Outdoor Vitals NovaPro Jacket Review: Stay Dry, Warm, and Comfortable In All 4 Seasons

If you’re not already familiar with the brand, Outdoor Vitals, their mission is to help adventurers explore more with less, and they’re known for their lightweight, high-performance apparel, sleeping bags and other adventure-worthy gear that doesn’t compromise on durability or comfort.

In this Outdoor Vitals review, I’m taking a look at the Outdoor Vitals NovaPro jacket, which is an ultra lightweight, packable insulated puffy jacket that will keep you warm in even the more extreme cold, wet conditions.

This jacket is available in men’s and women’s fits, and is designed to appeal to a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts from ultralight backpackers to simply people who enjoy the serenity of winter hikes.

The Key Specifications

• Price: $249 at Outdoor Vitals
• Sizing and fit: Slim fit (in men’s and women’s fits and color options) but designed to have layers underneath, most people should go with your usual size which should allow for layering without compressing the jacket’s insulation
• Best for: Wearing in all four seasons. It’s ultralight and packs down small so it’s great for travel, backpacking and other sports where pack space is at a premium.

This jacket is insulated using Outdoor Vitals’ (or OV, for short) proprietary DownLT insulation, that blends 850 Fill Power HyperDry™ down and a small percentage of synthetic, ensuring stable insulation that stays lofted and warm even when wet, unlike other insulated jackets that lose their insulating abilities once wet.

The 20 denier nylon shell is DWR treated, which helps ensure the jacket remains lofted and warm, even when exposed to moisture, as well as blocking wind. Its construction uses a method that minimizes the number of stitch holes, which helps maintain water resistance and in the longer term should help with durability.

As mentioned at the start of this NovaPro jacket review, it’s really lightweight – weighing only 15oz, and targeted at minimalists and travelers (although anyone can enjoying wearing a lightweight technical puffy jacket).

It can also be packed into its own pocket, doubling as a pillow when needed, which is a really neat feature. I’ve included a picture later in this review showing just how small it can pack down to once stuffed inside its own pocket.

Features of the Outdoor Vitals NovaPro Jacket that I really like

The jacket’s ability to stay lofted and warm, even when wet, means that you’re protected against the unpredictability of the weather and don’t have to worry so much about heading out in wet conditions without a waterproof shell over the top.

I am also enjoying the thoughtful design that’s gone into some of the other details of the jacket. The fit is great – it’s just the right length to not ride up around my waist, and the drop hem length at the back helps keep my lower back warm when seated. You can also adjust the hem using pull cords, to get a snug fit.

The arms are a good length – enough to cover my hands if I pull them down, but not so long they get in the way – plus, they have thumb holes!

The high neck is also wide enough to cover my chin, rather than getting caught underneath it, like some jackets can when they do up too tight in this area.

There are also underarm vents that speak to the jacket’s suitability for more active endeavors – you can quickly cool down by unzipping these rather than stripping off the layer entirely.

I already mentioned its packability into its own pocket. Although not a true minimalist, I’m always looking to save space and weight when traveling, whether that’s on an international adventure or just a day out, so a jacket like this that packs down so small is highly portable and you can take it anywhere.

Speaking of pockets – the hand pockets are zippered and insulated, for your hands or other small essentials.

➡ If you’re enjoying this review do me a favor, drop a comment down below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more running shoe reviews just like this one. If you’re familiar with these running shoes, share your thoughts on them in the comments.

Features that I feel could be improved

There’s very little to critque with this jacket, it’s a very well thought-out, well-made technical item of clothing. Mine is getting a lot of use due to its versatility and packability meaning I can take it everywhere with me that I may need it.

The color choices are limited, so that’s worth noting if important to you. My NovaPro jacket as shown in the photos throughout this review is the ‘smoke’ grey color, and you can also get it in black.

Review summary

In summary, the Outdoor Vitals NovaPro jacket is a high quality item of clothing that’s competitively priced and super versatile. If you’re in the market for a water-resistant, puffy insulated jacket capable of going anywhere with you and performing admirably, this one should make a great investment as it promises to last you a very long time.

It’s available in men’s sizes Small through 3XL, and women’s sizes XS through 2XL. It’s worth having in mind that the fit is slim / athletic, when selecting the most appropriate size for you and the layers you may want to wear underneath. You can check current size and color availability on Outdoor Vitals’ website using the buttons below:

Outdoor Vitals NovaPro – image gallery