I recently took the Origin BODYLOC Stow in BLACK Jacket on a 3-week, 7-country trip across Europe, traveling through the Baltic states and hiking across epic Nordic landscapes. It served me incredibly well through constantly changing, rugged weather conditions.

Back home, it has become my go-to gear—I use it almost every rainy day we have in Chicago.

The Positives:

Ultra-packable:

I absolutely love how light , thin and portable it is—it folds up effortlessly to stow away in a backpack without taking up valuable space.

Weather protection:

It resists rain and wind like a charm, making it a fantastic outer layer for rainy, mild-to-cold temperatures.

Wind resistance:

I was surprised how well this did against the wind,

Versatile layer:

When combined with an insulating piece, it acts as a perfect shield against harsh elements.

The Downsides:

Premium price:

The price point is definitely a bit high for a windshell layer

Pocket hardware:

The pocket design leaves a little to be desired; the pockets are quite tiny, and the sharp, skinny zippers can be annoying to handle.

No built-in warmth:

Keep in mind that this is purely a thin shell and does not do well in colder temperatures by itself. It strictly requires a nice under-layer like my black Origin Stealth Wool Hooded Jacket to handle that crisp cold air.

Verdict:

While it is an investment, it is a fantastic, high-quality Made in the USA product. If you can catch it on sale, it makes for a wonderful and reliable…