The JakPak Review by Rudy Hassall

BY KEVIN C PAULSON

February 8, 2010

The JakPak, was launched last year and is the world’s first in combining a waterproof jacket and bivy into a single piece of gear.

While it was originally created for emergency use, they have redesigned it  to fin into the recreational market. For all intents and purposes the JakPak is a Portable Personal Sleeping System is something that would be quite useful for the avid outdoorsman. It allows the outdoorsman be prepared, without having to bring along any additional shelters.

Each JakPak includes a waterproof, breathable jacket with pit zippers and a detachable, bivy-style tent with integrated sleeping bag. The sleeping bag folds down from the lower part of the jacket and the tent pops out of the back, all while wearing the JakPak. You do not have to remove the JakPak to deploy it's features!

The company claims a "lightweight, all-season design", the weights are shown below:

  •    Small 2lbs/13oz
  •    Medium 2lbs/15 oz
  •   Large 3lbs/1oz
  •    X-Large 3lbs/3oz
  •    Jacket and sleeping bag 2 lbs 1 oz - (Large Size)
  •    Tent is 14 oz - (Large Size)


It sports some additional features like:

  •     Insect netting
  •     Integrated collar-hood with visor
  •     Interior suspenders for weight distribution
  •     Taped seams
  •     Urethane coating


Material:
Urethane coated ripstop polyester, waterproof = non-breathable

Condensation / Moisture Management:
Condensation after a night spent outside is definitely an issue... Like most tents, the JakPak needs the help from the morning sun to dry off the cold, wet moisture from the night. This is part of the reason why the jacket is made of polyester. Polyester doesn't breathe, which traps the heat of the person inside the JakPak, keeping them warm and dry throughout the night.

The JakPak comes in sizes Small to XL. It is available in 2-Tone Green, 2-Tone Black and Woodland Camo and retails for $250. It will be available in limited quantities in March from the JakPak website, but you can reserve yours today here. 

JakPak

jakpak

Jakpak instruction sheet

specs for Jakpak