Gear Review: Outdoor Research Axiom Jacket

I've been wearing my Outdoor Research Axiom Jacket for a full year now during all of my rainier adventures and it has been one tough piece of gear! Made from GORE-TEX® Active 3L fabric, it has a slight stretchiness to it but also has heft to it to stand up to any scrapes you may face. The Axiom weighs 411g in a size Large. It has two large front pockets (that also double as air-vents with a mesh liner) and a Napoleon pocket that has a waterproof zipper to keep your phone safe and dry inside via an elasticized phone holder inside.

Despite finding it fitting the teensiest bit snug in the chest area (no room for a down jacket underneath), there is plenty of motion in the arms/shoulder areas. The jacket never restricted movement during paddling or portaging and I never thought that I was going to rip the material if it got snagged on a branch while portaging. It has no pit-zips which trims weight and is breathable when humidity levels rose. I never had a moment where I needed to dump a bunch of heat as it kept me regulated even during vigorous snowshoeing.

The hood adjusted well, and wasn't big and floppy in the rain during any headwinds thanks to the drawcords. It seems all rainjackets are meant to accommodate helmets these days leaving you with a hood that will balloon up when facing the wind, but the Axiom is far more accommodating. There is a malleable wire brim that you can adjust to divert the flow of rain that wasn't too stiff yet retained where you adjusted it for the next rainfall.

The fully seam-taped edges meant no unpleasant rubbing when wearing a backpack, even after numerous hours of hiking. The rear of the jacket is slightly longer than the front and I never had issues with the jacket riding up. I found the Axiom very comfortable and one of the few jackets who's sleeve length was the perfect fit for my gangly arms. The cuffs have velcro closures for a more customizable fit vs. elastics.

The shell packs down into one of it's own pockets for storage in your pack, and the chest pocket has a headphone pass-through. I always appreciate a double zipper on a jacket which allows you to get to layers underneath if need-be without having to remove your backpack.

I fully recommend the Axiom jacket for your upcoming adventures, as it will stand up to whatever you throw at it. I've worn it for over a year, rolled it up and stuffed it into many backpacks, and worn many packs over top and it has shown no sign of wear. This jacket was made with true adventure in mind and keeping you warm and dry.

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