Korsa Serenity 1/2 Zip

Review by Erin Trail

Korsa is the house brand for Road Runner Sports, focusing on affordable gear suitable for active pursuits.  The Korsa Serenity 1/2 Zip is a super soft warmer layer that feels as good as it performs.

Details

• Supersoft wicking knit made from 55% modal/40% polyester/5% spandex
• Tall self collar to keep your neck warm
• Boxy, slightly cropped fit that gives you room to move and still looks effortlessly cool.
• Vislon zipper teeth 1/2 zip up the front.  The neckline is capped with fabric to protect your chin from potential zipper irritation.

Fit and Function

The Korsa Serenity 1/2 Zip, first and foremost, is one of the softest pieces of clothing I own.  It’s not fleece soft, as the fabric is smooth with a bit of a sheen.  It almost feels like microsude – smoothly soft on both the inside and outside facing parts of the fabric.  It’s not really a fleece, not really a sweatshirt. The modal fibers also give the 1/2 zip silkiness that I haven’t experienced in similar garments of this weight or activity use.

I found the Korsa Serenity 1/2 Zip to fit a bit large for my preference, due to the boxy styling.  If you like a more slim fit, size down.  The cropping of the top isn’t overly aggressive.  I am generally not a huge fan of the cropped trend, but the crop on this 1/2 zip does make the shirt feel more modern in styling.

I’ve been mainly wearing the Korsa Serenity 1/2 Zip on my late summer and early fall camping trips. The top provides a nice midweight layer while still being soft and comfortable.  I also wore it on a cool, rainy walk (beneath a light rain jacket) and I found that the 1/2 zip breathed and moved well.  I could see this top being great for warming up and post-workouts, as well as a layer for cold weather running or hiking.  It’s also a great item to wear in less active settings.  I’ve worn this top to work, and thanks to the nicer fabric and updated styling, the top doesn’t read overly “athleisure”.  It’s become a go-to item this fall because of how soft the fabric is and how comfortable the top is when you’re wearing it.

I have the Korsa Serenity 1/2 Zip in the Stone colorway.  One thing I’ve noticed is that spot cleaning isn’t effective for this shirt.  I spilled some coffee on it one morning and attempted to spot clean the area with soap and a soft cloth.  The coffee cleaned up, but it did leave watermarks on the shirt.  I then tossed the shirt into a load of laundry while it was on the final rinse cycle.  It didn’t get fully submerged and when it dried, I ended up with a bunch of watermarks.  The watermarks went away after a proper wash cycle.  It doesn’t affect performance but I wanted to note it in my review because I did find this a bit strange.  The watermarking is likely due to the modal fibers and thickness of the fabric.

The Korsa Serenity 1/2 Zip does pack and wear very well.  On most of my trips, the shirt has been rolled up into a packing cube.  When I take it out to wear, the garment is wrinkle-free and ready to wear. The fabric also doesn’t pull and seems to be pretty resistant to my cat’s claws.

Closing Thoughts

The Korsa Serenity 1/2 Zip is a super soft, stylish top that does a great job when you’re more active and also when you’re wanting a more athleisure vibe.  The fabric is incredibly soft and cozy, making it a great option for fall and winter. The Korsa Serenity 1/2 Zip is available for women in three colorways in sizes ranging from XS to XL.

Erin Trail

Trail Boss of Stoke