Outdoor Research Ferrosi hoodie/jacket – difference between generations

[Haakon R]

I’ve skimmed through a fair amount of reviews and forum posts without seeing anyone touch on this specific topic.

It’s a jacket/fabric that seems to get a lot of praise and while I’ve been aware of this for quite some time, it was really with the “By the numbers, The Myth of Air Permeability in Windshirts” that it got my attention.
Attention usually translates to purchase and further testing, but to my surprise I couldn’t find it at any dealer here in Norway so the “project” was put on hold.

After several months, and almost slipping out of my consciousness, I stumbled across one single Ferrosi hoodie available at a sports store that specializing in buying up residual stock and selling off at more reasonable prices. By some weird coincident it was in my preferred color and what I assume to be my size (haven’t received it yet).

Judging by the product photo on the site it is a retired version of the hoodie. The main discernable difference being a recessed zipper for the chest pocket, like seen here (old product page at REI).

For now I’m just glad I could get my hands on one, but it would be interesting to hear if anyone knows the difference between generations, especially if there are differences to the fabric or cut that might effect performance/experienced comfort. And also when the change(s) happened.

My jacket should be here tomorrow, fingers crossed that my sizing guesstimate holds true.

[Bill Budney]

I don’t know about generations, but I hope it works for you. It’s my favorite jacket.

[Brad W]

What’s the use case for this jacket? I love the pants. I don’t have the prem. membership so can’t tell the cfm on this.

[Bill Budney]

CFM is about 15, but MVTR is the big thing. Ferrosi is the current record-holder. The exact number is being revised, but it’s much better than any WPB, and noticeably better than most windshirts.

Use Case: I use it as a shell in cooler weather. It’s the first layer that I add in the Fall, and the last that I give up in the Spring. I find it more flexible than a grid fleece at about the same weight.

I do wear a variety of wicking or insulating layers under it, depending on temperature.

[Brad W]

Interesting. I have had decent luck pairing a Houdini(modern low cfm) and Peleton 97 fleece but I do love the Ferrosi material. Might have to pick one up.

[David D]

Back in July I took my Ferrosi pants out for a purposeful sufferfest, a hard and fast day hike for several hours in high 80s and almost 100% humidity to test its breathability before committing to a multiday day mid summer trip with them.

I sweat buckets but the pants themselves weren’t damp except around the waist from the sheets of water flowing down from my completely drenched shirt.  It was the only way a I could soak the Ferrosi material with sweat.  The material’s breathability in practice is pretty impressive.

[Brad W]

@David same. I have hiked in 100F+ where my socks, underwear, back all drenched-the Ferrosi were dry as a bone. It’s a magic material for sure. Wish they made running shorts out of this stuff.

[Haakon R]

Nice to see we have a discussion going. Although not much info relating to different generations of the jacket/material, reading positive feedback from other owners gives me confidence that I made the right decision. Although I’ve been curious about this jacket since reading the MVTR article in May, the total absence of domestically available jackets quenched my motivation to do further research on it, so it still felt a little rushed when I had to pull the trigger and secure the only one available.

My Ferrosi hoodie arrived on schedule yesterday. The fit/size seem to be spot on. Very happy about that, as this was the only one available (in the country as far as I know).

Autumns around here are typically cold and wet, so getting it in the spring would have been better, but I’ll use it when the weather allows and at the very least it’s ready to go for next season.

My biggest fear now is that I’ll like it so much that around this time next year I’ll be spending my time scraping the web for a pair of Ferrosi pants :)

[Brad W]

Can you share what size you got and your height and weight? I know OR recently changed their sizing on the Ferrosi pants-they were a bit looser and now are more athletic cut.

Oh, if you don’t have the pants, you have been missing out.

[Haakon R]

Can you share what size you got and your height and weight?

Sure. I’m about 186cm, 70kg and got it in a size Small. You’ll have to do the conversion yourself if you’re using freedom units. I’m rather slender for my height, so fit can be an issue some times.
This version of the Ferrosi (I have no idea what model year it is) says standard fit on the tag, but it’s more of an athletic fit for me. I can comfortably fit a thin base layer and a medium weight wool shirt under it, but not much more than. For the intended purpose, I couldn’t have hoped for a better fit. Often I have to choose between a fit jacket that’s too short in the arms and torso, or a baggy fit that’s long enough. This one is fit AND long enough :)

I might have to size up if I’m getting another one with the newer fit at some point. So thanks for pointing that out.

And the pants… oh my, the chase never ends :)

[Author]

Posts