Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie

Review by Kate Agathon

If you have to buy one do-it-all jacket this season that will take you from camping to hiking to mountain biking and everywhere in between, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie is the one you want.

Lightweight, stretchy, and breathable it is not as thin as a windbreaker, nor is it as crinkly as a typical rain jacket. The fabric was vaguely reminiscent of Eddie Bauer’s First Ascent Standstone soft shell 15 years or so ago, but this is done way better and responsibly constructed.

It is a hoodie of just enough substance that strikes the perfect weight for sunny spring days where the breeze provides just enough chill in the air that you want a bit of protection.

Look and Fit

I found the overall streamlined look appealing.

It didn’t look too technical or overly loaded with unnecessary features, so that it could easily transition from outdoors to a more urban setting.

Outdoor Research absolutely nailed one of the dominant colors of the season -Mallard-, a deep teal that is nearly jewel tone and I loved how it looked on my darker skin. It was a nice departure from my usual gray or black.

I found the aqua contrasting logo and pocket trim attractive. I was relieved it stayed in the same color family and wasn’t some random color pop thrown in, as so much outdoor apparel has featured recently (the latter is one of my pet peeves).

I am in-between sizes, so I sized up to a medium.

I’m glad I chose it because a small would have fit, but ultimately would have been too tight in the torso. Thankfully, the medium was not as roomy (even under the armpits) as I feared and it draped nicely.

Also, the jacket fit neatly underneath both bath packs and hydration packs without bulking up in odd places underneath.

The sleeves were a bit too long for me, but that was not unexpected since I wear petite sizes.

Updates and Features

• Ferrosi Fabric Throughout
• No DuraPrint overlays
• New Design Lines
• Exterior Chest Pocket with discreet zipper pull
• Adjustable, Stowable Hood
• Adjustable Drawcord Hem
• Stretchy, secure wrist cuffs
• Zip chest pocket
• Hand pockets with pulls
• OR logo detail
• Packable (left hand pocket doubles as a stuff sack)
• Crafted from a bluesign® approved nylon blend
• Water and wind-resistant

Function

What I appreciated most about the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie is the freedom of movement it offered.

The extreme stretch offered unbelievable mobility that was especially noticeable while mountain biking and I was turning my body this way and that as I navigated the twists and turns of the trail.I was also impressed with how breathable it was (it is rated highly breathable), especially when I was slogging on some particularly brutal hill climbs.

The other technical aspect I liked is that the jacket is rated UPF 50+; the maximum sun protection for extended sun exposure.

Since we live at high altitude, I’m especially interested in apparel that offers protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Sun damage to my skin has really become apparent in recent years, and I am much more mindful of details like that.

Additionally, I found the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie is ideal for not only wearing it in the mountain community where I live, but also for the high desert, where my husband and I often vacation.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie. The phenomenal stretch and minimalist design checks all the boxes for me as a 3 season, multi-use jacket.

As a final peace of mind, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie is guaranteed to perform throughout the lifetime of the product.

It is currently available in six sizes (XS to XXL) and four colors (Mallard, Skyline/Dark Navy, Pro Khaki/Gravel, Black).

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, and mom to her furbabies, Sansa and Benjen.

 

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment to her writing.

Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers. She and her husband, Paul, live in Summit County with their dogs, Benjen and Sansa.

Kate earned a BA in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving two terms on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.

The Dr. of Stoke has been part of the Engearment team since 2016.