Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoody - Women's Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Lightweight, affordable, durable, breathable, feature-rich, dries fast, packs into stowable pocket, UPF 5-+ sun protection
Cons: Not the most weather protective, baggy fit, pockets aren't accessible with a harness
Manufacturer: Outdoor Research
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoody - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | | ||
| Price | $128.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $115 List $79.97 at Backcountry | $114.73 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $45.50 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $148.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Lightweight, affordable, durable, breathable, feature-rich, dries fast, packs into stowable pocket, UPF 5-+ sun protection | Inexpensive, stellar mobility and breathability, stow-away pocket, harness-friendly pockets, excellent fit | Very flexible, flattering fit, long torso, comfortable cuff | Ultralight, comfortable, fairly breathable, stow-away pocket, ideal for summer and fair weather activities | Affordable, durable, soft fleece on chin guard and sleeve cuffs, windproof, very water resistant |
| Cons | Not the most weather protective, baggy fit, pockets aren't accessible with a harness | Not very warm, below average water resistance | Gets wet very easily, thicker fabric is heavier | Sizing runs a bit large, not very weather resistant, not durable, hem rides-up while climbing | Stiff, boxy-fit, heavy, no hood, chin-guard can feel restrictive on neck, not very feature-rich |
| Bottom Line | This lightweight jacket is highly breathable and stretchy with an arsenal of fun and useful features | This wicked light softshell has great mobility, is highly breathable and well-tailored - a perfect layer for fair-weather climbing or hiking | This comfortable jacket will keep you protected and stylish, from climbing with friends to hanging at the coffee shop | An ultra-light, ultra-packable, and fairly breathable wind layer for summer climbing and hiking | A weather-resistant casual softshell for urban adventures or staying warm around the campfire |
| Rating Categories | Outdoor Research Fe... | Rab Borealis - Women's | Black Diamond Alpin... | Mountain Hardwear K... | The North Face Apex... |
| Weather Protection (30%) | |||||
| Breathability (30%) | |||||
| Mobility (25%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Versatility (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Outdoor Research Fe... | Rab Borealis - Women's | Black Diamond Alpin... | Mountain Hardwear K... | The North Face Apex... |
| Measured Weight | 11.5 oz (size S) | 9 oz (size 10/S) | 6.5 oz (size S) | 4 oz (size XS) | 20 oz (size S) |
| Material | Body/hood: 86% nylon 14% spandex 90D stretch woven ripstop Shoulders/forearms: Cordura 91% nylon, 9% spandex 120D stretch woven |
Lightweight Matrix single weave with 2-way stretch and DWR | Schoeller w/Eco-Repel Bio (93% nylon, 7% Elastane) | Pertex Quantum Air 20D stretch ripstop | WindWall (96% Polyester, 4% Elastane with DWR finish) |
| Type | Active | Active | Active | Active | Casual |
| Lined/Insulated? | No | No | No | No | Yes, fleece backer |
| Hood? | Yes, 1-way adjustable | Yes, stretchy but not adjustable | Yes, 2-way adjustable | Yes, stretchy but not adjustable | No |
| Number of Pockets (zippered unless otherwise noted) | 3 (2 hand, 1 chest) | 2 hand | 1 chest | 3 (2 hand, 1 interior drop-in) | 3 (2 hand, 1 chest) |
| Adjustable Cuffs? | No, Stretch Cuffs | No, Stretch Cuffs | No, Stretch Cuffs | No, Stretch Cuffs | No, Fleece lined inner stretch cuff |
| Available Sizes | XS - XL | 8 - 16 | XS-XL | XS - XL | XS - XXL |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Across all metrics, the Ferrosi offers solid performance for a very accessible price. It is highly breathable with excellent mobility, making it a natural choice for sweaty, high-exertion activities. It boasts an abrasion resistant fabric for premium durability, and is reasonably feature rich, especially for the price. It is a great option for climbing, cycling, hiking, and all manner of mountain activities.
Performance Comparison
Weather Protection
While the Ferrosi provides good wind protection and features UPF 50+ sun protection, its lightweight material isn't ideal for inclement weather.
In our water tests, this layer soaked through pretty quickly — it was leaking and had noticeable drips of moisture inside the jacket within less than 10 seconds. At the one-minute mark, it reached total failure, becoming wet around the shoulders (and that was with the hood up!). The Ferrosi does have a decent amount of resistance for light sprinkles and spray, especially on the Cordura-reinforced shoulders and forearms. It also dries very quickly, which is something we like to see. As long as you're keeping your heart rate up, you will have little problem staying warm in cooler weather, as long as you aren't depending on this jacket to keep a rainstorm at bay.
As far as wind, the Ferrosi handles decently well, though it is not the most wind-resistant and is also not the warmest of the bunch. That being said, the hood is generous, and the overlapping thumb loops keep gusts out even when not in use, a nice attention to detail.
Breathability
This is an excellent layer for breathability. The material is thin, and the pockets are mesh-lined for added ventilation. It isn't as comfortable next-to-skin as some other models, but we never felt stifled or sticky. All in all, this layer is a great choice for high-exertion activities where you need a bit of protection. Running, hiking, biking, climbing, and anything else that works the cardiovascular system are natural activity-fits for this jacket.
Mobility
Mobility is another category where the Ferrosi shows its value and fetches a competitive score. With stretchy fabric and a generous fit, this is a great layer for getting your move on. The hood can be a little restrictive with a helmet on, but not bad. Traditionally, the fit of the Ferrosi has been somewhat looser, which is great if you like a little extra room for layering underneath. Given the four-way stretch of the fabric, the Ferrosi never impeded movement or kept our reviewers down.
Weight
This thin and light jacket earns another respectable score in the weight metric. The Ferrosi weighs 11.5 ounces for a small, which is on the lighter side of jackets in our review.
Versatility
This is a feature-rich softshell, especially for the price! The Ferrosi has a list of great features that make it very well-suited to outdoor adventuring. It is stretchy, breathable, quick-drying, lightweight, decently weather-protective, helmet-compatible, and offers UPF 50+ sun protection. The shoulders and forearms are reinforced with abrasion-resistant Cordur, making it impressively durable, especially against rock and brambles. The thumb loops don't chafe, and they overlap to keep cold air out. The hem is drawcord-adjustable, there's a key clip, and — our favorite — a pocket that doubles as a stuff sack ready to be clipped onto a harness. That being said, the stow-away pocket commands some serious real-estate when clipped to your harness, and the clip loop is among the least robust of the jackets that have this feature. Style-wise the Ferrosi is fairly boxy and baggy and has an overall sportier look, but it is durable and comes in fun colors.
Value
This jacket is a great value for what you get, best for anyone who wants a rugged layer they can thrash without spending a fortune. If you need something simple, lightweight, breathable, stretchy, and well-featured, then look no further. The Ferrosi handles equally great in granite off-widths and as a wind-layer on warm days while skinning up to backcountry ski.
Conclusion
Solid, consistent performance meets an outstanding price point with the Ferrosi Hooded. This is a fun jacket with good features that provides protection from the sun, wind, and sprinkles while breathing and moving with ease. It is lightweight and packs down small and has great versatility for what it is — all at a very fair price.
— Mary Witlacil
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