The design was first conceived for the U.S. Special Forces, but its benefits are enjoyed in nearly every form of outdoor activity. If all-out warmth is your aim, we recommend a different piece. There are synthetic jackets with more insulation that weigh about the same or less. 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. 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). If you’re not working hard, expect a comfort range of about 45F to 60F with a lightweight baselayer underneath. On the move, that can dip below freezing. 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. It even excels at mundane tasks like shoveling a driveway. And the excellent breathability doesn’t just come down to the insulation. Mesh lining the interior as well as the stretchy nylon shell promotes moisture transfer away from your baselayer. 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. While the shell fabric is water resistant, rain won’t bead up for long and will absorb into the nylon. Thankfully, the insulation still works well in the wet and does dry relatively quickly-both significant improvements over a down jacket. 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. Light winds are no issue, and overall, the jacket excels as an outer piece on clear and cold days. One key area of weakness with the Uberlayer is total weight. For the warmth, it’s simply too heavy for those that are counting ounces.
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