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- An unsolved problem with premium outdoor gear is that what's warm enough while at rest is different than while in motion.
- Companies like The North Face and Under Armour have developed materials that dump heat while you're in motion and trap it while at rest.
- I've tried both the Ventrix Jacket (The North Face) and the ColdGear Reactor Jacket (Under Armour), and the ColdGear Reactor is my pick for versatility/urban settings.
A common problem when venturing into the outdoors is that bodies have a different ideal temperature at rest than when in motion. Somebody skiing wants a comfortable jacket for the slowly rocking chairlift as much as they do for the energetic moments spent zig-zagging down the slopes. But the jacket can only do so much.
However, big-name companies with big resources are looking for a way to change that by engineering their own adaptive materials. For The North Face, it's the Ventrix, which uses micro-vents to trap and release heat depending on how much the fabric is stretched.
For Under Armour, it's the ColdGear Reactor collection, which uses adaptive insulation and an updated quilting pattern to trap heat better without sacrificing airflow.
Both use adaptive materials, and the end goal is the same: dump heat when the body is in motion, retain it while at rest. In other words, outsource the temperature regulation from the wearer to the garment.
But while The North Face has applied this to one great jacket, Under Armour has created an entire line of clothes meant to use the ColdGear Reactor intelligence.
I recently had a chance to try out the ColdGear Reactor Jacket in Mako Blue (which looks just as electric and beautiful in person) and my overall impression is very positive. It isn't the warmest ultra-light jacket I own, but there are a few reasons why I'm glad for that, and the most important one is that it made layering and breathability better.
I've worn it with a light sweater as my only layer in 30 degrees at rest as well as in motion and felt comfortable, and its light construction means it can easily adapt to colder or warmer weather. My guess is with high-quality materials layered it could go a lot colder than that.
It's thin enough to be used as its own layer, and that plus its water resistance makes it a good candidate for a shell. When I wore it out in a light rain I was pleased to see the droplets beading rather than being absorbed.
The breathability is great, and that combined with the design is what makes it most worthwhile to me. The Mako Blue is the best blue I've seen in a jacket in a while, and the fit is flattering without being restrictive or overly boxy. I could (and would) take this out on a winter hike happily, and I'd wear it to happy hour just as gratefully. For the urban dweller, it's nice to have a jacket exactly like that. I've found myself grateful for its appearance and design in bars especially, where thanks to limited space and lots of bodies, a bulky jacket is a nuisance.
On top of that, you'll find a thoughtful design in smaller features like the zippers. The MagZip zipper has a puzzle carriage design and magnets that help guide the zipper together seamlessly every time, so you don't have to waste time fumbling with cold fingers in the wind. The arms have a fitted liner to keep wind and elements from traveling up, and the lower hem is adjustable if necessary.
It also comes with an integrated carry bag, which is great in terms of travel and to show you just how packable your ColdGear Reactor can be.
All in all, I loved it. It's breathable and lightweight, which makes it easy and advantageous for layering, and its style makes it even more appealing and versatile.
If you're looking for gear that works with your body to regulate temperature, your options aren't going to be perfect, but you do have solid options like the Ventrix and the ColdGear Reactor. All in all, it depends on what you're looking for when it comes to look and warmth. The Ventrix is nearly the same cost and warmer overall, but the look is more technical and therefore less versatile. The ColdGear Reactor Jacket I tried was less warm overall, but, depending on how you use it, that can be a good or bad thing. Both perform well, but for my life, I'd probably opt for the ColdGear Reactor Jacket again thanks to its ease of layering and versatility in an urban setting like New York City. For even more comfort and warmth, you'll probably be drawn to the Ventrix.
You can find a few of the best-selling ColdGear Reactor options below.
Shop the Men's ColdGear Reactor Collection here.
Shop the Women's ColdGear Reactor Collection here.
Shop all Under Armour ColdGear Reactor gear here.
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ColdGear Reactor Men's Ski & Snowboard Jacket
Available in two colors: black and gray, and in a vest and hybrid vest form.
ColdGear Reactor Men's Ski & Snowboard Jackets & Vests, $199.99
ColdGear Reactor Wayside 3-in-1
Available in two colors: graphite and midnight navy.
ColdGear Reactor Wayside 3-in-1, $249.99
ColdGear Reactor Fleece
Available in black.
ColdGear Reactor Fleece, $99.99
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