SD explained to me via email: Elastic hems and high, zippable collar seal in the warmth, it keeps the design simpler, and the fitted hood helps to accommodate helmets. But the hood isnt sufficiently elasticized to create a close fit on the head and bring the collar in tighter. One of the nicest design features is the sleeve cuffs, which have an elasticized inner cuff within the external, puffy sleeve, sort of like an internal gaiter on snow pants: The inner cuff seals snugly around the wrist, completely blocking out cold air. Read on. Americas Best Backpacking and Outdoor Adventures, Down Jackets Free Shipping and Returns. BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a Sierra Designs mens Whitney DriDown Hoodie at Moosejaw.com, or a Sierra Designs womens Whitney DriDown Hoodie at Moosejaw.com, or the mens or womens at sierradesigns.com; or SDs hoodless version of the Whitney, the mens Sierra Dridown Jacket at Moosejaw.com, or thewomensSierra Dridown Jacket at Moosejaw.com, or the mens or womens at sierradesigns.com. Copyright 2007-2022, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. The Sierra Designs Baffled Parka has two fleece-lined, zippered side pockets, large enough to carry bulky winter gloves and spare headwear, Two large inner pockets, one mesh-backed, provide a place to dry off ski goggles or keep damp gloves from freezing. If youre a climber and need an affordable, water-resistant, packable down jacket primarily for wearing a helmet while climbing, or if youre wearing the hood over a warm hat and thus filling up the hood volume so that it fits better, the Whitneys a good value. 15% Off New Customer Discount with Coupon Code SECTIONHIKER15. The hoodies and jackets construction is high quality, with baffles that prevent the down from migrating, an adjustable hem to seal out drafts, and a reasonably durable 40-denier polyester nylon shell. As winter approached, the lightweight and ultra-packability of this jacket made it my go-to layer to throw on during rest and refuel breaks for mountaineering and touring days. The impressive warmth-to-weight ratio makes this jacket a no-brainer to bring on any excursion with the potential for colder weather. I was comparing the SD jacket vs the REI down and think Ill pay the extra to get a jacket from SD with more features and 800 fill. keep seeing it listed as 29.25 inches. Comfortable Cycling Apparel For A Better Bike Ride, BOTEs Hangout Suite Lets You Customize The Ultimate Floating Lounge, Supzoom 10 6 All Round Inflatable Paddle Board Review, Scosche Releases the Rhythm24 A Waterproof HRM Armband. As someone with a slim build and wide shoulders, I found the medium to be roomy enough to wear insulating layers under, and thin enough to add additional layers on top. Its water-resistant down feathers repel moisture well enough to essentially postpone the usual loss of loft and warmth that occurs when standard down gets weteven the various forms of water-resistant down will get soaked eventually if rained on enough. For backpackers and others, get the Sierra DriDown Jacket and just pack a warm hat. Not a member? Informative review, thanks! The Whitney and Sierra differ only in that the former has an elasticized, helmet-compatible hoodwhich is the focus of my one complaint about the Whitney: Why isnt the hood adjustable? See my Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets and my blog post, Ask Me: How Can You Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is?, and all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside. New Customer Discount. Philip Werner February 25, 2015 Vintage Backpacking Gear. All in all, the Whitney hoodie is often the perfect solution for whatever cold-weather situation one could find themselves in. A down-filled draft tube built into the neck of the jacket, reminiscent of sub-zero winter sleeping bag design, further seals in the warmth and prevents drafts from entering in through the hood. For reference, I am 5 9 and weigh 135 pounds, and the medium fit perfectly. $169, 14 oz. More-affordable puffy jackets generally have lower-quality insulation. could SD be that careless on both fronts. Sierra Designs Elite DriDown Baffled Parka Review, The Sierra Designs Elite DriDown Baffled Parka, Sierra Designs Elite DriDown Baffled Parka, Gossamer Gear Silverback 65 Backpack Review, How to Stop Your Superfeet Insoles from Squeaking, 10 Most Durable Lightweight Backpacks of 2022, Outdoor Research Ferrosi Thru-Gaiter Review, Hiking Mt Lincoln and Mt Lafayette in July, Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 Trail Runner Review, How to Reduce Your Backpacking Water Weight, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Backpacks: How to Choose, Nitecore 10000 mAh USB Power Bank (5.9 oz), Feathered Friends Flicker 40 Quilt Sleeping Bag. While I have not tested this jacket in high wind/rain scenarios, I have found the jacket to be surprisingly robust to the wind and light rain, especially when compared to most down jackets on the market. The Sierra Designs Elite DriDown Baffled Parka is the quintessentialpuffy down jacketthats equally appropriate for winter camping in subzero temperaturesor standing on a windy subway platform. My favorite design features of the jacket are the hidden stash pocket on the yoke and the loop that enables this jacket to hang on the outside of your pack while stowed away. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. Ive caught the jacket quite a few times on tree branches as well as my ice axe pick and spike, and so far, the shell material has not ripped. Even after sitting in the snow for more than half an hour on multiple occasions, the jacket still felt dry and warm. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); curious about the back length of the SD dri down jacket in large size. Sizes: mens S-XXL, womens XS-XL The best, three-season down and synthetic insulated jackets stand out for high-quality construction and materialswhich translates to abundant warmth per ounce, low weight, and excellent packability. Adding to the repertoire of thoughtful features, the two-layer wrist cuffs are effective at trapping heat and comfortable enough that you likely wont notice them unless you look. How to Backpack the Teton Crest Trail Without a Permit, The First 5 Things I Do in Camp When Backpacking. however, I ordered one and found it to be only 27.5 inches max. A two-way zipper, backed with a storm flap prevents snagging while providing venting flexibility, and an elastic hemmed hood and sleeves provide a hands-free fit. Perhaps someone with a large will respond. Last modified January 3, 2020 , 10:38 am, Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Ive been testing the Sierra Designs Whitney hoodie in a wide range of conditions, from windy/chilly sunset hikes to mountaineering objectives and ski touring. Free Shipping and Returns. I wore the Whitney Hoodiewhich is simply the hooded version of the Sierra DriDown Jacket, both of which come in mens and womens sizeson numerous spring evenings and mornings camping in Idahos City of Rocks National Reserve. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Outdoor Prolinks members are the heart of the outdoor industry. I appreciate that the two-layer design enables me to sandwich gloves between the layers, further enhancing the jackets heat-trapping abilities without compromising on mobility. Most unique for moderately priced puffy jackets, SDs Whitney Hoodie and Sierra Jacket are stuffed with 800-fill DriDown insulation. Even with two layers underneath the jacket, I had enough room to easily move my arms. For quickly packing away the hoodie, I generally stuffed the body into the hood, but for those looking to better optimize their space, the jacket folds away into its right pocket. They also range from over $200 to nearly $400, and while worth every dollar, those prices put them out of reach for some consumers. Ask Me: How Can You Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is? TREAD LABS INSOLES: As good as custom orthotics at a fraction of the price. The outer shell fabric of the parka is a 10 denier nylon/polyester ripstop thats been coated with polyurethane on the inside to help prevent the transmission of moisture through the jacket where it can wet the down. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. 2022 Dirtbag Dreams Gear Reviews. GOSSAMER-GEAR: Take 15% Off all Gossamer Gear Backpacks, Tents, Tarps, Trekking Poles and Accessories with Coupon Code "SECTIONHIKER22". Moosejaw.com. anyone out there have this jacket and can give me an accurate measurement on the back length in large or any other size??? If this parka didnt have arms, it would be the top half of a cold-weather sleeping bag: thats how warm it is. A note about the weight: My mens medium Whitney Hoodie weighs 14 ounces on my scale, significantly less than the given weight of nearly 18.7 ounces at SDs website. Thats why the Sierra Designs Whitney Hoodie and Sierra Jacket, stuffed with 800-fill, water-resistant DriDown, look so enticing. The hood has enough extra space to fit over a helmet without feeling constricting. And of course, I can tell you that the mediums back length drops below my waist, but that has as much to do with my torso length as with the jacket, whereas a precise measure of the back length is more useful to you. (mens medium) Your email address will not be published. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube. Hi, Im Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made severaltop outdoors blog lists. Your email address will not be published. All Rights Reserved. thanks. Fully zipped, the hood of the DriDown Baffled Parka covers ones face, providing excellent wind protection, with a fleece-backed zipper guard and zipper garage to prevent chin chafing. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can find her mountaineering, snowboarding, backpacking, scuba diving, cycling, or trail running. Sure, that would increase the price, but its a nicely insulated, high-volume hood designed to accommodate a helmet; without a helmet on, the hood doesnt fit closely around your head, and it certainly doesnt turn with your head. Ultimate Direction Fastdraw 20 Extreme Review, Pearl Izumi Elite Softshell Jacket Review. Both jackets have features youd find in pricier models: two zippered hand pockets, a zippered chest pocket, and an internal kangaroo pocket, and they stuff into the left zippered hand pocket, creating the ancillary benefit of a large, soft backpacking pillow. (mens medium) Once tucked away, a loop appears that enables the wearer to connect the jacket to ones pack or harness via a carabiner. This is a seriously warm down jacket made to keep you toastyin the coldestconditions imaginable, above treeline on a frigid crag, or at your kids lakeside hockey game. I found the warmth offered by this jacket to be just right in a variety of scenarios. The Whitneys shell got quite wet during about two hours of light but steady showers in camp at the City of Rocks, but I stayed dry inside it and noticed no compromise in the jackets warmth or loft. Outdoor Prolink is a pro purchase program for qualified Outdoor Industry Professionals. Hi Bart, I tested the mens medium, so I cant tell you what the exact back length is on the large. Weighing in at an impressive 345 grams (womens medium), and packing down into its pocket, there is never a reason to not bring this jacket along. A friend wore it on cool evenings camping on the Grand Canyons North Rim and Esplanade on a four-day May backpacking trip on the the Thunder River-Deer Creek Loop, and in camps on a six-day bikepacking trip in May in Arizona, with a couple of mornings around freezing. What do you do? Christina Savvides is a Midwest transplant, currently calling California home. OSPREY-PACKS: Backpacking Pack Sale! Moosejaw.com, Sierra Designs Sierra DriDown Jacket Learn how your comment data is processed. With a spacious cut to accommodate bulky winter layering,the hemof the DriDown Baffled Parka reaches to the top of the thigh to add warmth and protection from the elements. Now that winter has firmly arrived in the Sierras, I wear this jacket for hikes and climbs either on its own or as a mid-layer underneath a shell for days that have higher winds or more precipitation. SD also lists the Sierra Jacket as 1.7 ounces lighter than the Whitney, which is why I give its weight above as 12.3 ounces. Weighing 21.8 ounces in a mens XL (a womens styled version is also available), the Sierra Designs Elite DriDown Baffled Parka is a puffy down jacket that will keep you warm in the most frigid winter conditions you encounter. Apply today! Making up for years spent surrounded by too many cornfields, she now spends as much time as possible exploring the west coast. Sizes: mens S-XXL, womens XS-XL Your email address will not be published. Subscribe now to get full access to all of my blogs stories. A strong gust blows the hood off. $159, 12 oz. While the hidden stash pocket on the yoke is not quite a full-sized pocket, it is large enough to fit lip balm, sunscreen, and other small essentials you want on hand. My field testing found some flaws but still demonstrated why theyre a good value. perhaps, this is like the reviewer mentioning how the weight of the jacket didnt correspond to what SD listed it as in their notes. This internal PU coating is key because it avoids the abrasion that breaks down external DWR coatings when a jacket is repeatedly stuffed and unstuffed. I saw very windy conditions that created a wind chill in the low 40s Fahrenheit, and wore the hoodie in rain showers one morning. Find Sierra Designs Womens Whitney Jacket on Outdoor Prolink. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. All rights reserved, ProView - Advanced Elements Summer Shower 3.0 and Enclosure. The parka can be stuffed into the other inner pocket which acts as a stuff sack, with a soft fleece face that can be used as a camping pillow. The collar also does not fit closely around the neck, even with the jacket fully zipped, allowing cold air to creep in. Climbers and mountaineers who wear this jacket while also wearing a harness will especially appreciate the yoke pocket. NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. Filled with an impressive 200 grams of ultra-warm800 fill power DriDown, this parka has a box baffled construction, found on much more expensive coats, that eliminatescold air from penetrating the coat along the seams. The hand pockets are quite roomy and fit even the largest phones with ease and room to spare. During early fall camping trips, this jacket offered enough warmth to keep me toasty around camp after the sun had set. BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Get 15% Off Your First Order. While down typically loses its warmth when wet, this jacket withstood mild amounts of precipitation with ease. Disclosure: Sierra Designs provided Philip Werner (SectionHiker.com) with a sample DriDown Baffled Parka for this review. Product Description: The Women's Whitney Hoodie is stuffed with as much 800 fill DriDown as we could fit, to keep you warm when the temps drop. Required fields are marked *. The Whitney Hoodie has all of the features to make it a truly outstanding technical jacket, I also appreciate that its tapered cut and flattering design also makes it a perfect jacket to wear for any outing in winter weather: whether thats summitting a mountain or running errands. No duplication of photos, maps, or text without permission. Additionally, the polyester shell and DriDown enable the jacket to remain warm when other down jackets would fail. This is a thoughtful design feature that makes a big difference on trips where every spare inch in the pack matters. Additionally, the shell material of the Whitney Hoodie is remarkably durable. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. ProView Sierra Designs Cold Canyon Hoodie, Join The Outdoor Prolink Community Facebook Group. If squished inside a pack, it compresses to about the size of a cantaloupe. Sierra Designs Whitney DriDown Hoodie Save big on Exos/Eja, Atmos/Aura, and Stratos/Sirrus Backpacks. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Members have access to 35%-50% off retail on 100+ top outdoor gear brands.