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Outdoor Research Zealot Jacket - Men's

Outdoor Research Zealot Jacket - Men's description

Outdoor Research got rid every extraneous feature that would add weight to the Men's Zealot Jacket, making it one of the lightest waterproof-breathable jackets in the world. It weights in at only 7.7oz. Don't let the incredibly low weight fool you. This Outdoor Research jacket is made with waterproof breathable Gore-Tex PacLite fabric and has fully taped seams to assure no moisture makes its way inside. So what does the Zealot have for features? Just a chest pocket, because that's all ounce-counting freaks want. More gizmos just add more weight, so Outdoor Research stripped the Zealot to the bare necessities for hikers and climbers that demand the best.

Bottom Line: Take a fancy Gore-Tex PacLite jacket and get rid of everything that adds weight. Now you have the 7.7oz Outdoor Research Zealot Jacket.

This jacket does what a gore-tex jacket is supposed to do - it's waterproof, windproof, and surprisingly breathable considering that there are no pit zips. I also think it fits well, and that "Mojo Blue," OR's flagship color, is a good one. Drawbacks: First - the fabric is very thin. This hit home when I caught it on some scrub oak - a common hazard skiing the Wasatch at 6200 ft. It tore a hole in the sleeve, but the ripstop fabric did it's job, keeping the hole very tiny and easily patched with a tiny bit of ripstop tape. Second - because there is no way to secure the sleeves to overlap a short-wristed glove, the wrists can become exposed. Cold wrists while skiing can become annoying, numbing the hands and contributing to a lower core temperature. I'd recommend using gloves that can be secured over the sleeves on a cold day. I'd say this jacket is ideal for touring/hiking in moderate weather, and as a backup in your backpack all year round. It weighs nothing.

Ridiculously light and keeps you dry. I would have preferred pit zips at the cost of a little more weight. Very thin material, durable but less warm than some 3 layer shells.