REASONS TO BUY
Great for year-round use
Stows away in its own pocket
Decent breathability for its weight class
More accessible price point
REASONS TO AVOID
Fits slightly short for some
Not the lightest layer
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie Review
This is the layer for you if you need versatility and affordability in your next softshell jacket
Credit: Ian McEleney
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 9, 2026
RELATED: The Best Softshell Jackets for Men
Our Verdict
One of the main reasons we love the softshell jacket category is its versatility. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie is a shining example and is a year-round companion for backpacking, ice climbing, hiking, or simply traveling. Midweight softshells like the Ferrosi often sting the checking account, but Outdoor Research kept the price down while still earning respectable scores across the board. The hem length might feel a bit short, but this softshell otherwise boasts excellent mobility and layers easily across all four seasons. As long as you don't mind a little extra weight, the Ferrosi is worth a look if you want a single softshell that can go anywhere.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Year-Round Softshell |  Best Bang for the Buck |  A Great Hoodless Option | ||
| Price | $165 List Check Price at REI | $130 List Check Price at REI | $160 List Check Backcountry (on sale!) | $78 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $36 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This is the layer for you if you need versatility and affordability in your next softshell jacket | This well-fitting option is one of the most breathable and lightweight softshells available today | When you don’t want or need a hood with your softshell, layers like this offer great ventilation and style for a variety of applications | This feature-filled option boasts excellent weather protection at the cost of being one of the heaviest softshells available | A budget softshell that tops the charts in heat retention, with a casual aesthetic for around-town hangs |
| Rating Categories | Outdoor Research Fer... | Rab Borealis | The North Face Tek A... | TACVASEN Special Ops... | Amazon Essentials Wa... |
| Weather Protection (30%) | |||||
| Breathability (30%) | |||||
| Mobility (25%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Versatility (5%) | |||||
| Specifications | Outdoor Research Fer... | Rab Borealis | The North Face Tek A... | TACVASEN Special Ops... | Amazon Essentials Wa... |
| Fabric Weight Class | Midweight | Lightweight | Midweight | Heavyweight | Heavyweight |
| Insulated | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of Pockets | 1 exterior chest zip, 2 exterior hand zip | 2 exterior hand zip | 2 exterior zip hand, 1 upper sleeve | 2 exterior hand zip, 2 exterior arm zip, 2 exterior rear zip | 1 exterior chest zip, 2 exterior hand zip |
| Material | 86% nylon (46% recycled), 14% spandex 90D stretch woven ripstop | Matrix single weave stretch nylon with fluorocarbon-free DWR | 75D WindWall 91% recycled polyester, 9% elastane fleece with non-PFC DWR | 100% polyester shell, fleece inner | 92% polyester, 8% spandex |
| Measured Weight | 13.8 oz (medium) | 9.2 oz (medium) | 11.3 oz (small) | 29.4 oz (medium) | 24.1 oz (medium) |
| Hood | Yes, adjustable, stowable | Yes, under helmet with Lycra binding | No | Yes, helmet compatible, adjustable | No |
| Unique Features | Adjustable hem, left hand pocket doubles as stuff sack, UPF 50+, stowable hood | Mesh pockets for ventilation | Adjustable hem | Tactical-focused design, additional rear hip and bicep pockets | Top-tier heat retention |
| Layering Capabilities | Can be layered over or under other layers | Can be layered over or under other layers | Best worn near base layer | Best worn over other layers | Can be layered over or under other layers |
| Adjustable Cuffs (Material) | No (fixed half elastic cuffs) | No (fixed elastic cuffs) | No (fixed elastic cuffs) | Yes (Velcro cuffs) | Yes (Velcro cuffs) |
| Available Sizes | S - XXXL | XS - 2XL | S - XXL | S - 2XL | XS - 5XL |
Our Analysis and Test Results
From day hikes to lengthy camping trips, the Ferrosi is a versatile softshell that offers great value. Credit: Heath Nunnemacher
Weather Protection
The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie lands squarely in the midweight softshell category, offering some warmth and protection from the elements. While we'd still steer you to another jacket category if you need a truly waterproof layer, the Ferrosi is dependable for lighter-duty storms and moderately chilly temperatures.
For sub-one-hour drizzles, we stayed dry in the Ferrosi, thanks to an effective DWR treatment keeping the nylon fabric from soaking through. As is always the case with the softshell jacket class, make sure you've got a rain layer in the bag if you're expecting prolonged rain or snow on your next trip.
For light rain, the Ferrosi's DWR keeps water beaded like this. Credit: Zach Lovell
In cooler weather, the Ferrosi also offers some decent warmth. On lower heart rate days, we stayed warm down to roughly 50 degrees, but stayed comfy in the Ferrosi in much cooler temperatures if we were running or hiking. In windier conditions, the stretchy nylon fabric performed well, but remember: hardshell jackets are the wiser choice if you have both wind and precipitation.
The Ferrosi kept us warm in higher-elevation settings, where wind and chillier temperatures are the norm. Credit: Ian McEleney
Breathability
Our entire testing team was impressed with the Ferrosi's ability to shed heat. While lighter softshells vent even better, this option offers an excellent breathability-to-weather-protection ratio. Whether you're out walking the dog on a hilly trail or enjoying an October run, the Ferrosi will reduce the chances of getting too sweaty.
While the Ferrosi doesn't have pit zips, it does offer three mesh-backed pockets: two hand pockets and one at the chest. Keeping all three pockets open allows a great amount of airflow and kept our team from taking the Ferrosi off as often in the middle of a hike. In the heat of summer, or during a high-output day, we did still eventually put this layer in our backpack, but it'll keep you from overheating in cooler conditions.
The Ferrosi will keep you from getting too hot on a day playing outside. Credit: Heath Nunnemacher
Mobility
The stretchy nylon construction of the Ferrosi lets you move your upper body any way you need. The partially relaxed fit also keeps backpacking, hiking, or fly fishing from feeling encumbered in this softshell. Simply put, if mobility is high on your list of needs, the Ferrosi is worth a careful look.
The Ferrosi has a decent cut that sits between relaxed and slim, so you won't be fighting the fabric when crossing your arms or reaching for a handhold. The nylon and spandex construction also offers plenty of stretch when at the end ranges of the jacket's mobility. If you need to hike or climb with the hood up, the Ferrosi also keeps your neck mobility from feeling restricted, though there is a slight bit of resistance with the Ferrosi's hood stretched over a climbing helmet.
This is a highly mobile softshell, though if wearing the hood over a climbing helmet, the neck might feel slightly restricted.
Depending on your chest dimensions, you may feel slightly restricted when putting your arms behind you, though the stretchy fabric never impeded mobility for our review team.
Some might find the cut to be slightly tight in the chest with arms behind you, but the fabric easily stretches. Credit: Heath Nunnemacher
Weight
The Ferrosi isn't the lightest softshell out there, coming in at 13.8 ounces in a men's medium, but it's light enough for an overnight trip and easy to fit in a backpack. When considering its features and well-rounded scores across the board, the Ferrosi offers a decent weight-to-performance ratio.
This is a fairly packable softshell, and we always managed to fit it inside a stuffed backpack or cramped luggage. There are lighter softshells out there, but you'll need to trade off weather protection and features if you want to go lighter than the Ferrosi.
When considering the overall performance of the Ferrosi, it's fairly lightweight and packable.
Versatility
The Ferrosi is a versatile jacket with helpful features and an easy-to-layer design. You can use this jacket all 12 months of the year, adding on more insulation and weather protection depending on the season and the forecast.
The Ferrosi Hoodie fits easily inside its own pocket and can be clipped to a climbing harness or hip belt for quick access to a layer. The hand pockets get covered when you wear a hip belt, but the chest pocket still lets you store a phone, snack, or sunscreen easily. If you wear the hood over a helmet or hat, the drawstring back also helps you batten down the hatches in wind or rain.
From the pocket design to the drawstring hood, we greatly appreciated the features of the Ferrosi Hoodie. Credit: Heath Nunnemacher
Whether needing more warmth or storm protection, the Ferrosi handles overlayers with ease. If you want something underneath, though, it needs to be a very thin layer.
The Ferrosi Hoodie is best used as a close-to-body jacket and can fit insulation or a hardshell over it easily.
Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie?
This is a phenomenal jacket if you need a budget softshell that can go anywhere your ambitions take you. The Ferrosi leans on a well-balanced design between features and weather protection (relative to a softshell) rather than being the absolute lightest jacket, so if you are a weight-conscious hiker or backpacker, this isn't the best option. But at the end of the day, it's hard to find a layer quite like this that blends versatility and affordability so seamlessly.
From backpacking to climbing to coffee shop work days, the Ferrosi is bound to keep you happy wherever your day takes you. Credit: Heath Nunnemacher
What Other Softshell Jackets Should You Consider?
If you don't mind a midweight softshell and want more weather protection, the Arc'teryx Gamma Hoody is a great choice, though it's substantially pricier. If you'd rather shed some weight to keep your backpack lighter, the Rab Borealis is even cheaper than the Ferrosi and weighs under 10 ounces.
—Zach Lovell
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