Outdoor Research Radiant Hybrid Pullover review

Outdoor Research Radiant Hybrid Pullover review

Author: Paul Jennison

www.outdoorresearch.co.uk | £60

The Outdoor Research Radiant Hybrid pullover is just the kind of fleece for use on a multi-pitch climb or under a shell while on the slopes because it has been designed to manage body heat and moisture with a blend of warmth and breathability.

Using a mixture of Radiant fleece on the torso and on the top of the arms for warmth and Radiant LT (light) fleece on the sides and under arms for ease of movement, wicking and ventilation, OR have achieved a versatile top which will be at home in the more strenuous activities as well as wearing as a casual top when walking down to the shops. The fleece is made from 95% polyester which is brushed on the inside to trap air keeping you warm and 5 % spandex to give it a stretch that will move with you.

This is a snug fitting top that has a decent body length to keep your middle under wraps when reaching for that hand hold or the biscuit jar! But because of the ample amount of stretch it will not feel restrictive. That’s as long as you get the right size in the first place! (The American sizes vary from European ones so check before you buy!) The collar is a decent height and is also snug which will keep the warm air in and the chill out. The sleeves are quiet tight fitting and have thumb loops to keep them in place, but I found the sleeves a bit restrictive when I wanted to roll them back.

There is no drawstring on the hem to keep the chill out so you may have to resort to tucking it into you trousers or relying on your shells hem adjuster to do that for you. The sleeve cuffs have elasticated hems though so the fit there is good. The top has a ¼ zip opening at the front which is useful for ventilation but the tab is small and not really glove friendly.

It only has a small outer right breast pocket which is zipped, ideal for your mobile phone.

The Radiant Hybrid is a basic, limited features mid-weight, multi activity fleece which will perform well as long as you accept its limitations.

Outdoor Research Radiant Hybrid Pullover

A good performer, but there are better ones.

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