The Outdoor Research Women's Revelation Gore-tex Jacket is a technical alpine jacket designed by women. Having owned similar jackets from Mountain Hardware, Black Diamond, Marmot and Mountain Equipment Co-op, I was eager to see how it would distinguish itself. Read on to find out how it performed.
Outdoor Research Women's Revelation Jacket
Colour: Black/Rio, Desert Sunrise, Typhoon
Size: XS-XL
Price: $425 USD
Weight: 16.3oz/461g (medium)
Features:
The Revelation jacket is made of Goretex 3L which ensures a waterproof, breathable, windproof barrier against the elements. The material has a movement mirroring feature, one that you can tell when wearing it. The jacket includes YKK Aquaguard zippers that are bi-coloured.
External features include 3/4 pit zips, zippered chest pocket, zippered hand pockets, helmet compatible hood, velcro cuff closures, elastic drawcord hem, and halo hood elastic cincher.
Outdoor Research Women's Revelation Jacket
Colour: Black/Rio, Desert Sunrise, Typhoon
Size: XS-XL
Price: $425 USD
Weight: 16.3oz/461g (medium)
Features:
The Revelation jacket is made of Goretex 3L which ensures a waterproof, breathable, windproof barrier against the elements. The material has a movement mirroring feature, one that you can tell when wearing it. The jacket includes YKK Aquaguard zippers that are bi-coloured.
External features include 3/4 pit zips, zippered chest pocket, zippered hand pockets, helmet compatible hood, velcro cuff closures, elastic drawcord hem, and halo hood elastic cincher.
The Outdoor Reserach Women's Revelation Jacket
Internal features consist of fully-taped seams, halo hood, internal pockets, and an internal zipper stormflap.
Internal features of the Revelation Jacket
Pros:
Comfort- The Revelation jacket feels good on. It seems to work really well with normal body movements and as far as shell jackets go, fits my body really well. OR labels it a 'standard fit'.
Breathability- I tested the jacket out in a range of winter temperatures. I never felt overheated as I was able to regulate my temperature through the use of the pit zips and hood. I paired the jacket with the Outdoor Research Deviator hoody, which I felt was a fantastic system for thermoregulation and protection from the elements.
Abrasion resistance- Part of my testing involved bushwhacking, scrambling, and always wearing a pack with the jacket. The jacket proved able to withstand all abuse I gave it, and it still looks brand new.
Pockets- Hand pockets are placed above the harness/waist strap level so that you can access the zippers while wearing a pack or climbing. There is one chest pocket, just big enough to fit my iPhone 5S. There is also one internal pocket, big enough to fit a phone as well.
Versatility- I tested out this jacket in a variety of winter sports activities: Alpine Touring, Nordic Ski touring, Winter hiking/mountaineering, and Ice Climbing. I like how this one jacket performs well in a variety of winter activities. It's a one piece wonder!
Protection- In windy alpine environments, I found the jacket cinches down well. I really like the halo hood that moves with you as your neck rotates, never losing peripheral vision. In rainy environments, the Gore-tex material performed well and I was completely dry.
Colour- The pink colour really stands out in snowy windy alpine environments and my companions felt that the colour increased my safety (they could see me!). As far as safety goes, red and orange are the norm, but as a female I like that the pink colour is now in the mix.
Verdict? The Revelation Gore-tex jacket is similar to other jackets I've tried in terms of fabric, but the number of technical features and colour sets it apart. I am in love with the halo hood feature as I have the hood up most of the time I wear it! The movement mirroring fabric also stood out - never restricting. Looking forward to using it in many future outdoor adventures. It is now my 'go-to' hard shell.
Cons:
I found the pit zips difficult to undo. I couldn't unzip or zip with mitts on, and it often took two hands (one to grab the end of the sleeve and the other to manage the zipper) or the help of a friend to manage the zippers. At first I thought it was because the zippers were new, but this trend continued. I would recommend zippers with an easier pull tab and zippers that require less force to open/close.
Best Uses: Alpine Ski Touring, Mountaineering, Ice climbing
Full disclosure: I received this jacket for free as part of the #ORInsightLab. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Comfort- The Revelation jacket feels good on. It seems to work really well with normal body movements and as far as shell jackets go, fits my body really well. OR labels it a 'standard fit'.
Breathability- I tested the jacket out in a range of winter temperatures. I never felt overheated as I was able to regulate my temperature through the use of the pit zips and hood. I paired the jacket with the Outdoor Research Deviator hoody, which I felt was a fantastic system for thermoregulation and protection from the elements.
Abrasion resistance- Part of my testing involved bushwhacking, scrambling, and always wearing a pack with the jacket. The jacket proved able to withstand all abuse I gave it, and it still looks brand new.
Pockets- Hand pockets are placed above the harness/waist strap level so that you can access the zippers while wearing a pack or climbing. There is one chest pocket, just big enough to fit my iPhone 5S. There is also one internal pocket, big enough to fit a phone as well.
Versatility- I tested out this jacket in a variety of winter sports activities: Alpine Touring, Nordic Ski touring, Winter hiking/mountaineering, and Ice Climbing. I like how this one jacket performs well in a variety of winter activities. It's a one piece wonder!
Protection- In windy alpine environments, I found the jacket cinches down well. I really like the halo hood that moves with you as your neck rotates, never losing peripheral vision. In rainy environments, the Gore-tex material performed well and I was completely dry.
Colour- The pink colour really stands out in snowy windy alpine environments and my companions felt that the colour increased my safety (they could see me!). As far as safety goes, red and orange are the norm, but as a female I like that the pink colour is now in the mix.
Verdict? The Revelation Gore-tex jacket is similar to other jackets I've tried in terms of fabric, but the number of technical features and colour sets it apart. I am in love with the halo hood feature as I have the hood up most of the time I wear it! The movement mirroring fabric also stood out - never restricting. Looking forward to using it in many future outdoor adventures. It is now my 'go-to' hard shell.
Cons:
I found the pit zips difficult to undo. I couldn't unzip or zip with mitts on, and it often took two hands (one to grab the end of the sleeve and the other to manage the zipper) or the help of a friend to manage the zippers. At first I thought it was because the zippers were new, but this trend continued. I would recommend zippers with an easier pull tab and zippers that require less force to open/close.
Best Uses: Alpine Ski Touring, Mountaineering, Ice climbing
Full disclosure: I received this jacket for free as part of the #ORInsightLab. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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