The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.SEATTLE - Sept. 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. 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. 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.

Outdoor research uberlayer hooded