Same Pertex Shield membrane as the Salomon Bonatti Trail, the same 20,000/20,000 for waterproofing and breathability, at a slightly lower price. Yet the Odlo Aegis 2.5L remains largely unknown among French trail runners, overshadowed by brands that are far more visible in this segment. It deserves a proper look.
© Odlo, official photo used for editorial purposes
The Odlo Aegis 2.5L is a waterproof trail jacket rated at 20,000 Schmerber and 20,000 g/m²/24h breathability, built around the same Pertex Shield membrane as the market benchmark, the Salomon Bonatti Trail. Its cut is ergonomic and well designed for running, but less specialised than the Bonatti Trail's, with no hydration tube port and no optimisation for a 12L pack. A Swiss brand with Norwegian roots and 75 years of sports textile expertise, Odlo still has little presence in France's trail segment despite products that match the benchmarks.
Odlo was founded in 1946 in Norway and later became Swiss, pioneering modern thermal sports base layers as early as the 1950s. That long expertise in managing heat and moisture shows in its approach to waterproof jackets: the focus is on breathability and thermal comfort, not just raw waterproofing. Yet Odlo's trail range stays largely in the shadow of brands far more visible on French start lines, such as Salomon or Raidlight, even though its products are technically on par with the market benchmarks.
RunMorph's advice: if you wear a Salomon 12L pack and need the hydration tube port, the Salomon Bonatti Trail is still the most logical choice. For everything else, the Aegis 2.5L delivers the same membrane performance at a slightly lower price.
| Brand | Odlo |
| Model | Aegis 2.5L Waterproof |
| Type | Waterproof trail jacket, 2.5-layer construction |
| Membrane | Pertex Shield |
| Waterproofing | 20,000 Schmerber |
| Breathability | 20,000 g/m²/24h (MVTR) |
| Weight | ~195 g |
| Seams | Heat-sealed |
| Hood | Integrated, adjustable |
| UTMB compliant | Yes |
| Street price | €150 to €180 |
The most interesting technical point about the Aegis 2.5L is that it uses exactly the same Japanese Pertex Shield membrane as the Salomon Bonatti Trail: 20,000 Schmerber, 20,000 MVTR, made by the same supplier. This is neither an in-house membrane nor a cut-price equivalent. The difference between the two jackets therefore comes down entirely to design, cut and finish, not to the raw performance of the membrane. The Aegis 2.5L's cut is ergonomic and well thought out for running: it follows your arm swing without pulling, and the hem is long enough to keep your lower back covered while you move. What it lacks is the ultra-specialised cut of the Bonatti Trail, which is designed to be worn over a Salomon 12L pack in particular and features a dedicated hydration tube port. If you don't use that kind of pack, this difference makes no real difference day to day.
© Odlo, official photo used for editorial purposes
The most thorough test available on this exact model, carried out by a French tester, confirms how solid the construction is: AquaGuard-style waterproof zips, fully heat-sealed seams, elastic cuffs that stay put, an elasticated hem and an adjustable hood that tucks neatly into the collar. Nothing disappointing on that front, with an overall verdict of 4.2/5 from this tester, who highlights finishing on par with premium market standards. The weak point identified is different from what you usually see on better-known jackets: the brand, less present in France's trail segment, has fewer field reports accumulated over several seasons, and its more limited distribution means sizes sell out more often than with benchmarks like Salomon.
On pure membrane performance, an English-language test of an earlier generation of the Aegis range (PU construction rather than Pertex Shield, slightly heavier) confirms the brand's overall philosophy for its lightweight jackets: waterproof-breathable performance rated above average for this type of product, at a price that stays competitive. Although this source predates the current Pertex Shield model, it validates Odlo's consistency in build quality and product philosophy, without allowing any hard numerical conclusions about the 2.5L version reviewed here. No major disagreement was found between sources on waterproofing: the consensus is solid, since the Pertex Shield membrane has an established reputation regardless of the brand using it.
| Criterion | Odlo Aegis 2.5L | Salomon Bonatti Trail |
|---|---|---|
| Membrane | Pertex Shield | Pertex Shield |
| Waterproofing | 20,000 Schmerber | 20,000 Schmerber |
| Breathability | 20,000 MVTR | 20,000 MVTR |
| Hydration tube port | No | Yes |
| Fit over a 12L trail pack | Standard | Optimised |
| Field track record in France | Limited | Extensively documented |
| Price | ~€165 | ~€165 |
Same price, same membrane: choosing between the two jackets comes down to a simple trade-off. If you wear a Salomon 12L pack or need the hydration tube port, the Bonatti Trail is still the first choice. If it's sold out in your size, or if you want to step away from the jackets everyone wears on start lines without giving up anything in membrane performance, the Aegis 2.5L is a serious, relevant alternative.
The Odlo Aegis 2.5L is for trail runners who want the same membrane performance as the market benchmarks without necessarily paying for the brand name, or who need a reliable alternative when their usual size is sold out elsewhere. It's not the default choice if you've already invested in a Salomon 12L hydration pack and want the dedicated feature.
To build the resilience you need for long runs in uncertain weather, pairing this jacket with a RunMorph training plan lets you head out calmly in any conditions, without your gear ever holding you back.
© Odlo, official photo used for editorial purposes
The Odlo Aegis 2.5L keeps a simple, solid promise: the same Pertex Shield membrane as the market benchmark, with premium finishing, at a slightly lower price. At RunMorph, the main drawback we note is the lack of field feedback in France on this exact model, a direct result of the brand's low profile in the trail segment rather than a real product flaw. An excellent plan B when the Bonatti Trail is sold out, and a perfectly defensible first choice if you don't need the hydration tube port. 7.9/10.