Pairing a new kind of synthetic insulation with innovative construction, the new SuperStrand LT jacket collection from Outdoor Research, the Seattle based manufacturer of category-leading outdoor apparel, results in the best warmth-to-weight layering package the OR brand has ever offered. It also sets a new standard for warmth, weight and comfort in the active-insulation category.
“SuperStrand is an extraordinary layer — it definitely doesn’t wear like any other piece of synthetic insulation that we’ve ever tested,” said Charlie Berg, Outerwear Product Manager for Outdoor Research. “It’s extremely light and supple, very packable, and offers superb warmth for how light it is. That results not only in an extremely pleasant wearing experience, but a layer that works across a huge range of situations.”
The SuperStrand LT Hoodie and Jacket are a result of three components working together:
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Proprietary Outdoor Research VerticalX™ SuperStrand insulation mimics the shape of thousands of down clusters connected along a strand, simulating down’s looseness, softness and suppleness. That is different from traditional synthetic insulation, which comes in sheet form. Sheet insulation is warm, but comparatively stiffer and bulkier. VerticalX™ SuperStrand, by contrast, is extremely high loft (like down), offers warmth if it gets wet (unlike down), and is more resistant to compression over time (compared to down). It can get damp but still breathe and retain loft, which means that performance doesn’t degrade when the user sweats.
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On the exterior, Outdoor Research uses an ultra-lightweight 12D nylon shell fabric that’s windproof and bluesign® approved.
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Equally as important, a minimal, discontinuous quilting pattern that reduces stitching brings together the exterior and interior components into a feathery construction that optimizes warmth.
“Those three things together are what allow this layer to be so light, so warm and so supple,” said Alex Lauver, director of Commercial Innovation for Outdoor Research. “We worked with a number of our athletes through the development of this piece, and the thing that they are most excited about is really the layerability. They can put one of these jackets in their pack, and they don’t notice it until they need it, because it’s so light. When they throw it on, it’s very light and feathery on the body but also very warm. And then if they throw a shell over top of that, the SuperStrand layer just sort of disappears except for its warmth. We’re always looking for the ability to make a lighter, warmer, more comfortable and more versatile jacket, and we think we’ve nailed it with this piece.”
The SuperStrand collection includes men’s and women’s hoodies, men’s and women’s jackets and men’s and women’s vests. The Hoodie weighs 309 grams in a men’s medium and 272 grams in women’s small.
“People are going to wear this during winter under their shell, people are going to wear this in the fall going hiking, they’re going to wear it in the summer in cooler environments in the evening, and they’re going to wear it in a wide range of conditions in the city,” said Liz Wilson, Senior Vice President of Global Product Creation at Outdoor Research. “People can use this piece for just about everything.”
Outdoor Research is doing a limited release this fall of SuperStrand LT jackets and hoodies via its website. The complete collection will be available through specialty retailers starting in Spring 2022.
About Outdoor Research
Outdoor Research was built to methodically create, protect, and prepare for the future. Since 1981 we have demonstrated our expertise in the outdoor, medical, and tactical industries with award-winning protective equipment. Our ambassadors, non-profit partners, and employees sustain us through seemingly impossible challenges. Join us at outdoorresearch.com.
