Outdoor Research San Juan
Toughest softshell from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Start with what we love about softshells—enhanced breathability, lots of stretch—then toughen it up to handle sharp winter gear, and you get this jacket. The burly, 75-denier polyester fabric kept the San Juan looking new after abrasive scrambles up Washington’s McClelland Butte and Mt. Teneriffe. And it stood up—way up—to inclement weather for a non-waterproof jacket, thanks to the polyester’s tight weave and a DWR coating. One tester wore the San Juan for several hours of rain with only minimal leaking. Tradeoff: It’s heavier and less flexible than most softies.
THE DETAILS
Breathability earned top marks: “During an intense workout hiking Mailbox Peak on a wet, windy, 40°F day, I happily kept it fully zipped and didn’t get clammy,” says a tester. Four mesh-backed pockets add additional venting. More features: a roomy, helmet-compatible hood, and two interior pockets that fit snacks and a GPS.
TRAIL CRED
“The trim cut boosted breathability on cross-country ski sessions, but the stretchy fabric let me add a puffy when temperatures dipped to 20°F on a hike through
a foot of fresh snow,” one tester says.
Weight: 1 lb. 3 oz. (m’s L)
Sizes: Mens’s S-XL, Womens’s XS-XL
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See more of the best Softshell Jackets for Winter 2018
See the entire Winter Gear Guide
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