Re: What Will Be Your Mosquito Avoidance Techniques in 2012?
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:48 pm
After making input above on this thread, it occurred to me, that I probably ought to replace my old blue nylon windbreaker shell jacket I use carrying a backpack because after a few years it is showing fabric wear and the zipper can be ornery. Very few hikers or backpackers wear a nylon shell while carrying a pack though this person has done so for decades. Certain to take care of mosquito issues as their probosci cannot at all stick through tight weave nylon, much less when acrylic coated. Like almost all my backpacking gear I tend to customize things.
So ordered and just received via amazon, a Kariban unlined windbreaker for $21 plus $8 shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/Kariban-Unlined-W ... indbreaker" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Features shown on web sites:
Nylon outer with acrylic coating
concealed hood with tear-relase fastening
two front zippered pockets
elastic cuffs, drawcord at hem
Selected size medium color white that I just weighed at 7.2 ounces or as much as a light cotton t-shirt. White not a good choice for those easily sun burned because it is a wee bit transluscent. Will likely dip the shell into a hot Rit dye bath of really light green in order to end up a bit off white. White of course absorbs less sunlight radiation so is cooler for summer backpacking use. One ought always buy a size larger than one's shirt size in order to be worn over other garments and not bind up with movements. Some more details not included on web sites.
The two zippered side pockets importantly are of reasonably good rectangular volume at 6 by 8.7 inches. One will find many windbreakers that do not have zippered pockets and some with rather small pockets. Beware as sizeable pocket size is rather important for hikers and backpackers.
The nylon coating does not breath. Ideally I prefer uncoated however such wind proof jackets have been rather non-existant for over a decade as manufacturers see water proofness as a feature. Jackets like this should not replace rain jackets like my Marmot Precip because they are not seam sealed. Also one ought not regularly use a pricy well constructed lightweight rain jacket while carrying a backpack because it will likely abrasion wear and seam stretch due to forces. Another useless feature as a backpack carrying shell often on windbreakers is an inner mesh lining. One can usual cut those out but that can be messy. That is why this product is called unlined. One does not want layers because it is important to be as thin and cool as possible and quick drying. When one does find a non-coated synthetic fabric it is usually polyester. However fabric weaves on polyester fabrics may not provide enough to keep out all squeeter pokers and the fabric more readily wears thin.
Single seam stiching so not bombproof double plus stiching of expensive garments. I applied thin dabs of flexible fabric cement to key locations on the stiching to make sure it does not unravel. That is the most likely way inexpensive nylon clothing is likely to fail because there are potential strong forces with a heavy pack being carried.
The front and 2 side pocket zipper seemed reasonable. The front zipper has a small pull tab and the side pockets do not. I will modify each zipper with a larger custom pull after visiting a drugstore women's hair accessories section maybe with a fabric pony tail loop.
The waist band drawcord ends with a small loop at both ends that may only be bowtied to secure as is. So will add one of my cord locks to one end.
This windbreaker has a sizeable hood that uses velcro under the collar to secure. I want a hood on my rain jacket but not on my backpacking shell. So may decide to cut it off which would be a trivial process. Probably would reduce the weight by an ounce plus.
So ordered and just received via amazon, a Kariban unlined windbreaker for $21 plus $8 shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/Kariban-Unlined-W ... indbreaker" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Features shown on web sites:
Nylon outer with acrylic coating
concealed hood with tear-relase fastening
two front zippered pockets
elastic cuffs, drawcord at hem
Selected size medium color white that I just weighed at 7.2 ounces or as much as a light cotton t-shirt. White not a good choice for those easily sun burned because it is a wee bit transluscent. Will likely dip the shell into a hot Rit dye bath of really light green in order to end up a bit off white. White of course absorbs less sunlight radiation so is cooler for summer backpacking use. One ought always buy a size larger than one's shirt size in order to be worn over other garments and not bind up with movements. Some more details not included on web sites.
The two zippered side pockets importantly are of reasonably good rectangular volume at 6 by 8.7 inches. One will find many windbreakers that do not have zippered pockets and some with rather small pockets. Beware as sizeable pocket size is rather important for hikers and backpackers.
The nylon coating does not breath. Ideally I prefer uncoated however such wind proof jackets have been rather non-existant for over a decade as manufacturers see water proofness as a feature. Jackets like this should not replace rain jackets like my Marmot Precip because they are not seam sealed. Also one ought not regularly use a pricy well constructed lightweight rain jacket while carrying a backpack because it will likely abrasion wear and seam stretch due to forces. Another useless feature as a backpack carrying shell often on windbreakers is an inner mesh lining. One can usual cut those out but that can be messy. That is why this product is called unlined. One does not want layers because it is important to be as thin and cool as possible and quick drying. When one does find a non-coated synthetic fabric it is usually polyester. However fabric weaves on polyester fabrics may not provide enough to keep out all squeeter pokers and the fabric more readily wears thin.
Single seam stiching so not bombproof double plus stiching of expensive garments. I applied thin dabs of flexible fabric cement to key locations on the stiching to make sure it does not unravel. That is the most likely way inexpensive nylon clothing is likely to fail because there are potential strong forces with a heavy pack being carried.
The front and 2 side pocket zipper seemed reasonable. The front zipper has a small pull tab and the side pockets do not. I will modify each zipper with a larger custom pull after visiting a drugstore women's hair accessories section maybe with a fabric pony tail loop.
The waist band drawcord ends with a small loop at both ends that may only be bowtied to secure as is. So will add one of my cord locks to one end.
This windbreaker has a sizeable hood that uses velcro under the collar to secure. I want a hood on my rain jacket but not on my backpacking shell. So may decide to cut it off which would be a trivial process. Probably would reduce the weight by an ounce plus.