Outdoor Research  Austera Alpine Down Hoodie - Men's

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Was given this parka as a product demo by Outdoor Research, and I am really grateful to have had the opportunity to test out this parka. I have definitely received a fair number of compliments on it - especially the royal blue color. Mid way through testing the product, I had a knee surgery. I plan on adding more photos when I get back on the mountain in February. I am 6'0", 205# with a 41 inch chest. I received a medium which is my normal size for outdoor gear. This fits like a medium large. Just big enough to fit over normal ware, but probably a little small for layering over jackets. I have a larger butt, and the hem of this jack did ride up a small amount. Overall this is a really solid mid-range parka. 650 duck down has done a really nice job of keeping me warm, and the baffles are spaced appropriately to keep the insulation in place without reducing warmth. Definitely could be used for a variety of activities from dog walks to a emergency layer in a ski pack, though as mentioned, I would probably size up for layering over ski jackets. I would say that this is thoughtfully designed to meet a wide assortment of users needs, but does not quite go to the extreme of being an expedition/Alaska mountaineering parka. It is better suited to the lower 50 states. The recycled nylon face fabric is of a reasonable weight without risking becoming too fragile for daily use. It has shed water and snow effectively so far zippers are easy to use, but the omission of a second zipper to the main front zip is a real let down. This limits the jackets use for climbing. Internal pockets are also not large enough for heavier gloves or skins. The adjustment pull cords are fairly standard for this level of jacket, and work well enough. The quality of down is also pack-able enough for most needs. I have no real major faults with the product. I can see what the intended design choices are, and it meats those well. Anything extra will lead to a greatly more expensive product. I will happily continue to use it to bridge the gap between my expedition gear and my heavier hoodies.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This jacket has a great overall concept. It includes all the expected features: top- and bottom-opening zippers, two external hand pockets, a chest pocket, interior glove pocket, and waist cinches, and a helmet-compatible hood with a cinch. The fabric feels very light, almost Dyneema-like, and the jacket's overall weight is impressively low for the amount of loft and warmth it provides. Due to the Dyneema-like fabric, I feel that it is able to repel light moisture and dry quicker than other puffy jackets. It is easy to pull the drawcords tight on the hood and at the waist even with gloves on. Due to the loft of the jacket, it handles internal condensation and sweat better and maintains better insulation properties compared to other puffy jackets I've used. The main zipper is excellent: it attaches easily and glides more smoothly than almost any I've used. However, I experienced several noticeable cold spots and insulation issues. Initially, these appeared around the base of the neck and upper trapeziuses, but after more use they also developed at the front bends of the arms. These cold areas are especially apparent when only wearing this jacket, though still noticeable when wearing a midlayer along with the jacket. The insulation does feel evenly distributed, but something needs to change regarding the seams around the neck because that's where the insulation seems to pack down and shy away from. The fit is great, no points of constriction or oversized areas. The trim is suitable for a range of activities such as hiking, skiing, commuting, and dog walking. It doesn't ride up or bunch during movement. I also found that stuffing the jacket into its designated pocket wasn't practical. It felt too tight, and I ended up tearing fabric near the upper zipper before stopping. Given its puffiness, it would pack better in a small stuff sack rather than its internal pocket. The jacket also lacks a standard hanger loop, which is a minor but surprising omission. It has a vertically sewn handle-type fabric where the standard hanger loop usually is, so I've been using that as a hanger which doesn't seem to be as ergonomic for the jacket. I've worn this jacket almost everyday for the past couple months from Alaska to Ecuador. I've used this jacket as a summit parka during a stormy attempt above 19,000 feet on an Ecuadorean mountain, hanging at basecamp at 17,500 feet, and for many winter dog walks in Alaska in temperatures from the low single digits to around 20°F. I've worn it in in temperatures around -5°F plus windchill on a summit layered on top of a sun hoody, mid layer, and vest and it's adequately warm if you're moving, but it begins to be a little cold while remaining stagnant. I believe the ideal temperature range for this jacket is between the high single digits to high 30s and due to it's lack of weight, I wouldn't hesitate to add this to the packing list on my next cold weather adventure such as backcountry skiing, hiking, going out to a cabin, or for taking the dogs for a walk. I've been favoring grabbing this jacket when I head out to town during the cold winter conditions because it's warmer, lighter, and more comfortable than most of my other puffy jackets. It performs well in many conditions, but the insulation inconsistencies keep it from being a fully reliable cold-weather layer. Outdoor Research gave me this product for free in exchange for my honest review.