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I’m happy to see OR starting to use Alpha insulation in more of their 2015/16 products, such as the Uberlayer and the new Deviator Hoody. You’ll be amazed at how little insulation is actually in the Uberlayer Hooded Jacket, and just how warm it keeps you. I can’t say enough good things about the Primaloft® Alpha insulation: it’s super light, packable, and warm. While the Super Layer Jacket is still for sale on the OR website, it has been heavily discounted could its days be numbered? I suspect this has something to do with the fact that the Uberlayer (in my opinion) is a far superior jacket. The Outdoor Research Uberlayer Hooded Jacket is worthy of its name and a welcome improvement over the previous Outdoor Research Super Layer Jacket I reviewed. This is a small but important feature of the Outdoor Research Uberlayer Hooded Jacket that is barely noticeable, but would be sorely missed if absent. These slide panels are breathable, just not as breathable as the rest of the interior liner. With the addition of glide panels in the arms and shoulders, you can rest assured that the sleeves of the jacket (or your base layer) won’t ride up your arms when putting on the Uberlayer. While this is ideal next to skin, it does tend to create friction with other fabrics. What are ‘glide panels’ you might ask? Well, in order to ensure the Uberlayer is as breathable and comfortable as possible, the interior is made up of a soft, micro-perforated material. My second favourite feature, one that will probably go unnoticed by most, are the interior glide panels located in the shoulder and arms. And one Napoleon pocket for your cell phone, wallet, or limp balm.
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While these are the only pockets on the inside of the Uberlayer, there are three more on the outside: Two hand warmer pockets placed high enough to stay out of the way of pack straps and harnesses. While most people may use these pockets for other purposes, it’s a good idea to consider keeping your skins warm inside your jacket on the ski down This way the glue remains tacky and ready for sticking to your skis for the climb back up.
#Outdoor research uberlayer vest skin
The Outdoor Research Uberlayer Hooded Jacket comes complete with a long list of features My favourite being the two internal ‘Shove-It’ pockets which are designed to accommodate a pair of skins (one skin per pocket). This is the single jacket you can count on to keep you warm on those active adventures in the mountains, but it also doubles as an outer layer around town or on fair weather days. While the Uberlayer is incredibly breathable, it will also shed a light rain and buff moderate winds but you don’t want to rely on it to repel heavy storms. It’s a trim fit, so it can be worn under a shell on colder days or as an outer layer on days without excessive snow, wind or rain. It’s ideal for belaying a climber, or as a mid layer while ski touring. The Uberlayer is designed to keep you warm while you’re stationary, and release excess heat when you’re active. This is in an active insulation piece (as is the Super Layer), hence the use of the incredibly warm Polartec Alpha Insulation, and breathable 100% nylon 30D stretch woven shell. With improved styling, a hood, and Polartec Alpha Insulation rather than the Primaloft Hi-Loft Silver Insulation found in the Super Layer Jacket, the new Uberlayer Hooded Jacket is a welcome improvement. This season, the good folks at Outdoor Research (OR) have upped the ante considerably and released the Uberlayer Hooded Jacket. Outdoor Research’s Super Layer goes Uber! Two years ago we reviewed the Outdoor Research Super Layer Jacket, to moderate fanfare.
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