Review of EMS Women's Grace Sync 3-in-1 Parka
By Matt Smith

Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) has a good thing going. They are a retail chain, that also manufactuers a few of it's own high quality products. In the past we have reviewed packs, tents, and sleeping bags, but never outerwear. In preparation for the upcoming winter, and debut of the Sync system, we have tested the Women's Grace Sync, with the interchangable heater liner and Divergence fleece.

The Sync system is basically the traditional layering approach where you have a shell, and various insulative pieces that can be layered under the shell for the various conditions you might encounter. The thing that sets the Sync 3-in-1 apart is the method of connection. There are no zip-ins. Each compatible layer has a series of loops through which a snap passes, locking it securely to the shell, but not so securely that the pieces can't move independently. This freedom made the somewhat bulky combination of the Grace shell and the Heater jacket move and feel much smaller, as with the Men's New School Jacket.

The Grace SYNC shell is both feminine and functional. It is very light weight, and perfect for multi-season use as a backpacking shell, early fall or late spring use with a thin liner such as the Windstopper Jacket (see below) and when combined with the Heater jacket, it makes a fabulous backcounty piece. The Grace includes the RECCO system, further establishing it as a full on technical piece.

The Heater Jacket is functional by itself for most cool weather days when precipitation is light or non-existent. It keeps you warm around base if you dump of the soaking wet shell. The heater is also cut loose enough that it can be used somewhat like a belay jacket (sans a hood) over the Windstopper liner.

EMS was also good enough to hook us up Gore Windstopper fleece jacket, also part of the Sync 3-in-1 system. Our female tester reported that the Windstopper Jacket is terrific at providing light protection when you are going full out. The nasty winter breeze doesn't make it through, but your sweat can. When things really pick up, you can toss on the Grace over the top to either provide more wind or water protection.

Summary: The EMS Grace is the pinnacle of the women's SYNC line. Used together the Heater jacket, the Windstopper jacket, or both, you can be confident you're covered. There are enough options to outfit nearly anyone, without the corporate markup you find on some name brands. EMS has kept it real, providing excellent quality at a reasonable price. Each of the three pieces can be found for between $129 and $149 online.

For more information contact:
Eastern Mountain Sports
www.ems.com
EMS Customer Service
1 Vose Farm Road
Peterborough, NH 03458
customerservice@ems.com
888-463-6367

Matt Smith is the canyoneering specialist at GearReview.com, and spends his winters making snow angels waiting for the snow to melt out of slot canyons, or insanely venturing into them in a thick wetsuit!