The Outdoor Research Deviator Hoodie – A Versatile Backcountry Ski Mid Layer

The Best Backcountry Skiing Mid-Layer

Five or six years ago, Outdoor Research made a lightweight fleece mid-layer called the Deviator Hoodie. They only made it for a couple of seasons. If you were lucky enough to own the original Deviator Hoodie, you know how great it was as a ski touring mid-layer. For those unfamiliar, it was essentially a fleece hoodie with wind protection and insulation on the front. It struck a great balance between warmth and breathability. It was my go-to layer for breaking trail and climbing uptracks for multiple seasons.

Given my obsession with the original Deviator and my disappointment when OR stopped making it, I was happy to see the Deviator name back in the Outdoor Research lineup this year. While the new OR Deviator Hoodie is still a breathable multisport mid layer, it features a mostly new design that builds on the strengths of the original. And it’s my new favorite midlayer, period.

The New OR Deviator Hoodie

Outdoor Research defines the new Deviator Hoodie as “innovative insulation and wind protection for high-output activity.” While that sounds like an AI bot wrote it, it’s accurate. What the description and the image don’t share well is just how capable the Deviator Hoodie is at resisting wind and cold while letting your body vent and breathe to manage sweating.  

Hybrid, Body-Mapped Design

At first glance, the new Deviator could pass for a basic wind jacket with a grid fleece lining. What elevates its status to a techy backcountry ski mid-layer is the body-mapped design. It puts insulation, wind resistance and enhanced breathability where each is most needed.

The design uses a lightweight insulation-lined shell on the front and arms with stretchy, breathable, non-insulated panels across the back and under the arms. At first glance, the insulation looks like fleece, but it’s something called  VertivalX™ Octa — a soft, low-profile insulation offering better wicking than basic fleece.

The Deviator may look basic, but the hybrid material mix really shines when you start moving uphill (or exercising) in cold weather. It fends off cold temps while being breathable enough to let your body self-regulate and wick sweat while exercising.

How it’s Different from the Original Deviator

The general concept of the new OR Deviator Hoodie is similar to the original. It’s a hybrid jacket that uses a mix of materials and insulation to balance warmth, breathability and wind resistance. However, the new Deviator is warmer and more weather-resistant than the original. The new jacket has a more shell-like feel that extends its weather resistance. It offers more wind block in the arms, hood and shoulders. The updates mean it’s usable through a broader range of temps and weather conditions than the old version. Sadly, it’s missing the thumbhole cuffs of the original. Hopefully, OR adds thumbhole cuffs to the next generation.

A Technical Mid Layer for High-Output Activity – Like Ski Touring

The Deviator Hoodie is ideal for high-output pursuits in cold weather. It packs small, dries fast and feels light on the body. All of these characteristics make it great for ski touring.

It’s a standalone outer layer on the uptrack, and it’s the insulating mid layer under your shell when it’s time to ski down. It saves layer changes and offers a broader range of comfort and weather protection than a traditional fleece or full wind jacket. It’s the jacket you can wear all day while backcountry skiing — or for cold-weather runs, hikes and Nordic ski sessions. 

Pair it with the Outdoor Research Aksel Gloves and the Trailbreaker Tour Pants for the full uphill kit.

Outdoor Research Deviator Hoodie – $229
Check availability right from Outdoor Research

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