Tag: backpacking

SPINDRIFT FISHING HOODIE

Reviewed by: CAPT. MIKE SCHOONVELD

Every day I head out on one of the Great Lakes, one of the first decisions I make is what to wear. Comfort is the deciding factor. That’s why early in the season, thoughts were, “It’s going to be blistering cold today, I better put on the merino wool shirt as my base layer.”

That doesn’t sound out of place since “woolies” have been the choice of outdoorsmen working and playing in the most frigid conditions ever since sheep were domesticated. Wool garments can help hold in body heat, even when they are damp.

What’s odd is now that spring is changing to summer and we’ve had plenty of days with sun, heat and humidity, my “suiting up” for the day thoughts are, “It’s going to be blistering hot today, I better put on the merino wool shirt as my base layer. (It’s probably going to be my top layer, most of the day, as well.)

Not many people “think wool” when they are facing summer heat. That’s because they’ve never tried Whitewater Fishing’s Spindrift Fishing Hoody made from a fabric that blends the natural qualities of premium merino wool with added features and performance for fishing.

Back to the cold days. When it’s cold, the key to comfort for active outdoor activities is moisture control from the base layer to the top layer. Quite often, I use the same performance cloth shirts that I wear every summer day for sun protection as my base layer. The key to the “performance” in these shirts is how well they wick moisture from the skin into and through the cloth where it can evaporate – or transfer the moisture into the mid-layers and eventually, to the outer layer. The shirt or pants never feel wet or damp. The merino wool is just doing its thing as it’s always done.

On hot, summer days, the fabric has been blended with enough man-made fibers to up it to the industry standard UPF 50+ to provide all day sun protection without the need (or worry) about exposure or sunburn from the sun’s UV rays. The same wicking action keeps the shirt from getting damp and stinky, and it’s measurably cooler than just wearing a cotton or cotton/poly blend Tee shirt.

So, it works good, the light gray color looks good but it’s wool. Doesn’t that make it scratchy?

Not in the least. Humans refined regular sheep into merino sheep to be able to make non-scratchy wool garments. There are scientific explanations of this, but basically, merino wool fibers are roughly five times thinner than human hair. Thinner fibers are less scratchy.

This technology does cost more, but since the Spindrift Hoodie is a multi-tasker – not something you’d wear only during one season, but year ‘round – think of that when looking at the price tag. Speaking of that, you can see them and order them online at http://www.whitewaterfish.com, Amazon or at some retail outlets. 

GILL AQUA PARKA

Reviewed by: Capt. Mike Schoonveld

How many times does a quick, passing shower threaten or you realize the choppy water you’re going to run through is going to be enough to send some spray into the boat so you grab the jacket part of your rainsuit because the drizzle or spray probably doesn’t warrant the hassle of putting on the bottoms – either having to take off your boots or try to force them through to where the slit-zipper tops out on the legs. About 87 percent of the time when I only slip into the jacket, I end up with a wet butt and wet legs from the thighs down.

When I saw the news from Gill Marine about their new Aqua Parka I was intrigued enough to order one.

A better name would be the Aqua Trench Coat, I thought when I unrolled the package. On me, at 5-11 the bottom of the parka extends to below my knees.

Standing, any water that runs down to the bottom of the parka, drips to the floor, not to the lower leg. Sitting, the “rubber-like” shell protects my butt on the bottom and covers the top of my thighs over the knee to keep that dry. Try that with a butt-length parka.

The shell features totally welded seams – no stitching – usually the leaky culprit when DWR treated fabric is the outer layer. The outer shell has a totally waterproof  “rubbery” feel to it, but unlike rubber or PVC, it’s breathable and has a 4-way stretch. The inside is lined with a cushy, high-loft fleece for warmth – perfect for cool or cold weather – I’ll stow it away during the summer months.

Besides the working convenience, a stand-out feature is the large – two-way zipper – made of rugged nylon. Zip down from the top to access breast pockets, zip up from the bottom to access the pouch on your hoodie or the pockets on your pants.

 Available in several colors, it’s cut large to fit over sweatshirts or jackets you are wearing. Check them out at: https://www.gillmarine.com/aqua-parka/. If you purchase them from the Gill Fishing website, enter the discount code – CAPTMIKE10 – at checkout for 10% off your order.