| CloudKilt Rain Kilt |
| Updated April 2013! |
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Specifications:
Weight: 1.8 oz (51 g)
Length: 27" (68 cm)
Width when opened flat: 52" (132 cm)
Description:
The CloudKilt provides ultralight waist to knee rain protection.
Combine it with a
Cuben Fiber Jacket, or
Poncho.
- Constructed from waterproof Black 1.0 oz/sqyd Cuben Fiber
which provides good abrasion and puncture resistance that can
stand up to wear and tear.
- New! The back of the kilt can be
opened or closed with a waterproof separating zipper. The zipper
will never blow open or leak, and you can unzip it as necessary to
allow for a long stride.
- An elastic waist draw cord provides a secure fit on waist
sizes up to about 38".
- The kilt has a conical shape to allow a longer stride
at the bottom.
- When opened flat the kilt can be used as a small ground cloth
for breaks or for storing gear on wet ground. The kilt has
reinforced tie out loops at the four corners, and at the center of
the sides for other uses.
- The black material is slightly see through, but could
probably be worn on laundry day if you aren't too modest.
- Packs up tiny. Just roll the kilt up and secure it with the waist
elastic. No stuff sack necessary.
- 1 year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship on
all ZPacks gear.
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Joe Valesko's Cloudkilt Review:
In 2012-2013 my wife and I thru-hiked the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand. It was
about 1,900 miles (3,054K) and it took us 120 days to
complete.
For the sake of testing, I carried both a pair of our
WPB Cuben Fiber Pants, and
a CloudKilt. The kilt had the new waterproof zipper
design, rather than the velcro closure we used on the
kilts in the past.
It turned out that our New Zealand trip was very warm,
the temperature never went below freezing in the four
months we were there. The cloudkilt really shines on
warm days when it just too hot to put on pants. I had
the choice of putting on rain pants or the kilt, and 95%
of the time I found myself reaching for the kilt when
the rain started. I really liked how quick and easy it
was to get on and off, and I got plenty of airflow from
underneath, so I never overheated. It kept my shorts
dry, and that is all I needed when it was above
freezing.
The zipper at the back was a great improvement. I didn't
have to worry about rain blowing in, or having it come
apart. I also could unzip the zipper just the right
amount for my longer stride when taking big steps
uphill.
If I were to go back and do the Te Araroa again I would
leave the pants at home.
If I were doing a different thru-hike where I expected
snow and sub-freezing temperatures I would opt for the
WPB Cuben Fiber Pants. |
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Click for larger image
Click for larger image
Click for larger image
"The Kilt was fantastic on my 6 day trip in Tasmania. It was easy to don, and easier to get
off. I love this. It worked great and did its job to keep me dry
from my knees up. The most value simply came from its
wind-stopper capability. I hike in running shorts, which are
very, very breezy. In windy, snowy 35-40F temps I lose alot of
heat from my groin area. As soon as I donned the kilt the breeze
was blocked and I began to warm instantly. I wore it climbing up
mountains... you name it... and then some, to the point
where I forgot I had it on. I had no issues with the stride
length. Sometimes, when striding large, I just reached its
maximum allowable stride. Unzipping about 10cm fixed everything.
So I simply left the skirt unzipped about 10cm from then on and
never had another issue."
-Jason Q. from Australia
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