Article by Dominique Winebaum
Cotopaxi’s Yermo Hooded Jacket ($175)
The Yermo hooded jacket is a slim fit softshell with a generous amount of stretch to optimize mobility when enjoying the outdoors. Though the jacket is designed for milder seasons, I have been testing my Yermo hooded jacket in the “dead of winter” on days just around freezing To add warmth, I typically wore a hat, neck warmer, and gloves, along with a wooly layer or even two underneath in order to feel toasty inside. Wind and rain resistant, the softshell has been treated with CO DWR (Durable Water Resistant) that is free of PFAS.
In my size medium, the fit is extremely comfortable thanks to the two-way stretchy fabric and cozy interior that is a soft brushed material. It’s a softshell with generous coverage minus the baggy look but with plenty of outdoorsy appeal.
Pros:
Entry level reasonably priced softshell with versatile wear
True to size fit
Stretchy fabric to optimize mobility
Attractive design and look enhanced by the 4 large size pockets and their colored highlights (my Moss version)
Generous length
Slim fitted
Thumbholes on elasticized cuffs
Wind and water resistant, PFAS free
Cons:
Hood is poorly designed and loose: no draw cord, weak brim stiffener
91% of fabric is made of recycled polyester, yet material is not that high performing
Barefy technical ore a lifestyle “light duty” jacket with an outdoorsy look than “wilderness-ready”
For added protection, the elasticized cuffs are equipped with thumbholes. The Yermo jacket features four large zippered pockets - as in ready for any adventure kind of storage - including keeping your hands tucked away.in the 2 front pockets Inside the left chest pocket, there is an internal phone pocket to keep it securely in place.
Notably, the contrasting color zippers enhance the stylish look of the jacket in my “Moss” color. I also like the added mini stretch cord on each zipper pull that is both functional and attractive.
I would characterize the Yermo as an entry level softshell with plenty of style. The design of the hood is pretty basic with no string to secure it. It helped that I wore a beanie underneath to keep it in place. I wore the jacket on a run in drizzly conditions that turned a bit wet and I had to fold the flap on the hood to keep it from flapping.
The hood does not have a drawstring and its stretch is to the sides and loose. The brim is floppy and to get a more secure fit I folded it up over my head (as I have done in the picture below.
Short of going on a “wilderness adventure", and it wouldn’t be my choice for that, I tested it walking, running, hiking, snowshoeing, and going to town for errands.
Lightweight and extremely comfortable, the Yermo jacket is well adapted for short or day outings when the weather is not overly menacing and a bit of protection is needed to stay warm.
Dominique has run for over 45 years, consistently about 25 miles per week at paces between 11 and 12 minute miles and once a week down in the mid 9 minute miles. She races rarely, but always surprises more hard core runners in her age group when she does. She has a 1985 marathon PR of 3:16 in her second marathon which at the time put her on the top 10 Swiss women’s lists. An avid hiker and trekker, she has been around Mont Blanc 3 times, hiked Chamonix to Zermatt, and completed the 48 New Hampshire 4000 footers. She is the mother of two grown children, both runners post college, and also enjoys nordic and alpine skiing, tennis, and gardening.
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