In this review the item was free and I get a commission for sales from the link in the blog but you will pay the same price as you would otherwise. Thankyou for helping to support the site.
The Outdoor Visuals Nova UL Jacket gives you a 3 season jacket with an advanced down fill that keeps you warm even when its wet as well as pit zips to control sweating and wicking, an adjustable hood, thumb loops to help keep hands warm without gloves and deep zipped pockets to store your gear or keep your hands even warmer. The most innovative part is the ‘stitchless’ baffles which contain the fill without creating areas for water to seep in making it warm and water resistant which is rare in a jacket built for just warmth.
In Depth Review
I’ve been a fan of Outdoor Vitals for over two years now and in the past been impressed with their hammock, tent, pants, hoodie and backpacks. This jacket offering gives the greatest bang for your buck with regard to warmth when you need it and taking up very little space and weight (12oz) when its in your pack.
Filling
The Nova Jacket line utilizes DownLT™ insulation, which combines mostly 850 Fill Power HyperDry down with a small percentage of synthetic LoftTek as well. DownLT™ insulation is much more stable than typical down, and will stay lofted even when soaked (in the small chance that moisture even gets through the Nova Zero Stitch Fabric). Keeping warm is all about trapping air so what you get is the ‘warm even when wet’ advantage of a synthetic down but with the warmth power of traditional down which when dry is superior to synthetic.
No Stitches
The Nova Jacket has a Zero Stitch ™ fabric which utilizes innovative technology to literally weave baffles into place. There are no stitches, and no bonding. You can’t snag a stitch that isn’t there, and water or dirt can’t enter through stitch holes that don’t exist. Combined with a DWR coating I found that this jacket repels rain showers well and doesn’t tend to soak in rain. I don’t think this jacket does away with the need for a waterproof outer layer but what it does do is buy you more time and less hassle on days when there are frequent light showers and you don’t want to keep putting on and taking off a layer.
Pockets
The Nova UL Jacket comes with two zipped side pockets that are big enough to store snacks, cell phone, gloves, headlamp etc or be big enough to store your hands to keep them warm when you aren’t moving. The whole jacket also packs into the left pocket for easy storage and there are pit zips to help vent excess heat or sweat if you are working hard.
Sizing and Colors
Its great to see OV offering womens and mens shapes ( simply making a mens small the ‘womens’ jacket isn’t good enough) and the jackets are available in 3 colors, charcoal, olive and blue. I would say this jacket comes true to size and gives you just enough space to fit a base and mid layer beneath it for the coldest days.
Verdict
The Outdoor Visuals Nova UL Jacket gives you a 3 season jacket with an advanced down fill that keeps you warm even when its wet as well as pit zips to control sweating and wicking, an adjustable hood, thumb loops to help keep hands warm without gloves and deep zipped pockets to store your gear or keep your hands even warmer. The most innovative part is the ‘stitchless’ baffles which contain the fill without creating areas for water to seep in making it warm and water resistant which is rare in a jacket built for warmth.
PURCHASE $209.97Features and Specs
Packs Into Own Pocket: Easily transport or store the jacket in it’s own left pocket! Simply flip the pocket inside out while stuffing the jacket inside, and zip closed. Use it when you need it, and pack it away when you don’t! Also use the jacket as a pillow when it’s packed away!
High Neck: Stay warm by sealing in the heat around your neck! When zipped up fully, the NovaUL Jacket goes all the way up to your chin for warmth and comfort.
Underarm Vents: If you start getting too warm but it’s still cold out, you can unzip the underarm vents and immediately release heat to stabilize your temperature.
Insulated 2-Way Adjustable Hood: No matter which direction you turn your head, you can keep the hood out of your peripherals and see clearly by adjusting the fit of the hood to your head.
Adjustable Hem: Lock in heat by fitting the hem of the jacket to your hips and waist. No need to worry about cord ends hanging down, excess cord will be stored in the front pockets!
Water Repellent Shell: The Nova Zero Stitch™ fabric not only has 10,000 fewer stitch holes (potential leaking points), but is also treated, which makes it difficult to get the jacket wet. Water just beads up and rolls off! If the jacket does get wet, the insulation stays lofted and continues to insulate.
Insulated Zippered Pockets: Keep your hands warm in the insulated pockets. When combined with the thumbholes, you’re hands will stay cozy! Also keep your valuables from being lost by zipping them securely into these pockets!
Athletic Fit & Drop Back: The athletic cut and drop back of the jacket keep you looking great no matter where you are. The drop back allows you to sit while keeping your rear and back fully covered.
Thumbholes: Keep your hands warm while still using your fingers and thumbs by using the reinforced thumbholes in the sleeves!
Technology:
Shell: 20 Denier Nylon with DWR treatment
Insulation: DownLT™ Insulation
Fill Power: 800+
Fill Weight: 97g (men’s large), 88g (women’s medium)
Color: Charcoal, Olive, Blue
Zipper: YKK
Fit: Athletic – the NovaUL should be just loose enough to wear base layers and possibly another layer such as a Ventus Hoodie beneath. But you shouldn’t have much more space than that for optimal warmth and layering application.
Warranty: Outdoor Vitals Performance Promise
Care: Machine wash cold – alone & on delicate setting. Then tumble dry low, also on a delicate setting.
About Outdoor Vitals
Outdoor Vitals challenges outdoor enthusiasts to “Live Ultralight” through use of premium ultralight products that eliminate waste.
While in college the founder (Tayson) developed a passion for ultralight outdoor gear. His goal was to lighten his pack and stay comfortable in the backcountry. After college, he set out to help others more fully enjoy the outdoors by starting Outdoor Vitals; a premium outdoor gear company with a unique business model.
Outdoor Vitals focuses on designing premium ultralight products that are comfortable and multi-functional. Their high standards of quality and versatility keep customers from buying multiple items or replacing gear to often. Living Ultralight means buying less quantity and getting higher quality!
They specifically don’t sell through retail stores to avoid their additional markups on gear! This is a hard thing to do for them as a business, but saves you 40% or more on your purchases. It’s all apart of our vision to Open The Outdoors to everyone!
