The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hooded performs solidly and admirably for a very accessible price. It's highly breathable with great mobility, making it a natural choice for sweaty, high-exertion activities.
Performance Comparison
Simple and functional, the OR Ferrosi Hooded is a great lightweight shell at a very nice price.
Weather Protection
While the Ferrosi provides a decent wind barrier, its lightweight material isn't ideal for truly inclement weather.
In our water tests, this layer soaked through pretty quickly. It does have a decent amount of resistance for light sprinkles and spray though, especially on the Cordura-reinforced shoulders and forearms. It also dries very quickly, which is always something we like to see. Its wind resistance is quite good. As long as you're keeping your heart rate up, you will have little problem staying warm in chilly weather. The hood is generous, and the overlapping thumb loops keep the wind out even when not in use, a detail we noticed and appreciated.
This layer provides just enough of a barrier for windy days and chilly temps, especially if you're working up a sweat.
Breathability
This is an excellent layer for breathability. The material is thin, and the pockets are mesh-lined for added ventilation.
We never felt stifled or sticky in the Ferrosi Hooded. It isn't as comfortable next-to-skin as the Rab Borealis, but all in all, this layer is an excellent 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 all natural activities for this jacket.
When hiking on a chilly-but-also-humid day we needed that perfect balance of protection and breathability. We were very content in the Ferrosi.
Mobility
Mobility is another category where the Ferrosi Hooded shows its value and grabs an impressive score. With stretchy fabric and a generous fit, this is a great layer for getting your move on.
Some climbers don't like their jackets to be baggy at all, preferring a slim cut and fitted design for under-harness neatness. (The Rab Borealis is a great example of such a jacket.). But if you like a little extra room for layering underneath, the Ferrosi may be ideal. The hood is ever-so-slightly restrictive with a helmet on, but not bad.
The Ferrosi has some great features for climbing, including fantastic mobility. While we prefer the fit of the Borealis, we were still really happy with this layer overall.
Weight
This thin and light jacket earns another excellent score in the weight metric. The Ferrosi weighs in at 11.4 ounces, among the lightest options in our review.
Only the Rab Borealis weighs less. The Ferrosi also has a pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, the perfect combo for bringing up multi-pitch climbs where every ounce counts.
The lightweight and packable nature of the Ferrosi make it a great travel companion.
Features
This is a very 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's stretchy, breathable, and quick drying with UPF 50+ sun protection, lightweight, decently weather protective, and helmet-compatible. The shoulders and forearms are reinforced with abrasion-resistant Cordura. The thumb loops don't chafe and overlap, so they 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.
Our one complaint is that the pockets aren't accessible when wearing a harness, an oversight that really surprises us since so many of the other features are geared toward climbing.
While many jackets can tuck inside a pocket, most of them - for some reason - don't include that essential little carabiner loop to make the jacket truly harness-compatible when stowed. The Ferrosi is the only model in our review that offers this feature, and we love it.
Style
The Ferrosi had to get a lower score on something, or it was in danger of having too big an ego. Granted, this category is entirely subjective, so take it for what it's worth — not much.
We like this layer just fine, but it's pretty sporty looking. The fit is on the baggy side, which isn't the most flattering. While it doesn't matter how fashionable you look on top of a mountain, extra material can get in your way. It's annoying when you're working hard and navigating a harness or backpack.
Here you can see the looser, baggier fit of the Ferrosi Hooded. While this is fine and can be beneficial for layering, it also means there's more material to get in the way.
Best Application
This sweet little layer is best for anyone who wants a durable jacket they can thrash without spending a fortune. The reinforced arms and shoulders make it a good candidate for climbing and canyoneering adventures and the breathable material means you'll be comfortable on your approach hike as well. While there are a few minor fit issues with the Ferrosi, and it's not the most weather protective, for mild weather outings this stretchy piece is a solid purchase.
This layer is right at home during a breezy hike along the rocky Mediterranean shoreline.
Value
This jacket retails for just $130, a great value for what you get. If you need something simple, lightweight, breathable, stretchy, and well-featured, then look no further.
Conclusion
We bestow a Best Buy award when solid, consistent performance meets an outstanding price point, and the Ferrosi Hooded is a perfect example of this in action. While there are a few tiny things we would change regarding the fit, overall this is a solid jacket with good features for a very fair price.
The Ferrosi isn't the most fitted or weather protective layer, but it is great for anything where breathability and mobility are paramount.
