Jacket meant for high-energy winter sports
First Ascent women’s Serrano Jacket
- Pros: Wind resistant; Feminine, athletic fit; Has extended cuffs with thumb holes
- Cons: Zipper on each side pocket sticks; Seams on elbow rub uncomfortably; Doesn’t stuff into a pocket
- Bottom Line: The Serrano is great for high-octane activities in cool weather and performs as it should, but the price is a little steep.
- MSRP: $170
Designed by a team of mountaineers who know what it takes to stay warm and comfortable in all conditions, First Ascent, a new brand by Eddie Bauer, launched a jacket meant for cool-weather sports.
The synthetic-insulated Serrano jacket has a tough nylon outer fabric with Polartec stretchy side panels and underarms to help it breathe. And breathe it did.
Throughout a couple months of testing in a variety of conditions, the jacket performed as it should.
While gaining 1,500 feet in elevation on a strenuous snowshoe trek with temps in the mid 20s, my wife, who tested the women’s version of the jacket, stayed dry and warm with just a base layer underneath.
First Ascent women's Serrano jacket
And snowshoeing on a flat trail with temps in the mid 30s she wore a base and mid layer under the jacket and was comfortably warm. The same was true while snowboarding with the same layers underneath and a shell over it in the teens.
Around town, the Serrano was perfect by itself or, if the mercury dropped, with a light down vest over it. And it looked as good as it functioned.
But the side stretchy panels that help you move freely in the jacket let the wind in while letting heat and sweat out. It’s not an issue when wearing it as an insulating layer, but when worn as an outer layer on windy days, it is.
Another downside: The tiny-teethed zipper on each side pocket sticks making it impossible to seamlessly pull.
When it comes to performance, the First Ascent Serrano holds its own. But the hefty price tag makes the jacket more questionable.
