A few months ago I got an email inviting me to the Mountain Hardwear #findingwinter program! Mountain Hardwear sent over the Plasmic Jacket, Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded Jacket and Scrambler 30 pack, but we’ve been hard pressed for winter this year in California.
shell
After countless soaked walks to work and sloshing around on muddy trails in the past year, I finally decided to pull the trigger on a pair of rain pants. My requirements? Petite sizing!
After scouring the web and procuring a 20% off coupon at REI, the Sierra Designs Hurricane Pants came home with me. I like them. They keep me dry; they get the job done. And they don’t drag on the floor because they come in petite sizes! (I’m five feet tall, for the record.)
The pants have an elastic waistband, keeping them securely on your body. Oh, and the waistband doesn’t give you muffin-top either! Added bonus. The pants have a pocket on the right-hand side of the pants, embroidered with a Sierra Designs logo. The legs of the pants have calf-zips and velcro closures to allow the wearer to get in and out of them without removing boots. These also work as adequate leg vents.
At 7 oz, these won’t add a significant amount of weight for those days where it just might rain. This packs down fairly small, and comes with a stuff sack, though I have since lost the stuff sack.
For 2014, Sierra Designs has updated the Hurricane pants even more with a built in belt, better waterproofing, a front fly, and it zips into its own pocket. They also managed to shave .5 oz off of the weight.
Buy through Sierra Designs, REI, or Moosejaw for $69.
The Outdoor Research Enchainment Jacket is yet another softshell I have come to love from this awesome brand. (Remember my Valhalla review?)
The Outdoor Research Valhalla Jacket is the first softshell I have ever owned. Within one month of testing, it has easily become one of my favorite jackets.
Fun fact: the Outdoor Research Valhalla jacket is my first softshell. Well, the first softshell I can remember owning as an adult. Here’s a first look at the jacket by Winnemucca Lake in Mokelumne Wilderness. Full reviews of the hike and the jacket to come shortly.
Some specs from Outdoor Research:
- Critically Taped Seams
- Windproof
- Drawcord Hem
- Hand Pockets Set Above Hip Belt Or Harness
- Two Zippered Hand Pockets
- Dual Zippered Napoleon Pockets
- Internal Front-Zip Stormflap
- Double-Sliding TorsoFlo™ Hem-to-Bicep Zippers
- Water Resistant
- Breathable
- DWR Coated Zippers
- Small Internal Mesh Pocket
- Hook/Loop Cuff Closures
- Internal Media Pocket
- Double-Separating Center-Front Zipper
- Adjustable Wire-Brimmed Hood
- Average weight is 19.3oz
- Roomier fit
The Outdoor Research Valhalla retails at Moosejaw for $280 or through Outdoor Research for $350.
The Outdoor Research Valhalla was provided to me for an honest review.