Meet the reviewer
Adidas Terrex Xperior PrimaLoft Loose Fill Insulated Hooded Jacket: first impressions
Made by the hiking and trail running arm of Adidas, this synthetic puffer jacket straddles the line between style and function, with a performance-ready layer that will keep you warm on the mountain as well as in the city.
This quilted jacket, which won an ISPO award in 2023, uses recycled Primaloft insulation that is known for being warm, tough and water-repellent, making an excellent source of heat for rugged adventures. It's packed within a 100 percent recycled nylon ripstop shell that's built to last.
• List price: $200 / £170
• Gender specification: Men's and women's sizing available
• Sizes: Men's XS - 4XL US, XS - XXL UK; Women's XS - XXL US; XS - XL UK
• Weight (women's M): 14.4 oz / 410 g
• Materials: 100% polyamide (recycled)
• Colors: Black, Shadow Navy, Olive Strata, Solid Grey, Preloved Fig, Burgundy
• Best use: Hiking, camping
Though natural down ceases to insulate when wet, this jacket is treated with a PFC-free DWR to repel a light rain, and if you forget your waterproof jacket it will still keep you warm when it gets soggy. It's not ultralight by today's standards, but it's thin and light enough that it can be worn as a mid layer on wet, cold hikes but also makes a great outer layer when it's dry or you're on an urban adventure.
The snug hood stays put in the wind while elasticated cuffs and adjustable hem make it easy to stay warm. Two huge hand-warming pockets can store plenty of gear and an inner mesh pocket is easily big enough for a map, but we'd love a chest pocket since it's harder to reach the existing pockets with a backpack on. In all honesty though, that's a mild quibble and we really can't find much not to like about this versatile jacket.
Adidas Terrex Xperior PrimaLoft Loose Fill Insulated Hooded Jacket: in the field
It's cooling off here in Scotland (actually, it never really warmed up) and I'm starting to wear insulated jackets on my hikes again. Recently, I've been testing out this quilted jacket from Adidas on some cool forest walks and hilly scrambles.
Here’s how it performed:
Sizing, fit and comfort
I always wear a small but was sent a medium to test which is too big for me. That means I can't say with certainty whether this fits true to size, but it definitely doesn't run small.
It's a little difficult for me to comment on the fit, but the slightly-too-big version comes down to just below my bum and I will note that the sleeves feel the right length. The hood doesn't adjust, but it seems to be snug enough to stay put in the wind and I imagine this would be even better in the right size.
Overall, I have no complaints whatsoever when it comes to comfort with this jacket and recently wore it happily for a six-hour adventure.
Warmth, breathability and protection
The Primaloft insulation was great for keeping me toasty when I was sitting on a log eating cookies by a Scottish loch, but surprisingly I've been able to hike on colder days without having to unzip, so I'm impressed with the breathability.
I haven't tested it in a downpour because that's what my waterproofs are for, but I did wear it on a damp and misty day and it kept insulating, while the DWR holds up against my unofficial lab tests, which involve spraying water on it and watching it bead.
Weight, storage and other details
Synthetic insulation just isn't as light as down, so this isn't the lightest jacket I've ever tested, but I'd definitely classify it as on the mediium-light end of puffers and it's relatively thin which makes it good for layering. Similarly, it's not as packable as my down jackets, so if I were looking for something I could carry in a daypack as a backup, this wouldn't be my first choice but it's really not a bulky jacket. A stuff sack would be ideal for jackets like these.
For storage, the hand-warming pockets are fantastically deep which is great now I'm actually thinking about bringing gloves on hikes again, and there's an inner pocket where I can pop my map. Because the hip belt of my backpack makes it difficult to use the hand pockets, I'd love a chest pocket for my phone but it's not a dealbreaker.
Adidas Terrex Xperior PrimaLoft Loose Fill Insulated Hooded Jacket: the bottom line
This is a fantastic jacket for hikers, featuring relatively lightweight warmth, wet weather protection, good storage and a solid sustainability swing. Even with such a performance-oriented design, it's stylish and one that you'd want to wear as your everyday jacket in the winter. If you're shopping around for a puffer with eco creds, compare it to the Jack Wolfskin Routeburn Jacket.
