Outdoor Research Women’s Igneo Jacket Review

Here’s my initial recollection: I’m on the chairlift ascending through cold, whipping gusts of wet Northwest “pow.” Everyone’s silent, toughing it out ’till we reach the top. But me, I’m as happy as a peach buried deep inside my Outdoor Research’s Igneo Jacket. It’s a water- and wind-shielding mid-weight that achieves high-performance with Pertex Shield fabric and EnduraLoft insulation—not to mention a massive hood.

It’s billed as a sidecountry piece for hiking due to its breathability and RECCO system, but the Igneo’s weather-resistance makes it a great all-mountain, variable-element piece—at sub $300.

OR Igneo Jacket features:

• Waterproof/breathable 2-layer 70D Pertex® Shield fabric; brushed tricot lining
• EnduraLoft™ insulation: 80 g front and arms, 60 g on back and under arms
• Fully seam taped; water-resistant zippers
• Zip-off, dual-pull adjustable, non-insulated hood fits over helmet
• Front zipper with external stormflap
• Double-sliding pit zippers
• Articulated elbows
• Zippered internal pocket with media port
• Two zippered hand pockets; zippered napoleon pocket
• Zip-out nylon/spandex-knit mesh powder skirt with gripper elastic
• Elastic cuffs with hook/loop tabs
• Dual drawcord hem adjustments
• Weight: 30.8 / 873 (size medium)
• Colors: Black, Salsa, Turquoise (tested) and Eggplant
• MSRP: $280.00

Outdoor Research Igneo Jacket Review:

The Igneo, in men’s and women’s, is OR’s jacket for those days when the pow stashes beckon from the sidecountry and hiking to them is the day’s agenda. I chose the Igneo to try out its combination of Pertex Shield fabric and EnduraLoft insulation, and was surprised at how versatile—weather-wise—the combination turned out to be.

Initially, I wore the Igneo for hours in Northwest snow showers to test the waterproofing. While the outer fabric was a bit heavy by day’s end—the jacket had lost some of its puffiness—I stayed dry inside. Also, the Pertex Shield fabric was excitingly wind resistant—something always appreciated on the chair. In short, on the nastier days, I was happily content in this jacket.

Conversely, I was surprised at how long I could hike in the Igneo comfortably—cooler temps more favorably, but in warmer temps too, thanks to huge pit-zips.  It proved a good mid-weight jacket for trudging up off-piste terrain. Plus, it’s equipped with the RECCO rescue reflector for safety measure.

What messed with my head was how wonderfully warm the EnduraLoft insulation is when cuddled up inside, hiding from the elements. Adding to that, Pertex states that the “hydrophilic nature” of the Shield’s polyurethane film—or, its ability to reduce internal condensation—also removes any threatening chill.

Still, when the mercy dropped to the low teens I threw on soft shell beneath to bring me back up to a comfortable level.

When dropping into those pow stashes, the effective powder skirt and drawcord waste guard against blowing snow. The seam-sealed zippers and external stormflap on the main zipper act as additional barriers to the conditions.

Unfortunately, the cuffs lack any comfort elements like internal liners or thumbslots. And I’d love to see a zipper or snaps incorporated into Igneo’s waist to connect to pants (especially to OR’s Igneo Pant). But more exquisite features would mean a higher price.

The Igneo’s high collar is lined with ultra-soft brushed tricot. When sitting on that chairlift in the storm, I was so thankful to burrow deep inside without scratching my cold nose on rough fabric. Then, I pulled Igneo’s huge weather-resistant hood down around me (it fits over a helmet), and hiding behind my googles, nothing was else exposed. I was stoked… you could say, from the inside, out.

And inside, the Igneo is soft and cozy. Its fit is relaxed, so I can layer-up in it without looking bulky. Plus, it’s got a ton of pockets of every size, several with key/pass clips. The Napoleon pocket has an MP3 port, with wire port near the chin.

The Igneo’s aesthetics are traditionally OR—simple and sophisticated.  The color options (blue, purple, red, black) offer a range to complement your pant choice.

Good Igneo

• Water- and wind-proof
• Huge adjustable hood
• Cozy warmth
• Mid-weight and breathable for hiking
• Long pit-zips to release heat
• Ultra-soft tricot lining inside a tall collar
• Abundance of pockets

Bad Igneo

• The cuffs leave a little wanting: inner liner/thumbslot
• A pant connector would be appreciated in deep pow

Bottom Line: Outdoor Research’s Igneo Jacket

The Igneo is a smartly-engineered mid-weight versatile ski jacket. Its wind- and waterproof Pertex Shield fabric and EnduraLoft insulation make it great for variable temps and conditions. Its breathability, large pit-zips and RECCO system make it great for hiking. A few features could be enhanced, but at $280.00, the Ingeo packs plenty of performance into a small price-tag.

Buy Now: OR Jackets at REI