User Review: The North Face Solar Flare (DryLoft)

The North Face Solar Flare
Above: The current Solar Flare, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed July 30, 1997 by Milan Petrovic

Rating:
Design: Mummy
Fill: 700 fill down
Temperature Rating: -26 C

An excellent shape, maximising warmth. With offset chevron channels, a neck baffle, and a construction to maximize the loft of the down it should easily match the claimed rating. I used its lighter and older cousin the Superlight ( a slighlty superior version of the current Superlight ) in temperatures down about -25C and survived. The Solar Flare has much more loft and would have kept me very snug and happy. The DryLoft outer is nice to the touch with a crisp feel that doesn't cling, it also repels moisture that sometimes accumulates in the bottom of tents.

I am six foot and sometimes feel a little claustraphobic, it is only just adequate for me.

For very cold excursions I think its excellent, I just need another bag for the summer.