Outdoor Research

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Outdoor Research

45 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 31, 2025

  Lightweight but warm fleece for travel?

  Check out the Outdoor Research Trail Mix fleece. It is a high quality product that works for anything from rock climbing, the office, or traveling. Normal sizing. Subtle colors and branding.

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• #2Dec 29, 2025

  Merino wool base layers - which are the most durable?

  All my stuff is Outdoor Research and Smartwool with Smartwool being my favorite and OR being the budget option

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• #3Dec 28, 2025

  First BIFL clothing for around $200

  For jackets, not made in USA Patagonia, KUIU and Outdoor Research. Made in USA, Featured Friends, Best Coast Canvas smok.

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• #4Dec 26, 2025

  Any brand suggestions for a high quality packable down jacket?

  If you want something packable but warm enough to layer, Outdoor Research’s Helium Down Jacket is solid.

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• #5Dec 25, 2025

  Extreme / Very cold winter weather gloves?

  i have been preaching about the need for a modular system for a decade. Most people have gloves, many have mittens, but the game changer is an overmitt. Every once in a while, you can find a good overmitt, but usually they come in a system like Outdoor Research's AltiMItt and Black Diamond's mitt. I always peruse all the outdoor gear surplus stuff or look specifically for mitts when I head to gear places like REI, EMS, or any ski shop. Used ski gear shops are also awesome. I have had REI, EMS, and LL Bean thinsulate mitts i just slid over my regular gloves and mittens and they immediately leveled up the comfort level to -20 to -30 easily. Last year, I found my holy grail - a \*leather\* overmitt made by OR that i found in a bin of used gear for sale. It's awesome and my fingers have never been more comfortable. My only complaint is that this mitt is just large and doesn't fit into my flexi dog leash well. Works well with when i ski though. My recommendation is to use up to 3 layers in that type of cold you're talking about. A thin woolen layer, a thin-ish glove or mitten, followed by an overmitt. I have a pair of Arteryx gloves (a two layer system) with a thin LLBean overmitt thats super for walking the dog on -10 nights.

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• #6Dec 23, 2025

  Skiers/snowboarders- most longstanding piece of gear?

  OR mittens.

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• #7Dec 22, 2025

  Skiers/snowboarders- most longstanding piece of gear?

  OR Gore-Tex mountaineering mittens from....1996.

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• #8Dec 2, 2025

  Which Hooded Gore-Tex Jacket Would You Recommend?

  I have an Outdoor Research goretex pro shell jacket that I bought 14 years ago. Still does great.

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• #9Nov 7, 2025

  Looking for a winter coat that I can wear to work that will last 5+ years

  I continue the trend my dad started with Outdoor Research puff jackets. His first one, he’d owned for 13+ years before taking it off and losing it while traveling. The one I was gifted about 7-8 years ago now, still sitting in my closet with all of its loft. 650 down fill, DWR coated down, DWR outer shell, it’s probably due for a water resistant treatment but I already have the stuff for it. Warm enough to hang outside 30-40°F, mid winds and wear shorts and normal shoes. Indoors with the heat on I start sweating. Acrteryx makes a decent LT Atom jacket too, synthetic loft vs down, DWR, mines about 6 yrs old. BIFL idk, my votes Outdoor Research or similar, but I might be biased. I have no idea if their latest offerings are the same quality.

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• #10Nov 7, 2025

  Jackets for cycling and walking in mild, rainy and cold-ish weather?

  A jacket that can handle from mild to cold-ish and rainy conditions is feasible. One jacket you might like is the Outdoor Research's SuperStrand XT. It's built with a pertex quantum netplus shell (wind proof and water resistant) and uses synthetic insulation, giving you a solid warmth without bulk.

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• #11Nov 7, 2025

  Traveling to Seattle in 2 weeks, I need a good/reliable rain jacket.

  Love my OR Foray rain shell. I can’t remember when I bought it, it’s been a long time. Any trip I take I’ll throw it in my luggage. They have a store on 1st avenue in the SODO neighborhood, south of downtown, a block or so north of Starbucks HQ. If you want a more rugged look there’s also Filson, same neighborhood, just south of T-Mobile field, also on first. If you need it now check OR’s web site.

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• #12Nov 6, 2025

  Traveling to Seattle in 2 weeks, I need a good/reliable rain jacket.

  Just got my 13+ year old Outdoor Research jacket replaced through their warranty. Great jackets and based in Seattle so you can pick out your jacket directly while visiting.

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• #13Nov 6, 2025

  Rain coat - no peeling does it exist?

  Outdoor Research rain jackets are bombproof. Work well for adjusting the hood over helmet or hats. And excellent warranty

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• #14Nov 6, 2025

  Best winter jackets that are worth the price

  If the price doesn’t matter then the Outdoor Research Storm Parka is your jacket.  I used to live in the California Sierra Near Lake Tahoe and this was my go to jacket. It’s a puffy with a goretex shell. Hard wearing, super warm.  https://www.rei.com/product/195332/outdoor-research-stormcraft-down-parka-mens?CAWELAID=120217890020344221&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_1953320022%7C1891570865955%7Cbrand_flag%7C12526050389&msclkid=e9bb0ebc25e61748624767b039719442&gclid=e9bb0ebc25e61748624767b039719442&gclsrc=3p.ds&gad_source=7&gad_campaignid=12526050389

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• #15Nov 4, 2025

  Looking for a good quality winter coat

  I know this isn't what you asked for, but just something to consider. If I am moving around a lot and moving from indoor to outdoor a lot, I find that layers are much more helpful than a big a coat. Just something to consider. My favorite mid layer is anything that uses polartec's grid fleece technology, a lot of different brands use it, but the most popular is probably Patagonia's R1. This combined with a some kind of shell (I personally use Outdoor Research) is very warm. That said if you are just set on a thick winter coat, I like my Carhartt.

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• #16Nov 4, 2025

  Looking for a good quality winter coat

  Native Texan now in the NYC area. Get a good parka (thigh length) from Eddie Bauer, LL Bean, Outdoor Research, or Patagonia. My Eddie Bauer and Outdoor Research coats are the warmest coats I’ve ever had. Make sure to layer underneath (shirt + sweater). 

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• #17Aug 9, 2025

  Men's rain jacket that's actually waterproof

  I’ve had both an Outdoor Research and Eddie Bauer down jacket with Goretex and both have totally waterproof over years of multi day hiking/climbing/kayaking trips and daily use. I actually thrifted thr EB because the down was matted and it was torn, but was easy to revive it! IMHO it is *crucial* to wash separately with a non-scented/no softener detergent (Atsko sport wash or Nikwax). Regular detergent additives clog the pores. Washing separately with the right detergent renews the water repellant, but I give each a spray once a year with Atsko from walmart. Dry your down jackets with a few tennis balls to fluff them

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• #18Aug 9, 2025

  Men's rain jacket that's actually waterproof

  Imho any nice goretex pro jacket is what most people want. Waterproof enough and breathable enough. Arcteryx or Patagonia for premium, outdoor research for cheaper. DWR keeps it breathable and not wetting out.

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• #19Aug 8, 2025

  Men's rain jacket that's actually waterproof

  Have to say I was very impressed with my wife's outdoor research jacket. She had it for 10+ years before any issues. And then they just fully replaced it for her free. She worked expeditions, back country camping, white water canoeing. She got her moneys worth! 

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• #20Aug 8, 2025

  Men's rain jacket that's actually waterproof

  Outdoor Research, literally designed in Seattle, they know a thing or two about rain. I love my adidas golf jacket fwiw, but also I live in California, so less rain than a lot of places..

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• #21Aug 4, 2025

  what winter coat are yall using?

  My husband has a patagonia bomber thats at least 10 years old, and it was a farm coat after the first year. Its waterproof with a light primaloft liner. They make a really similar coat still. My other suggestion to look at would be Columbia and Outdoor Research. The first runs awesome sales and hubs current winter farm coat is a Columbia that fits your needs. Their Omniheat is brilliant. I only have shell/other experience from OR, but the upper level stuff does NOT die. I have a goretex shell from \~06 that is just now getting super in need of repairs.

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• #22Aug 1, 2025

  Anyone keep a “BIFL Roster”?

  Yes, but sadly mine is about 98% guns, an Outdoor Research hat, and a Tudor Black Bay.

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• #23Jul 1, 2025

  Eddie Bauer still reputable?

  If you want something of similar aesthetic as Eddie Bauer with high quality and ironclad guarantee, go with Patagonia. Their warranty is no joke. If you are not satisfied with their gear or it don’t perform to your satisfaction, return it for a repair, replacement or refund. Also check out Fjallraven, Kuhl, Arc’teryx, Marmot and Outdoor Research.

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• #24Jun 12, 2025

  Men’s hiking / cargo shorts?

  Hmm... I'm wearing a pair of Eddie Bauer shorts right now, a pair I picked up for about five bucks in a thrift store, and they've been amazingly durable. Normally, my go-to brand for synthetic hiking shorts is Outdoor Research.

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• #25Jun 3, 2025

  What are your favorite niche BIFL items that are currently available?

  Umbrellas bought in department stores or specialty stores while visiting the UK or Taiwan. They can be hard to get online, but a quality high-end umbrella in those countries is really top notch because of all the rain they experience. I haven't tried them yet, but I'm hoping Chord will be the BIFL of (women's) baseball caps. Outdoor Research makes the most lightweight, breathable hiking pants and shirts, for both sexes - I converted my husband to them from t-shirt and shorts for the sun protection, after him being resistant for years despite getting sunburned every time. Sealskinz for water-resistant yet flexible gloves - I have a pair that I've worn for almost a decade of figure skating (and the falling on the ice that comes with training as a figure skater), they're still not worn out except for a bit of discoloration on the palms. I just ordered another pair so I can have them for biking too.

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• #26May 10, 2025

  Experts in niche specialties- Are there any products you feel strongly about, for or against?

  My husband was a CCT and is now a combat dive instructor. Garmin dive watches are a staple. We’ve never had one die. Also Kestrel weather meters. He loves benchmade knives. Frog fins are bullet proof. Arcteryx gortex jackets. Massif baselayers. Outdoor research firebrand mittens. These are things he uses on a daily basis, or used for years and years in terrible conditions, and we still have them to this day.

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• #27May 6, 2025

  Who makes the best Gortex shells still available in the states?

  Idk if I can speak on a professional level, but I've really liked my Outdoor Research jacket so far 👍🏽 I'm sure the other brands are great too, just this particular one fit me the best.

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• #28May 6, 2025

  Who makes the best Gortex shells still available in the states?

  you can't really go wrong with Arc'teryx if you're after the top-tier stuff – their Gore-Tex shells are built like tanks and perform like a dream. But Patagonia and Outdoor Research also make seriously good ones that won't break the bank quite as much and still keep you dry. Just gotta figure out what you'll mostly be using it for – hardcore mountain adventures or just surviving a rainy day. The "new" Gore-Tex is still pretty darn good, just different flavors for different uses, ya know? Happy shell hunting!

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• #29May 6, 2025

  Who makes the best Gortex shells still available in the states?

  Lots of good options, but three layer is far more durable than two layer. And the membrane doesn’t make contact with your skin. OR and Patagonia are still reputable.

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• #30Mar 10, 2025

  Companies with the best customer service/customer support?

  Leatherman, Victorinox, Osprey. I've heard great things about OR and Patagonia's CS as well. also LEGO was fantastic too. My kids use my old lego sets so i consider that a BIFL toy FWIW.

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• #31Feb 3, 2025

  BIFL 2024 Winter Gear Request thread!

  bitterblaze by outdoor research. discontinued from manufacturer but still available online.

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• #32Feb 3, 2025

  BIFL 2024 Winter Gear Request thread!

  outdoor research bitterblaze. hard to find these days because they're a legacy model but they're still around. i picked up a spare pair recently for 1/3 of what I paid for my origional pair. mine have put up with daily use doing roadside equipment repair in the north in inclement and -30 temperatures. the dexterity is world class. mine are still in good condition, no holes or serious wear. I imagine with light use or worn for comfort these would last an average user a decade at least. cons: they don't work well with cell phones. refrigiwear has a set for a tablet/cellphone nub that are pretty warm but they don't hold up to the abuse my OR gloves take.

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• #33Feb 1, 2025

  Flannel shirts that last

  I took a flyer on OR since I’ve never had a flannel of theirs before and as a person who loves flannel it’s now become my favorite one.

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• #34Jan 10, 2025

  BIFL, any budget, comfort and style be damned, warmest winter gloves possible

  Well, budget be damned, [these](https://www.outdoorresearch.com/products/prevail-heated-gore-tex-mitts-300006?variant=45693511172417) have a lifetime warranty and look like they'd keep your hands warm. Huge fan of outdoor research personally, they are fantastic products. I've got a pair of their mitts, and a few pairs of their gloves for various purposes and activities. Can't say a bad thing about any of them, and their customer service is awesome.

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• #35Jan 10, 2025

  BIFL, any budget, comfort and style be damned, warmest winter gloves possible

  Outdoor Research Alt II Goretex mitts. I have a good experience with Outdoor Research, they replace items if it’s defective although the process is not as seamless as Patagonia These are enough for -25C with windchill for 30mn. I would also get a pair of lightweight liner gloves, such as Outdoor Research waterproof liners, just in case you need to use a fine tool and need to remove the needs, use keys or drive I use the combo liner+mitts when I have to go up north or it’s predicted -35C with windchill

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• #36Jan 8, 2025

  In need of warm winter coat with a budget of $350-400

  I would also recommend Outdoor Research, they have a bit of a lower price point, maybe don't last as long as a Fjallraven but have an amazing warranty policy. Anything goes wrong, you are covered, no questions asked.

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• #37Jan 8, 2025

  In need of warm winter coat with a budget of $350-400

  I was on a quest to find the warmest, calf-length winter coat that I could this fall. Yes, layers are ideal but I have to dress nice for the office and then park half a mile away and walk. My search led me to the Outdoor Research Coze Parka and it's been awesome! https://www.outdoorresearch.com/collections/womens-parkas/products/womens-coze-down-parka-277589 Long sleeves, with a cuff to keep out the cold Long length 700 fill power, super warm And! A huge hood that covers my head (I have a lot of hair so this is a problem. I can't tell you how well it will wash as I've only spot-cleaned it. I wore this on a -8° morning and was comfortable on my walk, wearing dress clothes underneath.

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• #38Jan 5, 2025

  Has everything we buy reduced in quality over time? Has anything increased in quality or stayed high quality and durable?

  I don't, I feel the current nano puff has very odd stitching, loose threads everywhere, one seam outside the sleeve holding it together which failed on mine (similar to [https://www.reddit.com/r/BIFLfails/comments/1g1zuc7/patagonia\_jacket\_sleeve\_ripped\_open\_after\_less/](https://www.reddit.com/r/BIFLfails/comments/1g1zuc7/patagonia_jacket_sleeve_ripped_open_after_less/) ). At least their warranty was good, full credit, maybe it was a fluke - but I bought an R1 with that credit and it had issues with the zipper threading. Full refund that time, repair would take a few months. In comparison, my uniqlo ultralight down is in perfect shape, significantly cheaper, warmer, and just as packable (yes its down - but they have a synthetic "pufftech" line, haven't field tested it, feels just as good though). I also like alpha direct fleeces in lieu of the R1 - lots of companies make them for around the same price, pick whatever fits best. I much prefer the construction on RAB down jackets, norrona and OR for shell jackets, and for basics just uniqlo.

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• #39Jan 4, 2025

  BIFL 2024 Winter Gear Request thread!

  I have Outdoor Research outer mitt shells and I just wear whatever I want inside. Usually super thin merino wool gloves and the shell generally keeps my hands warm even though it’s not much insulation

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• #40Jan 1, 2025

  Rain jacket? Upgrade time

  I use an Outdoor Research Foray II, and I like it. Goretex, pit zips, side zips that can turn it into kind of a poncho. Cut is pretty athletic so it doesn’t look too baggy and it’s cheaper than a Torrentshell, but I’ve also never heard anything bad about the torrentshell

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• #41Jan 1, 2025

  Anti-BIFL: Outdoor Research Gloves and Jackets

  I have lots of OR stuff. Main thing is a soft shell that I use for hiking and also skiing when weather permits. I bought that back in 2011 and haven’t had any issue. Not saying that OR is without fault, but it does seem whatever your uses are, it is more extreme than what the gear is designed for.

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• #42Jan 1, 2025

  Anti-BIFL: Outdoor Research Gloves and Jackets

  As a counter point to OPs review: My partner and I both have outdoor research helium rain pants (and other gear) that we have worn hiking for around 2500 kms in off-trail or on poorly maintained trails (eg: rugged, continuous use) and after that time have gotten warranty replacement with ease. The pants lasted great during that time of use in my opinion. We patch up snags and holes with gear tape but the warranty issue was ultimately due to construction or fabric choice and OR was fantastic about it and sent replacement. We are talking about culmatively wearing ultralight rain pants nearly continuously for 4-5 months and it was easily field repaired and even then replaced under warranty. So I have a completely different experience and recommend OR. Also technical gear isn't typically BIFL as to do so trades the technical benefits often for "fewer returns" so if you want a bleeding edge technical gear you have to expect limitations on warranty. Ray Jardine mentions this trade off in his books. Often in response to warranty returns these companies don't have enough data or really a priority to redesign before the next product iteration so they just add thicker fabric here, more weight there, etc. Eventually their gear bloats in weight or loses the technical advantage it has because it's just beefier and has a bunch of bandaid fixes applied based on retuns.  I have to wonder where you buy this gear as well. That glove failure is suspicious. That's either a really bad batch, bad design (that may have been discontinued based on feedback like yours over time) or a knock off.  The repair with tenacious tape is an acceptable solution for technical jackets like this. That's how it's done. It seems weird but many technical fabrics are bonded not sewn. Tenacious tape when applied correctly will last a very long time. But I would address your root cause of whats causing the wear. I have worn small holes in my Babour jacket as well from my sleeves rubbing. That kind of wear will wear a hole in any jacket

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• #43Jan 1, 2025

  Anti-BIFL: Outdoor Research Gloves and Jackets

  That glove wear is wild. I've used mine as a light winter layer for at least 5 years now with 0 issue or degradation. Granted, I'm treating them like the $25 pair of tacti-cool gloves they are.

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• #44Dec 5, 2015

  Lightweight gloves?

  [Outdoor Research](http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/accessories/gloves.html). Excellent support. Made proper technical gloves before outdoor gear became "tactical".

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• #45Dec 3, 2015

  [BIFL Request] A good pair of mittens. Around 0 degrees and waterproof.

  Look at Outdoor Research. http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens/gloves.html?cat=2245

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