Review: SALOMON Outline Full Zip Hoodie & Outrack Full Zip Mid The best move for those pursuing an active journey

In the not too distant past, outdoor-loving closets were packed with a variety of fleece jackets. Over the years, the fleece has evolved materials and functions, and has a wide variety of variations, including thin stretch fleece for hiking in cool climates, windproof fleece with windproof film for ridges on rocky areas that exceed the limits of forests, and warm, thick fleece that feels good on the skin. There is no doubt that it was in the middle of all the outdoor cold-weather apparel that has been around the world.

However, in recent years, many material manufacturers and outdoor brands, including Polartec, have created new padded insulation jackets (active insulation jackets) that are both breathable, making it certainly less of a solid fleece position than before.

However, as you can see from a thorough investigation, these new padding products are not an even better option than fleece in all circumstances. No matter how easy it is to use active insulation, there are still many cases where it is the most useful depending on the purpose and situation.

In that sense, the Outline Full Zip Hoodie and Outrack Full Zip Mid released this fall by SALOMON were a lasting impression that they still can't let go of the best middle ground when they are looking for active activities in situations where the cold is not too severe like this time of year.

This time, we will look at the recommended ways to use the versatile fleece jackets that each one has a slightly different personality and achieve an exquisite balance while comparing their characteristics.

The exquisite best balance of heat retention and ventilation for those who remain active. Outline Full Zip Hoodie & AUTRAK Full Zip Mid Main Features

Outline Full Zip Hoodie

Ultra-lightweight technical fleece that can be used all year round for active outdoor seekers. Lightweight and thin fabric, Active fit cutting along the body lines and moderately stretchable Merrow® stitching provide ease of movement and layering. The lining that touches the skin is quick-drying, ribbed to allow sweat and moisture to escape. The scuba hood fits perfectly under the helmet and shuts out the cold air around the neck that gets into the gap between it and the outerwear.

Favorite points

• Light and compact
• Balance of heat retention and breathability when moving (not too hot or too cold)
• High elasticity in four directions
• Active fit makes the surface slippery, making it easy to layer and smooth to layer with outerwear
• Balaclava-style scuba food that enhances the warmth of the neck when layered
• Sam Hall

Points that interest me

• You can't expect protection such as heat retention and windproof when it's stopped
• The edges of the balaclava food are slightly looser.

AUTRAK Full Zip Mid

A technical fleece jacket that is light and versatile, from everyday use to the field. Lightweight and loose ribbed lining ensures moderate warmth and airflow. It features flat seam Merrow® stitching, providing a slim silhouette that gives it a comfortable fit and comfortable fit without feeling oppressive. It has a wide range of versatility that can be worn casually not only for outdoor activities but also for everyday use, but also has a high cost performance.

Favorite points

• Light and compact
• Slim yet stress-free and comfortable
• Exquisite breathability that doesn't warm too much
• Hand warmer pocket
• Cost Performance

Points that interest me

• Responsiveness to more severe activities (ease of movement and humidity control)

Main Specifications and ratings

item	Specifications and ratings
item	Outline Full Zip Hoodie	AUTRAK Full Zip Mid
image
Actual measured weight	220g (Actual measurement of size M)	252g (Actual measurement of size M)
material	Body: 93% polyester, 7% polyurethane Pocket part: 100% polyester	100% polyester
pocket	Left chest zip pocket	Left and right hand warmer zip pockets
Thermal insulation	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆
Comfort	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
Ease of movement	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Ease of layering	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
Breathable and quick-drying	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆
weight	★★★★★	★★★★☆

Detailed review

The exquisite balance between moderate insulation (heat retention) and breathability when moving makes me feel good.

Outline Full Zip Hoodie (hereinafter referred to as Outline ) and Outrack Full Zip Mid (hereinafter referred to as Outrack ) have a small loft (volume of the insulation layer) among fleece items, so you cannot expect such high insulation. However, this type of fleece is not originally intended for high insulation, such as keeping you warm when you are still in the cold. It is made to insulate (heat-retaining) while moving while sweating, and air ventilating (quickly drying), allowing you to maintain a moderate warmth (not cold) when you are active in cool weather.

This moderate ventilation is the ribbed lining (photo below). The outline (left of the bottom photo) has a higher rib density and height in mind, assuming a higher sweating amount, while the Outrack (right of the bottom photo) has a wide, shallow rib with more contact with the skin, assuming a milder scene.

Fleece keeps the inside of the garment warm by trapping the body's heat in fine air pockets formed between the fabric's threads. While the area that comes into contact with the skin is kept warm, air flows in the grooves that are not touched, reducing heat and sweating when hiking or running, and controlling the humidity.

For example, in warm weather, you can use outerwear to inhale cool air from outside to keep your body cooler. In chilly environments, wearing it as a middle-wear under a windshell or hardshell can help layering while keeping moderate warmth even during intense activities. Incidentally, the fabric is polyester, which does not absorb water at all, so it dries quickly.

If you are planning to use it in such an active scene, thin, highly breathable technical fleece works extremely well in "keeping a balanced balance between warmth and dryness while you are on the move." There is still no more useful photo for active activities such as fast packing, trail running, backcountry climbing during the seasons from remaining snow to before the rainy season, or from early autumn to before the snowfall.

This is the same for active insulation with the latest breathability. We tried out this outline and how the way you feel pleasure and discomfort when you run while wearing the representative model of active insulation is different, measured using a thermograph.

The photo above shows the temperature on the outside and inside of the jacket using thermographic measurements just after running in a field with an air temperature of around 7°C with active insulation with outline and air-filling.

In the outline in the left row, it can be seen that body heat is escaping while wearing it (top left middle. The temperature is close to body temperature) in the jacket in the right row, body heat is not escaping to the outside of the jacket (top right middle. The temperature is close to the outside temperature). In a sense, it can be said that it has heat retention, but on the other hand, it can be said that it is still hot (= hot).

No matter how breathable it is, synthetic fiber padded jackets have a limit to the instantaneous ventilation speed due to the structure where the insulation layer is trapped with the outer fabric (of course, there are other cases like Polartec Alpha Direct, which does not have any fabrics attached). This is why thin, highly breathable technical fleece is more suitable for wearing during activities in a not-so-cold season with high-load activities.

The perfect fit and the ease of movement thanks to the 4-way stretch make it feel so comfortable that you'll want to wear it forever

Both models use Merrow® stitching, which does not flapping or thrust when moving, and allows for more dynamic stretching, but there are subtle differences in the silhouette and comfort you wear (photo below).

The outline (left of the top photo) feels like it sticks comfortably to your body both around the waist and arms. That's because this fabric is made of polyester blended with a slight polyurethane, making it extremely stretchy, and fits perfectly on your body when worn and feels even tighter. On the other hand, the Outrack (right of the photo above) is made of 100% polyester, so the stretch is weak, and there is a slight amount of room in the silhouette and fit, which makes it even more comfortable when it doesn't feel tight and doesn't move. It's not that which one is better, but depending on whether you want to wear it in your movements or relax, I really liked the fit of both.

Also, the sleeves on the outline are slightly longer, but that's because it has a convenient thumb hole inside (photo below). Not only does it prevent your hands from getting cold, but it's also convenient because it makes it easy to put on when layering.

The length of the body is slightly shorter in the outline, and it fits perfectly and is slippery with a surface and thumb hole, and the outline is easy to wear under rainwear, hard shells, or down jackets as an intermediate piece, making it easy to layer (photo below).

On the other hand, the Outrack has a relatively long length, making it easier to wear as an outerwear. The cuffs and hem are tape-treated to not only make them light and fraying less likely, but also contain warmth and gives an overall firm look (photo below).

A detailed design that gives a sense of consistency in the purpose and usage situation

The balaclava style scuba hood with a snug fit in the outline provides a simple yet pleasant cold protection that prevents cold air from entering around the neck if not covered, and even if it is thin, it is not bulky and can be worn under the helmet without any discomfort (photo below).

Both models have full zippers, so if you want to reduce sweating in large quantities, roll up your arms and open the zipper all the way to blow away the heat in no time (photo below).

The pockets have a chest pocket that is easy to access even when wearing a backpack or harness, especially for outlines that are intended for aerobic exercise or layering. It's large enough to fit just 5.6 inches in a small smartphone (photo below).

On the other hand, the Outrack, which is also considered convenient for everyday use, has hand warmer pockets on the left and right for warming your hands (photo below).

Lightweight and compact to carry around

The actual measurements are the M size, but the outline is 220g and the Outrack is 252g, making it one of the lightest fleece jackets. Naturally, when compressed, they can be organized in small pieces as in this way, so even if you carry them with you, it won't put any strain on the packing (photo below).

Don't expect protection against bad weather

While it is excellent at removing excess heat during activity due to its high ventilation, both models are powerless when it comes to colder than necessary, strong winds and rain. Therefore, if you are expecting a situation where you will have to endure in harsh environments such as cold, strong winds, or rainy weather, be sure to prepare a windshell, softshell, rainshell, or hardshell if necessary.

Summary: Whether it's warm or cold. A base for comfortable heat retention

With thick fleece jackets, there are situations where wearing them can be too hot, and when you take them off, they become chilly. In this regard, the thin, highly breathable technical fleece like this one has the potential to be used in a wide range of situations all year round, from alpine mountains in the summer and active in the winter, and in that sense it is a jacket that is still very useful.

outline in particular has a balanced balance of moderate heat retention, high breathability, and ease of movement, and if you put it on while you are on, it will release moderate moisture without causing your body to cool down, making it a very useful piece for activities that last in high-tempo conditions such as fast packing, trail running, backcountry, and climbing in the cold.

Furthermore, even if this one piece is too cold, you can layer another moderately warm jacket over it, so there is no need to prepare heavy insulation just for the harsh winter season. This ease of use is also attractive, and in that sense, when considering measures to protect against the cold, it seems that it can also be considered the basic "a basic piece of clothing."

On the other hand, while Outrack does not specialize in specific purposes, its ease of wear and high cost performance is also an indescribable attraction. It's a great piece to be prepared for this season, not just before winter, but even as the weather is getting colder.

Details and purchase of SALOMON Outline Full Zip Hoodie & AUTRAK Full Zip Mid

For product details, please also check the official online shopping site for Outline Full Zip Hoodie / Outrack Full Zip Mid