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Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's

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Product Description,
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Cold, rainy weather and down insulation? Not just a dream with the Sierra Designs Gnar Lite men's jacket and the new DriDown™ finish for down insulation. It resists water and dries fast.

Premium 800-fill-power DriDown™ goose down is extremely compressible and offers exceptional warmth for its weight
Additionally, DriDown has a hydrophobic finish that keeps rain, sweat or melting snow from soaking in while allowing internal moisture to easily escape
It stays dry 7 times longer, retains 34% more loft when exposed to humidity and moisture, and dries 33% faster than untreated down
Durable, yet lightweight 30-denier ripstop polyester shell has a Durable Water Resistant finish to repel exterior moisture
Stormflap behind the full-length front zipper keeps breezes out
Elasticized cuffs with thumbholes keep wrists warm and sleeves in place
Jacket has 2 zip hand pockets, 2 interior drop-in pockets and 1 interior zip pocket
Comes with a stuff sack for easy packing
Sierra Designs Gnar jacket has a comfortable regular fit, so it's perfect for layering underneath a shell or wearing as your outer jacket with light layers underneath

Imported.

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Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's

4.6

(based on 16 reviews)

94%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Lightweight (10)
Warm (9)
Breathable (5)
Wind resistant (4)
Packs small / compresses (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Hiking (6)
Casual wear (4)
Backcountry (3)

- Chest Size:
- Feels too small
  
  Feels true to size
  
  100%
  (6 reviews)
  Feels too big
- Sleeve Length:
- Feels too short
  
  Feels true to length
  
  83%
  (5 reviews)
  Feels too long

- Reviewer Profile:
- Intermediate (3)
- Gear Usage:
- Cold weather living (4), Winter sports (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (7)

Reviewed by 16 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Mar

2013

3.0

Awesome... But leaks significant down

By Barefeet Dan

from Denver

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Packable
Stylish
Thumb Holes
Warm

Cons

Leaks Down

Best Uses

Backcountry
Casual Wear
Hiking

Comments about Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's:

Bought this over other lightweight down jackets for two reasons...it was on clearance, and has thumb holes! The thumb holes were great, keeps the sleeves down, and added a surprising amount of warmth for my hands...didn't need my liner gloves, just the shell!

I used this in sub zero Chicago weather with a light base layer, the gnar, and my wind/waterproof lightweight shell and was perfectly fine walking all over the city. My girlfriend was a little chilly at the end of the night in her poofy ski jacket.

I have not yet used it backpacking and it probably won't make it to my pack. It's extremely warm, light, pack able, stylish, BUT...

It has been leaking significant amounts of down since day one. Look every lightweight backpacking down for under two hundred is probably going to leak some download but this was ridiculous. Every time I took off my shell it was covered in down.

The jacket has not lost any warmth...but it's only a matter of time.

I will be returning the jacket to REI and I'll try getting another one. Maybe mine was a random quality defect, and I would really love this to be true...I love this jacket. If it leaks again though...

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

5.0

EXACTLY what I was looking for.

By AZMTNBKR

from Tucson, AZ

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Lightweight
Stylish
Warm
Wind Resistant

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry
Casual Wear
Hiking

Comments about Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's:

As a new student of minimalism, I was looking for a lightweight down jacket to serve multiple purposes to include packing in a pannier for nights off of my bicycle, in my backpack for nights around camp and to wear around town in cold weather. Every other warm jacket I own bunches up when seated driving. This one is soft and flexible enough that it is very comfortable to wear in a vehicle.

I am fit and tall and most jackets that fit my shoulders and sleeve length are much too bulky. I've discovered that any garment featuring thumb holes has sleeves that are extra long. I look for them now. The Gnar Lite fits my long arms perfect without being excessively bulky in the chest.

Also, I wanted the dry down so I could wear it alone or under a shell in colder weather.

I compared this one to the Patagonia Down Sweater and went back and forth in my typical OCD fashion trying to decide. In the end, the Gnar Lite had the fit and features that, for me, made it a better choice than the Patagonia.

I ended up trading the blue color in for the black one due to black being a lot less conspicuous.

Highly recommended! Let's see how it holds up.

Comment on this review

Jan

2013

5.0

THERE COULDN'T BE A BETTER DOWN JACKET

By Still Wandering

from Middle TN

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Durable
Lightweight
Stylish
Warm
Water Resistant Shell

Cons

There Are None

Best Uses

Absolutely everything

Comments about Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's:

I tried every down jacket made, for me there was either an issue of fit (too big or small), or weight, or ridiculous price, I chose this jacket and have loved every day with it, it looks great, fits well, and the whole Dri- Down thing is for real, it is not meant to wear for prolonged periods out in the rain, but.......i was recently caught in a monsoon style downpour in the East TN mountains and the jacket survived really well, after being pummeled with hard rain for over 20 minutes it kept it's loft well, kept me warm, and dried out quickly, I'm sold and you should be too!!!!

Comment on this review

Jan

2013

3.0

Pretty good jacket

By ChrisBiz

from Cincinnati, OH

About Me Beginner

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Lightweight
Warm

Cons

Leaks Down

Best Uses

Casual Wear
Hiking

Comments about Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's:

I bought this jacket for my wife and I. Overall we are pleased with the performance of the jacket for what the original intent of it was for us that is, finding a new winter coat. We don't do or have not yet done much cold weather hiking/camping but I imagine this jacket would be ideal for such an endeavor. This is my first down jacket ever and from what I've been told its a piece of technical gear and its intent is to be an ultralight piece of gear to bring with you on the trail. Whatever. Its a good jacket to wear around when the temp. drops. My only issue with it is that it leaks little down feathers constantly. I was told by an REI employee that these types of down jackets tend to do that and with any of these technical type jackets I'll have this issue. I guess the makers of the jacket overstuff the jacket because they know this will happen, was what he also said. He also said that if I washed the jackets that it wouldn't happen anymore, which isn't true because its still happening. I still think the jacket is great and I don't think so much down is leaking that it will affect the insulation but it is a bit annoying to leave those little feathers in your wake, everywhere. Maybe we got faulty ones? Who knows. I'm still pleased with it, just contemplating whether I'm annoyed enough yet to return them.

Comment on this review

Jan

2013

5.0

Fantastic!

By Alex Outdoor Enthusiast

from Hillsboro, OR

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Durable
Lightweight
Warm
Wind Resistant

Cons

Leaks Feathers

Best Uses

Hiking
Skiing

Comments about Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's:

Great mid layer for alpine hiking and skiing. Used this for hiking Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, and for skiing in the USA.

Haven't had any problem, even in light rain.

Only thing that is a little annoying is that it leaks feathers consistently, and that the stuff sack it comes with only has an elastic drawstring.

Comment on this review

Dec

2012

(0 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Shell material evidently not down proof

By Zero-C

from Austin, TX

About Me Beginner

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Lightweight
Warm
Wind Resistant

Cons

Not Down Proof

Best Uses

Backcountry
Hiking

Comments about Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's:

This is the first down anything I've ever owned so I am taking that into consideration. So far, the jacket is very warm and it's super lightweight, but I've noticed that the down pokes through the shell material. So the material the shell material is made of is not "down proof". I don't know if this is normal for down jackets, but in Europe, down comforters are routinely made of "down proof" material so that feathers cannot wiggle their way out. It might also depend on whether the loft is made of "down" or "feathers" because, from what I understand, down is much finer and may be able to poke through just about any fabric, no matter how finely it's woven. My impression is that, eventually, all the down will wiggle out and then I'll be left with an empty shell, but that may take decades. I suppose I could weigh the jacket now and again in 2 years to compare. I also noticed that other jackets on the rack were doing the same thing, so it's not just mine.

Comment on this review

Dec

2012

(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Excellent Jacket So Far!

By KVin

from Franklin, TN

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Compressible
Lightweight
Warm
Wind Resistant

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Wear
Hiking

Comments about Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's:

I was so excited when I found out about Sierra Designs' new DriDown technology. I had always wanted a down jacket for the legendary warmth, but wasn't a fan of the classic bulkiness or lack of warmth when wet. The Sierra Designs Gnar Lite down jacket seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. Light, slim-fitting compressible, and warm.

I first wore it on my drive to work in 44 degree humid weather and light rain with the windows rolled down driving 35-75 mph. It kept me perfectly warm and dry despite the rain misting in. Hopefully my next test for it will be in the great outdoors, but I'd still definitely recommend this jacket to anyone looking for a light-weight, slim jacket with the benefit of down warmth.

Comment on this review

Nov

2012

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Just took it ice climbing

By OutdoorKid024

from Estes Park, CO

See all my reviews

Comments about Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's:

So I just took this piece ice climbing in RMNP. We hiked out to Black Lake and climbed 3 pitches. We started climbing around 9 AM, outside temps around 35 degrees and occasional gusts up to 20 mph....I was wearing my Windstopper softshell and used the Gnar as a midlayer. It was great! Warm as hell but not too hot. Best part of it was when I was belaying on the 2nd pitch my partner pierced the ice and I got doused in cold alpine water. It was cold as hell but the jacket held, it was awesome! As far the outer shell it has a 80/20 DWR on the shell but like every down jacket water will soak through the stitch holes but the down held up and the jacket acted like nothing happened! Well done!

Comment on this review

Nov

2012

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great piece of kit!

By Sockmonkey

from Colorado

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathes very well
Comfortable
Light Weight
Nice fit
Warm

Cons

Best Uses

CASUAL WEAR
Cold weather
Hiking and camping
Skiing

Comments about Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's:

Well this is my first Sierra Designs product and I am very pleased with it. I'm 6', 185#, 43" chest and the Large fits well. Not tight and not real loose, seems like it will be perfect for layering over or under as required. It has thumbholes and a few pockets and a stuff sack. The jacket moves very well with your body and does not bunch or restrict, very comfortable. The sleeves are just long enough, but I have fairly long arms. I was struck with the lightness of the piece, truly just ounces. The seams and construction are top notch, and the outer material is very light but gives a fairly durable impression. Very well designed in my opinion. I haven't tested the water resistant DriDown technology and hopefully will not have to, but it is nice to know it's there. In summary, the enthusiasm of the REI Gear Experts in the store was contagious and after finding out a little about Sierra Designs I was sold.

Comment on this review

Nov

2012

5.0

My new go to sierra summer insulation

By CruzClimb

from Santa Cruz, CA

See all my reviews

Pros

Compressible
Light
Packs small
Water Resistant

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking
Climbing

Comments about Sierra Designs Gnar Lite Down Jacket - Men's:

I used this for climbing shasta back in August, and the JMT in September.

On Shasta, it worked great as the insulating layer for evenings or pauses while ascending. However, the size I got had to go under my shell, so it got pretty stinky and needed a wash afterwards.

After washing, it dried pretty well, although the baffles around the arms seem slightly less filled.

I then took it on the JMT and it worked great. The only time I felt cold was spending a windy night atop whitney at the end.

I love the long arms and the thumbholes in the sleeves, they make this really easy to wear as an insulating layer under a shell.

Overall, I found this to be a great jacket. 800-fill dridown has me sold.