Outdoor Research Acetylene Jacket - Insulated (For Men)

I opted to purchase this jacket after a realization this previous winter that my down and wool mid-layers were just not cutting it for a winter pursuit where I was working hard the entire time. Although my down jacket didn't let me down after it dried out, it was almost worthless when I was sweating and eventually just took it off and put it on only after getting to camp and drying off. Although my wool midlayer insulates fairly well when wet, it took a long while to dry off. I needed a polyester layer for the times when I am working hard and need to dry off quickly. To be clear, I do not perspire, I sweat: even in the cold.

I took this jacket out into the mountains of Washington along a section of the PCT to do a scramble on one of the mountains off the trail. The temperature ranged from 42-52 degrees F throughout the trip. I was also testing a new rain jacket so I had intentionally kept both jackets on to get my body temperature up and force a little extra sweat for the trip out to see how the rain jacket breathed. I worked up quite a sweat (staying hydrated of course). At the turn around point I took the rain jacket off and only wore the Acetylene jacket on the trek back. At this point the temperature had peaked around 52 but there was a light breeze adding just a slight chill to the air. I have not tested this jacket in temperatures lower than the low 40s but, as a midlayer, this jacket should be adequate even below zero while I am working incredibly hard (wearing a poly T-shirt and/or a long sleeve midlayer).

The jacket performed exactly as I had hoped. It dried in a matter of minutes and I never felt any difference in the insulating properties: I felt warm the entire time without any fluctuation. However, to be clear, the jacket is not perfectly windproof. Wind did cut through it a little but since I run so warm when I am working hard I like the wind to get through the jacket a little bit and cool me off without having to open up the jacket to vent all the heat.

To conclude, this jacket is simple and uncomplicated. It fits nicely and it looks really nice. My only complaint about OR is that their sizing fits me a little oddly. I am 6'3", around 210 lbs, and a 36" waist. The larges all fit well except at the waist where it is a little uncomfortable (for me). I could wear it and never have to sinch the waist cords but I like my jackets to fit with a little room to spare, even for a midlayer jacket like this. Thus, I always end up wearing the XL with OR. The XL is usually a little bit big and sometimes baggy in places. That all being said, I still love their stuff and continue to buy it because, even fitting a little big at times, OR stuff is still some of the best outdoor gear around in terms of design and style.

The Acetylene jacket is no exception and I can't wait to get out again with it in the back country. Sadly, I think summer has finally reached the PNW so I may have to head north to see temperatures worthy of this jacket.