Silva Trail Map Case

I was expecting a solidly built thing but the plastic on this feels soft and liable to tear at any second. I've reinforced the edges with duct tape, just in case. Not really justifying the relatively high price and Silva name. Otherwise, I'm sure it's adequately waterproof and the rest of the case seems okay. I'm just not confident in its durability and would go for something else in future.

On the face of it, this is a very functional, bargain-priced product.

However, it does not, as the accompanying text claims, offer "clear view of both sides of an Ordnance Survey map."

Unfortunately, the last few inches of one side have graphic instructions for the very basic use of a compass, which badly obscure anything beneath them. This seemed such a stupid piece of design that at first, I assumed I would be able to peel off these pointless instructions,and when that failed, I tried without success to rub them off.

It's a pity, as this is a robust, waterproof, budget product (although the lanyard is too short to allow the case to be turned sufficiently if it is hung round the neck). On the one occasion that I used it, I had to open the case three times to reposition the map. This would have been unacceptable, and defeating the object of the case, in the lightest rain, but in the driving hail and snow that I was experiencing, it did the map (and my navigating) no favours whatsoever.

OK, so I've yet to try this map case out in anger, so I can't vouch for its durability or waterproofness.
On first observation, I would echo the comments of previous reviewers:-

* Quality is 'fair' rather than 'fantastic'... only time will tell!
* The description is a little inaccurate/ambigiuous... take it with a pinch of salt!
* The line "It is designed to show two sides of an Ordnance Survey map"... does not mean the case is clear on both sides (at least not in my case!).
* When placed on a surface, the 'bottom' panel is solid, and the 'top' panel is clear.
* The 'bottom' panel colour of the case I received was dark grey (rather than the light grey pictured).
* It would probably make more sense for the case to be clear on both sides... if that's what you need, this is not the case for you.
* The case will hold 4 panels of an OS 1:25,000 Explorer map without having to trim the cover... it's a snug fit though.
* It's quite fiddly inserting the map (and that's indoors on a warm day)... I can see it proving tricky repositiioning a map outdoors in wind!
* The lanyard is indeed a little short.
* Mine also arrived in an unecessarily huge box.

Also, I must have been having a dizzy moment, but it also took me a while to work out exactly which parts of the velcro strips were supposed to stick together.
I eventually read the description again and worked out that you roll the end of the cover back over itself... kinda obvious afterwards, but not at the time!

In summary, this case is OK for the price, but if you are likely to experience extreme conditions, you might want to go for something a little more durable.