The Ferrosi Hooded performs solidly and admirably for a very accessible price. It's highly breathable with excellent mobility, making it a natural choice for sweaty, high-exertion activities.
Performance Comparison
Simple and functional, the Ferrosi 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. 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 notice and appreciate.
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. 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 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 sunny spring day in the desert you need that perfect balance of protection and breathability. The Ferrosi does just that.
Mobility
Mobility is another category where the Ferrosi 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 and backpack-wearers don't like their jackets to be baggy at all, preferring a slimmer cut and fitted design for under-harness/pack strap neatness. 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.
A little pre-climbing warm-up is no problem in the stretchy Ferrosi.
Weight
This thin and light jacket earns another excellent score in the weight metric. The Ferrosi in a size medium weighs in at 11.5 ounces, on the lighter side of options in our review. It 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 and adventure companion.
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's 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 Cordura. 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. Style-wise this is on the sporty side with a baggier fit, but it's durable and comes in fun colors. The only thing that lessens its score in this category is the fact that it's not overly weather protective.
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 one of only two models in our review that offers this feature, and we love it.
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 it's not the most weather protective, for mild weather outings this stretchy piece is a solid purchase.
This layer is right at home on spring days where you want some protection from both the breeze and the sun.
Value
This jacket is a great value for what you get. If you need something simple, lightweight, breathable, stretchy, and well-featured, then look no further.
Conclusion
Solid, consistent performance meet an outstanding price point with the Ferrosi Hooded. This is a fun jacket with good features that is protective from sun, wind, and sprinkles while breathing and moving with ease. It's light and packs down small and has great versatility for what it is — all at 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.
