Outdoor Research Super Strand XT Hoodie

Review by Kate Agathon

The Outdoor Research Super Strand XT Hoodie is a lightweight insulated jacket that offers surprising warmth, layerability, and packability.

Here in Colorado’s high country, shoulder season brings its own unique weather challenges.

The frosted mornings give way to sunny skies mid afternoon, cooler temps in the late afternoon, and ends with chilly evenings.

In other words, a lot of temperature fluctuations packed into a single day.

Typically during this time, it’s too cold to wear just a shirt and vest, but it’s not cool enough to wear a full fledged winter coat.

If you want to recreate outside where I live during this time of year, expect the alpine conditions to change frequently. For example, I recently went mountain biking on a day that began as cool, then sunny, then windy accompanied by rain that turned into graupel, then sun again.

While layering is recommended, I prefer to have one jacket to do it all (plenty of time to wear multiple layers in the winter). Therefore, I was especially drawn to the Outdoor Research Super Strand XT Hoodie.

Limited Edition XT

The limited edition Outdoor Research Super Strand XT Hoodie is, as its name suggests, extra: extra light, extra warm and extra durable.

It differentiates itself from the best-selling Outdoor Research Super Strand LT Hoodie in that it is slightly heavier and warmer (it offers 15 percent more SuperStrand™ insulation).

This season, Outdoor Research wanted to offer a special slightly warmer version of their best-selling LT. The limited edition XT will only be offered for the 2025/26 season and is not replacing the popular LT.

Sustainable Construction

Imagine wearing a jacket made from recycled fishing nets.

With an exterior constructed from 100 percent recycled nylon sourced from fishing nets, and

VerticalX Eco™ 100 percent polyester (85 percent recycled) insulation 60 G/M2 at hood and upper sleeves, the Outdoor Research Super Strand XT Hoodie was made with the lowest possible impact on the environment.

Its innovative SuperStrand™ insulation (SuperStrand™ are polyester strands designed to mimic the shape and properties of thousands of down clusters) provides amazing warmth and sets the bar for environmentally responsibly made gear.

Over the last decade, the engineering behind making garments from recycled materials has become so technologically sophisticated that you’d never realize their origins (in this case, fishing nets).

The Outdoor Research Super Strand XT Hoodie is emblematic of the pivotal role the outdoor recreation industry has played in driving sustainability.

Not long ago, apparel made from recycled materials was a novel concept. Now the practice has become mainstream.

The outdoor recreation industry has stepped up its efforts to not only save the planet we recreate in, but listen to its customer base who love the outdoors as much as they do.

Fabric Details:

• bluesign® approved Pertex Quantum NetPlus® 100 percent recycled nylon from fishing nets, 20D Ripstop 39 G/M2 Shell.
• VerticalX Eco™ 100 percent polyester (85 percent recycled) insulation 60 G/M2 at hood and upper sleeves.
• VerticalX™ SuperStrand 100 percent polyester insulation at torso and under sleeves.
• bluesign® approved 100 percent Nylon 12D Rip Stop 29 G/M2 lining.

Performance

Over the years, I’ve begun to embrace synthetic-filled insulated jackets.

While I’ve always had an affinity for down-filled jackets, sometimes they just aren’t the best choice. I discovered this the hard way when I went off piste nordic skiing a few winters ago and made the rookie mistake of wearing a down jacket doing a high output activity.

I most recently wore the wind and water-resistant Outdoor Research Super Strand XT Hoodie while mountain biking on a chilly afternoon with wind blowing over water from Lake Dillon.

I appreciated the drawcord adjustable hem and Low-Pro Binding™ elastic cuffs that added further protection from the wind. I also liked the zippered hand pockets to stow my keys and phone while riding (I’m not a fan of stashing items in short pockets).

The insulated brim and Low-Pro™ binding fit over my trucker’s hat and my helmet.

The Outdoor Research Super Strand XT Hoodie definitely struck a balance between warmth and weight.

Even though it was a high output activity, I didn’t overheat. I appreciated how light the low profile, breathable jacket felt on that brisk day.

Other features:

• Interior zip chest pocket.
• Left hand pocket doubles as a stuff sack (a great feature if you’re bike packing and space is at a premium).

Final thoughts?

Created with longevity and sustainability in mind, the durable Outdoor Research Super Strand XT Hoodie is perfect for mountain life.

While I’m using it for mountain biking and quick nearby hikes with the dogs, I expect to use it for nordic skiing this winter.

I like how the attractive Tide Pool color stands out on the trail and the darker lining complements the zipper and logo, making an overall pleasing look. It is a nice attention to visual detail.

The front of the standard fit jacket features horizontal baffling while the back has more of the wave-like baffling found on the LT.

In summary, the Outdoor Research Super Strand XT Hoodie epitomizes the company’s commitment to sustainability and quality: a philosophy and high quality product that I can easily get on board with.

Guaranteed to perform throughout the lifetime of the product, the Outdoor Research Super Strand Hoodie is available in six sizes (XS to XXL) and four colors.

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.