Weather-shedding
The soft fabric of the Tantrum jacket proved wind and water repellent to an extent, like most jackets in its category. Interestingly, the jacket did better than others to block water from entering the zippers on front of the jacket during our shower testing. However, the jacket let water though at the seams surrounding the shoulders and back. These characteristics make the Tantrum ideal for cool, dry conditions.

Breathability
Testers found the Tantrum to have the second best breathability compared to others in the testing line up, just behind the Salmon Fast-Wing Hoodie. This means the jacket may be more appropriate for early fall and late spring high output activities.

Function
Outdoor Research adds thoughtful function to the Tantrum, setting this jacket’s design apart from others in this test. Thumb loops and elasticized cuffs hold the sleeves in place. An elastic draw closure, elasticized edges, and a slightly stiffened brim combine to make a well-designed hood. A standard elastic draw closure surrounds the waist of the jacket. A zippered chest pocket gives the user enough room for cards or keys, but what sets this jacket apart lies within the rear pocket. Inverting this pocket provides a storage sack for the jacket and exposes an elastic waist belt. This innovated feature allows the user to carry the packed jacket hands-free without a backpack.

Fit/Comfort
The medium Tantrum fit our six-foot, 165-pound tester snugly. The sleeves of the jacket are shorter than most others in this test. Though, the fabric’s stretch and thumb loops may help those with slightly longer arms. Mesomorph shaped testers found the Tantrum to be tight in the chest. The soft fabric of the jacket is comfortable against the skin, making it possible to wear short sleeve shirts or tank tops.

Packability
Like many jackets in this test, the Tantrum packs into one of its own pockets, ending up in the second largest volume jackets in this test. Another consideration is the sewn-in elastic belt, which makes the jacket easy to carry as a waist pack, and can be used as a compression strap to cinch it down smaller if throwing it into a bag.