If you’re tired of bulky jackets that take half your carry-on or thin windbreakers that leave you freezing on red-eye flights, buy the Nomatic Outset Jacket right now.
At $229 (often $160–$180 on sale), this lightweight, water-resistant, wrinkle-proof piece folds into its own travel pillow and replaced three jackets in my closet.
I’ve worn it from 38°F Chicago nights to 75°F Miami mornings—still my favorite layer 18 months later.
Grab yours before the next drop sells out.
My Real-Life Experience with the Nomatic Outset Jacket: From Skeptic to Daily Driver in 18 Months
I’m 6’2″, 225 lbs, and travel 120+ days a year for work.
My old routine? Pack a puffy, a rain shell, and a hoodie—three items that never fit right and always looked wrinkled after flights.
I saw the Outset Jacket during Nomatic’s 2024 Black Friday drop, read the “packs into a pillow” claim, and laughed—another Kickstarter gimmick.
But the video of a guy stuffing it into the chest pocket and napping on a plane got me.
Ordered the XXL in black (runs small—size up), paid $169 shipped.
Day one: Unboxed in my hotel room in Denver.
Feels insanely light—like holding a thick hoodie, not a technical jacket.
Fabric has a soft matte finish, 4-way stretch, and that subtle sheen that looks expensive without screaming “outdoor brand.”
Threw it on over a T-shirt—40°F outside, windy.
Expected to freeze.
Walked 20 minutes to dinner and stayed perfectly warm.
No bulk under the arms, hood actually covers my big head, and the zipper glides like butter.
First flight test: Chicago to Lisbon, 8-hour red-eye.
Stuffed the jacket into the left chest pocket (yes, the whole thing fits), zipped it, and used it as a neck pillow.
Not memory-foam luxury, but way better than the airline’s sad blue rag.
Landed looking sharp—no wrinkles, no pillow neck.
Gate agent asked where I got it.
First rain: London in November.
Light drizzle for three hours—beads up and rolls off.
Not Gore-Tex level, but enough for city travel.
Breathable armpit vents kept me from sweating on the Tube.
Summer test: Miami in July, 85°F with humidity.
Wore it on a morning flight when the cabin was arctic.
Took it off, stuffed it, threw it in my bag—took 10 seconds.
Daily carry now: I wear it 4–5 days a week.
Work trips, date nights, pickup basketball games—fits everywhere.
The left chest pocket is ridiculous—I’ve carried an 11-inch iPad, passport, AirPods, wallet, and boarding pass.
Right pocket fits a 1L water bottle standing up.
After 300+ wears and 50+ washes, zero pilling, zippers perfect, still packs into the pillow.
My wife stole the navy one.
My brother bought one after seeing mine.
If you travel even once a month, this jacket pays for itself in convenience and compliments.
How I Wear the Nomatic Outset Jacket Every Day (Because One Jacket Really Can Do It All)
Morning flight
Wear it through security—empty giant pockets, stuff jacket into pillow, breeze through TSA.
Nap on plane, land looking fresh.
Client meetings
Black Outset over oxford shirt—looks like a $600 blazer from a distance.
No one knows it was my pillow 30 minutes ago.
Weekend errands
Olive color with jeans and sneakers—compliments every time.
Rain starts? Laugh and keep walking.
Date night
Navy over henley—hood up for that mysterious vibe.
Wife says I smell like the jacket now (good thing it’s odor-resistant).
Cold office
Hang it on chair—pull on when AC blasts.
Colleagues jealous of the pockets.
Gym bag
Rolls into fist-sized ball—fits in any backpack side pocket.
Photography trips
Carry extra batteries, lenses, even a 50mm in the chest pocket.
Still lighter than my old setup.
Rainy commute
Hood up, hands in pockets, stay dry and warm.
Bottom line
I reach for the Outset 90% of days.
It’s the only jacket I trust to handle surprise weather, long flights, and looking good doing it.
Maintenance Tips for the Nomatic Outset Jacket: My Routine to Keep It Looking Brand New After 18 Months
Washing
Machine wash cold, gentle cycle, inside out.
No fabric softener—kills water resistance.
Hang dry overnight—never tumble (preserves insulation).
Stain removal
Coffee or sauce? Dab with mild soap and cold water immediately.
99% gone before washing.
Wrinkle fix
Hang in steamy bathroom 10 minutes—wrinkles fall out.
Or wear it—body heat smooths everything.
Re-proofing
After 30–40 washes, spray with Nikwax Tech Wash + TX.Direct.
Restores water beading like day one.
Storage
Hang or stuff loosely—never compress long-term.
I keep mine on a wooden hanger in the closet.
Travel care
Always stuff into pillow for flights—protects from dirt.
Unstuff and hang in hotel closet to air out.
Odor control
Febreeze Fabric between washes, or hang outside 30 minutes.
Still smells neutral after hundreds of wears.
Zipper love
YKK zippers are bulletproof, but I wax them yearly with Zipper Ease.
Pocket declutter
Empty giant pockets weekly—found $60 and AirPods once.
Resale prep
If I ever sell (never), one wash and it looks new—holds value insanely well.
Pros and Cons of the Nomatic Outset Jacket
Pros of the Nomatic Outset Jacket: Why It Replaced Three Jackets in My Closet
- Packs into its own travel pillow in 15 seconds—best plane nap hack ever
- Genuinely lightweight (under 1 lb) but keeps you warm 40°–70°F
- Water-resistant enough for city rain—beads and shakes off
- Wrinkle-resistant magic—pull it out of the pillow and look photo-ready
- Insane pocket game—left chest holds iPad + passport + more
- 4-way stretch + breathable armpit vents—no swampy feeling
- Matte fabric looks premium, not shiny tech-bro
- Runs small but stretch forgives—size up one and you’re golden
- Silky lining feels luxurious against skin
- Hood actually fits over adult heads
- YKK zippers glide forever—no snags after 18 months
- Stain-resistant—coffee spill wiped right off
- Versatile style—works with jeans or chinos
- Machine-washable and air-dries overnight
- Lifetime warranty on zippers (Nomatic honors it fast)
Cons of the Nomatic Outset Jacket: The Few Things That Annoyed Me at First
- $229 retail hurts—wait for 30–40% off sales
- Runs small—6’4″ guys need XXL even if you wear XL elsewhere
- Not fully waterproof—heavy downpour will eventually soak through
- No internal pockets except the stuff-sack one
- Pillow mode is comfy but not memory-foam level
- Hood has no drawcord—wind can blow it back
- Only three colors (black, navy, olive)—no wild options
- Armpit vents look like design lines—some think they’re weird at first
- Packs tight—takes practice to stuff neatly
- Made in Vietnam (some expected USA for the price)
Nomatic Outset Jacket Vs. Other Brands
- Nomatic Outset Jacket Vs. Patagonia Nano Puff
Patagonia Nano Puff is the outdoor classic—60g synthetic insulation, packs into its own pocket, DWR coating, made with recycled materials.
I owned two before the Outset.
Nano Puff is warmer (great below 40°F) and more compressible, but looks puffy and outdoor-only—can’t wear it to dinner.
Outset’s matte fabric and tailored fit work from airport to client meeting.
Patagonia has better eco-cred and wind resistance, but Outset’s stretch and giant pockets destroy it for travel.
Nano Puff for hiking and camping.
Outset when you need one jacket for plane, city, and light adventure.
- Nomatic Outset Jacket Vs. Lululemon Sojourn Jacket
Lululemon Sojourn is the athleisure king—Glyde fabric, water-repellent, four-way stretch, minimalist look.
My wife has one.
Sojourn feels softer and stretches more, great for yoga or running, but pockets are tiny and it’s not warm below 55°F.
Outset’s insulation and packable pillow blow it away for actual travel.
Lululemon fits truer to size and has thumbholes, but Outset’s chest pocket swallows an iPad—Sojourn can’t.
Sojourn for gym-to-brunch days.
Outset when you’re living out of a carry-on.
- Nomatic Outset Jacket Vs. Arc’teryx Atom Hoody
Arc’teryx Atom Hoody is the premium synthetic benchmark—Coreloft insulation, trim fit, legendary build quality.
I tried one at REI.
Atom is lighter, warmer, and more compressible, perfect for climbers, but costs $300+ and looks very “outdoorsy.”
Outset’s city-friendly matte finish and massive pockets make it the better daily driver.
Arc’teryx has better wind resistance and durability for alpine use, but Outset’s pillow feature and stretch win for frequent flyers.
Atom if you summit mountains.
Outset if you summit airport security lines.
- Nomatic Outset Jacket Vs. Ministry of Supply Kinetic Jacket
Ministry of Supply Kinetic is the tech-bro blazer-jacket hybrid—stretch wool, machine-washable, wrinkle-free.
I owned the original.
Kinetic looks sharper in meetings and resists wrinkles better standing still, but it’s heavier and not packable into a pillow.
Outset’s insulation and water resistance crush it for actual weather and flights.
Ministry has more professional vibe, but Outset’s pockets and lighter weight win for travel.
Kinetic for office warriors.
Outset for digital nomads who live in airports.
Also Read: My Experience With ORORO Heated Jacket
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In some countries it’s sold as Gomatic due to trademark issues—same company, same products.
Lifetime warranty on all YKK zippers—Nomatic replaces no questions asked.
Designed in Utah, manufactured in Vietnam with strict quality control.
Machine wash cold, gentle cycle, hang dry—same process works for the Outset Jacket.
Final Thoughts
Eighteen months, 300+ wears, zero regrets—the Outset Jacket is the smartest clothing purchase I’ve ever made.
If you’re ready to travel lighter, look sharper, and never check a bag again, order the Outset today.
One jacket to rule them all—your closet and your trips will never be the same.
