www.outdoorresearch.com | £225
The fabric of this women’s jacket from Outdoor Research is instantly exciting. While many waterproof jackets are hard and uncomfy to touch, this one is lovely and soft, which also means it makes less of a rustling noise. And it’s still technical, as you’d expect from a jacket of this price: it uses Gore-Tex’s Active technology for waterproofing and breathability.
The Outdoor Research Clairvoyant Jacket has two large main pockets, with mesh on the inside so they can also be used for ventilation. Then there’s a smaller external chest pocket for valuables, which is headphone compatible. While the pocket zips are water-resistant, make sure you take extra steps to waterproof any valuables you put inside them, as you should with all jackets.
There’s a huge, helmet compatible hood with a wire peak and loads of adjustment. Sleeves are Velcro, with loads of space to be rolled up, and the hem is easy to adjust with one hand. There are large zip-pulls, to make the zips easier to handle if you’re wearing gloves, and a lovely soft patch at the chin when you’ve got the main zip done all the way up.
On me the jacket is perhaps a touch short, although this won’t be the same for everyone. Other than that it’s a great coat, and it looks good too: the soft fabric has a matte appearance, and it’s available in a choice of three great colours.
Outdoor Research Clairvoyant Jacket Verdict
The Outdoor Research Clairvoyant Jacket does everything that you’d want it to while looking good and feeling nice to the touch.