User Review: Outdoor Research Furio Jacket

Outdoor Research Furio Jacket
Above: The current Furio Jacket, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed January 17, 2008 by Gear-Guru

Rating:
Fabric: Gore-Tex Paclite & Pro Shell
Price Paid: $200

I give this a pretty high rating because OR tried some really great things with this coat. They tried to keep it light, but durable and highly waterproof. I like the pit-zips that run all the way down to the bottom of the coat. More jackets should have this.

I really like the idea of combining two kinds of fabrics to make the coat breathable and light where it can be, but durable where it needs to be.

But...I am disappointed with Gore-Tex Paclite...in fact it seems that there are many fabrics better than those of Gore-Tex that are on the market now. I think people just need to get past the Gore-Tex worship phase we've been in.

The one thing I wish OR would have done is to take the durable Pro Shell that's currently on the shoulder and make it a longer piece that would continue on down to the elbow (where you really need the durability). I have not worn a hole through my elbows by any means, but it seems like this would be a place to use the Pro Shell if, in fact, you were out to cover the wear-and-tear spots.

Maybe next year's model will have better fabric than Gore-Tex and better protection in the elbows...then OR would take the alpine coat world by storm!