One key area of weakness with the Uberlayer is total weight. Light winds are no issue, and overall, the jacket excels as an outer piece on clear and cold days. We felt totally comfortable wearing the Uberlayer as a standalone shell in light precipitation.Īs for wind protection, the combination of the mesh liner, thin shell and Alpha insulation, all of which prioritize moisture transfer, means it’s often necessary to slip a hardshell over top the Uberlayer in cold and blustery conditions. Thankfully, the insulation still works well in the wet and does dry relatively quickly-both significant improvements over a down jacket. While the shell fabric is water resistant, rain won’t bead up for long and will absorb into the nylon. Liberal use of mesh on the lining promotes moisture transfer The Uberlayer is a better breather than competition like the Atom LT or Rab Strata and a better insulator than the similarly breathable Nano-Air. Mesh lining the interior as well as the stretchy nylon shell promotes moisture transfer away from your baselayer. And the excellent breathability doesn’t just come down to the insulation. It even excels at mundane tasks like shoveling a driveway. Simply put, we haven’t found a jacket that brings together this level of warmth and breathability. Time and time again, we were impressed with the breathability of the Uberlayer, and it wasn’t always on the trail or slopes. On the move, that can dip below freezing. If you’re not working hard, expect a comfort range of about 45F to 60F with a lightweight baselayer underneath. For synthetic jackets in its price range, we found that the Uberlayer is slightly warmer than the Patagonia Nano-Air and Arc’teryx Atom LT, but not as much as one would expect for having significantly more insulation (98 g/m2 for the OR compared with 60 g/m2 for the other two). This is where the hi-pile Alpha insulation can’t keep up with an equivalent amount of PrimaLoft, and neither synthetic insulation can compete with a premium down jacket. There are synthetic jackets with more insulation that weigh about the same or less. If all-out warmth is your aim, we recommend a different piece. Special Forces, but its benefits are enjoyed in nearly every form of outdoor activity. The design was first conceived for the U.S. It’s warm when you stop and stays cool when you’re on the go. This different fabric weave releases sweat vapor efficiently through the jacket but traps heat in its numerous air pockets when you’re inactive. Polartec Alpha is differentiated from traditional synthetic insulation like PrimaLoft by its low-density design. While my hiking partner was slipping their insulating layer on and off as the terrain and weather changed, I never once thought to remove it. Even when we stopped for lunch, it kept me warm enough that I didn’t need to reach for a shell-a testament to its temperature regulating properties. Our first venture out was a late season hike with conditions varying from 30 degrees and snowing to 50 and sunny. The Uberlayer certainly made some strong first impressions. The Uberlayer is at home in a wide range of temperatures Having enjoyed Patagonia’s Nano-Air for about a year, which aims for the same goal of breathability and lightweight warmth with its FullRange insulation, we were curious to see how the original active insulation would compare. One of the most intriguing features of the Outdoor Research Uberlayer is the stuff on the inside: Polartec’s Alpha synthetic insulation. Performance Active Insulation: Polartec Alpha To see how the Uberlayer stacks up against the competition, see our comparison table and article on the best synthetic jackets.
After extensive testing, below we break down the strengths and weaknesses of the Uberlayer including warmth, water and wind resistance, fit, features, and more. The Outdoor Research Uberlayer shakes up the high end of the synthetic jacket market, with a relatively steep price tag but impressive breathability and a host of features designed for backcountry skiing, hiking, and climbing use.
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