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 March 8, 2000 by Scott Hulburt

Rating:
Design: Mummy
Fill: 800 fill down
Temperature Rating: -20f
Weight: 4lb. 5 oz
Price Paid: $585, gulp!

Well, I finally did it, after years of lugging 15lb. quarter keg sized synthetic sub-zero bags on my winter treks, i dropped the big bucks and got a -20 deg down bag and all I can say is; "I should have done it years ago! What a difference, not only in the size and weight of my pack, but in how much more comfortable I was on some REALLY #%&*! cold nights.

While the Solar Flare isn't anywhere near as roomy as my three season bag (an SD, Sandman) there's plenty of room (I don't tend to sprawl as much at -10 as I do at 20 or above) and PLENTY of warmth! TNF's Chevron design with side baffles and ground level zipper really keep the heat in. Also, the "anti-snag" tape along the zipper really does work. It makes those "last minute, stay in the sack, damn it's gonna be cold out there" dashes in the morning alot less stressful when you know that zipper is going to slide right down without a hitch, believe you me.

So if you're thinking about taking the plunge into a down-filled winter bag and you're considering the Solar Flare, do it, you won't regret it.