Gear Review: Sierra Designs Neah Bay Jacket & Elwah Pant

Sierra Designs Women’s Neah Bay Jacket

At-a-Glance

MSRP: $89.00
Weight: 14.8 ounces
Materials: Hurricane Extend 2L breathable; mechanical stretch polyester rip; 80D polyester

Overview

The Women’s Neah Bay Jacket is an update to Sierra Designs’ Hurricane Jacket.  It’s made of a new material (Hurricane Extend 2-layer breathable polyester rip, 80D polyester) that offers more flexibility and freer movement. It is breathable and lightweight while remaining waterproof, as well as offering a softer feel than traditional hard shells. It has fully waterproof taped seams, zippered front pockets, a drop tail, adjustable hood, and cuffs.

Circumstances of Use

I used this jacket in various outdoor activities and conditions. I wore it as a wind breaking layer while hiking a few of the Presidentials, on walks at a local park, and on day hikes in the rain. This jacket held up outstandingly in all conditions and was breathable while still acting as a wind breaking and waterproof layer.

Features

Hood: The hood can be cinched down by adjusting the elastic pulleys, which helps keep out water and protects you from the elements. This jacket zips up to right below your nose so that your neck and chin are kept warm.  There’s also a velcro strap that can be used to eliminate the use of the hood altogether by rolling up the hood and cinching it down with the strap.

Taped Seams: All seams are taped and fully waterproof. This also increases the durability of the jacket.

Cuffs: The cuffs have adjustable velcro straps and are elastic which helps keep out the elements.

Zippered Front Pockets: The zippers on the front pockets keep water from getting at whatever you put in them.  

Fit/Comfort

The jacket offers a great fit, is comfortable, and allows for easy movement.  It has a drop tail which protects your lower back from getting wet and also aids in reducing the amount the jacket rides up when wearing it with a backpack. The jacket sits a little below your hips and is not extremely tight fitting – allowing it to be worn over a mid layer.

Performance

This jacket performs well as not only rain gear, but as a wind-breaking outer layer. Even in dry conditions, this is a jacket that can be thrown on over your mid or base layer to act as a windbreaker. The high zipper and the option to roll up the hood when not in use are both great features and make this jacket even more versatile.  Finding rain gear that is breathable and also keeps out the elements isn’t easy and this jacket does both well. Even when worn on warm, dry weather, I wasn’t overheating. In windy conditions, I threw it on as an outer layer and was very impressed with how well it insulated and blocked the wind.

Pros

The overall durability and reinforced seams set this jacket apart as a quality, well-made outer layer. It offers versatility and can be used in various weather conditions, as well. I find it difficult to find an outer layer that fits well due to my curvy figure, but this coat was the perfect combination of looser at the hips and a little tapered at the waste.

Cons

I found the zippers on the front pockets to be somewhat difficult to unzip. It seemed as though the material was sticking in the zipper and made it hard to get down easily. This fluke may go away with more wear or could’ve just been a small defect in the jacket I received. Additionally, when wearing the hood without a baseball cap, it tends to flop down into your field of vision.

Overall

Overall, this jacket performs well in various conditions. It’s not only heavy enough to be used as a wind breaking layer, it’s not so heavy that it can’t be worn in warmer temperatures. It’s very difficult to find rain gear that breathes well and I am always very hesitant to wear a rain jacket because I tend to sweat a lot, but this coat didn’t cause me to overheat as much as some of the other jackets I’ve used before.

Sierra Designs Women’s Elwah Pant

At-a-Glance

MSRP: $79.00
Weight: 12.8 ounces
Materials: Hurricane Extend 2L breathable; mechanical stretch polyester rip; 80D polyester

Overview

The Women’s Elwah Pant is an updated version of the Hurricane Pant. It’s made of the same material as the Neah Bay jacket (Hurricane Extend 2-layer Polyester). It has fully waterproof taped seams, a storm flap side zip system so that you can put the pants on over boots, an elastic waist and gusseted crotch. The Elwah pant is also able to pack into the rear pocket with a carabiner loop.

Circumstances of Use

I used these pants in various outdoor activities and conditions. I wore it as a wind breaking layer while hiking a few of the Presidentials, on walks at a local park in heavy rain, and on day hikes in the rain. These pants held up outstandingly in all conditions and were breathable while still acting as a wind breaking and waterproof layer.

Features

Storm Flap Side Zip System: This is a feature that comes in handy especially in colder conditions. While I wasn’t able to test out these pants in winter conditions, I am sure that they would stand up extremely well as an outer layer in the White Mountains. The storm flap side zip is essential for outer layer pants because taking off your boots in snow isn’t an option. This feature is something that sets these pants apart not only as outstanding rain gear but as a perfect outer layer for use in winter conditions as well.  I also like that you can zip down the extra zipper to allow some airflow into the pants.

Taped Seams: All seams are taped and fully waterproof. This also increases the durability of the pants.

Fit/Comfort

These pants fit my curvy figure perfectly. I was impressed by the length as well because my legs are on the longer side and these pants ended up being the perfect length. The elastic waste is very well built and should stand the test of time. The zip sides are easy to manipulate and the snap on the bottom helps keep the pants cinched close to your hiking shoes.

Performance

These pants performed just as well as the Neah Bay Jacket in both wind and rain resistance. The zip sides are an amazing feature, especially when taking off your shoes isn’t an option, and the taped seams means that these pants will stand the test of time. I was thoroughly impressed with the way these pants fit and was content with the size I ordered even without having tried the pants on prior to receiving them.

Pros

The taped seams and zip sides are the two greatest pros of Elwah pant. They are well made and durable in their construction, are soft to the touch, and allow for breath-ability when working up a sweat.

Cons

There was nothing about these pants that I didn’t like. They are lightweight, durable, gave an outstanding fit, and were easy to move in.  

Overall

Overall, I would recommend these pants as a great outer layer for all weather conditions. The harsh winters we have in New Hampshire means finding quality gear is essential. I would trust these pants as an outer layer in the dead of winter to shield me from the wind and snow.  They are also an amazing pair of rain gear and will keep you dry in heavy downpours. The range of use make these pants a welcome addition to my outdoor clothing and I plan on trying them out in the snow next winter.

Shop the Neah Bay Rain Jacket Here

Shop the Elwah Pant Here

Disclosure: these products were donated for the purpose of review