When you test jackets — and other gear — for a living, it admittedly becomes increasingly difficult to feel wowed. It’s not that loads of awesome gear aren’t showing up; quite the contrary. But I’ve seen so many products, each claiming to outperform the competition in some way, shape, or form, that it takes a lot to make a big first impression.
Over the winter, the folks at KÜHL made it clear the hero product they were most excited about was the Aktivator jacket. A “truly multi-purpose … mid-layer or a standalone jacket,” the Aktivator marketing really didn’t call to me like the “world’s warmest parka” or wireless headphones “with nearly unlimited battery“ (which also arrived in the mail).
But after months in my wardrobe and testing rotation, the Aktivator has proven itself the gear equivalent of a favorite song you always find yourself humming. So much so that I wound up wearing it most days since it arrived.
Read on to find out why.
In short: The KÜHL Aktivator jacket exemplifies the axiom, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Dependably wind-proof, acceptably light, and just impervious enough to moisture to warrant wearing on most days, the KÜHL Aktivator really isn’t exceptional in any single category. But as a do-all, fall-winter-spring companion, it’s as trusty a sidekick as I’ve tested.
- Weight: 492g / 17.3 oz. (men's XL)
- Insulation: Synthetic
- Pockets: 4 (2 chest, 2 hand)
- Material: Nylon taffeta w/zoned spandex stretch
Pros
- Very windproof
- Warmer than it looks
- Works across wide range of temps
- Stretch in key areas
Cons
- Runs slightly small — size up
- Does not pack into its own pocket
- No hood
KÜHL Aktivator Jacket Review
Why It’s Great
![KÜHL Aktivator jacket worn](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2023/02/kuhl-aktivator-heel-click-700x467.jpg)
Features
What Could Be Better
KÜHL Aktivator: The Summary
![KÜHL Aktivator jacket worn closeup back and shoulders](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2023/02/kuhl-aktivator-700x467.jpg)