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Gear that keeps you warm and doesn't take up a ton of space shouldn't be so difficult to come by, but it can be surprisingly hard to find items that are easily packable and offer maximum warmth.
I own a few down jackets, and most of them are pretty bulky, though they do keep me super warm during the winter months. When I'm camping, backpacking, or traveling, though, I want something that packs down easily and still offers me the functionality of a down jacket. The Big Agnes Cora Women's pullover is ultralight and super warm, it's the perfect outer layer or mid-layer for any cold-weather adventure.
Whether you toss it on over a T-shirt or long sleeve while you hike or set up camp for the night or toss on an insulated jacket over it while you trek, snowshoe, or ski, the Big Agnes women's Cora pullover (or the Men's Danvers pullover) is a must-have layer for any cold-weather enthusiasts (it's great for the Christmas wishlist, too!). Climbing out of your sleeping bag in the morning is a lot easier when you know there's a super cozy pullover waiting for you, this has become my new go-to comfy cold-weather gear when I want to get warm quickly.
Big Agnes Women's Cora Pullover
While it looks and feels incredibly sleek, there are some impressive specs that make this pullover stand out above others. Constructed with bluesign certified materials, including shell fabric and lining (made with 12D 100% nylon rip-stop), and PFC free insulated DownTek down, this softshell pullover features an athletic fit to fit snugly and keep you toasty warm. I recommend sizing up if you're between sizes. I put this on in the morning while I got breakfast ready and was super comfy.
This pullover features 850 FP DownTek water-repellent chemistry down, which is Big Agnes' premium fill power for increased thermal efficiency and maximum warmth. Minimalist cuffs fit comfortably close to the body with self-adjusting, lightweight elastic stitching, meaning they aren't so snug that you feel confined, but they're tight enough to prevent loose snow from getting down your sleeve. I am really picky about the cuffs on jackets and pullovers and tend to prefer them a bit looser, so I was nervous the elastic on these might bother me, but I didn't have any issues with them at all, surprisingly.
To keep the cold air out, there's a discreet hem drawcord that allows you to tighten or loosen the hem as needed. Unlike other pullovers and jackets, I didn't find this to be irritating at all. Sometimes these drawcords can be really uncomfortable and distracting, but this isn't the case with the Cora pullover.
The Cora pullover uses minimalist offset quilting that allows down to expand to its fullest while using less stitching than traditional quilt lines to create a high warmth-to-weight ratio. The super packable design includes UL snaps that eliminate the need for a full zipper.
The kangaroo-style front pouch pocket made it really easy to grab my phone and other items quickly, plus it kept my hands toasty while we climbed. I don't like wearing gloves to hike because I want to be able to take photos easily, so the pocket was a huge plus. There's even a bonus interior stash pocket that protects additional items like your phone from falling out while you walk and doubles as a stuff sack for the pullover to pack it up nice and tightly.
I tested this out on a cold morning hike in Arizona. While it may not look it, this morning was in the high 30s and had a brisk wind blowing in the valley. The Cora pullover kept me super warm to the point where I was even hot at some points during the climb, while others in my group had on thick fleece jackets and even hats.
If you're looking for some awesome lightweight gear to add to your backpacking or camping equipment, or maybe you love winter sports and are seeking something that will keep you toasty without leaving you feeling like an overstuffed marshmallow, the Cora and Danvers pullovers are great options. With the holidays just around the corner, these make a great gift for the outdoorsman/woman in your life, and I can promise they'll be shocked by how warm this lightweight pullover is.
NEXT: CLUTCH FIELD LINER K3 JACKET: A REVIEW OF THE ECO-CONSCIOUS INSULATED LAYERING OPTION
