REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Breathable
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Less comfortable
Chest pockets hard to use
Outdoor Research MicroGravity - Women's Review
A lightweight and durable 3-layer shell for a variety of outdoor adventures
The Microgravity was light enough for moderate alpine tours and burly enough for ski days.
Credit: Sara Ramsay
Our Verdict
The MicroGravity from Outdoor Research is a durable hardshell with a soft interior. It is relatively lightweight and breathable, offering a good balance of features for a variety of mountain pursuits. It is a bit light for the most extreme alpine adventures and probably a bit heavy for most lightweight backpacking, but for many things in between, it is just right. The main issue we had was with the chest pockets, which were placed very high on the jacket, a design we found challenging and uncomfortable to use. Otherwise, this is a well-made hardshell.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Outdoor Research MicroGravity - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $209.21 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $295 List Check Price at Amazon | $399 List $399.00 at Backcountry | $119.60 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $329 List $179.40 at Backcountry |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Durable, breathable, lightweight | Comfortable, durable, breathable, simple | Durable, comfortable, versatile | Soft and supple, durable, breathable, weatherproof | Lightweight, breathable, packable |
| Cons | Less comfortable, chest pockets hard to use | Fewer overall features, less versatile | Shorter back length limits use in extreme weather | Less streamlined design and extra large brim restrict mobility | Less protection from wind chill, less durable |
| Bottom Line | A lightweight and durable 3-layer shell for a variety of outdoor adventures | This is a remarkably weatherproof stretchy hardshell that feels more like a softshell | This a versatile, durable hardshell offers a lot for a reasonable price | A soft, supple, and stretchy 3-layer hardshell ready for rugged mountain conditions | This lightweight hardshell is well suited to milder climates and higher output aerobic activities |
| Rating Categories | Outdoor Research Mi... | Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 | Patagonia Triolet -... | Mountain Equipment... | Patagonia Storm10 -... |
| Weather Protection (30%) | |||||
| Mobility and Fit (20%) | |||||
| Venting and Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Weight (20%) | |||||
| Features and Design (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Outdoor Research Mi... | Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 | Patagonia Triolet -... | Mountain Equipment... | Patagonia Storm10 -... |
| Measured Weight | 11.9 oz | 12.5 oz | 16.4 oz | 12.9 oz | 8.3 oz |
| Category | Lightweight Trim fit |
Lightweight Regular fit |
Midweight Regular fit |
Lightweight Regular fit |
Lightweight Slim fit |
| Length of back, from base of neck to bottom | 27 in | 26 in | 26 in | 28 in | 26 in |
| Material | AscentShell 3L, 100% nylon 20Dx45D mechanical stretch ripstop with 100% polyester 30D woven backer | 3L recycled polyester knit face with PU membrane and recycled polyester backer/Proflex | 3L 75D 100% recycled polyester Gore-Tex shell with a waterproof/breathable barrier and DWR finish | 3 layer DRILITE STRETCH 20D fabric with fluorocarbon free DWR | H2No Performance Standard shell: 3L 20D 100% recycled nylon ripstop face, 7D tricot backer, waterproof/breathable barrier and DWR finish |
| Pockets | 2 external chest, 2 hand (jacket stuffs into left pocket) | 1 internal chest, 2 hand | 2 external chest, 2 hand, 1 interior mesh bucket | 1 internal chest, 2 hand | 1 external chest, 2 hand |
| Helmet Compatible Hood | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Harness and Hip Belt Compatible | No | Yes, high pockets | Yes, high pockets | Yes, high pockets | Yes, high pockets |
| Drawcords | 3 hood, 1 waist | 3 hood, 2 waist | 3 hood, 2 waist | 3 hood, 4 waist | 1 hood, 1 waist |
| Adjustable Cuffs | Yes, Velcro | Yes, Velcro | Yes, Velcro | Yes, Velcro | Yes, Velcro |
| Pit Zips | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Two-Way Front Zipper | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Warranty Policy | Infinite Guarantee | Guarantee covers the original owner with proof of purchase, for the usable lifetime of the product | Ironclad Guarantee | Fully guaranteed to the original owner against defects in components, materials and workmanship. | Ironclad Guarantee |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The MicroGravity hardshell jacket from Outdoor Research is a durable and weatherproof shell for cooler climates.
Performance Comparison
The Microgravity, a simple and down-to-earth shell.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti
Weather Protection
The MicroGravity is made of 3-layer AscentShell material, which is highly weatherproof, breathable, and very tough. This fabric is not as well known to us as the well-vetted Gore-Tex products, but we were pleased with its field performance and appreciated the soft feel of the internal face fabric.
The jacket seals well against the storm, with an adjustable hood, cuffs, and hem, and has a waterproof zipper on the front and storm flaps on the pockets to help keep moisture out.
Ok so it is hard to get photos in terrible weather, but sunny and windy days can also be a great time to test hardshell jackets! The Microgravity handled high mountain winds well.
Credit: Sara Ramsay
Mobility and Fit
The MicroGravity may not reduce your perception of gravity, but it allows for good movement in a variety of dimensions. The shoulders and chest felt a bit more snug than others, but the arm mobility remained decent. The fit was tight when wearing a helmet, but it still worked. The lack of pit zips also makes this jacket feel much smoother and more supple through a range of arm movements.
Easy to move and easy to adjust the hood!
Credit: Lyra Pierotti
Venting and Breathability
The MicroGravity is better suited to colder environments and medium-level activities that aren't overly vigorous. The material is reasonably breathable for the level of weather protection it offers. However, it lacks pit zips for ventilation, so if you tend to heat up quickly or run warmer during activities, you might want to look for a jacket with better breathability and venting options.
The AscentShell fabric is breathable enough not to need pit zips. The mesh panels in the chest are there for the chest pockets but also can facilitate venting.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti
Weight
The MicroGravity is ahead of the curve for weight in this review. It is quite lightweight for the level of protection it offers. We appreciate the relative simplicity of the jacket, which is in part how it achieves its relatively low weight–it doesn't have many extras, not even pit zips.
The Microgravity is a lightweight hardshell with a trim fit.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti
Features and Design
Although many of the features on this jacket are very well thought-out, some missed the mark. We appreciated the hand pockets with storm flaps and the waterproof main zipper, also with a storm flap, which ensure this jacket is well suited to rainy environments, exactly as advertised. However, the hood, which is adjustable, feels a bit snug when worn with a helmet, limiting its range of uses to less technical endeavors that don't require much helmet-wearing. The chest pockets are very high, and we found them difficult to use–even more so when we tried wearing a helmet and then accessing them with the jacket zipped up.
We love chest pockets, especially "Napoleon" ones where they are on both sides. These, however, were more like neck zippers and we did not find them easy or pleasant to use.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti
The jacket has a key clip loop in the left-hand pocket and can be stuffed into that pocket. This can be nice for clipping to the back of a harness, but given the pocket and tight hood issues, that feature doesn't line up as well for the utility of the jacket. For those who like to tuck jackets into pockets for ease of packing or to protect the fabric, this is personal preference, and many others prefer to stuff their jackets loose to facilitate better packing.
The Microgravity is well worth considering for your lightweight hardshell jacket.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti
Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Microgravity?
The MicroGravity is a tough yet lightweight 3-layer shell. This gives it a lean toward milder climates and rain over high mountain use, but it will do well enough in most mountain conditions. However, it has some limiting features, like its snug hood when wearing a helmet, and its chest pockets, which are placed awkwardly high toward the neck. This is one you may want to try on before you buy to see if these features are a deterrent for your personal needs.
What Other Hardshell Jackets Should You Consider?
The MicroGravity is a nice blend of lightweight, breathability, and durability. If you're more keen on a lightweight and breathable jacket for warmer climates, check out the Patagonia Storm10. If you want a slightly burlier shell that still breathes well for athletic endeavors, we recommend the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0.
—
Lyra Pierotti
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