Outdoor Research Virtuoso Down Jacket - Men's - 2009 BCS

I don't use down all the time, but when conditions permit (cold and dry), there is nothing quite like it for packability and warmth. This coat combines all the best attributes for a warm coat. It isn't the overkill of the arctic explorers stay puffed marshmellow man, nor the stay warm at night in winter in Mexico, but the happy medium of bulk and weight. Combine this with an integrated hood-mandatory for any coat in my opinion- and a pertex shell that sheds moisture or spilled drink and you have a perfect down coat. You can also stuff it into one of its pockets and it makes a perfect pillow.

I want to start by saying this is a great jacket. I use it for most everything in the winter, from standing at the bus stop to hiking, to skiing. It's lightweight yet keeps me plenty warm while standing still in single digits with 30+ MPH winds. I like the extra length and the drawcord at the waist to keep snow out. There are a few minor annoyances that keep this from being the perfect jacket -- a lot of them have already been stated.

I'm pretty slim at 5'11" and 135 and the medium is too big in stomach, even when layering underneath. I have had feathers come out both at seams and right through the Pertex. This is annoying, but not really a big problem. If it becomes one, I'll get to see how good the "Infinite Guarantee" really is. The "handwarmer" pockets are not lined on inside, which I would have liked to see. The zipper starts hard about half the time. There is no core venting. I recently wore this jacket skiing for 4+ hours. It's nice to have the extra warmth on the chair lift, but it gets really hot while skiing -- core venting would be a really nice addition.

All in all, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a jacket better than this at this price.

Nice coat, sized well. Longer in torso than others. A little tough to engage the zipper at the bottom. Stayed warm and dry in a light snow, haven't tried in any heavier precipitation.

Back Country 5 stars! Product 3. It keeps you really warm, but several issues, the XL runs a little small in the waist, I'm 38-40, because the zipper separates, but arm pits are good. Created too much static I thought, when back of hood rubs my hair. Major issue for me was that I would see feathers coming through and find them in my car and lying around the house. You would think for a $220 jacket, that would not be the case. Guess I'm off to find a different jacket, does anybody recommend anything? I am looking for a very warm jacket and pants, any selections from BC?

Extremely light, like the pertex, great hood, rolls up well, performed well in -15 blizzard, only change is I like lined pockets, the pockets are not lined on the body side of the pocket. Overall really like, fits a little loose in the body.

Just got the OR Virtuoso jacket the day before a late season canoe trip and it saved my bacon. Temp in Algonquin park averaged -7 last week and the warmth and especially compactability suited the trip to perfection.

Kevin Callan
author

I'm 5'10", 180lbs, and athletic build. This jacket was cut all wrong. I wanted a good fit to go under the shell, but I was able to don this jacket with the main zipper fully zipped. Large is good in jackets with fitted styling, and I would try a size down but I think that might even be too big. Plus it pooches out at the belly. Good features, just cut in a very unflattering pattern.