Mac in a sac despite of the rain

Mountains are a special place with its own climate. Sometimes the sun shines above the mists below, but often when at the field is warm and even sunny, at the mounain clouds cover everything and rain. Each active mountaineer has faced that unpleasant continuous and sometimes ongoing days after days irrigative rain that converts the pleasant hike in Rila in wet wading in a swamp without any view and sun. Or even worse, the summer mountain storms that in a short time turn our supposedly well-packed bodies and belongings in soaked mushrooms, which can`t dry completely with days. Everyone has tried various ways to protect. It is easy to protect the things in the backpack by putting everything important in plastic bags and cover the backpack itself with raincoat. It sits on our back relatively static and the only danger is to prevent the breaking up the raincoat in some sharp low branch. But the issue with our body is not so easy to be solved. We're constantly climbing or descending steep terrain, jumping rivers and stones. The most common way which is widely used is to obtain a raincoat. Least prepared are using well-known products and cheap plastic type "mackintosh". More advanced acquire PVC poncho, but it, as well as the plastic has certain disadvantages. It is impermeable to moisture, but it raher let the body moistutre out. And after a short time definitely comes a time when we prefer to be wet from the rain, rather than boil in our own juice, sorry sweat under ponchoto. Another disadvantage is that naylon and the other used PVC materials are relatively undurable and each branch is a danger. Tear easily, but however tear at length, especially PVC ones. The advantage of this protection type of is their low cost, while PVC ponchos have the ability to cover the backpack as well. Nylon and PVC could not be compressed and especially if they are not folded well occupy serious volume. Good alternative for
quality body protection is to wear lightweight and waterproof jacket and trousers on others cloths. If they are breathable and durable enough, things go into place. Until recently, however, finding similar outfit was almost mission impossible, and the few available products came often after difficult import from foreign countries at a high price. Thankfully, not anymore. On Bulgarian market appeared products of Mac in a Sac, Northern Irish company specialized in making this unique and wind- water resistant clothing. People who know English have already translated that these are clothes which fit in a bag. While saying bag I mind something with the size of a small pouch for automatic umbrella with dimensions 220 mm length and 95 mm diameter.

Impressive, doesn`t it? Perfect fit in the pocket of every backpack or can be hung outside.
(There's the necessary hook and elastic fastening band)


and on top it weighs only 300 grams. 300 gr -a fully functional jacket from
breathable fabric with taped seams, with 5000 mm water column. Yes, 5000 mm and from the
test and pictures below you will see that it stands with ease. When I say functional, I mean
with quality zippers as well, which when closed cover the zipper mechanism.

At the top of the zipper, below the neck, there is special pocket in which the zipper mechanism enters at the maximum
closed position.


Thus protects the mechanism itself and doesn`e allow the puller to touch the chin or clothing underneath.
Both pockets have the same zippers.


The hood, the most important part of the jacket, protecting the head, has an anatomic structure with not one
central seam but with two symmetrical ones on top, allowing better cover of the head.

Equipped with elastic band for tightening it can firmly cover the most part of the face.
Which, if you think about it, is pretty important in a combination of heavy rain and strong wind.

When not needed the hood hides easily in jackets collar. The very same collar fits snugly around the neck and even
tightened, does not prevent the movement of the neck and head.


Speaking of tightening, at the bottom of the jacket, there is the necessary presence of elastic bands to fasten.
This way the waist area and hips are well protected.

Sleeves have elastic cuffs that do not allow anything to enter from the wrist up.

Coming back to the seams, as already mentioned, they are taped seams, but under the tapes they are well stitched
with coated strings.

Jackets are available in all possible sizes in variety of colors, suitable for women or men taste.


Regardless the color on the back of each jacket has a delicate but effective reflective line
which marks the presence of the person in the dark.

In contrast, the pants are available only in black color with Velcro strips for fastenings above the ankle.

and specially designed zippers at side that allows wihtout taking off Mac in a Sac to have
easy access to trouser pockets  underneath.

Have strong wide elastic waist to hold them firmly in place.

and they fit in a smallest bag compared with the jacket`s one.

But let`s stop talking about details and let`s refer to the real test. Participants in the Bulgarian team in RFC2013 in Malaysia were provided with Mac in a Sac cloths. Just to clarify, what is RFC? The most severe off-road race in the world, purposefully conducted during the rainy season in the rainforest in Malaysia. Competition famouse with some heavy conditions abundant with torrential rain and thick mud, which often become a battle for survival (for the last race see more here - http://www.offroad-bulgaria.com/showthread.php?t=171064 ). As a result of heavy and continuous rains Malaysia an emergency situation was declared and part of the race was canceled (hundreds of thousands of locals were evacuated). But in fact these difficult conditions allowed
our participants to show off the maximum of Mac in a Sac. They definately proved thease are truly unique jacket and pants for rain. 

Peter Tsanov who participated three times in this race, said the following - "this jacket is not only
rain repelent, it leads the body moistute out, doesn`t breke from bushes and when I have
to jump into the river, it holds air and inflates around me like a lifejacket. Such a miracle
I have seen no longer go to the rainforest without it. "

Whatever doubts there were about the quality of this product, it honorably passed a really super heavy test and showed that not only meets but exceeds what the manufacturer describes as qualities. Many of the participants, using traditional ponchos with some envy are staring at the equipment of Bulgarian team.

The fact that Mac in a Sac breathe is extremely important because it has protected our people from overheating and the aforementioned "cooked in its own souce" under the arches of the old trees near the equator.

Back in our latitudes jacket Mac in a Sac with two year guarantee, you can buy only for 55 leva from the official importer for Bulgaria - https://www.extreme-bg.com/extreme-bg.com-en .Pants have great price of 35 leva. More information about the jacket can be found here. And about pants here.

Briefly here are the main pros and cons.

Advantages
+ Ultralight and very compact
+ 100% rain effective
+ Breathable
+ Variety of color and sizes
+ Two years of guarantee

Disadvantages
- Relatively high cost compared with PVC and plastic products
- Still limited distribution, it is difficult to be found elsewhere than the official importer.

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