Outset Soft-Shell Jacket

This jacket is amazing quality, like all things Nomatic. The little features that they have thought of make this jacket one of a kind. The fitment is great, not super big and floppy, but not too tight that you can’t move. It does an incredible job in the rain and dries SO FAST! It definitely is not meant to keep you warm, so plan to wear layers under it.

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.

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