Justin Jackson Tester Bio and Beginning of First review

Show original message


Hello I am not sure where I was supposed to put my bio so I am just adding it in here. I am also sending an unfinished review.  I had to send back this product for possible defect and am waiting from mont bell to hear what the issue was and what they will be doing. It has been a while since I have written anything so I figured I could send you what I have and get some pointers.  Thank you for any help!  
Edit: I actually sent this awhile ago but it failed I have since got a new jacket from mont bell.  I need to edit my review to show that and also the threads that were showing were actually just tie off threads that were not cut, not loose at all.  I'd still like some input and pointers on more information I need to put in here.
I have tried to send this multiple times and it keeps failing because of picture size so I took them off.  What is max mb?
- Justin Jackson
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 Name: Justin JacksonAge: 30 Gender: MaleHeight: 6'0''Weight: 180lbsEmail address: [email protected] or Jmjackson080-/E1597aS9LRQIC4QWM/[email protected], State, Country: Hope Mills, NC, USADate: 03/01/2016Backpacking Background:  I have been backpacking for 15 years but it has only been the past 3 years living in North Carolina where I have really gotten into it.  I do the majority of my hiking in Western North Carolina on or in the vicinity of the Appalachian Trail along with the VA an TN sections.  The majority of my hikes are either day hikes or 2-3 day backpacking trips.  I aspire to complete the triple crown in my lifetime and plan on thru hiking the PCT next year.  I would consider myself a light to ultra light backpacker and throughly enjoy more difficult terrain as well as easy hikes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++JUSTIN JACKSON  Mont Bell EX Light Down Anorak          


By Justin Jackson
PRODUCT INFORMATION                               
Manufacturer: Mont BellYear of Manufacture: 2015Manufacturer's Website: <<LINK 1>>www.montbell.usMSRP: US$219Listed Weight: 6.2 oz (117 g)Measured Weight: ?? oz (?? g) ( I do not have a scale yet)Other details:
I chose the Mont Bell EX Light Down Anorak over other ultra light down jackets for a few reasons.  The below review I will touch on my experience hiking with this coat.







FIELD USE I was very excited when I received my EX Light Down Anorak jacket from Mont Bell.  It was everything I wanted it to be.  It was very light at only 6.2oz, the lightest hooded down jacket on the market that I am aware of.  This along with the 900 fill down count are the main reasons I purchased this jacket.  It was also about $100 less, lighter and more down than it's main competitor the Mountain Hardware Hooded Ghost whisper.  I am 6ft and about 180lbs and the Large fit me perfect.  I had two base layers on underneath; a Mountain Hardware wicked lite long sleeve t-shirt and a Patagonia flannel shirt.
My first test of the coat was hiking at Roaring Fork Falls in Western North Carolina just East of Asheville, NC.  It was in January 1-2in of snow on the ground and 20F wind was 0-5mph when I started my hike that morning.  I was actually a little warm so i took off my flannel shirt and put it in my pack.  This was my first indication that the coat does an excellent job of retaining my heat.  I left off my flannel for the rest of the day and was perfectly comfortable.  The front kangaroo pocket on the coat is not insulated on the inside.  I was curious if this would allow heat to escape or wind drafts to sneak in.  I did not encounter either of the sort during my 6 mile day hike.  I stopped several times to take pictures along my off trail trekking through the woods up the side of the waterfall.  Even while not moving for extended periods of time(30-45 minutes) I did not get cold at all.  I was surprised because I sweat quite a bit when I hike regardless the temperature or attire.    My Mountain Hardware wicked lite T was definitely saturated but I was still warm.  The jacket did not show any signs of down getting wet or packing up from my sweat even with my backpack on.  The down was a bit matted down from my packs contact but that is to be expected.  When I got to the top of the waterfall I decided to keep hiking up to the peak of the mountain it was on.  I was blazing my own trail through the snow the entire time so I was brushing up against branches and bushes.  The jacket did not rip and held up good brushing against branches, minus one caveat. After I got to the peak of that ridge I noticed that the left sleeve stitching started to come undone.  As you can see in the picture it looked as though the end of the stitching where extra thread would be tucked back into the jacket where the down is was coming out.  This worried me because these frays could snag on something and actually damage the jacket stitching.  I emailed Mont bell and sent them pictures of what I was referring to.  Within a day they emailed me back with a UPS return label to ship to there warranty warehouse for inspection.  I am awaiting to here back from them and will complete this review once I can test the jacket more.   SUMMARY In summation the  Mont Bell EX Light Down Anorak does exactly what it has been advertised to do.  It is an Ultra light down jacket that does an excellent job of keeping you warm and did not get damp from my sweat.  It packs down very small and does not take up too much room in your pack.  Ideally I will be using this more so after a day of hiking, setting up camp and while relaxing.  I bought this product with the intent to use it on my PCT thru hike and I am definitely satisfied with it's performance. THINGS I LIKE - Ultra Light (6.2oz)- Durable fabric- 900 count down- Very packable- Waist draw string location (in pocket so no dangling cords, mitigate possible snags) THINGS I DON'T LIKE - The initial threading coming undone- No draw string for hood (although personally I don't mind this but some might)


 SIGNATURE Justin Jackson   This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.Copyright 2016.  All rights reserved.