Cotopaxi Yermo Hooded - Women's Review

The Cotapaxi Yermo is the most practical, comfortable, and chic softshell for casual use. This is a jacket that didn't gather dust in our closet, and our testers enjoyed wearing it for day hikes, to town for trivia night, or packing it for a weekend road trip. It weighs 11.7 ounces in size extra small and is made from a recycled polyester blend that offers two-way stretch. There are four secure zip pockets and an internal hidden pocket for your phone. For added weather and sun protection, it features an elastic thumbhole on the cuff.

Weather Protection

The Yerma provides mild weather protection, making it ideal to pack when the forecast indicates cool, dry conditions or if you plan to wear it as a soft and cozy mid-layer beneath a rain jacket or hardshell.

We found the Yerma to be a practical choice for warmth and moderate wind protection during day hikes and urban outings. However, it is not suitable for extreme wind, rain, or bone-soaking mist. In our testing, we simulate a sustained rainstorm by standing under a showerhead for one minute, observing how the jacket repels water and how dry the layers underneath remain. In this test, the fabric of the Yerma wetted out quickly, and it also took longer to dry compared to most softshells. While its recycled polyester fleece fabric offers warmth and light wind resistance, it is neither water-resistant nor waterproof.

During field tests in the Rocky Mountains, our testers noted that the Yerma can repel a brief mist or drizzle, but it absorbs moisture during steady rain and dries slowly. The hood and high collar provide some protection against cool breezes, but for the weatherproofing required in the mountains or on rainy days in the backcountry, you will need to layer it underneath a shell or rain jacket. If you expect rain, plan to layer the Yermo under a more protective outer layer.

Breathability

We were impressed with how well the Yermo, with an internal fleecy lining, balances breathability with warmth for day-to-day activities like cool weather jogging or outdoor vinyasa flows. The brushed interior gives your softshell the feel of light fleece while still helping to wick away light moisture. Still, because it's a fleece-style fabric rather than a mesh or technical softshell, it's not ideal for high-intensity activities, blazing desert sun, or summer heat.

The Yermo's midweight fleece allows air to circulate while still providing warmth, making it comfortable for travel, hiking, or layering in variable conditions. We love the soft inner lining, which enhances breathability through its textured grid pattern. The fleece grid creates tiny channels between the skin and fabric, effectively opening spaces that allow air to circulate more freely and help sweat wick from your skin, preventing overheating during activities like a morning jog or kickboxing session. At the same time, the fleecy grid traps just enough warmth in the recessed gaps to give you a little cozy insulation for napping on the couch or restorative yoga in a shady park.

Mobility

The Cotapaxi Yermo has a two-way stretch fabric that we love to stretch in. While some softshells chafe, the brushed lining inside the Yermo feels as buttery as a new fleece against our skin when we stretch our arms.

With its attractive athletic cut and excellent range of motion, it's highly versatile for everyday activities like acro yoga in the park or during a much-deserved 'stretch-it-out' break from work. Our testers used it for day hiking, climbing at the gym, and outdoor yoga. One tester remarked, “This is my favorite jacket for doing yin yoga while camping because it is stretchy and soft with the plush lining. It keeps you comfortable on chilly days.”

Weight

One of the lightest casual and lined jackets we tested, we were impressed by the Yermo for its balance between lightweight warmth and packability. It's substantial enough to bring for cool weather without feeling bulky. In size XS, it weighed only 11.7 ounces, placing it in the upper range of scorers among softshells and significantly outperforming lined softshells in weight.

The Yermo is one of the lightest-weight and most packable casual jackets in our lineup, which is impressive considering that it is both lightweight and features an insulating liner. One of our favorite features of the Yerma is its light and fleecy brushed micro-grid lining, which adds pleasant warmth on cool days without making the jacket feel bulky. It's not as insulating as a purely fleece material, but it's also lighter weight and offers more wind protection. The lining, protective hood, and thumb holes provide enough warmth for chilly spring mornings or autumn chills.

Versatility

The Yermo jacket stands out with its stylish and outdoorsy design, making it a staple in the wardrobes of those who balance their love for the outdoors with daily community life. Between its comfort and practicality, it is our favorite for lounging, day hiking, athletic activities, and travel. Among all our softshell jackets, we choose this one the most frequently for an average morning of work or casual play.

The Yermo is a versatile piece of clothing well adapted to your outdoorsy and urban lifestyle. More than any other casual softshell, the practical pockets on the Yermo are everything we want for days on the town or when flying to a destination. One tester said, “Finally, a casual jacket with useful pockets! It's my favorite jacket for travel because I can discreetly store my passport or mini-wallet on my chest.” It features two zipped hand pockets and two zipped chest pockets, one of which contains a hidden internal pouch. In this hidden phone pocket, we experimented with stashing different objects, and we were pleased with how securely it held our phone, keys, and earbuds. If you travel in areas where you want to keep cash or IDs close, it provides a secure and convenient option.

Should You Buy the Cotopaxi Yermo?

For chilly, dry weather, we recommend the Yermo as one of the best casual softshell jackets for daily use, travel, or outdoor activities. It's lightweight for packing and serves as a versatile, eco-friendly midlayer that combines comfort, style, and functionality. It's made its way into our daily wardrobe because of its clean design, soft brushed interior, and cozy hood. However, if you need serious weather protection, especially for a technical adventure or a multi-day trip into remote wilderness, you should consider your softshell and layering options carefully. In that case, we recommend at least layering it under a shell or replacing it with one of the more technical options in our lineup. Overall, the Yermo is an excellent choice for sustainable comfort and casual adventure.

What Other Softshell Jackets Should You Consider?

If you're in an environment like the Pacific Northwest that gets consistent rain or soaking mists, you'll want a jacket with more weather resistance, like the Rab Kinetic 2.0. It will offer more protection in storms and more durability for more rugged outdoor pursuits. If you want a casual softshell for cold weather but need something more affordable, consider the 33,000ft Fleece Lined Jacket, which features a fully fleeced interior to keep you warm on the next snow day.