Reviews > Clothing > Jackets and Vests > ODLO Aegis Hardshell Waterproof Jacket > Test Report by Nancy Griffith

ODLO AEGIS HARDSHELL WATERPROOF JACKET
TEST SERIES BY NANCY GRIFFITH
LONG-TERM REPORT
May 10, 2022

CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT
CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE LONG-TERM REPORT

TESTER INFORMATION

My outdoor experience began in high school with a co-ed scout group which made a 10-day canoe voyage through the Quebec wilds. I've been backpacking since college in Pennsylvania. I have hiked 1/4 of the Appalachian Trail and 2/3 of the Pacific Crest Trail. My typical trip is in the Sierra Nevada from a few days to a few weeks long. My base weight is lightweight at 15 lb (6.8 kg) while still using a tent, stove and quilt. Longer mileage summer trips are now stoveless.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: ODLO International AG
Year of Manufacture: 2022
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.odlo.com
MSRP: $180 US

Listed Weight: Not Listed
Measured Weight: 7.6 oz (215 g)

Color Tested: Black
Other Color Available: Atlantic Deep, Hot Coral

Size Tested: Medium
Other Sizes Available: XS, S, L, XL

Made in Europe

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The Women's AEGIS Hardshell Jacket is a 2.5L (2-1/2 layer) lightweight wind and waterproof jacket. The fabric is 100% polyamide (nylon) with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating. The fabric is rated at 20,000 mm / 20,000 MVTR which are the waterproof and breathability ratings, respectively. This waterproof rating is considered high resistance and this breathability rating is for the most active use of heavy perspiration, so both are very good ratings. All of the seams are fully-taped.

The main zipper is waterproof, has a full-length storm flap and has a zipper garage at the top. The zippered hand-warmer pockets have a flap which completely covers the zipper although the zippers themselves are not the waterproof type. The hood has a build-in visor for extra coverage and has an adjustment cord on the back to snug the hood both around the face and around the head. The hem of the jacket has adjustment on both sides. The cuffs are tapered so that the top is longer than the bottom for better hand coverage, and they have Velcro straps to cinch them down.

The regular fit is supposed to fit looser with a straight cut. There is a hang loop inside the back collar. The ODLO website says that the jacket is packable into an integrated pocket. I easily stuffed the jacket into either of the hand-warmer pockets but the zipper is then inside-out, but I guess this is what they mean.

ODLO has an excellent chart on their website that shows at what temperatures the garment will be comfortable while sitting vs. walking vs. being active. This jacket is in their LIGHT category which is listed as optimum comfort in all situations throughout the year. It is supposed to be versatile year-round sports clothing with excellent moisture wicking properties.
Temperature ranges are as follows:
15 to 25 C (59 to 77 F) Standing still
5 to 15 C (41 to 59 F) Walking
-10 to 10 C (14 to 50 F) Active

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS & TRYING IT OUT

My initial impression was how lightweight the jacket was considering the level of water protection this jacket is rated for and the fact that it has two zippered hand pockets. I like the adjustment for both hood and hem which will help to keep the rain and wind out. The fit of the jacket was just right for me which I chose based on ODLO's size chart. The jacket is large enough to allow for layers underneath. I've tried it so far with a base layer and light mid-layer and still feel like I have some room.

The sleeves and hem are long enough to provide good coverage. The cuffs have Velcro adjustable straps again to keep wind and rain out. The cuffs are large enough to allow for me to strap down over gloves if I prefer.

Breathability is always my main concern with a rain jacket. It's just difficult to perspire inside a rain shell for very long and still be dry and comfortable. I've worn the jacket twice already for vigorous activity in temperatures near the top end of the comfort range listed on their chart for active use. The jacket breathed incredibly well.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

Washing instructions say to machine wash in cold water with the garment inside-out and with like colors. No fabric softener or bleach is to be used. It can be tumble-dried or ironed on low heat.

Machine Wash Cold
Do Not Bleach
Tumble Dry Normal Low Heat
Iron Low Heat
Do Not Dry Clean

SUMMARY

The ODLO AEGIS 2.5L Waterproof Jacket is a highly technical, well-constructed, waterproof rain shell.

Initial Likes:
Hand-warmer pockets
Built-in visor with adjustable hood
Adjustable cuffs and hem
Lightweight

Initial Concerns:
Breathability, but so far so good!

FIELD REPORT

FIELD REPORT April 7, 2022

I wore the ODLO Aegis Hardshell Jacket on one overnight snowshoe trip, one snowshoe day hike, seven day hikes, one mountain bike ride and three morning runs. I also wore the jacket on walks and around town for rain and wind protection.

Snowshoeing/Backpacking:
Shadow Lake, Sierra Nevada, California: overnight trip of 10 mi (16 km); 6,327 to 7,264 ft (1,928 to 2,214 m); 28 to 42 F (-2 to 6 C); sunny and clear

Coldstream Valley, Northern Sierra Nevada, California: 4.8 mi (7.7 km); 5,935 to 6,236 ft (1,809 to 1,901 m) elevation; 21 to 24 F (-6 to -4 C); partly cloudy and breezy

Hiking:
Two hikes on El Dorado Trail, Sierra Nevada, California: 4 mi (6 km) and 5.8 mi (9.3 km); 1,630 to 1,900 ft (500 to 580 m) elevation; 48 to 53 F (9 to 12 C) and 64 F (18 C)

Brown's Ravine Trail, Folsom Lake, California: 4 mi (6 km); 490 to 600 ft (149 to 183 m) elevation; 42 F (6 C)

Monroe Ridge Trail, Sierra Nevada, California; 5.5 mi (8.9 km); 743 to 1,262 ft (226 to 385 m) elevation; 45 to 52 F (7 to 11 C)

Sleeping Giant Trail, Kauai, Hawaii; 4 mi (6 km); 200 to 1,137 ft (61 to 347 m) elevation; 73 F (23 C)

Beek's Bight, Folsom Lake, California: 5 mi (8 km); 472 to 527 ft (144 to 161 m) elevation; 66 F (19 C)

Gerle Loop in the Auburn Recreation Area, California: 3.5 mi (5.6 km); 764 to 921 ft (233 to 281 m) elevation; 64 F (18 C)

Mountain Biking:
Magnolia Ranch, California: 8 mi (13 km); 562 to 940 ft (171 to 450 m); 34 to 41 F (1 to 5 C)

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

I wore the ODLO Aegis Hardshell Jacket on one overnight snowshoe trip, one snowshoe day hike, seven day hikes, one mountain bike ride and three morning runs. I also wore the jacket on walks and around town for rain and wind protection.

Snowshoeing/Backpacking:
Shadow Lake, Sierra Nevada, California: overnight trip of 10 mi (16 km); 6,327 to 7,264 ft (1,928 to 2,214 m); 28 to 42 F (-2 to 6 C); sunny and clear

Coldstream Valley, Northern Sierra Nevada, California: 4.8 mi (7.7 km); 5,935 to 6,236 ft (1,809 to 1,901 m) elevation; 21 to 24 F (-6 to -4 C); partly cloudy and breezy

Hiking:
Two hikes on El Dorado Trail, Sierra Nevada, California: 4 mi (6 km) and 5.8 mi (9.3 km); 1,630 to 1,900 ft (500 to 580 m) elevation; 48 to 53 F (9 to 12 C) and 64 F (18 C)

Brown's Ravine Trail, Folsom Lake, California: 4 mi (6 km); 490 to 600 ft (149 to 183 m) elevation; 42 F (6 C)

Monroe Ridge Trail, Sierra Nevada, California; 5.5 mi (8.9 km); 743 to 1,262 ft (226 to 385 m) elevation; 45 to 52 F (7 to 11 C)

Sleeping Giant Trail, Kauai, Hawaii; 4 mi (6 km); 200 to 1,137 ft (61 to 347 m) elevation; 73 F (23 C)

Beek's Bight, Folsom Lake, California: 5 mi (8 km); 472 to 527 ft (144 to 161 m) elevation; 66 F (19 C)

Gerle Loop in the Auburn Recreation Area, California: 3.5 mi (5.6 km); 764 to 921 ft (233 to 281 m) elevation; 64 F (18 C)

Mountain Biking:
Magnolia Ranch, California: 8 mi (13 km); 562 to 940 ft (171 to 450 m); 34 to 41 F (1 to 5 C)

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

Water beading up

The Aegis did a great job of repelling rain. It beads up very well and there is no sign of wetting out. Along with the waterproof nature, it breathes very well too. I wore the shell in several occasions when it was a bit too warm or when I was running or hiking. I was sweating so my base layer and mid layer got a bit warm, but the shell breathed well enough that only light moisture built up inside the jacket.

The jacket also was a good wind block which was especially welcome in colder temperatures. I couldn't feel any cold air coming through the jacket. The hem-adjust helped to keep cold air from coming up under the hem too.

Cuff adjustment

The hood-adjust worked well to keep the hood tight against my head so that the visor worked to block rain while still allowing me to see. The adjustable cuffs worked great for keeping snow and cold out. The sleeves are long enough that I could tighten the cuffs over my gloves and not feel constricted while snowshoeing with poles.

I loved the zipped hand-warmer pockets since I seem to find myself without enough pockets. I liked to carry my phone, a head band and maybe a snack in them. I usually was wearing a pack, but I still liked to have these few items handy.

The weight of the jacket is very light while providing technical features that I would equate with a much heavier jacket. ODLO seems to have struck a nice balance of offering a jacket that is between my full-featured but heavier shell and my minimalist lightweight shell. I have no problem having a slightly heavier shell (than my minimalist shell) that I could count on for real protection and have some nice features.

The Aegis is also very packable so I found it easy to take with me for any occasion. Usually I would only want to wear a 'rain jacket' for rain but the Aegis has a softer feel and is breathable making me want to wear it even when rain wasn't in the forecast.

LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM REPORT May 10, 2022

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITION

Beading up at first

I wore the ODLO Aegis Hardshell Waterproof Jacket nearly every day in April into early May. I wore it on six day hikes and five morning runs. I also wore the jacket on walks, for softball practice and around town.

Hiking:
Two hikes on El Dorado Trail, Sierra Nevada, California: 4 mi (6 km) each; 1,630 to 1,900 ft (500 to 580 m) elevation; 42 to 49 F (5 to 9 C) and 48 to 54 F (9 to 12 C); conditions were cool overcast with few sprinkles

Three hikes in Auburn Recreation Area, California: 2.5 to 3.5 mi (4 to 5.6 km); 764 to 921 ft (233 to 281 m) elevation; 38 to 52 F (3 to 11 C); conditions ranged from cold and clear to cloudy to rainy

Off-trail Sierra Nevada Foothills, California: 2 mi (3 km); 1,890 to 1,950 ft (576 to 594 m) elevation; 45 F (7 C); steady rain in light winds

Running:
Multiple early morning runs at 1,900 ft (579 m) elevation with minimal elevation change; temperatures started in the upper 30s to low 40s F (3 to 6 C) and a few times warmed into the 50s F (7 C) as the sun hit; conditions ranged from overcast with light rain to clear and cold

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

Water penetrated

Thankfully the rain started in April. We had more rain in April than in all of January and February this year. I wore the jacket on multiple days of rain for errands along with hikes and walks. I really enjoyed having the hand-warmer pockets to store my phone, wallet and keys. The hood worked great while dashing into a store. I could adjust it to have good vision while still keeping dry and not having the hood want to blow off.

On the best day of all-day constant moderate rain without wind, I got out in full rain gear in order to test out the jacket. I walked in the rain for 1.5 to 2 mi (2.4 to 3.2 km) for 40 minutes or so in 45 F (7 C).

I wore the jacket with the sleeves hanging down over my hands just to keep my hands dry. They still got a little wet because rain had wetted out the cuffs of the jacket. Towards the end of the test, I was feeling that my shoulders were cool despite the rest of me feeling just right in my base layer, mid-layer and jacket. When I removed the jacket, I found that water had penetrated the shoulders of the jacket and had wicked into my mid-layer making a small wet spot. I confirmed this with my husband who had been home inside since I was concerned that my fingers were wet and maybe I couldn't feel the wetness inside the jacket. He confirmed for sure that the inside of the jacket was wet as well as my mid-layer.

I had plans for a long section hike this summer in Washington and was planning to use the Aegis as my main rain jacket. But I see that this won't be possible. As an experiment, I did the same walk with two other rain jackets just to see if the amount of rain could penetrate either of them but neither had any water penetration.

I haven't washed the jacket yet thinking that I should get some good DWR wash product first. The durability has been very good other than the lack of waterproofness. I still like the jacket and still plan to wear it, just not for serious rain protection.

SUMMARY

The ODLO AEGIS 2.5L Waterproof Jacket is a highly technical, well-constructed rain shell that is still remarkably lightweight and packable.

Thumbs Up:
Breathable
Hand-warmer pockets
Built-in visor with adjustable hood
Adjustable cuffs and hem
Lightweight

Thumbs Down:
Not waterproof

This concludes my Long-Term Report and this test series. Thanks to ODLO and BackpackGearTest.org for allowing me to test this product.

Reviews > Clothing > Jackets and Vests > ODLO Aegis Hardshell Waterproof Jacket > Test Report by Nancy Griffith