ProView – Big Agnes Dunkley Belay Jacket
We had a very warm and long-lasting fall this year on the Front Range so it took me some time to put the Big Agnes Dunkley Belay Jacket through its paces. Cue up Creeksgiving (Thanksgiving at Indian Creek), where the temps never crested 50 degrees and the nights were dropping into the low double digits. For three days I basically lived in this jacket.
From tent, to crag, to campfire it was the primary thing keeping me warm and it did very well. Since then I have been wearing it also as my daily jacket and skiing in it. It’s very warm but a little drafty at speed while skiing (not intended use). The fit is nearly tailored for my frame, but had I had issues with the double zipper, as working a double zipper one-handed is pretty tough. The synthetic filling of this jacket doesn’t lend its self to be that packable, but as advertised will make a great camp pillow, and if you are planning on car camping, it’s just perfect.
For me the fit on this jacket has been superb, it’s trim without being overly tight and the sleeves are long enough and remain so in motion. The hood is one of the best-fitting I’ve used and does a great job staying in place. The few beefs I had was the collar height is too high to zip fully unless the hood is up, and the double zipper is hard for me to operate. However, these beefs are likely limited to me. With use of both hands I doubt the zipper would be an issue, and if it was it would be a very minor annoyance.
Pros
- Warm
- Trim fit
- No constraints in movement
- Great-fitting hood
- Love the bright green color!
Cons
- Packability
- Double zipper was hard for me to operate
- Drafty in high winds
Overall, an excellent buy that will be well-used during fall and spring climbing trips.
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Dan, a native Vermonter and former bike and ski racer, was involved in a bike accident that left him with a paralyzed right arm and other injuries. After moving to Colorado in August of 2013, Dan connected with Paradox Sports in June of 2014 has been hanging around since. Always at home in the mountains, Dan can be found skiing, hiking, and climbing with friends whenever possible. Although still a noob, he has an affinity for multi pitch slab climbing and is a “stalwart” of the Front Range Adaptive Climbing club. As an ambassador he looks forward to helping introduce and share with other all the great things he has experienced and gained since becoming a member of Paradox Sports. – Paradox Sports