ProView – Sierra Designs Women’s Whitney Jacket

I’ve been testing the Sierra Designs Whitney hoodie in a wide range of conditions, from windy/chilly sunset hikes to mountaineering objectives and ski touring. The impressive warmth-to-weight ratio makes this jacket a no-brainer to bring on any excursion with the potential for colder weather. Additionally, the polyester shell and DriDown enable the jacket to remain warm when other down jackets would fail. 

I found the warmth offered by this jacket to be just right in a variety of scenarios. During early fall camping trips, this jacket offered enough warmth to keep me toasty around camp after the sun had set. 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. 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.

• 

All in all, the Whitney hoodie is often the perfect solution for whatever cold-weather situation one could find themselves in. Weighing in at an impressive 345 grams (women’s medium), and packing down into its pocket, there is never a reason to not bring this jacket along. 

• 

Fit

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. For reference, I am 5’ 9” and weigh 135 pounds, and the medium fit perfectly. Even with two layers underneath the jacket, I had enough room to easily move my arms. The hood has enough extra space to fit over a helmet without feeling constricting. The hand pockets are quite roomy and fit even the largest phones with ease and room to spare. 

• 

Features

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. 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. Climbers and mountaineers who wear this jacket while also wearing a harness will especially appreciate the yoke pocket. 

• 

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. Once tucked away, a loop appears that enables the wearer to connect the jacket to one’s pack or harness via a carabiner. This is a thoughtful design feature that makes a big difference on trips where every spare inch in the pack matters. 

• 

Adding to the repertoire of thoughtful features, the two-layer wrist cuffs are effective at trapping heat and comfortable enough that you likely won’t notice them unless you look. I appreciate that the two-layer design enables me to sandwich gloves between the layers, further enhancing the jacket’s heat-trapping abilities without compromising on mobility. 

• 

Durability

While down typically loses its warmth when wet, this jacket withstood mild amounts of precipitation with ease. Even after sitting in the snow for more than half an hour on multiple occasions, the jacket still felt dry and warm. 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. Additionally, the shell material of the Whitney Hoodie is remarkably durable. I’ve 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. 

Final Word

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 that’s summitting a mountain or running errands.

• 

• 

Find Sierra Designs Women’s Whitney Jacket on Outdoor Prolink. Not a member? Apply today!