Men's Virtuoso Jacket
4.7
5
9
9
Soft, warm comfortable!
I had mixed opinions of this jacket at first. The biggest problem for some with this jacket is the zipper. As a belay jacket it has two zippers to open bottom for ropes. I myself don't need this feature but I must tell you it will take you a few break in times & patience to get use to zipping this jacket up. The first few days I hated it, it was very difficult to zip. Now it's just like any other jacket, I don't even think about it, but if you have a short fuse or time is an issue for you, you probably will be really frustrated at first with this system. I'm usually a Mont-bell jacket kinda girl. They ROCK by the way!! Any way this jacket fits way larger than Mont-bell, so I had to exchange for a smaller size. The jacket it self is nice looking and I'd say a medium loft. The front chest pocket is a slanted design, like they took a square pocket and put the zipper right in the middle on an angle. So it takes getting use to to get thing in and out. The hand warmer pockets are great, both are very large like the inside drop pocket. And the jacket does stuff into the pocket for a pillow if needed. The inner left pocket is the large drop pocket and it is a mesh pocket, open design. On the right the inner pocket is up higher and is a small zippered pocket no large drop pocket on this side, kind of a wasted opportunity in my opinion. So in all there is 5 pockets total. It has the important waist drawcord and nice Velcro wrist closures. Nice soft fleece around collar with another great drawstring closure. The hood is very nice, as I am usually not a hood lover. It is helmet compatible, but snugs down tight which is great for me as a hiker as I don't use a helmet. It has very nice loop style drawstrings at the front of the hood and a rear drawstring to really be able to custom rap this hood around your head, best design I have seen. The hood itself is full of down, no dead spots on mine. The Pertex works very well as it was tested out in 40+ wind gusts at a temp of 18 degrees. It's warm only in a T-shirt and sweat jacket, not really the best base layer or insulating either. Also tried in just a T-shirt under neath it was warm but would not recommend for long term exposure. I'm totally confident in this jacket with proper base layer & maybe a good quality fleece vest or 1/4 zip you'd have no problem with it's warmth. I purchased the Blue/Black combo as I'm a blue fan, nice looking for a guys jacket. Which I usually purchase, as they are made better, tougher and don't hug my waist as I like to add layers. I'd say the fit is large and square shaped not really taped as it looks on the models body, nice as it is. :) sorry guys! I try and split duty of my hiking apparel with my job as it is outside all day and some of this gear is really kind of expensive, so far durability has not been and issue, no problems at all. I do have to say, it took a few wearings of this jacket to feel comfortable in it, as I'm a Mont-bell girl. But now, no way I'd send it back- it's just too warm and has great ability to adapt to my changing customizing needs. I also like the drop tail on this jacket, so when you bend over it stays down!! Outdoor Research's web site has great details as well. Under dispute with O.R. right now is they show it with 2 inner shove-it pockets, mine only has one, waiting to hear from them on this.
Specs: about 8.5 oz of 650 fill to = 240 grams.
weight 21.9 oz
Pros: comfortable & soft
warm
1 large dump pocket inside
customizable hood & collar
velcro cuffs
drawstring at waist
Drop tail
Cons: only 1 large inside dump pocket
chest & inner zip pocket weird shape
larger fit by at least 1 size compared to Mont-bell.
Bottom line: Money well spent!
January 2, 2012
Great purchase
Perfect jacket for outdoors here in Wisconsin. Fits great, feels warm and cozy and will have to see what it does when the temp hits below zero...not that I am looking forward to the very cold.
November 28, 2011
OR Jacket
When I purchased the Outdoor Research Men’s Virtuoso Jacket, I was expecting to get a durable, long lasting, warm, and comfortable piece of equipment. I was not let down. The goose down makes it feel as though you are walking in a sleeping bag, rather than a jacket. The bubble of warmth created by this jacket is perfect for long walks with your four-legged friend in the winter, as well as for use in harsh conditions in the backcountry. Put on this jacket after a long snow-shoe, and you will retain your heat and look good to boot. Place this in your compression sack along with your sleeping bag on an overnight in the backcountry and feel as though you have lugged a 1/2 pound heater to your site. Folds into the inside pocket as well, which makes it a perfect pillow when it is time to hit the hay. The only question I have is will this jacket stand the test of time? Having been snagged in some prickers and thick brush in the winter, I am led to believe that the answer is yes.
July 8, 2011
Great coat to keep in the pack
Great coat. Surprisingly warm, VERY packable. I leave it in my pack whenever I go skiing, climbing or camping. Works well as a pillow when camping (fuzzy coating inside pockets adds comfort) Not meant for wet conditions, but works great and fits well under storm shells. Great belay jacket as well.
June 20, 2011
warmth no weight
as a photographer I wanted a jacket I could pack small and gives good warmth---this seems to fit the bill for me, I put it in a small stuff sack and am able to put it in my carry on bag on the plane---I can wear this with or without a shell over it
June 1, 2011
A++
I love this jacket and I love altrec! Fit is perfect according to the sizing guide provided with plenty of room through the shoulders which is almost always a problem for me. I am using this jacket on my July trip up Mt. Hood, cant wait!!
May 6, 2011
Nice lightweight jacket
Purchased this as a late season deal, but weather in Boston is still cold enough at night to use!! It has enough loft to keep me pretty warm in the 20s with a couple of thin layers on. I don't think it's quite as lofty as my TNF Nuptse vest, but it's nice to have the arms and attached hood which really keeps me toasty. I've also had it on when spending a few hours of photography. I was in one spot and temps were around freezing with a wind. The jacket kept out the breeze.
I also like the lined collar and pockets. I have to agree with an earlier reviewer about the zipper - it's not the greatest to get started, although I'm getting used to it now.
The Medium fits me well (5'8", 150lbs) and I have room for a fleece layer without it being restrictive. I don't find it to be baggy without a layer either.
Can't comment on durability yet, but it feels well made compared with the other jackets I have (TNF, Mountain Hardwear, Mont-Bell)
March 29, 2011
The Perfect Belay Jacket
I work as climbing guide in the New Hampshire winter, and the hooded belay jacket is crucial. This is the lightest, simplest and warmest bealy jacket I have ever worn. Hands-down. It has just the rigth features, a warm, helmet sized hood with brushed nylon around the face, a large interior pocket for keeping gloves warm and the fit is perfect at a size large. I would recommend it to anyone.
February 1, 2011
I really like this jacket but...
I was about to purchase the Northface Nuptse until I saw this jacket. It had a hood that the Nuptse lacked. Anyway, I have worn this jacket at a temperature of 40 degrees and below. I can't say it's the warmest jacket. For 650 fill, I expected something closer in warmth to the 700 fill Nuptse. The Nuptse is a lot warmer. However, this jacket is extremely light and highly compact. Once I began to move and be active, I found the jacket to be of perfect warmth. The Nuptse would clearly have been too warm to be active in. However, if one is not active in the jacket, it gets cool quick. Look wise, I think this jacket is excellent. I got it in black and wear it daily. The jacket feel smooth to the skin when wearing a tee shirt. However, the zipper quality is quite poor. I have yet to successfully zip it on the first try. Overall, it is a good jacket that works well for the active wearer. I am hoping that the zipper issue will resolve itself as I use it more and more. However, if it continues to be an issue, I will have to return it.
January 5, 2011
