REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Breathable
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Less comfortable fit
Chest pockets can be hard to use
Outdoor Research MicroGravity - Women's Review
An affordable, lightweight and durable three-layer shell for a variety of outdoor adventures
Comprehensive field testing involves getting deep into the mountain environment.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
Our Verdict
The MicroGravity from Outdoor Research is a durable hardshell with a soft interior. It is relatively lightweight and breathable, offering a good balance of features for a variety of mountain pursuits. It is a bit light for the most extreme alpine adventures and probably a bit heavy for most lightweight backpacking, but for many things in between, it is just right. The main issue we had was with the chest pockets, which were placed very high on the jacket, a design we found challenging and uncomfortable to use. Otherwise, this is a well-made hardshell.
Editor's Note: We updated this article on April 15, 2024, with new findings, updated photos, and alternative hardshell options.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Outdoor Research MicroGravity - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Women's Hardshell Jacket |  Best for Backcountry Skiing |  Best Bang for the Buck | Best for Active Wear | |
| Price | $124.73 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $600.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $550.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $155.00 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $449.00 at Dick's Sporting Goods Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This is a tough three-layer shell at an impressively lightweight | Burly and still lightweight, with thoughtful features that make it very versatile | With integrated four-way stretch, proprietary breathable fabric and generous underarm zips, this jacket is a dream for uphill movement | The soft feel for a hardshell jacket, delivering comfort and breathability in a comfortable, athletic layer | Though not the most affordable hardshell we've tested, its value is high due to its durability and versatility |
| Rating Categories | Outdoor Research Mi... | Arc'teryx Beta AR J... | Ortovox Ortler 3L -... | Rab Kinetic Alpine... | Patagonia Triolet -... |
| Weather Protection (30%) | |||||
| Mobility and Fit (20%) | |||||
| Venting and Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Weight (20%) | |||||
| Features and Design (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Outdoor Research Mi... | Arc'teryx Beta AR J... | Ortovox Ortler 3L -... | Rab Kinetic Alpine... | Patagonia Triolet -... |
| Measured Weight | 11.7 oz | 13.4 oz | 12.8 oz | 12.5 oz | 16.4 oz |
| Material | AscentShell 3L, 100% nylon 20Dx45D mechanical stretch ripstop with 100% polyester 30D woven backer | N40d 3L Gore-Tex (body) N80d 3L Gore-Tex Pro (arms) |
100% polyamide outer with PU (Toray Dermizax NX) membrane with 100% polyester backer and 85% virgin wool + 15% polyamide details | 3L recycled polyester knit face with PU membrane and recycled polyester backer/Proflex | 3L 75D recycled polyester Gore-Tex shell with a waterproof/breathable barrier and DWR finish |
| Pockets | 2 external chest, 2 hand (jacket stuffs into left pocket) | 2 handwarmer, 1 internal chest | 1 external pocket, 1 upper-arm pocket | 1 internal chest, 2 hand | 2 external chest, 2 hand, 1 interior mesh bucket |
| Pit Zips | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Helmet Compatible Hood | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Category | Lightweight slim fit |
Midweight regular fit |
Midweight slim fit |
Lightweight regular fit |
Midweight regular fit |
| Drawcords | 3 hood, 1 waist | 4 hood, 2 waist | 3 hood, 2 waist | 3 hood, 2 waist | 3 hood, 2 waist |
| Adjustable Cuffs | Yes, Velcro | Yes, Velcro | Yes, Velcro | Yes, Velcro | Yes, Velcro |
| Harness and Hip Belt Compatible | No | Yes, high pockets | Yes | Yes, high pockets | Yes, high pockets |
| Two-Way Front Zipper | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Length of back, from base of neck to bottom | 27 in | 26 in | 27 in | 26 in | 26 in |
| Warranty Policy | Infinite Guarantee | Practical lifetime warranty - Material or workmanship defects will be replaced or repaired at Arc'teryx's discretion | None noted on the website | Guarantee covers the original owner with proof of purchase, for the usable lifetime of the product | Ironclad Guarantee |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The MicroGravity hardshell jacket from Outdoor Research is a durable and weatherproof shell for cooler climates. One of the lightest in our lineup, it weighs in at just 11.7 ounces. It has a total of four pockets and stuffs into the left side. Though it doesn't have pit zips, it has a helmet-compatible hood, adjustable cuffs, and a tough exterior.
Performance Comparison
Hardshells, an essential piece to keep you dry for a range of winter activities -- especially during heavy snowfall.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
Weather Protection
The MicroGravity is made of three-layer AscentShell material, which is highly weatherproof, breathable, and very tough. This fabric is not as well known to us as the well-vetted Gore-Tex products, but we were pleased with its field performance and appreciated the soft feel of the internal face fabric. The jacket seals well against the storm, with an adjustable hood, cuffs, and hem, and has a waterproof zipper on the front and storm flaps on the pockets to help keep moisture out.
The MicroGravity did the trick for sealing out wind and driving snow at high speeds on snowmobile-to-ski missions.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
Mobility and Fit
The MicroGravity may not reduce your perception of gravity, but it allows for good movement in a variety of dimensions. The shoulders and chest felt a bit more snug than others, but the arm mobility remained decent. The fit was tight when wearing a helmet, but it still worked. The lack of pit zips also makes this jacket feel much smoother and more supple through a range of arm movements.
Easy to move and easy to adjust the hood!
Credit: Lyra Pierotti
Venting and Breathability
The MicroGravity is better suited to colder environments and medium-level activities that aren't overly vigorous. The material is reasonably breathable for the level of weather protection it offers. However, it lacks pit zips for ventilation, so if you tend to heat up quickly or run warmer during activities, you might want to look for a jacket with better breathability and venting options.
The AscentShell fabric is breathable enough not to need pit zips. The mesh panels in the chest are there for the chest pockets but also can facilitate venting.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti
Weight
The MicroGravity is ahead of the curve for weight in this review. It is quite lightweight for the level of protection it offers. We appreciate the relative simplicity of the jacket, which is in part how it achieves its relatively low weight–it doesn't have many extras, not even pit zips.
The Microgravity is a lightweight hardshell with a trim fit.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti
Features and Design
Although many of the features on this jacket are very well thought-out, some missed the mark. We appreciated the hand pockets with storm flaps and the waterproof main zipper, also with a storm flap, which ensure this jacket is well suited to rainy environments, exactly as advertised. However, the hood, which is adjustable, feels a bit snug when worn with a helmet, limiting its range of uses to less technical endeavors that don't require much helmet-wearing. The chest pockets are very high, and we found them difficult to use–even more so when we tried wearing a helmet and then accessing them with the jacket zipped up.
We love chest pockets, especially “Napoleon” ones where they are on both sides. These, however, were more like neck zippers and we did not find them easy or pleasant to use.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti
The jacket has a key clip loop in the left-hand pocket and can be stuffed into that pocket. This can be nice for clipping to the back of a harness, but given the pocket and tight hood issues, that feature doesn't line up as well for the utility of the jacket. For those who like to tuck jackets into pockets for ease of packing or to protect the fabric, this is personal preference, and many others prefer to stuff their jackets loose to facilitate better packing.
The MicroGravity is a durable and versatile choice -- especially when you consider the price. Seen here, we test the durability with some good ol' fashioned bushwhacking.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Microgravity?
The MicroGravity is a tough yet lightweight three-layer shell. This gives it a lean toward milder climates and rain over high mountain use, but it will do well enough in most mountain conditions. However, it has some limiting features, like its snug hood when wearing a helmet and its chest pockets, which are placed awkwardly high toward the neck. This is one you may want to try on before you buy to see if these features are a deterrent for your personal needs.
What Other Hardshell Jackets Should You Consider?
The MicroGravity is a nice blend of lightweight, breathability, and durability. If you want a slightly burlier shell that still breathes well for athletic endeavors, we recommend the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0. For those that are in need of burly weather protection, the Arc'teryx Beta AR is the way to go.
—Lyra Pierotti
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