Outdoor Vitals Ventus Active Hoodie

The Outdoor Vitals Ventus Active Hoodie is a phenomenal mid-layer jacket that’s built to move with your body. Not only does it provide warmth when it counts, it’s also somewhat breathable and resistant to moisture.

If you’ve ever been running in a chilly environment, you know how difficult it can be to get the right layering system down. Many jackets or sweatshirts are too bulky, not breathable, and prone to suffocate you. But Outdoor Vitals’ new Ventus Active Hoodie provides the perfect solution. This hoodie is built for active people who need a reliable insulation system at home and in the wilderness. 

Jacket Weight & Technology:

This new jacket is unlike anything else on the market. It weighs just 7 ounces. Its 3Defx insulation is about a third of the weight of most competitive synthetic insulations. Yet it doesn’t compromise functionality.

This jacket also comes with perforated underarm vents in order to keep the airflow consistent around your body. So, if you’re mountain biking or working a sweat up somewhere, you won’t immediately have to shed this layer.

Because this product doesn’t include spandex, you can expect to have faster drying times. It’s also water and stain resistant which makes it difficult to soak this jacket through to begin with. And it'll retain its good-looking properties for many years to come. 

Jacket Fit:

The Outdoor Vitals Ventus Active Hoodie is a body mapped jacket, which means that it fits snuggly in all of the right places. So, instead of worrying about loose fabric while you’re on the go, you can feel confident in this jacket’s ability to stay in place. It also comes with an insulated hood in order to provide an additional layer of warmth, and it is wind-resistant. 

Jacket Packability:

Because of this jacket’s lightweight build and compact design, you can expect it to fit neatly into nearly any backpack. It even packs into the hidden internal pocket in order to stow itself away efficiently. The resulting softball-sized jacket is easy to travel with. 

Jacket Testing:

I was lucky enough to take this jacket into the Appalachian Mountains for a handful of backpacking trips this summer. When the sun dipped low behind the horizon, and the chill crept in, this was the perfect layer to keep me comfortable. The abrasion-resistant fabric is the perfect companion for someone like me, who can commonly be found slithering through slot canyons or climbing granite spires. 

This jacket is light enough to function like a mid-layer product when the temperatures get really chilly. But it also handles itself well as an outer layer. While I typically prefer a jacket with a full length zipper, I found this ¼ length zipper to be impressive in its function. Not only does it allow you to slip this hoodie on and off efficiently, it also gives you additional venting while you’re on the move. 

I’m a climber, a long-distance backpacker, and a traveller who can often be found in mercurial environments. Having a jacket that meets you where you are is extremely important to me. Overall, I was pleased with the Outdoor Vitals Ventus Active Hoodie because of its small size and efficient design. 

Background

I tested the Ventus Active Hoodie over the course of the summer, taking it to Oregon's arid desert, Colorado's mountains, and North Carolina's trails. As someone who has owned a lot of outdoor jackets, I thought that this hoodie performed well in a wide variety of environments. Whether mountain biking, hiking, or heading to work, this jacket provides a good layer of insulation.