OR - Purple Rain Adventure Skirt - Gail

Here is an OR for brownie-point status. The owner of this small business is currently on maternity leave but will be taking orders again soon according to her website.

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Owner Review: 
Purple Rain Adventure Skirt
  

July 9, 2016

  
  
Reviewer Information 
Name: Gail Staisil
Age: 63
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight: 165 lb (75 kg) 
Email: woodswoman2001 AT yahoo DOT com
Location: Marquette, Michigan USA
 
For the last two decades, backpacking has become a passion. I am a four-season backpacker and an off-trail navigator. Although I do take yearly trips to the American West or Southwest, the majority of my trips are in Michigan and Canada. My pack weight varies considerably, but my base weight is under 14 lb (6.35 kg). I am primarily a tarp or tarptent camper who averages over 50 nights a year backpacking in a huge variety of weather conditions including relentless rain, wet snow and sub-zero (0 F/-18 C) temps. 

  

Manufacturer
Purple Rain

Year of Manufacture
2015

URL http://www.purplerainskirts.com/

Model
Adventure Skirt

Materials
Polyester/Spandex 

Size and Color
L (available in sizes S-XL)
Black (also available in Olive and Teal)

Listed Weight
NA

Measured Weight
4.7 oz (133 g)

MSRP
$60.00 US


Product Description  The Purple Rain Adventure Skirt is a hiking skirt that is practical but also stylish. I am often recognized for wearing skirts year round for my adventures so I was curious to try a hiking-specific skirt. I purchased my first Purple Rain Skirt more than a year ago. I have worn it not only on backpacking trips but also for other adventures. It is often paired up with a pair of full-length tights, capri tights, long underwear and even bike shorts.

Purple Rain Skirts is a cottage business owned and operated by Mandy (Purple Rain) Bland in Oregon, USA. Before hiking the Appalachian Trail she decided to try wearing a skirt for her journey. She couldn't find any that met her needs so she cut up a pair of convertible pants with pockets and sewed them into a garment that worked. Hence the company was born. 

There are two different offerings from Purple Rain with the
      other being a hiking kilt but my guess is that the Adventure
      Skirt is the most popular. The skirt is offered in three colors
      with the choice of two different colors of waistbands. It also
      comes in standard sizes SM - XL but one can order a custom size
      as well for a bit more money. The very light material that makes
      up the black skirt is 95 percent Polyester and 6% Spandex
      (percentages are from website). Some of the other colors vary
      slightly in their composition. The waistbands are fabricated
      with an anti-microbial finish and are 83% Polyester and 17%
      Spandex. The skirt has a DWR finish.

I love this skirt so much that I have bought two more in
      different color combinations. This is significant as I really
      don't purchase much new these days, especially more of the same
      product. So what makes this skirt so coveted? First it is so
      well designed that I barely notice that I am wearing it. The
      comfort level is huge between its light weight and relaxed fit.
      There are no areas of constriction and the freedom of wearing it
      is amazing. Nothing binds when I am climbing up and down. 
 
The circumference of the skirt is sewn in four panels including
      two narrower side panels. The side panels each feature a roomy
      dual-access pocket with a fold-over top. The top is secured with
      a strip of hook-and-loop fastener. When the latter is opened,
      another inner pocket is evident. Truthfully, I rarely use the
      outer pocket but instead I often use the inner pocket for things
      I need while hiking including maps. However, the inner pocket
      would be secure for keeping safe those items that are small and
      easy to lose. Both pockets are placed so that they have easy
      access while wearing a backpack. The top of the skirt features a
      wide stretchy waistband making it easy to put on and remove. The
      moisture-wicking waistband is extremely soft and wide (about 4
      in/10 cm) and it can be worn high or low depending on
      preference. 

  

Field Information


I have worn the Adventure Skirt in all kinds of weather including during significant rain on a hot day of backpacking. Although it is not waterproof, it is water resistant and I don't feel like I get that wet during light rain. When I haven't donned a rain jacket because it was too hot to wear one, I did get the waistband rather wet and that takes a bit more time to dry in damp weather (didn't bother me though). Most of my trips with the skirt have been in the state of Michigan, but I have also worn it for a trip in the Pacific Northwest (State of Washington) as well as in the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Elevation was from 600 ft (183 m) to 7800 ft (2377 m).

I love the length of the skirt as it provides enough coverage
      when wearing it alone but also lends itself well to wearing with
      all the aforementioned bottom layers. This is a very functional skirt which measures about 20 in (51 cm) long including the waistband. I have worn the skirt in all kinds of temps from 80 F (27 C) to below freezing temps. Not only have I worn the skirt for backpacking and hiking but also spring cross country skiing and trail running.

I own several other types of skirts that I wear for outdoor adventures but many of them are too short (necessitating more than underwear) or they are too warm for three-season wear. I also love the pockets which most skirts lack. The Adventure Skirt has been washed with my regular laundry and placed on a drying rack more times than I could ever count but I am guessing it is more than 50. It remains in great condition other than some slight permanent wrinkles on the back side of the skirt. Unfortunately I have a small pinhole in it from a spark from a friend's campfire but it is really not noticeable. The waistband is still perfect.

  

Pros: 


    * Easy to put on and remove

    * Durable 

    * Easy care
    * Very functional and fun!
    * Lightweight

Cons:

    * None