Outdoor Research Men's Ultima Soft Shell Hoodie

If you understand the limits of soft shells, this Outdoor Research Ultima Soft Shell Hoodie can be a good addition to your quiver of jackets.Just remember it is resistant to wind, water, and abrasion, not water, wind, or abrasion PROOF.

Outdoor Research Ultima Soft Shell Hoodie – Field Review

I’ve worn the OR Ultima Soft Shell Hoodie on multiple big days, including trips up to Camp Muir and a full summit push on Mount Rainier. It’s a purpose-built piece with some strong points—but it also lives in that awkward middle ground between insulation and weather protection.

This jacket is ideal for activities where letting your body breathe is more important than keeping the rain out. Think shoulder seasons, activities in cold/dry weather, or chilly summer mornings.

Manufacturer’s Claims with my Responses

Outdoor Research markets the Ultima Soft Shell Hoodie as a versatile, breathable, weather-resistant softshell designed for alpine performance. They highlight:

• • Water resistance for light precipitation

    Yes, on those days when rain is truly not likely.  It has a durable, water resistant (DWR) coating that repels light drizzle.

  • Breathability for high-output activities

    Extremely breathable, just remember, what lets air out, lets it in as well

  • Four-way stretch for freedom of movement

    Verified! This jacket has magic, 4-way stretch

  • Strategic pocket placement for accessibility under a harness or pack

    If the handwarmer pockets were 2 inches higher I'd agree

  • Adjustability at hood, cuffs, and hem for a dialed fit

    It's a great hood. I wore it UNDER my climbing helmet, where it belonged.

Comfort & Fit

The stretch is outstanding—this jacket moves with you no matter how contorted your body gets on steep terrain or during gear fiddling. Fit is dialed: not baggy, not restrictive, however the pocket placement is about two inches low to be called perfect for harness and pack belt compatibility. 

Breathability

This is where the Ultima really shines—and also where it can get you in trouble. On aerobic climbs, it vents heat well. But at the summit of Rainier with single-digit windchill, I found it too breathable. Let me be clear; I was wearing a sunshirt against my skin, the Ultima next, a Patagonia SnowDrifter hard shell over that and a Black Diamond Vision Parka over it all and I was just about right. I wish I'd have worn the OR Illuminate Down Hoody instead though, with a shell over that. Needing the parka added a TON of unwelcome bulk to my top.  

If my climb had been in normal July weather it would have been perfect.  As it was, I ran into single digit windchill.

Weather Resistance

This is not a rain shell. In any real, long-term precipitation, the softshell fabric wets out. Fine for snow in cold, dry conditions; bad choice for rain or mixed-weather days. The DWR coating seemed decent in all of my testing, but as experienced outdoor travelers will tell you, DWR is fickle and can leave you hypothermic in a true downpour or a persistent rain.  

Warmth & Layering

Not warm enough to be a standalone insulator in cold conditions. It’s best on cool, dry days, or as part of a strategic layering system. On my Rainier summit, the garment itself wasn’t the problem—my mid-layer choice was. Still, you need to plan around its limitations.

Generally I do my climbing in just a mid-layer like the OR Illuminate Hoody. When wearing the Ultima Hoody on Mt. Rainier, I had to toss my hard shell jacket over it to stay warm enough.  This trapped more sweat, causing other issues.   On a slightly warmer climb, the Ultima would have been ideal. 

Durability

Soft shells aren't known to wear like iron yet, I experienced no snags or rips in my testing.

Weight & Packability

17.9 ounces and it's bulky. For the same packed size I can fit BOTH the OR Illuminate Hoody (11oz) AND the Gore-Tex H5 hardshell (9.5oz) and I'd only be carrying two more ounces and I'd gain more warmth and more wind and rain protection. The Ultima will not pack into its own pocket like many insulating layers do. 

BUT

Comparing apples to apples, the REI Activator Soft-Shell Hoodie weighs virtually the same as our OR Ultima.  

Adjustability

The hem has a stretchy cord lock adjustment as does the hood. I found them adequate. The hood fit nicely under my climbing helmet. It has no stiff brim, if that is something you require.

Almost harness compatible

I wear a very lightweight alpine style climbing harness and the pockets were too low for it. Wearing a more plush, standard harness would be even less compatible. 

Style

A lot of readers don't care about style in their outdoor equipment, and I respect their right to be incorrect. 

The Ultima has very conventional looks and mine came in a color they call "Atlantic," a shade that would make it VERY at home waiting at a bus stop or walking around the office, making sure your coworkers know you do "something outdoorsy" on the weekends. It neither impresses nor offends, which is, in itself, a kind of offense. If you prefer to blend in, rather than scream, "here I am," this may be your jacket. It also comes in other vibrant colors like, what I call "everything we wear in Seattle" Black and something called "Ranger Green."

OR makes the Ultima Soft Shell Hoodie in both men's and women's models, and it is available without a hood as well.  

Who is this jacket for?

If you know it probably won't rain much, and you also know it won't be especially cold or you have another layer to deal with those factors the Ultima Soft Shell Hoodie may be a good choice. Soft shell jackets occupy an odd niche in outdoor apparel that MUST exist because they continue to sell. 

Background

I've been doing this for 20+ years.