Outset Soft-Shell Jacket

had been looking for a 3l soft-shell for sometime now. with an upcoming trip to a rainy country i saw nomatic's orignal outset jacket somewhere and checked out the website. on a whim decided to try this updated, premium, version, especially for the benefits of 3L and full waterproofing. haven't worn it in the rain yet, but this is the softest most comfortable rain jacket i have ever worn. the look is clean, doesn't look like i am about to be dropped off on a summit for a 30day trek through a rainforest, though i think this jacket would survive. worth the entry fee? you'll have to decide for yourself. runs snug, definitely size up.

First, the reviews are very useful. I have the original Outset (non-waterproof) and the review from Jeff convinced me that the two jackets are not redundant. It's absolutely true. even though the look is very similar, there are different use cases for each iteration of the jacket. The softness is a game changer. I used to pack a hoodie for warmth and comfort (especially on a plane) and a waterproof shell when I travel. This eliminates the need for both. I can wear this jacket on a plane in comfort. Depending on my travel location, I can bring whichever Outset jacket fits the climate better.

After using my Marmot PreCip Eco in Ireland for a week, I felt the need to get something softer, stretchier, and more breathable.

I went to REI and looked at every "stretch" rain jacket they had. Not a single one was near as stretchy or soft as the Outset, even ones costing upwards of $400.

It's light and packable. Not as packable as competitors, but the softness and stretch make the trade-off worth it. The material holds its form better than other packable jackets, which is the main difference in packability, I believe. My photo shows the Marmot PreCip Eco on the left, and the Outset on the right. It's about 40% larger when packed down and definitely won't fit into some of the pockets or crannies I can use with the PreCip. Note that the PreCip is not a stretch jacket, but it's what I have on hand at the moment to compare. From previous tests, the PreCip has comparable packability to the stretch Outdoor Research Stratoburst, which would be a more direct competitor to this jacket.

Because the material holds its form and isn't crunchy or wrinkly like most rain jackets, this looks more professional. At least, as professional as anything with a hood can look. You can also see from the pic how much less this material wrinkles compared to a typical rain jacket.

Nomatic markets this as breathable. I haven't had a chance to test in real conditions yet, but the feel of the material makes me think the claim is plausible. Wearing it around the house, it never felt stuffy.

When…

I travel frequently and already rely on the Nomatic Outset Jacket, often layered with the Flowstate Zipper Hoodie. The Outset is unexpectedly soft, to the point that I routinely fall asleep in it on long transatlantic flights. The pocket layout is well thought out and easily carries earbuds, wallet, chargers, and passport without bulk. The design is clean and understated, with no attention seeking logos, which makes it blend in naturally in places like Paris.

I hesitated before buying the Softshell, mainly because of the price and because I did not want a duplicate of what I already owned. Still, my experience with Nomatic gear has been consistently positive, so I decided to try it.

The first day I wore the jacket, it poured rain and the winds were strong. The performance was immediately clear. The jacket is extremely soft and flexible, far more comfortable than most softshells, and feels almost like wearing a sweater. At the same time, it is fully windproof and waterproof. It looks sharp and, once on, it is obvious that this is a high quality piece that looks and feels expensive.

This is not an updated version of the Outset jacket and it is not redundant. It fills a different role by adding real weather protection while preserving comfort and a refined, minimalist aesthetic. For frequent travelers who value comfort, function, and understated style, it earns a permanent place in the rotation.