The holy grail of softshell jackets is a combination of two basic things – water resistance and breathability. Some jackets have one or the other, but it’s rare to find one that balances both perfectly. The Outdoor Research Credo Jacket is a softshell that looks and feels like it’s up to the task, and we discovered how well it does after a few backcountry ski tours and everyday wear and tear.
The Outdoor Research Credo Jacket has all of the features a softshell should have these days. It’s got all the technical doohickeys like highly water-resistant/breathable bonded soft shell fabric, nylon face, brushed fleece interior, fully taped seams, double-separating front zipper with external stormflap, zippered napoleon pocket, internal pocket with media port and two handwarmer pockets, water-resistant pocket zippers, tricot-lined collar with drawcord adjustment, hook/loop cuff closures, and a dual drawcord hem adjustment. (Deep breath and… did you get all that?)
Clearly, this jacket has plenty of bells and whistles, but does it all add up to comfort? I took it out on a few backcountry ski tours as it’s the ultimate test for breathability on the up and weather resistance on the down. One warm day in February the Credo came along on a tour to the Monitors on the Park City ridgeline. Weather on the uptrack started out cold with a few flurries, but soon warmed up as the sun crested the horizon. The light-falling snow melted fast and left tiny beads of water on the exterior of the jacket. Breathability felt good at first, but I soon had to take the jacket off after about a half-hour of skinning. Temperatures were in the low 30s, but I was sweating profusely in the Credo.
Another day found me on an ascent to God’s Lawnmower on Kessler Peak in mid-March. It was a sunny spring day, and the Credo didn’t last long at all. It was in my pack almost immediately after a quick skin to the switchbacks, where it stayed until it was time to ski down.
Despite the Credo being too warm for aerobic activity on the up, both times on the down it performed like a champ. The fleece interior felt nice and cozy, while the outside shell kept wet snow spray from soaking through. But what I’m most impressed with is the Credo’s ability to block the wind. While traversing the Park City ridgeline, a cold wind constantly kept at us, chilling me to the core. So I pulled the jacket back out of my pack and slipped it on. Immediately, I could feel the Credo’s amazing wind-blocking ability. I was seriously and splendidly impressed.
I also have been wearing the OR Credo Jacket as everyday wear during chilly spring days in Salt Lake, and have been equally impressed. The cut and style of the jacket, especially in black, doesn’t scream “outdoor geek” to the world and fits well over a flannel shirt. The pockets are comfy for hands that need a reprieve from the cold, and the Napoleon-style chest pocket fits my iPhone perfectly.
Overall, the Outdoor Research Credo Softshell Jacket is the best one I’ve tried as it marries form and function in a way that will make any hardcore outdoorsman happy. While it’s a bit too warm for aerobic activity in anything over freezing temperatures (I look forward to trying it out in sub-zero weather) it more than makes up for it with superpowerful wind-blocking ability, durable build and a penchant for repelling moisture in all its evil forms. I think it will be at home on backcountry ski trips, backpacking jaunts, rock climbing wind-scoured routes, and wearing on drizzly days around town.