Description of Outdoor Research Frenzy Jacket - Men's:
WindStopper Technical Fleece fabric gives the Outdoor Research Men's Frenzy Jacket a serious advantage over traditional fleece when the weather turns nasty. Even gale-force winds don't stand a chance when faced with the Frenzy Jacket. Use this Outdoor Research top alone in windy-but-dry conditions, or wear it as a mid-layer under your shell when the rain or snow starts. The internal media pocket ensures that, whatever the weather, you have an excellent soundtrack going on.
Bottom Line: Once you go WindStopper, you'll never go back.
Pros: visual design, weight, function Cons: Price. No hood, no waterproofing. I would have given this coat a 5 star rating, but original cost is pricey. Having a hood and waterproofing would make this coat phenomenal, though that's why you can sport a hat, beanie and etc and get a hardshell. I've taken this coat out deep in the cold Rocky Mountain ranges and outdoor climbing as well as hitting the pavement. Used during activities, you're bound to get hot and need to vent. This does that very well. Pit zips reach almost hipside and extend near the elbow. multiple pockets are deep and well placed. Given the weight to warmth ratio, this coat insulates well given its weight and thickness. I've been out in wind 45 mph plus and all i need to do is cinch the neck and waist and i'm feeling great. Since it is a fleece don't expect it to stop a barage of rain and insulate while wet. It does adequately against snow, but warmth drops a bit.
backcountry lists this coat as having 4 pockets, but there are actually 2 additional pockets on the inside, big enough to fit maps, journal, and or guidebooks. You'll appear somewhat bulky and unproportioned if you pack your pockets absolutely full. But you can hold tons of stuff. Function over fashion. Being 5'11'' 160 lbs., I got the medium and returned it for a large. Perfect fit there. As a reminder to keep your things nice, don't sit near campfires with this one, unless you don't mind marking this very sweet coat with from floating cinders.
Due to the ridiculous amount of time I spent researching a new fleece I will be posting 2 or more reviews of this jacket. It is a short "micro" fleece. The sleeves are tapered and not at all baggy-but not tight. It has 6 pockets. The hand pockets on the front are not fleece lined. It is not a baggy jacket. Perfect for layering but not really gangsta-if thats what your going for. It would definitly fit under anything. I am 6 ft 190 (ish) and bought an xtra large. I could fit into a large but it is a good bagginess like this. If I was getting it to actually use as gear I would have got a large. The draws for the zippers are not fancy or "ergonomic". If you care about shit like that I hope your rope breaks. The vents are huge and run from your pits to your hip. Only negative- tag is scratchy! How you gonna make a super soft fleece and put in a scratchy tag. 5/5 so far. Keep in mind I havent even worn it outside. More to come.
This has been my go-to, everyday jacket all the way from fall through to the spring. Incredibly versatile as both a layer and a shell. This jacket made it through a Northern Ontario winter with temperatures all the way to -30 with no problems. Throw on a good base layer and a down vest and this jacket is good to the coldest temperatures you would want to be out in (if you are active). Alone, it is perfect for late fall and early spring. The pit zips made it work for high output activities like cross country skiing and snowshoeing. It does run a little short in the torso, but I'm a very tall guy, so I'm used to it.
