Facebook Twitter Instagram
    FeedTheHabit.com
    • Home
    • Gear Reviews
      • Mountain Biking
      • Road Biking
      • Bike Commuting
      • Trail Running
      • Skiing
      • Outdoors
      • Water Sports
      • Vehicles
    • News
    • Trip Reports
    • Videos
    FeedTheHabit.com
    Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie Review
    Gear Reviews

    Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie Review

    Kevin GloverBy Kevin GloverDecember 12, 2022No Comments7 Mins Read

    The synthetic insulating hoodie world is a pretty competitive space. There are some really strong jackets out there from basically every big name company. Outdoor Research has put forward a strong new option with their SuperStrand LT Hoodie. We’ve been testing it during the cold, wet late fall and early winter that has hit the Pacific Northwest and this is our take on how this new insulated jacket holds up.

    Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie Features:

    • bluesign® approved, 100% Nylon 12D Rip Stop Shell and Lining
    • VerticalX™ SuperStrand Insulation 100% Polyester
    • Adjustable Hood with Low-Pro™ Binding
    • Zip Hand Pockets
    • Left Hand Pocket Doubles as Stuff Sack
    • Low-Pro™ Elastic Binding Cuffs and Hem
    • Claimed weight: 10.9oz
    • MSRP: $219
    Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie Review
    My smile was big, but my face was actually freezing

    Lightweight, warm and an Infinite Guarantee:

    I don’t usually like to do review via direct comparison, but I can’t shake  the similarity between Outdoor Research’s new SuperStrand LT and the old classic Patagonia Micro Puff Hoodie. I reviewed that one back in 2017 and to this day it is my most-used jacket. I pull it on for everything from chores to ski tours. In a lot of ways, the SuperStrand LT is gunning for the same territory: the weight, construction and style are all very similar. So what sets the SuperStrand LT apart? I’ll highlight a few things.

    For one, it has to be said, the SuperStrand LT is an absolute steal. At $219, this jacket punches way above its price point. It has high-quality materials and construction, as well as the very significant backing of Outdoor Research’s Infinite Guarantee. OR is just over Snoqualmie Pass from me, and I’ve shipped gear back to them multiple times over the years and been incredibly pleased with their fast, responsive service. Any of their gear is  always replaced or repaired without any fuss whatsoever. That adds major value.

    Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie Review
    OR’s good name stands behind their Infinite Guarantee

    The fabric OR chose for this jacket is a bluesign-approved 12D nylon inside and out. 12D nylon is mostly an ultralight fabric; the lightest we really see in the industry is 7D which, in my opinion, faces major durability problems. 10D is more common, and 12D is just a touch beefier. So it’s solidly in the ultralight category but with a little ‘oomph’ to keep it going. It’s a ripstop weave, so tears tend to stay small and confined. The slightly denser 12D weave is harder for sharps to penetrate and rips to propagate.

    The insulation is an all-polyester offering from VerticalX called SuperStrand. According to this press release, OR claims superior, down-like performance in terms of high loft-to-weight ratio, great compression, and excellent wet weather performance. These are standard things we expect from high-quality synthetic insulations these days, and the noteworthy bit is that OR developed their own.

    Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie Review
    The SuperStrand was my go-to layer for the early touring this year

    The other noteworthy bit is differentiation from other synthetic ‘active insulators,’ like Polartec Alpha that OR used in their Uberlayer jacket which we reviewed in 2016. That’s a sheet-style synthetic insulation, but the perk is that the synthetic fibers are all more-or-less aligned to channel perspiration to the outside of the jacket so that it breathes during high-output activities. Those fabrics are less compressible, but more breathable than OR’s SuperStrand synthetic insulation.

    Anyway, that’s kind of the technical stuff: the bottom line is that we’ve got a warm-for-its-weight synthetic jacket that’s light and compressible. How does it work in practice?

    Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie Review
    Maybe a little hard to see, but the fabric handled perspiration by staying lofty and warm.

    Using this during the wet, rainy late fall and early winter in the PNW meant that the SuperStrand LT spent a lot of time under another layer, or potentially in the pack. I definitely run warm and I’m not the type who can wear a puffy up a hill. With that said, it was always my go-to layer as soon as it was time to rip skins and transition. For most people, this is probably going to be similar: you might wear your puffy at camp at night, or on the downhill, or around town. For those purposes, the SuperStrand is stellar.

    And while it doesn’t breathe like a purpose-built active insulator, it still handles perspiration pretty darn well. When I get sweaty on the uphill and then throw this thing on, the garment doesn’t feel heavy or damp at all. And it also stays really warm. On that note, I’m going to call this a midweight puffy when it comes to warmth: it’s definitely not a big heavy parka, but I could hang out in the 20’s with this and a good fleece and be pretty happy. Multiple laps, sweat-outs and pack stashes didn’t really phase the SuperStrand; it stayed lofted, warm and light.

    Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie Review
    The big zip pulls are easy enough to grab with gloves on

    Theoretically, the SuperStrand insulation is stitched into a nifty, continuous baffle design that channels heat throughout your core. It reminds me of the vertical baffle designs that had a vogue a few years ago. Did I notice a difference? Well, not really – but these things are subtle, and the concept of allowing warm air (and, for that matter, warm vapor) to move vertically in the jacket makes sense to me.

    I haven’t used this for more than a few months, so it’s hard to forecast durability but I’m going to try to a little. A lot of garments these days aren’t really made with years and years of hard use in mind: it’s not because companies are being wasteful or want you to buy more stuff, it’s just a consequence of the move towards ultralight. The SuperStrand LT falls into this category, just like all of the other ultralight puffies out there: at just 10ish oz and with an ultralight 12D fabric weave, this isn’t going to last forever. Being cautious with snags, gentle with the zips (which pull easily overall) and patching tears quickly will help you get years of service out of this. But, from the factory, I have no concerns with this jacket and I think it’s a well-designed and well-made jacket.

    Pretty good range-of-motion for a puffy means ripping skins doesn't hurt.
    Staying warm while transitioning from uphill to down.

    I’ll touch on a couple more features then be done. I love that it stuffs into its own pocket: that’s always a great feature. The main and pocket zippers pull easily, and are lightweight but should last years if you don’t jam them. Lastly, the hood can slide under a helmet, but while it doesn’t have a lot of adjustment it was small enough to stay put on my head during windy conditions. The peripheral vision is good too so you don’t get blindsided while wearing it.

    Fit: I am 5’11” and 185 lbs. wearing the size medium.

    The Good

    • Well-designed, well-made ultralight jacket with a really compelling price point
    • Backed by OR’s Infinite Guarantee if anything goes bad
    • High-quality insulation and bluesign 12D ripstop nylon
    • All the zipper pulls work easily, it stuffs into its own pocket
    • OR’s new SuperStrand insulation is a strong competitor in the world of down-like ultralight compressible synthetics

    The Bad

    • This isn’t an active insulator, so don’t expect it to breathe
    • Wish there was a carabiner loop on the stuff pocket

    The Bottom Line: Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie

    At $219, this jacket is a no-brainer. It’s nearly $100 less than Patagonia’s Micro Puff Hoodie line, and from a performance standard it’s hard to discern a real difference between the two. They’re comparable in warmth and weight, but Patagonia probably has the leg up on a sustainable and ethical supply chain. Both offer great guarantees. If you’re looking for a lightweight synthetic puffy, look no further.

    Buy Now: Available from REI.com

    ShareTweet
    outdoor research
    Previous ArticleSalomon Pulsar Trail Pro Review
    Next Article Troy Lee Designs Air Glove Review
    Kevin Glover
    • Website

    Kevin Glover lives, climbs and backpacks out of Spokane, WA. Originally from the Nevada high desert, he moved to the PNW ten years ago and has worked as a glacier and rock guide in the Washington Cascades. When not testing gear, he is a medical student at the University of Washington and will gladly check that rash out for you.

    You Might Also Like

    Küat Grip 4 Ski Rack Review

    January 26, 2023

    Trek Circuit Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey Review

    January 23, 2023

    Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Insulated Jacket Review

    January 19, 2023

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Most Popular

    Montec Fawk Ski Jacket and Bib Review

    February 28, 2022
    8.9

    Zipp 303 S Carbon Wheelset Review

    November 4, 2021
    8.5

    Canyon Lux Trail CF 7 Review

    November 28, 2022

    Patagonia Downdrift Parka Review

    February 2, 2022
    9.2

    SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS Groupset Review

    August 12, 2022

    Ultimate All-rounder? Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket Review

    February 2, 2021

    SRAM Rival/GX AXS Mullet Gravel Kit Review

    September 17, 2021

    Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket and Pants Review, feat. Gore-Tex ePE membrane

    December 21, 2022
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review

    September 9, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Wheelset Review

    June 18, 2020
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Advertisement
    Our Latest Posts
    • Küat Grip 4 Ski Rack Review
    • Ibis Exie Goes Global
    • Trek Circuit Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey Review
    • Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Insulated Jacket Review
    • Pearl Izumi PRO NeoShell WxB Jacket Review
    • Montane Anti-Freeze Down Hooded Jacket Review
    • Fresh Wheels: Fezzari Veyo is an Aero All-rounder
    • Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Hoody Review
    • Review: Patagonia Long-sleeve Capilene Cool Merino Shirt
    • 2022 Gear of the Year
    About Us
    About Us

    Since 1999, we have delivered in-depth gear reviews, articles and content. We feature a small staff of savvy, experienced writers who love to review outdoor gear.

    External links to Amazon, REI, Backcountry and other retailers include affiliate codes that give us a small commission on each sale.

    To contact us or learn more, go to our About Us page.

    © FeedTheHabit.com 1999 - 2023. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.