Outdoor Vitals Vario jacket

[mtwarden]

The folks from Rokslide and Outdoor Vitals got me a Vario jacket to review. I reviewed it's baby brother the Ventus previously in my mid-later shootout. I was really impressed the Ventus, particularly it's weight to warmth ratio. The Ventus share some of the same features, namely the use of Toray 3DeFX, but uses 40 g/m2 vs 25 g/m2 on the Ventus.

I sized up from my usual Large to an XL; it's possible the Large might have been fine—I got an XL in the Ventus, but the Vario appears to be just slightly larger cut and it's full zip which might account some of why I want w/ an XL in the Ventus.

The jacket is warm for the weight (mine is 10.1 oz, the list 9 oz for a Medium). The 3DeFX appears to be a slightly more efficient of an insulation vs Primaloft or Climashield Apex.

Anyways, anyone with questions/comments feel free to post and I'll keep this thread updated.

 

[RWT]

That’s a tough looking hound. Where is his jacket? Interested in the review. Looking for a jacket that breathes better than my Rivers West

 

[mtwarden]

The Vario’s outer fabric is pretty breathable; it also has perforated holes in the pits to help dump heat.

 

[fngTony]

Since this is your second jacket with pit holes what’s your thoughts on that vs pit zips?

 

[mtwarden]

Since this is your second jacket with pit holes what’s your thoughts on that vs pit zips?

I think that a pitzip, because it can be fully opened (vs perforated holes) is a little more effective in dumping heat. Obviously it also greatly depends on the size of the pitzip vs the area of perforation.

Perforated holes are obviously lighter and you don’t have to do anything to use them.

I think that while dumping heat at the pits help, there is a lot more heat generated elsewhere. I don’t think they are quite the panacea that some folks might think.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Since it has the same insulation as the Kenai, we need a VS

 

[mtwarden]

We can do that

 

[RADunfee]

I wish they had another color option for hunters.

 

[mtwarden]

I wish they had another color option for hunters.

Agreed;I think it's the same fabric used on the Ventus and it has both a grey and an olive

 

[MountainTracker]

I have the Ventus and really like it, I’ve used it here in AK hunting through September. I do layer with it the EE Torrid jacket. Always looking for ways to cut weight but stay warm. I used the Ventus as a mid layer with a Marino long sleeve. That system seemed to work well for me.

Ive used the Ventus under heavier insulation in negative temps and been happy with it. The Ventus is a good piece and guys ask me about it regularly.

I have looked and am still looking at the Vario. Would you still take a mid layer with this jacket? Have you wetted out the vario jacket and how fast did it dry out. Would you feel comfortable using this jacket on an ak goat or sheep hunt in Aug-sept?

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mtwarden]

The Ventus is a better all around active layer and as you found, a good layer to have under a heavier insulating layer to boost warmth.

Where I think the Vario will shine is when you need a light primary insulating layer for early seasons (used as a "puffy") and then again late season as a moving layer when it's cold (and when needed layered underneath a heavier insulating layer when static.

Neither jacket will outperform an Alpha/Evolve jacket when the job calls for a very high aerobic activity. It has two fabrics that sandwich it's insulation (3deFX) and simply won't breathe as well or dry as quickly. It will outperform Alpha/Evolve as far as warmth/weight (when moving slower or static) and with an inner and outer fabric, does a better job with wind.

 

[MountainTracker]

The Ventus is a better all around active layer and as you found, a good layer to have under a heavier insulating layer to boost warmth.

Where I think the Vario will shine is when you need a light primary insulating layer for early seasons (used as a "puffy") and then again late season as a moving layer when it's cold (and when needed layered underneath a heavier insulating layer when static.

Neither jacket will outperform an Alpha/Evolve jacket when the job calls for a very high aerobic activity. It has two fabrics that sandwich it's insulation (3deFX) and simply won't breathe as well or dry as quickly. It will outperform Alpha/Evolve as far as warmth/weight (when moving slower or static) and with an inner and outer fabric, does a better job with wind.

Thanks for the info. Do you find compressibility to be about the same as the alpha/evolve?

One thing for folks to know about Outdoor Vitals, they have two prices one lower price for members vs the normal price. If a member you can get items at even lower prices when they go on sale throughout the year. The membership is $10 a month, that $10 is then stored in your account as a store credit for future use. Basically I have some $ in my account and am back and forth between getting another Ventus or a vario.

Yeah life’s rough I know. Ha


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mtwarden]

I'd say pretty close compression wise. As 3deFx is a more traditional synthetic insulation, I can't say how it will respond to compression over time. I think Alpha, as it's more of a fleece insulation, could fair better in longevity.