Review: Orange Mud Adventure Jacket

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Basic summary: A unisex pullover midlayer garment made of Polartec Power Grid fabric that wicks moisture and provides a strong combination of insulation and ventilation. It has an athletic fit through the torso, but moves smoothly to allow full range of motion as needed. The Adventure can be used as an external layer on cool dry days, or layered under a shell for wet conditions.

MSRP:  $100

Features:

• Weight (size L): 11 oz / 311g
• Material construction: 93% Polyester/7% Spandex
• Polartec Power Grid fabric
• Unisex sizing
• Quarter zip with chin-height collar
• Low drop rear torso
• Extended sleeves with thumbhole cuffs
• Left shoulder stretch mesh storage pouch

Deep dive:

Orange Mud has one of the most unique portfolios in the gear industry, with a product line that includes multi-sport hydration packs, creative storage solutions for active athletes, and an expanding line of performance apparel.  The Adventure Jacket is a new entry in their apparel lineup this spring, and is an insulating midlayer garment that breathes, stretches, and wicks moisture effectively during aerobic activity.

Fabric construction consists primarily of Polar Power Grid polyester that has multiple small squares of insulative material separated by very thin, narrow air channels. Held up to the light, you can see through the network of air channels, which are the primary mechanism for dispersing moisture vapor for ventilation and cooling. The extensive grid channels also decrease the overall weight of the jacket and improve its packability; we were able to scrunch Adventure down to roughly the size of a 1L Nalgene bottle.

Large stretch mesh shoulder pocket

The flip side of the channel configuration is that the fabric has minimal wind resistance – but the interesting thing about the Power Grid polyester is how it insulates you well even while air passes through it. You’ll definitely feel a headwind coming through the front of the jacket, but the insulation is effective enough to keep you from getting chilled by it. The long sleeves with thumbhole openings are great to layer over a pair of gloves, or just to curl your fingers under when they get a bit chilled. The Adventure will shed very light moisture, but the surface really has no water resistance to it.

Although the jacket is described as a quarter-zip pullover, the deep zipper goes closer to halfway down the torso, which allows for effective venting in warmer conditions. Fit through the torso has a slightly narrow athletic profile, but the material stretches well and moves comfortably even when snug against the skin.  The left shoulder storage pocket is a nice innovation that is spacious and stretchy enough to hold large items like a smartphone or map or sunglasses. However, there’s no stabilization within the pocket, so heavy items will tend to bounce around a bit. We’d recommend a similar pocket on the other shoulder to allow for symmetric weight distribution when needed.

Polartec power grid fabric for ventilation

Other features we’d like to see on the Adventure include a coating for water resistance, and an odor resistant treatment to prevent funkiness after repeated use – because the Adventure is a comfortable and versatile enough piece that it could be used day after day in chilly springtime conditions.

Conclusion

The Orange Mud Adventure Jacket is a very comfortable garment that transfers moisture well and provides impressive insulation for its light weight in cool and dry conditions.