Outdoor Research Virtuoso Down Jacket

I had mixed opinions of this jacket at first. The biggest problem for some with this jacket is the zipper. As a belay jacket it has two zippers to open bottom for ropes. I myself don't need this feature but I must tell you it will take you a few break in times & patience to get use to zipping this jacket up. The first few days I hated it, it was very difficult to zip. Now it's just like any other jacket, I don't even think about it, but if you have a short fuse or time is an issue for you, you probably will be really frustrated at first with this system. I'm usually a Mont-bell jacket kinda girl. They ROCK by the way!! Any way this jacket fits way larger than Mont-bell, so I had to exchange for a smaller size. The jacket it self is nice looking and I'd say a medium loft. The front chest pocket is a slanted design, like they took a square pocket and put the zipper right in the middle on an angle. So it takes getting use to to get thing in and out. The hand warmer pockets are great, both are very large like the inside drop pocket. And the jacket does stuff into the pocket for a pillow if needed. The inner left pocket is the large drop pocket and it is a mesh pocket, open design. On the right the inner pocket is up higher and is a small zippered pocket no large drop pocket on this side, kind of a wasted opportunity in my opinion. So in all there is 5 pockets total. It has the important waist drawcord and nice Velcro wrist closures. Nice soft fleece around collar with another great drawstring closure. The hood is very nice, as I am usually not a hood lover. It is helmet compatible, but snugs down tight which is great for me as a hiker as I don't use a helmet. It has very nice loop style drawstrings at the front of the hood and a rear drawstring to really be able to custom rap this hood around your head, best design I have seen. The hood itself is full of down, no dead spots on mine. The Pertex works very well as it was tested out in 40+ wind gusts at a temp of 18 degrees. It's warm only in a T-shirt and sweat jacket, not really the best base layer or insulating either. Also tried in just a T-shirt under neath it was warm but would not recommend for long term exposure. I'm totally confident in this jacket with proper base layer & maybe a good quality fleece vest or 1/4 zip you'd have no problem with it's warmth. I purchased the Blue/Black combo as I'm a blue fan, nice looking for a guys jacket. Which I usually purchase, as they are made better, tougher and don't hug my waist as I like to add layers. I'd say the fit is large and square shaped not really taped as it looks on the models body, nice as it is. :) sorry guys! I try and split duty of my hiking apparel with my job as it is outside all day and some of this gear is really kind of expensive, so far durability has not been and issue, no problems at all. I do have to say, it took a few wearings of this jacket to feel comfortable in it, as I'm a Mont-bell girl. But now, no way I'd send it back- it's just too warm and has great ability to adapt to my changing customizing needs. I also like the drop tail on this jacket, so when you bend over it stays down!! Outdoor Research's web site has great details as well. Under dispute with O.R. right now is they show it with 2 inner shove-it pockets, mine only has one, waiting to hear from them on this.
Specs: about 8.5 oz of 650 fill to = 240 grams.
weight 21.9 oz
Pros: comfortable & soft
warm
1 large dump pocket inside
customizable hood & collar
velcro cuffs
drawstring at waist
Drop tail
Cons: only 1 large inside dump pocket
chest & inner zip pocket weird shape
larger fit by at least 1 size compared to Mont-bell.
Bottom line: Money well spent!

This jacket is truly worth the money and I will buy it again and again. It fits comfortably and is warm! I wear this when it is 20 degrees F or colder and does surprising well even in extremely windy conditions. Down does come out of the jacket, but no more than any other down jacket.
Cuffs have Velcro straps, so you can adjust accordingly, 2 hand pockets, 2 chest pockets, inside and out (for phone or ipod), and 1 large interior pocket as shown in the pictures above. The hood has 3 cords to tighten for those windy days and waist drawcord. As noted above, the zipper is a 2-way and if you are not use to it, it can be a bugger at times, but don't fret, it works great once you figure it out! Once it is zipped all the way up, there is a soft patch to cover the zipper, so it doesn't hurt your face, nice touch!
I bought the XL (5'11" & 230#) and it fits superb! Note that I have used this jacket in rough conditions; working outside, lifting items, -50 degree F weather, heavy wet snow...all the while this jacket still holds up and hasn't torn or gotten me wet. You will love this purchase and not be disappointed. I also own the OR Transcendent Down Jacket, but that is worn when it is too warm for the Virtuoso.

Very impressed with this jacket, I have had other old school down jackets, they were heavy and did not compress well. This thing compresses into its own pocket and makes a nice pillow. Incredibily warm and when I took it out into a mild rain we were having, it just beaded up and did not soak through. Good baffle construction thoughout other than the seam right under each arm, which is smart thinking for a heat dump. No real snow skirt, but does have draw cords at the waist to tighten it down. Runs pretty true to size. 5'11" at 190 pounds 32 waist and 45.5 chest, I ordered XL, I like a bit of room and longer sleeves. Hate it when I put a pack on and the sleeves shorten up 2 inches. The more I look at it, the more impressed at the design. The one negative is now my wife wants one.

I'm super happy with this Jacket, its exactly as billed a 650 fill down jacket. Want something lighter? Pay for the 800 fill. Packs down small, and keeps you warm enough to be able to enjoy a winter summit for extended periods of time. The zipper as stated by another reviewer can take some getting used too.
If I were to change one thing about this jacket, or make on recommendation to OR it would be about the hand pockets. I realize it's not designed for "around town use" but sometimes I want to throw it on if I have to walk a few blocks down the the post office or something. The hand pockets lack any fleece lining. My hands are so much cozier in the fleece lined pockets of my lighter, synthetic jacket, but that jacket just doesn't cut it in winter.

The jacket is super warm, fits perfectly, I love the chest pocket, and I love the over all looks. Would be a 5 star rating, but the zipper is one of those that you always have to fight to get started. It's sticky, and I have to mess with it a lot to get it going. It seems to be breaking in and getting a little easier as I wear it more and more, but it's annoying. Maybe it's just my specific jacket, as I haven't seen any other complaints about it. Anyway, all in all a wicked warm jacket.

If you're planning to spend a day or days in the backcountry, this is the perfect weapon to have. The virtuoso packs up super small, lightweight, and incredibly comfortable to put on after a day of ski touring, climbing...or ice skating and fishing.
Outer material is very strong and I have had no problems with it ripping. I am 6' and about 175lbs and the medium fits me perfect. The hood is a great addition to get the added warmth covering your neck and head.
The Virtuoso is a great choice!

I have had this for 2 seasons of winter mountaineering. Its latest test was on the summit of Mount Washington, NH in -40F with 50MPH winds. I didn't feel a thing. While my less than prepared compatriots shivered. I was able to stay still, after climbing the 4000 feet from Pinkham, on the summit for an hour before I started to get cold, and even then I blame my legs for this. This jacket is awesome for cold, sedate activities like cold belays and enjoying your top out...

Herlig ,lett god,var jakke,,,:-))