#Outdoor research uberlayer vest full#

In the spirit of full disclosure, it was provided to for the purpose of reviewing.On cool mornings in May while backpacking the Grand Canyon’s Royal Arch Loop, and in late March on a five-day, family backpacking trip down Paria Canyon on the Utah-Arizona border, I did something unusual: I started the day’s hiking wearing the same jacket I had worn while in camp, OR’s new Deviator Hoody. More info available on the Outdoor Research site.ĭisclaimer: Wait! Before you go handing over your credit card number, ask yourself, do you really need to buy more new stuff? If so, this product is worth a look. Ideal use: Backcountry skiing, ice climbing, alpinism I got this in a large, and it doesn’t feel overly bulky, with a good trim cut.įabric: Nylon Stretch Woven Shell / Polartec Alpha Insulation I’m a medium build in the chest, but large in the arms. It’s a nice weight for most conditions in cold and dry climates, and versatile enough for a wide range of activities.įit: I’m generally in between a medium and large. Overall I’m impressed with this piece and would recommend it to anyone who is curious about breathable insulation and hasn’t yet jumped on the bandwagon. A quick run through the washing machine took care of the problem, but I had to wash it twice this winter, which isn’t something I typically have to do with other jackets. The first couple weeks I had it, I also used it as a going-out-on-the-town jacket, but it quickly became a little too pungent for social use. I imagine that’s because it’s transporting a lot more moisture through the fabric than other jackets, but it took me by surprise. My only complaint at this point is that after a dozen or so uses, it started to get pretty stinky. And I’m really glad they put a two-way zipper on this, making it easier to use a belay device, check your harness, etc. The hood doesn’t fit over a ski helmet, though it does fit over a climbing helmet. It has two interior stash pockets, crucial for warming up gloves, skins, rock shoes, anything-that-needs-heating-up. It wasn’t warm enough that I didn’t need to throw on a belay parka while cragging, but doing a longer climb where you were moving fast would probably be a different story. It has great range of motion, and the sleeves stayed put thanks to the elastic cuffs.

I’ve mostly skied in this jacket, but I’ve also taken it up a few ice climbs as well. The time difference itself might not have been all that tangible, but it felt like I was cheating going straight from touring to ski mode without putting something on or taking it off.

Out on ski missions, when I got to the top, it was one less thing I needed to do before heading down. It’s amazing what a small thing that is, but how much of an impact it had. On cold days, I could leave it on while skinning at a moderate pace, and then there was no need to put on a jacket for the descent. The Polartec Alpha Active insulation does a good job dumping heat, and I was indeed impressed with how well the technology worked. I had tried out the OR Superlayer last year and two things I didn’t like about that jacket were improved in the Uberlayer: 1) it has a hood (duh!), and 2) it’s lighter weight, which means it offers a better balance between breathability and warmth. So it was with some skepticism that I decided to try out the Outdoor Research Uberlayer Hooded Jacket, a breathable insulation piece designed to be put on and stay on for a full day of aerobic activity in winter conditions. It also means I typically don’t wear much when moving uphill, usually a thin layer is adequate while skinning. This is good for staying alive in winter, not so good for being comfortable on sunny rock climbs.

Outdoor research uberlayer vest