The Sierra Nevada is the mountain range in California. There are many other beautiful ranges in the state, but none come close to the awesome grandeur of the Sierra Nevada. Much in the same way, the Sierra Plus Long Sleeve from Icebreaker might just be the mid-weight layer you’ve been looking for when out getting back to some elemental discoveries about yourself and where you fit into Nature’s grand design. Count it as a mandatory addition for your gear stash.
On Performance and Design…
A really useful tool can do more than one thing, and that’s the beauty behind this seriously versatile piece of outerwear from the merino specialists at Icebreaker. Made from 260gm of Realfleece brushed merino fabric with nanotechnology for water resistance, the Sierra Plus Long Sleeve (Quantum Plus Long Sleeve Hood for women) is ready for anything.
Whether you’re on a mission to add red push pins to your world map, or you’re the type of person who only feels truly alive when belayed 1000ft above the ground on naked granite, the Sierra Plus Long Sleeve is an ideal midweight layering piece for global adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
It’s also one of the finest wool layers I’ve ever slipped over my shoulders. The level of comfort offered by the Merino wool is virtually unmatched, and the athletic cut of the jacket is equally at home in the rugged landscape of the Sierra as it would be on the city streets of New York. The Icebreaker design team also provided the added benefit of soft shell panels for rain protection along the arms and shoulders, and an adjustable hood for added warmth to help lock out the icy fingers of old man winter when the cold sets in.
Most of my field time with this merino marvel was spent tracing long isolated miles of the Pacific Crest Trail and conquering new summits along the way. Heavy mileage trail days meant early mornings under the icy shadows of granite laden peaks, and plenty of summits where the air gets thinner and the temperatures drop dramatically above the tree line. The 260gm of realfleece merino wool ensured that I retained my core warmth while still providing room for additional layering underneath.
Time and again it proved to be a beautiful exterior layer that handled the elements while keeping me comfortable and confident. And of course because its merino wool you get the added benefit of a material that is naturally breathable and resistant to the bacteria that causes odors even if you happen to leave the garment stuffed in the bottom of your pack for a few days. But trust me, you’ll wear this layer so often it won’t ever have time to find itself confined to the bottom of your pack.
Notes from the field…
The soft shell panels on the sleeves and shoulders of the garment are lined on the interior with a thin layer of merino. The design benefit is that you get the added protection from the elements while still enjoying the quality next-to-skin feel of Icebreaker’s merino wool. The downside however, is that when energy levels increase, moisture does not escape from the soft shell covered portions of the jacket with the same level of ease as it does from the rest of the garment. So while the soft shell panels provide added protection from the wind and rain, they can also trap humidity on aggressive outings.
Bottom Line…
260gm of versatile protection from the elements. Simply put, the Sierra Plus Long Sleeve from Icebreaker is wool-tastic and a virtual must-have for any outdoor enthusiasts gear stash.
*Gumption Gear Review received the items featured in this review from Icebreaker at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The items featured were provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.