SHERPA ZIP VEST by OLD NAVY (REVIEW)
OLD NAVY SHERPA ZIP VEST REVIEW
When I was eleven years old, I tripped in an Old Navy store and gashed my knee open on one of the rather pointy clothing displays. This exact same scenario was repeated no fewer than three times over the subsequent month or so. I reopened my knee, at that Old Navy…3….times. (Please note I wasn’t even running, just an especially clumsy child, whose parents went to Old Navy A LOT). It was such a deep cut I still have a prominent scar on my knee at age 30, and for that reason, have religiously avoided Old Navy ever since.
Let’s be clear, I like their clothes. I have never stopped shopping at the Gap, or Banana Republic, Old Navy’s co-brands. Recently, however, I found myself dragged along to a shopping trip at our neighborhood Old Navy store. I was thrilled to see that my old nemeses, the pointy shelves, had vanished and been replaced with rather benign-seeming displays. I was pleasantly surprised that almost every single one of their men’s athletics and outerwear items appealed to me. This, I note with a tinge of self-awareness, may be more an indication of my age than their design, so — a grain of salt.
My waning fashion sensibilities notwithstanding, I went on a bit of a shopping spree, and upgraded my wardrobe, buying several pieces I thought would work well in my day-job environment, as a personal trainer. One of the more exciting pieces I got was their Sherpa Zip vest, pictured above. So far, this has been my favorite purchase of the bunch for a number of reasons.
Firstly, the styling is similar to what you might find down the road at REI, from brands like Patagonia, Marmot, and others. It comes in two styles, camel-colored “Desert Floor” and the camouflage “In the Weeds.” I selected camel for mine, as I disagree in principle with ever wearing camouflage unless you are actually a soldier, but I digress. Since buying it I have been pleasantly surprised.
The vest is quite comfortable, breathes well, and has enough pockets for all my daily needs. The first time I took it hiking, I was able to fit my car keys, pocket knife, lip balm, wallet, AirPods, and trail map in the vest pockets, without feeling like they were being taxed or making the journey uncomfortable. 10/10 for storage options, in my view. The vest also looks fantastic; I’ve gotten a lot of compliments wearing this vest out in public, which, in addition to a nice ego boost, means that the vest seems to be hitting its target of staying on trend with outdoor apparel.
As fantastic as it is, there are some drawbacks. At a $44.99 price point, one obviously can’t expect the same level of quality as the aesthetically similar Patagonia vests. While reasonably warm under calm conditions, wind tends to blow right through it when especially gusty out. This is especially notable along the zipper line in the front and pocket lines, suggesting that these areas don’t have much in the way of reinforcement. I got the vest 20% off, paying only $35.99. At either price point, the quality is essentially what you would expect, and is consistent with Old Navy’s market position as a purveyor of moderately high-quality goods at accessible prices. As long as you keep this in mind, you won’t be disappointed. 7/10. Would Buy Again.
TECHNICAL SPECS
MATERIAL
The Old Navy Sherpa Zip vest is made from a blend of polyester (78%) and recycled polyester (22%). This blend not only offers comfort and warmth but also contributes to reducing waste in the world.
DESIGN
It features a mock neck, a sleeveless design, and a full-zip front for ease of use. The contrasting chest pocket and vertical front pockets add to its practicality.
FIT + SIZE
The vest has a relaxed fit and hits below the waist. The model in the picture is approximately 6'1" and wears a size M. (PLEASE NOTE, I am 6'1" and generally wear fit-model size, however, I purchased a large — Old Navy tends to run thin in my opinion)
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
To keep your vest in great condition, it is recommended to machine wash it in cold water and tumble dry it on low heat.
SUSTAINABILITY
Notably, the vest is made with 22% recycled polyester, reflecting Old Navy’s commitment to reducing environmental impact.
Now, your review includes both your personal experience and the technical specifications for the Old Navy Sherpa Zip vest. If you have any further revisions or additions, please let me know.
