Reviews > Clothing > Jackets and Vests > Outdoor Research Mens Logic Jacket > Rick Allnutt > Test Report by Rick Allnutt

Outdoor Research Logic Jacket
Test Series by Rick Allnutt
May 29, 2007

 TESTER INFORMATION

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INITIAL REPORT
January 25, 2007

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS and TRYING IT OUT

The Logic Jacket is a lightweight jacket with surprising insulating properties. It is ready to use right out of the bag. I removed the two hang tags and went for a brisk walk in the snowy woods as pictured above. My shirt size is Neck 16 in (41 cm) and sleeve length 34 in (86 cm). The jacket fits my chest a little tighter than a button down shirt and the sleeve length is perfect.

I was not sure what sort of fabric the jacket would be constructed from when I read the website. I thought that this jacket would be similar to other shells I have tried on with a slick nylon outer layer and an inner fleece layer bonded to the outer layer. That is not how the Logic Jacket is constructed. The Logic is a lighter jacket and a quieter one to wear than those others. Color, and other features were what I expected.

The jacket's material appears to be a double knit type material on the outer surface and has a thin brushed fleece on the inner surface. The thickness of the material is similar to blue jean material, but the weight is much less. According to the care instruction tag, the jacket is made from 76% nylon, 17% polyester, and 7% Spandex. The material has a little elastic give. The outer surface is cool to my touch, and very quiet when it brushes against itself, as when my arms come into contact with my chest. This makes the jacket very quiet to walk in. The inner surface is warm to my touch, even when my skin is moist from climbing a hill.

My first walk was a snowy afternoon with temperature just below freezing and a very slight breeze. I went on a 3 mile walk, including climbing about 400 ft (120 m). I was wearing an undershirt and a long sleeve cotton work shirt under the jacket. I was plenty warm on the climb and the next hour of walking. On another, less strenuous half hour walk the same afternoon, I was a little chilly in the jacket and put an additional coat over it for more warmth. With exercise, this is plenty of warmth, but for sitting around in a cold breeze, I need more insulation.

The jacket features a two-direction zipper which zips from the bottom, but which can be opened from the bottom as well. The bottom hem, which reaches a hand breadth below my belt, has two single-handed draw strings (one on each hip) which I can use to pull the hem against the top of my pants. The back of the neck collar has a similar single handed draw string which can be used to cinch up the collar.

The glove pockets open from the top and are roomy enough for gloves. The pocket material is a polyester mesh material. There is also a separate pocket on each side of the front inside the jacket. I found the useful for putting my wool hat when I warmed up. There is also a smaller pocket on the left side of the upper front panel of the jacket. The zipper which closes this pocket also opens from the top. Outdoor Research suggests this pocket for a music player, and I have found it useful for a cell phone or lightweight camera. This pocket has a small port on the inside surface of the upper part of this pocket which could be used to neatly pass the headphone cord of a music device inside the pocket.

The front zipper is backed by an interior storm flap. None of the other zippers are protected from either wind or water. The seams are not taped. Outdoor research says that the material is water resistant ("durable water resistant finish resists moisture") it is easy for me to breathe through the material. This shell does not have features consistent with serious rain protection. But the Logic breathes very well, even in cold temperatures. After my 400 foot climb, I sat down to wait for my hiking buddy and I did not feel moist at all in the jacket.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

The hang tags reinforced the Outdoor Research "Infinite Guarantee" and supply a sticker which reads "Oudoor Research Designed by Adventure." The care tag sewn into the jacket says "Machine Wash, cold. Do not Bleach, Do not Iron, Do not Dryclean, Tumble Dry Low."

SUMMARY

The Logic Jacket gives a first impression of high quality materials and workmanship, creatively combined to a lightweight piece of hiking apparel. I thank Outdoor Research and Backpack Gear Test for allowing m to test the jacket. In late March, a Field Report will be added here and I will expand on how the jacket has performed during the late winter and early spring.

FIELD REPORT
March 30, 2007

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

I have used the jacket almost every day of the last two months. Backpacking included a two night trip to the Smoky Mountains with temperatures ranging from 27 to 68 F (-3 to 20 C) and elevations were from 600 to 1600 ft (180 to 500 m). I spent an additional 11 nights outdoors in southwest Ohio during the testing period using the jacket and have done about 30 miles (50 km) of day hiking with the jacket in temperatures ranging from 0 to 60 F (-18 to 16 C).  I have used the jacket in dry conditions, rain, and snow. I have worn it for walking, sleeping, and general around camp wear.

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

The Logic Jacket is surprisingly versatile. It is a nice long-sleeve layer over a tee shirt and for hiking this is generally enough insulation down to just below freezing. For lower temperatures, it makes a great layer as is seen in the photo above, where I am wearing it under a red, breathable, rainproof jacket. The day that photo was taken, it was cold enough to freeze condensation into my beard, but without wind it was very nice to be able to unzip the outer jacket while leaving the Logic Jacket zipped. I have also used the jacket over a wool shirt in cold temperatures and there is enough room for that shirt to keep me quite toasty when loafing around a campfire. When I use it as the outer layer, the jacket is a very good wind shirt, turning away heat robbing wind quite effectively.

The jacket is a very good sleeping jacket and makes for warm sleeping in a 25 degree bag (-5 C bag) down in the teens (about -10 C). It feels comfortable to my skin even when I don't wear a tee shirt under it. The brushed lining helps the cloth to feel warm even in quite cold temperatures. 

In strenuous hiking, the jacket breathes very well. I have never felt any condensation build up despite quick climbing in warm temperatures. The durable water resistance of the fabric sheds mist and light rain very well, but it is no replacement for rain wear. It does not take long for larger drops of real rain to wet the fabric.  However, even when wet, the fabric feels reasonably warm, and it does dry quickly with body heat. The water resistance was still effective after machine washing and drip drying.

I have found the pockets to be very useful. The front pockets are just the right size for hand warming or storing gloves.  The larger pockets inside the jacket on either side of the jacket are large enough to carry a poncho and a rain hat. I have mainly used the upper pocket to carry my winter survival kit including a small flat candle in an Altoids tin and a butane lighter. That pocket usually stays warm enough to keep the lighter warm enough to vaporize the butane for campfire starting. 

SUMMARY

I have found an incredible range of weather conditions are within the range of the Logic Jacket.  I especially like the ability of the jacket to breathe while turning away light rain and mist. It looks good too - and that makes my family happy. As the weather turns warmer, I will be searching for new ways to use the jacket. Check back here in late May for the results of my long term testing of the Logic Jacket.

Long Term Report
May 29, 2007

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

I have been backpacking with the Logic Jacket for a three day trip to Red River Gorge and an overnight trip to Zaleski State Forest during the last two months. In addition I used it for weekly day hikes during the period whenever the dawn temperature was cool enough to warrant use of a jacket. All hikes were at low altitude, from 500 - 1000 ft (150 - 300 m). Temperatures ranged from about 30 - 70 F (-1 - 21 C). 

LONG TERM PERFORMANCE

SUMMARY

What I Like:  

Useful from very cold to just cool weather.  

Breathes well even during heavy exercise.

The best jacket I have for wearing under rain wear in cold weather.

I thank Outdoor Research and BackpackGearTest for allowing me to test this jacket. It will continue to be part of my cool and cold weather gear in the future.

Reviews > Clothing > Jackets and Vests > Outdoor Research Mens Logic Jacket > Rick Allnutt > Test Report by Rick Allnutt