Surprisingly Light, Packable Synthetic Jacket: Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie Review

The first time I stuffed the Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie ($235) into my pack, I’ll admit I was skeptical. A jacket this light and compressible seemed almost too flimsy to provide any real warmth. It felt more like an emergency layer than something I’d trust day in and day out. It practically disappeared into my bag, taking up less space than a water bottle.

But the real test came when I pulled it out during a frosty sunrise ski tour. As soon as I zipped it up, I felt the warmth spread instantly, cutting the chill without weighing me down. That moment convinced me this wasn’t just a “just-in-case” piece. It was a serious performer. I wore it on dawn patrol missions, mellow Nordic laps, late-season bike rides, and chilly mornings at camp.

Each time, it delivered reliable warmth that belied its featherlight build. It blocked enough wind to take the sting off ridgeline ascents and kept me comfortable when the mercury dropped. And because it packs down so small, I never hesitated to throw it in my bag.

I knew it would come in handy for everything from long tours to quick errands around town. By the end of testing, it had earned more than a permanent spot in my kit. It became the first jacket I reached for whenever the weather turned unpredictable.

In short: The SuperStrand LT Hoodie is a light, airy, and impressively warm synthetic jacket that packs down smaller than many down puffies. It’s durable, windproof, and water-resistant, making it ideal for four-season use. However, it comes with two drawbacks: limited breathability for high-output activity and a zipper that could use an upgrade.

Check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets to compare the Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT to others I’ve tested.

Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie Review

Comfort, Mobility, and Fit

The SuperStrand LT has a smooth, quiet feel the moment you slip it on. The fabric avoids the crinkly stiffness common in synthetics, so it layers easily over a base or under a shell.

The fit is streamlined but never restrictive, giving you full range of motion for climbing moves, pole plants, or tucking into a bike descent. It also dodges the boxy cut that plagues many synthetics, sitting cleanly at the waist for efficient, low-bulk layering.

Performance on the Trail and Beyond

This jacket stands out for its weight-to-warmth ratio. At just over 10 ounces, it provides down-like loft and insulation without the fragility of natural fill.

During sub-zero mornings on the skin track, it offered the perfect level of warmth without causing overheating. On breezy spring Nordic adventures, the windproof fabric cut the chill while remaining light enough to stash quickly once the day warmed up.

The SuperStrand LT also works well as a layering piece. On dry, cold days, it performs as an outer layer, and when the weather turns wet or snowy, it fits neatly under a shell. With two interior stuff pockets and two zippered hand pockets, it’s got just enough storage to keep essentials like gloves, a beanie, or snacks close by.

Meet VerticalX SuperStrand Insulation

At the heart of this jacket is Outdoor Research’s VerticalX SuperStrand insulation. It’s the brand’s lightest, softest, and most compressible synthetic, designed to mimic the loft and structure of down while still retaining the reliability of synthetic fill.

The insulation is built from polyester strands that act like a lattice, holding clusters of warmth in place so they don’t clump or shift over time. The result is a lofty, consistent warmth that feels much closer to down than most synthetics we’ve tested.

How It Compares to Down

Down still wins the warmth-to-weight crown, but the SuperStrand LT Hoodie makes a strong case for synthetics. Unlike down, it won’t lose its insulating power when wet, and there’s no worry about clumping, feathers poking out, or uneven pockets of fill.

The clusters mimic the feel of 700-800 fill down, giving you comparable loft without the fragility. It’s not quite as breathable as some hybrids and doesn’t pack down quite as small as ultralight down jackets like the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer. However, it does get smaller than many, including the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown, the Patagonia Down Sweater, and the Stio Hometown Down — but the tradeoff is peace of mind. Whether you’re caught in a wet snowstorm or stuffing it repeatedly into the bottom of your pack, this jacket keeps performing.

Weather Protection

The fabric’s windproof qualities set it apart from many other lightweight synthetics. Gusty ridgelines and chilly descents are no match for its protection, and the water-resistant treatment sheds light snow and drizzle. It’s not a storm shell and won’t replace a true rain jacket, but for fast-changing mountain weather, it provides solid insurance.

Breathability

Here’s where the SuperStrand LT shows its limitations. It handles stop-and-go activity well. But, during continuous high-output efforts like huffing and puffing up the boot pack to Teton Pass’s Glory Bowl, it can feel clammy.

Sweat builds up faster than in more breathable hybrids like the Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody. This isn’t a dealbreaker if you use it strategically, but it’s worth noting if your pursuits lean heavily toward nonstop uphill and aerobic activity.

Durability and Packability

Outdoor Research built this jacket to last. Despite its feathery weight, the shell fabric holds up well against regular abrasion from packs and light brushes with rock. The ability to compress it down to just larger than a Nalgene if you pack it into its stowable pocket makes it one of the most packable synthetics I’ve tested.

The image below shows that the Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie holds its own in packability, compressing nearly as small as premium down jackets while outperforming most synthetics. That portability makes it especially appealing as a “just in case” layer for everything from summer backpacking to winter ski tours.

Room for Improvement

One area that needs attention is the zipper. After a couple of months of use, the main zipper teeth separated, and I sidelined the jacket until I received a replacement (in a different, brighter color). Outdoor Research took care of the issue quickly, but for a jacket at this price, I’d like to see a stronger zipper in the future.

Breathability is the other limitation. It’s not the piece I wear for sustained, high-sweat activities unless it’s super cold (which it is a lot in the Tetons) or I layer very carefully. 

Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie: Who Is This For? 

The Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie is for those who want maximum warmth and weather-resistance in the lightest, most packable package synthetic possible. It’s an excellent choice for four-season adventurers, whether you’re ski touring in January, bikepacking in September, or camping in July.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast who values efficiency, preparedness, and warmth without bulk, this jacket deserves a spot in your kit. Even if it doesn’t get daily use, you’ll be surprised how often you reach for it year-round.