Outdoor Research Vigor Jacket Review
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When heading out for a hike or long run, I like to stash either an insulated layer or windproof layer into my hydration pack or daypack in case the weather takes a turn for the worse. For this spring, one of my new go-to jackets is the Outdoor Research Vigor Jacket which has been great for my runs and hikes when I’m not sure exactly what I should wear because of the variable weather. To date, the weather has been a little below the average in the Denver Metro area and I find on my long run days(15-22 miles), I am usually running in temperatures between 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit. To make my runs more pleasant, Mother Nature has decided this year would be a good year to give us all the wind she can throw at us.
Weighting in at 5.5 oz.’s and reducing down to the size of a fist, the OR Vigor Jacket is the perfect companion for running, hiking, etc. I recently took this jacket out for a long run and found the jacket to fit into the small pouch of my Camelbak, something they probably thought be good to fit gels or gu’s. As you can imagine, the Vigor fits easily in a regular sized daypack with plenty of room to spare. There is a small pocket on the bottom backside of the jacket and a chest pocket on the left side. I usually end up putting things in my chest pocket as they don’t bounce around as much. In the bottom of the jacket, there is an elastic cinch cord that keeps the jacket snug to your waste when you want to preserve heat and keep the wind out. When you want to vent a little, you can loosen up the cinch cord or unzip the jacket. One complaint when unzipping the jacket and running is that it can act like a parachute sometimes if you are running into the wind. This is a minor complaint, nothing too detrimental.
One of the nuances while running in the standard windbreaker is that when you start to sweat, your arms start to stick to the jacket fabric which is just plain uncomfortable and it tends to chill your body, the opposite of what you are looking for when adding a layer. Using Pertex fabric, the Vigor does a nice job at wicking the moisture to the outside of the jacket, keeping you dry, warm, and comfortable.
On hikes, I like to have a lightweight waterproof or water resistant jacket with me in case the random storm decides to visit. And while I don’t use these jackets a lot as I usually check the weather before I go, I like to have something in case of emergency. If the unforeseen were to happen and I got stuck overnight in the woods, a waterproof/windproof layer is nice to have.
When I’m not running or hiking in the Outdoor Research Vigor Jacket, I occasionally through on the jacket for dog walks and hanging around town. This jacket not only can perform, but it also has a little style to it. I found this jacket to be a good value as it is something that I can use for multiple activities and it is something that I plan to use for years and years. For more info on the Vigor Jacket and other Outdoor Research products, please visit www.outdoorresearch.com or www.amazon.com/outdoorresearch.
