Nike Oregon Output Jacket

Despite being little-known in the outdoor community, and despite being out of production several years now, I cannot help but take a moment to sing the praises of this wonderful jacket.

The Oregon Output Jacket is an insulated piece, consisting of two layers. The outer layer is a very lightweight, shear nylon that keeps out the wind. It's also been treated with a respectable water repellent finish. 

The inner layer is Nike's "Sphere" fabric, a waffle-weave raised grid fleece fabric that is also very light. This is a Polartec creation called "Power Dry," the same fabric that Patagonia uses in their Regulator series, dubbing it "R1." 

The raised texture of this fabric is where the magic happens. This cloth does a fantastic job of transporting moisture away from your skin. Also, the 2-layer nature of the "Sphere" cloth allow air to circulate against your skin, creating a superior temperature management capability.

This jacket is both warmer than it should be, considering its weight and thin-ness, and yet cooler than you'd imagine, on account of its ability to move air across the surface of your skin. I'm honestly stunned that this model of jacket is no longer being made, and has not been copied by another manufacturer. 

If you've every heard of, or worn, the Marmot Driclime windshirt, you know how important it is to have a jacket like that in your gear closet. In all candor, this jacket, because of the textured interior lining, is better and more functional than that classic piece. 

If you can find a used Oregon Output jacket, you'll fall in love with it, as I have with mine.