Polartec Alpha is differentiated from traditional synthetic insulation like PrimaLoft by its low-density design. While my hiking partner was slipping their insulating layer on and off as the terrain and weather changed, I never once thought to remove it. Even when we stopped for lunch, it kept me warm enough that I didn’t need to reach for a shell-a testament to its temperature regulating properties. Our first venture out was a late season hike with conditions varying from 30 degrees and snowing to 50 and sunny. The Uberlayer certainly made some strong first impressions. The Uberlayer is at home in a wide range of temperatures Having enjoyed Patagonia’s Nano-Air for about a year, which aims for the same goal of breathability and lightweight warmth with its FullRange insulation, we were curious to see how the original active insulation would compare. One of the most intriguing features of the Outdoor Research Uberlayer is the stuff on the inside: Polartec’s Alpha synthetic insulation. Performance Active Insulation: Polartec Alpha To see how the Uberlayer stacks up against the competition, see our comparison table and article on the best synthetic jackets. After extensive testing, below we break down the strengths and weaknesses of the Uberlayer including warmth, water and wind resistance, fit, features, and more. We recently put both the Uberlayer and the Deviator to the test in the field and found that, in practice, OR’s prototyping and research reaped full rewards for the modern adventurer who wants to do everything from ski touring to rock climbing to traveling in style but only wants one midlayer.The Outdoor Research Uberlayer shakes up the high end of the synthetic jacket market, with a relatively steep price tag but impressive breathability and a host of features designed for backcountry skiing, hiking, and climbing use. “What are the sweat zones of the human body? What does an athlete look like under an infrared camera when they’re running? There’s a lot of conversation around how your body naturally heats or cools itself, and how do we amplify or control that, or maximize it so that we’re taking advantage of it.” “I did an innovation project that’s ongoing where we took some photos,” says Lauver. In other words, it makes use of a number of different materials to give you warmth and breathability specifically where you need them most. The Deviator, one of the more unique active insulation pieces on the market, features hybrid body mapping. You only need to decide whether or not you need some waterproofness for the way down.” “We created something that adapts to a lot of those types of conditions. Ideally, you wouldn’t want to have to de-layer before you start going up, then put a bunch of stuff on at the top, then come down and switch it all back out,” says Lauver. “During a ski tour, you’re going to work up some heat and moisture going upwards. “We created a solution for changing conditions and changing environments.” Both the Uberlayer and Deviator were designed with two sports in mind - climbing and ski touring - though they can certainly be used in other applications. “It’s all about adaptability,” says Alex Lauver, Outdoor Research’s product manager for outerwear. Writers AJ Powell and Tanner Bowden testing jackets in the Idaho backcountry. The latest in OR’s innovative technologies focuses on active insulation in jackets, like the Uberlayer and the Deviator hoody. Today, the company is still on the front lines of pioneering technical, smartly designed pieces built for serious adventurers. ![]() For example, there’s the Seattle Sombrero, a sombrero-esque hat constructed from Gore-Tex perfect for hiking in the rain the first soft-sided medical kits designed specifically for outdoor use and the Water Bottle Parka, which is still the standard for keeping water from freezing on mountaineering expeditions. Since then, Seattle-based Outdoor Research has pioneered a number of iconic outdoor pieces. Gregg was convinced that there was a better way to build a gaiter, and with that in mind, he created the X-Gaiter - Outdoor Research’s first official product. ![]() His partner had to be airlifted out, a moment that changed mountaineering and outdoor sports forever. Gregg’s partner, who was already suffering from extreme frostbite, got snow lodged between his boot and gaiter - exacerbating an already dire situation. ![]() In 1980, Gregg, a physicist by trade, was on an expedition on Denali with his partner when disaster struck. But unless you’re in the know, you probably haven’t heard the name Ron Gregg. You’ve heard of Yvon Chouinard, Doug Thompkins and Royal Robbins, the founders of Patagonia, The North Face and Royal Robbins, respectively.
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