I really, really, really wish more jackets were versatile like this. The double separating front zipper is a godsend with a harness on, or if you really need to use the bathroom with all your snow gear on. It’s breathable enough for shredding and insulates enough for windy days on the wall or the lift. From snowboarding to snowshoeing to climbing, this jacket is sport agnostic. Not having to really shed layers while I’m on the go? That’s a total win in my book. I used to be all about the down jacket, but now this is my go-to. The Outdoor Research Uberlayer has really changed my tune towards synthetic insulation. The fit is trim.Īvailable through Outdoor Research | CampSaver | REI | Mountain Gear | or Amazon The jacket features a helmet compatible hood and a double separating front zipper. The jacket features two zippered hand pockets, one zippered napoleon pocket, and two internal stuff pockets. Polartec® Alpha® Active Insulation is layered between a polyester mesh lining and a highly breathable nylon shell to keep you warm and cool, all at once. The Outdoor Research Uberlayer Hooded Jacket does just that.Īt 16.7 oz, the jacket is lightweight, breathable, water resistant and wind resistant. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.When you’re huffing and puffing away in varying temperatures, you want insulation that works with you and not against you. Outdoor Research has another big thumbs up in my books! Kudos!įull Disclosure: I was given the Uberlayer jacket to test and review as part of Outdoor Research's #ORInsightLab team. In the backcountry, skiing speeds are generally slower so this wouldn't be an issue.īest uses: Winter hiking, snowshoeing, mountaineering, alpine touring, etc. Normally I would still be warm from the ascent, so it wouldn't matter but if there were high winds I might put on a shell. When ski touring training at resorts, I felt the cold wind fly through the fabric while descending groomers at fast speeds. My family members, who hunt, salivated over the possible applications this Polartec Alpha fabric could have for hunting, when there are also many periods of movement followed by long stationary periods. You can see the excessive fabric in some of the photos below. I prefer a more streamlined fit for technical garments. I felt the excess fabric in those areas was baggy and unnecessary. Uber-terrific!Ĭons : Weight could be reduced by tapering the shape around the forearms and waist. It has revolutionized winter wear for me. Its ability to thermoregulate sets it apart from any other jacket I own and I can't stop talking about this jacket. I also find myself wearing this jacket as a midlayer for downhill resort skiing, and around town casual in addition to its backcountry applications. The chest pocket fit my iPhone perfectly, and the fleece handpockets are very cozy. I enjoyed the wired brim in the hood, giving it a bit more structure than a regular hood. So far the fabric has been able to withstand abuse from bushwhacking and abrasion. It worked well in windy mountain enviroments, but I wouldn't forego packing my windshell altogether.
![outdoor research uberlayer mt rainier outdoor research uberlayer mt rainier](https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6132/5916311911_5a9af2ff47_b.jpg)
![outdoor research uberlayer mt rainier outdoor research uberlayer mt rainier](https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8193/29286975542_e750125ac0_b.jpg)
The jacket worked well in mixed precipitation and I was never wet from snow or rain. I found that polypropelene or polyester baselayers worked better than merino wool in all conditions. In any temperature, I found that I only needed ONE baselayer underneath the Uberlayer for it to work optimally, even in warm +3C/35F and in cold -16C/3.2F temperatures. I also save weight in my pack from having to pack multiple layers that are now unnecessary with the Uberlayer.
![outdoor research uberlayer mt rainier outdoor research uberlayer mt rainier](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2IU2Nt4rD1k/TSXRewFFuyI/AAAAAAAACcc/IQWk_7pRY8Y/w1200-h630-p-k-nu/Mount_Rainier_Washington.jpg)
On solo missions, I know that I save time and energy without having to stop to delayer or add layers throughout the day. My friends that I was with on the same day were adjusting layers, zipping and venting all day while I wore the Uberlayer. On a summit I never had to add a down jacket while eating lunch and didn't need to even change my gloves as my hands were warm because my core was warm. I never de-layered or unzipped ascending and never added a layer descending. The jacket would heat up when moving (but not too hot) and then cool down when stationary (but not chilled). Instead, it keeps you in a middle state of warm and comfortable. It prevents you from getting into the two extreme states in winter adventuring: 1) hot and sweaty and then 2) cold and chilled. Pros : This jacket is amazing! It does what it claims.