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Fifty Sense: Common Sense Ideas for Thriving after 50
Fifty Sense: Common Sense Ideas for Thriving after 50

Review: Sierra Designs Tents
Sleeping Bags, Backpacks

Fifty Sense Seal of Approval

Since 1965, innovative products have helped Sierra Designs to become one of the most renowned outdoor brands in the outdoor industry. With over 40 years of experience and an intense passion for the outdoors They have been able to create some of the best performance products. Not only are their products reliable enough to help thrill seekers like Eric Larsen summit Mount Everest and journey to both the North and South poles, but they promote a harmonious relationship with the environment we play in as well.

Solar Fusion Jacket

The Solar Fusion is warm, light, breathable, allows a full range of motion, durable and miraculously slimming. Seriously read the next paragraph and it will explain how I look 10 years younger on the slopes…

Core comfort technology makes this one of the most unique and effective jackets I have ever used. What is it? Well, it keeps me warm when I am sedentary and keeps me from overheating when I am active. It works like this. The Solar Fusion has specially placed pockets of 800 fill goose down. The insulation forms like a poncho covering the whole of your back, shoulders and tapers down the front. On the back side of the forearms and biceps you will find the same down. The jacket insulates the warmest parts of my body when I am riding the chair lift and not producing more body heat. When I am being active the jacket releases heat through the manual pit zips and hood. They use a three-layer waterproof/breathable material called Tropozone 3L to make this work. It really does a nice job keeping me comfortable all day.

I also got a few chances to thoroughly test how waterproof and durable this piece is. Fusonic Technology is the method used to secure the seams. It uses a mixture of heat, pressure and adhesives. It works, I put it to the test. For the sake of our faithful readers I had, what I now know to be as, a "yard sale". Yes, I crashed multiple times on Solitude just for you. "Yard sale" refers to how lots of my stuff went flying all over and I walked around picking up stuff like I was at a yard sale. The Solar Fusion jacket performed much better than I skiid. I stayed dry, warm and could not find any damage to the jacket.

By producing a jacket utilizing Core Comfort Technology, Sierra Design has reduced the bulk of a warm ski jacket. By reducing the bulk of the jacket the result is a slimmer me and possibly you. The Solar Fusion is a wonderful addition to the outdoor industry.

Isotope Nano Jacket (Women's)

Finally, a perfect jacket for backpacking or when looking for the lightest, toughest jacket. Designed to be the feather weight waterproof jacket in your arsenal of outwear, Sierra Designs shaved two ounces off the Isotope Nano. The updated Isotope is fully backpack waist-cinch compatible and stuffs into its own chest pocket or your hip pocket.

We loved the Micro-Elastic cuffs and hem, the hood opening with Micro-Elastic and a visor, and the waterproof center front zip that has soft fabric by the neck for comfort. There is even an interior MP3 player pocket. All this and the jacket only weighs 8.5 oz!

Kenosha Nano Jacket (Women's)

The Kenosha™ Nano Jacket is your take everywhere piece for ultra light weight wind barrier and maximum water repellency. Layer under a fleece or over a base layer to cut the wind and add warmth. It stuffs into its own hand pocket and is perfect for light day hikes and warm weather travel. This is the perfect jacket to go in my purse or golf bag. It looks dressy enough to go out on the town. The two hand zipper pockets allows you to go out without a purse and all this weighs only 5.5 oz!

Vesper Zip Jacket

The Vesper Zip Jacket from Sierra Designs is a great travel piece. The flatlock seams make this piece incredibly comfortable and the princess cut creates a flattering, slimming look.

There is a lovely embroidered logo pattern on the back that makes this piece appropriate not only as a post yoga wear, but cute on the town as well.

It is made of 100% polyester microfiber so it will dry quickly if it is gotten wet and packs flat for travel. I found it hard to take off!

Mantra Pant

The Mantra Pant by Sierra Design is everything a hard shell pant should be, but it is lightweight, and eco friendly too!

The Mantra Pant uses a three layer Drizone, the most breathable membrane they have, keeping you dry, while allowing them to breath so you don't overheat. To enhance the breathability, there are 16 inch thigh vents and 12 inch zippers at the ankle.

There is an integrated webbing belt for waist adjustment, and increased height at center back of waistband for a better fit. The zipper hand pockets have mesh linings to keep the necessities close and secure.

The Mantra Pant is perfect for rain gear as well as a snow pant – I found it perfect for winter activities such as snow shoeing!

Microfleece Beanie

The Microfleece Beanie from Sierra Designs went with me backpacking, and rarely left my head!

This fast-drying, impossibly warm Microfleece does a bit of everything, from skate skiing to laying low beneath a ski helmet.

www.sierradesigns.com

...Fiftysense Product Review Panel

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