally wear the down hat in the cooler morning hours around camp and sometimes as I'm hitting the trail on early mornings, and once I've set camp in the evening. The down traps heat quite well and I generally only wear it on the trail on the coolest of mornings. Even then I tend to vent the hat by wearing it high on my head well above my ears.
After a long day on the trail and after I've set up camp, I generally always don the hat on cool evenings around the campfire. It is very comfortable, extremely lightweight and doesn't cause me to perspire.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 3" IMAGE CAPTION = "The 'Colder, Higher Hang' at Roan High Knob">>
I've always had trouble wearing a watch cap style hat in the winter as the materials often caused perspiration and in the end made me chillier in the long run. This down hat allows my head to breathe while still keeping me warm and I find it barely noticeable on my head.
The hat does a great job of covering my ears and full skull when it is fully needed. I can roll the hat up in what I'd call beanie style if I need to cool my head and not cover my ears. The great thing I find about this is that it tends to retain its shape and doesn't stretch out even when I abuse it like I mentioned. I simply find it to be a great hat!
SUMMARY
I've been thoroughly impressed with this hat for several years. In fact, I was so impressed with it that when I recently noticed the cottage industry vendor had a one day sale I decided to acquire a second hat. I like the hat so much that it stays in my gear stash for exclusive use on backcountry trips. However, I recently relocated to the Midwest where the winters are expected to be much colder than the mild southern Tennessee winters I've been used to dealing with. I, therefore, decided I'd pick up one for routine wear in the winter and continue to have one dedicated to backcountry use.
Black Rock hats are certainly not inexpensive in my personal opinion, but as I've bought two I can easily confirm how much I enjoy them!
I love the lightweight nature and breathability of the hat. I like that they easily retain their shape. I think the Black Rock is an excellent piece of winter gear. In fact, I have no thorns to share concerning this product.
This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
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