Introducing Outdoor Vitals: Get Into The Vital Outdoors!
“JW Schmotzer is a participant in various Affiliate Programs, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to websites.”
I’ve been following Outdoor Vitals for years, but having used their gear during 2022, I’m in a great position to give some thoughts.
As a hiker, camper, and bushcrafter, I believe that having the proper tools for the job is very important, and I also think that it’s wise to learn from what other outdoorsy folks are doing. For the past few years I’ve been following a number of ultra light backpackers on YouTube to see what I might learn from them, and one of the gear companies that I got turned on to is Outdoor Vitals.
After doing some more research, I realized that Outdoor Vitals was using some high end technology in their clothing that I recognized from another top notch company, Kuiu, and that really sparked my interest, as Kuiu makes some incredible products, too.
So, during 2022 I bought some products from Outdoor Vitals, and I have to say that I’ve been very happy with my purchases.
In particular, what I think Outdoor Vitals does really well is keeping things simple. They don’t have a ton of options, but what they do offer in their clothing line up is all very well thought out and meant to work together as layering systems. For example, with the popularity of their Ventus Hoodie, which I have not tried, they carefully considered the feedback of their customers and came out with the Vario Jacket, which I did buy.
The Ventus Hoodie has less insulation, no pockets, and no full zip, as it’s meant to be a true active mid-layer, while the Vario Jacket has more insulation, pockets, and a full zip, as it’s capable of functioning as either a warmer active mid-layer or as an outer-layer with it’s DWR treatment.
When I got my Vario Jacket, I immediately experienced why the ultra light backpackers liked this jacket. It uses the same high performance active insulation that Kuiu uses in many of their products, and it hits a sweet spot with it’s warmth to weight ratio.
Is it as warm as my beloved Deacthlon Trek 100 Down Puffer Jacket? No, it’s not, but Decathlon doesn’t claim that it’s meant for active wear! The Vario Jacket from Outdoor Vitals is fantastic as an active layer, just as they claim. The combination of laser cut pit vent holes and 3DeFX offers excellent breathability that no down puffy can match - but we’re comparing apples to oranges. The Vario Jacket may be able to replace a puffy in certain circumstances, but it’s not meant to be one!
Down the road I’ll give some thoughts on other products by Outdoor Vitals, including the Dragon Wool Hoodie that totally changed my mind about when to wear 100% wool base-layers and when not to.
The Vario Jacket from Outdoor Vitals
“For full transparency, I am using affiliate links with Outdoor Vitals, Kuiu, and Decathlon, but every product of theirs that I have used I paid for with my own money. I genuinely endorse these specific products!”
