No Jive here folks – the Jive Jacket is a true performer.The Jive is being sold as a three-season outdoor jacket but if you live anywhere with a mild winter this jacket could easily be the new top layer of your winter wear. Sierra Designs hit the mark with this one and continues to improve and expand its line of outdoor apparel.

The Cocona Xcellerator fabric is highly waterproof and extremely breathable helping quell internal sweat problems. What is Cocona you ask? I’ll let Sierra Designs answer that one. “The key to Cocona’s Xcelerator waterproof/breathable fabric is activated carbon derived from coconut husks that helps move moisture away from the body. The activated carbon particles have an immense surface area that reacts with body heat to accelerate evaporation of moisture through the fabric, keeping the user drier and more comfortable.” Too sciencee? The bottom line is, it works.

Two chest pockets make for great places to store quick-access items. On top of the breathable Cocona fabric the jacket sports extra long pit-zips that allow air to flow through the jacket when overheating occurs. Adjustable wrists fit snugly around gloves. The hood covers the head and accommodates a helmet. The men’s jacket comes in just under a pound and the women’s version weighs in at 13 ounces. The Jive is light and very packable and will store in small backpack or duffel pockets.

The workmanship on the Jive is sturdy enough for a tumble and stylish enough for the after party.

2011 Jacket Retails for $279

Dr. Jeni McNeal and Dave Adlard, founding members of Team Adventure Sports Week, along with an unofficial support crew of Rick McCharles of www.besthike.com completed the 94 mile/47,000 feet elevation Wonderland Trail in 63:03, June 25 – 28.

The two carried their own gear, and took only a few hours sleep time in completing what some have said is one of the fastest unsupported, July circumnavigations yet. Almost 10% of the trail was still snowed in, requiring route finding and snow travel. Most hikers completing the trail require 8 – 12 days to finish.

They climbed and descended more than 20 peaks on the famously difficult trail, with elevation changes equivalent to climbing and descending Mt. Rainier from Paradise Visitor Center almost three times. They also encountered bears along the trail.

The two burned almost 33,000 calories each, and drank more than 50 liters of fluid total in temperatures ranging from 33 – 89 degrees.

Their journey began at Reflection Lake on July 25 at 10:40 am, and finished at 1:43 am on July 28.

The complete trip report and pictures are attached as a PDF and in Word format.

“This was one of the most psychologically and physically demanding tests I have done since starting Adventure Racing,” said Adlard. “This is a really tough trail that demands a lot from all participants.”

The trail is notoriously uneven, with steep, overgrown and narrow sections that make forward progress difficult in many places.

Team Adventure Sports Week is training for the five day Desert Winds Expedition race in Lake Mead, Nevada, Sept 18 – 25.