Do you ever have one of those pieces of active apparel that is designed for performance, yet you just don’t want to dirty it up because it’s just so nice as a fashion piece? That is my new dilemma with the Reactor Exert Jacket fro Under Armour.
The Exert Jacket has all the makings of a technical piece of cool weather gear. Here’s a technical description of all it is offering:
The ultimate active insulation piece built for year round layering. Hybrid mapped construction, proprietary Cold Gear Reactor 3G insulation, and innovative functional details make this jacket perfectly suited for all seasons.
Constructed using ultrasonic welding, the lightweight 3G Reactor insulation is strategically sandwiched between an air vent fabric on the front panel and breathable mesh on the back panel, to allow breathability while holding warmth in the body.
Under Armour’s Base 2.0 fabric along the hood, sleeves, and back optimizes warmth, packability and air flow. Additional benefits include a Storm treated stretch singleweave soft shell fabric overlay on the shoulders for added durability under a pack, center front vent tab to allow easy mechanical venting, and a secure phone “seat belt” in the chest pocket.
Close up of the breathabale backing fabric
This description (while mostly over my head) highlights just how much thought and effort went into making this a great top for rainy springs, windy days at the Oregon Coast in the summer, chilly evenings as the brisk autumn air greets us, and as an underlayer for winter excursions.
I love the top, as not only does it come equipped with a hood, but when fully zipped, the coast provides an extended chin guard that zips up to cover the mouth with ease. It keeps things warm, but doesn’t feel constricting in the process. There are standard hip pockets, as well as a chest “media” pocket. There are even a few pockets on the inside as well that come in handy at times.
And after all of that, I also just want to wear it everyday as an out-and-about town coat. I love how it fits, looks (sooo many compliments), and feels. I know that’s probably not the idea, but I just don’t care! The fleece on the inside is just so soft and warm and the water-resistant outer layer makes it as much a fashion item as a performance item.
Highly recommended.
Company: UnderArmour
Item: Reactor Exert Jacket ($150)
Specs (from UnderArmour Website):
- Fitted: Next-to-skin without the squeeze.
- ColdGear Reactor is intelligent insulation that adapts to your activity level for the right breathability & warmth for what you’re doing
- Front panel uses low-profile insulation sandwiched between two layers of performance fabric for the ultimate mix of warmth & breathability
- Lightweight textured fleece sleeves, back & hood
- Secure zip hand pockets & chest media pocket
- Adjustable hem
- Angled cuffs
- 100% Nylon
Thank you to Under Armour for providing us with sample items. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
