Review of Sierra Designs Rebel Jacket
By Matt Smith

I have to admit, I am a skeptic; not just about outdoor products, about everything. So when the whole green fiber and renewable resource train came rolling through the station I didn't just hop on. I asked questions, found out about the technologies, and most importantly, evaluated product performance. The Sierra Designs Rebel Jacket was my first real venture in Cocona (TM) technology.

The Rebel Jacket features the standard fare for soft shells including lined pockets, a microfleece lined collar, draw cords around the neck and waist, and interior pockets for media devices. The fit is casual, but functional; hanging close, but not fitted on the sides and under the arms. The exterior Icon softshell is ultra durable. The tight weave, and smooth finished seams fend of encounters with scrub oak and evergreens with ease.

Perhaps the most notable feature of the Rebel to me was the excellent fit. The Rebel was unobtrusive to wear either alone, or layered over a thin insulative piece. I found I had tremendous freedom of movement, with no noticeable binding under the arms and around the back as I sometimes do. In short, the Rebel was supremely comfortable.

On top of being very comfortable and relatively warm for a thinly lined soft shell, the Rebel shed water with ease. The DWR treatment held up well even after several months of use. Now with regards to my skepticism regarding the Cocona (TM) fabric. Call it psychological, call it real, call it fantasy, but it seemed to me I was better able to regulate my body temperature and moisture with the Rebel, even sans pit zips, than I have been able to in most other jackets. Perhaps the nicest feature of all, the Rebel is easy on your wallet at only $165 (MSRP) you get a high end jacket for tens, if not hundereds, of dollars less than the competition.

Summary: The Rebel Jacket is a great late fall through early spring soft shell. It is reasonably warm for snow sports with a minor insulation layer worn underneath. Depending on your tolerance for bulk, and the desire for a hood, it may even work as a summer backpacking piece, though I would probably opt for a lighter and more functional combination of a fleece and ultralight shell with a hood.

For more information contact:
Sierra Designs
www.sierradesigns.com
2011 Cherry Street Unit #202
Louisville, CO 80027
800 (635-0461)

Matt Smith is the canyoneering specialist at GearReview.com, and prefers canyons to keyboards 10:1.