Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Fleece Jacket - Men's

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Fleece Jacket - Men's:

I'll start with the cons: Since it is a windstopper fleece, it is obviously less breathable than a non-windstopper fleece. (This really isn't a con for me, but I had to find something.) I wear this fleece pretty much everywhere and the only time vapor has been a problem for me has been on a hard ascent where I am reluctant to layer down any more (usually due to high wind). The pit zips, and occasionally the chest zips (pocket and the main chest zipper) take care of 99% of the issue. So, its ability to breathe is only a con, in my opinion, if you aren't willing to vent, and expect this to breathe like a normal fleece. Now, on to the pros...

I basically wear this jacket every day. I wear it on my commute to work (train and a lot of walking in Boston's windy and cold weather), at work, on my commute home. I wear it traveling on planes, trains, etc., and in any weather shy of 85 degrees or so (if you push up the sleeves, the fleece is light enough to not be a burden unless you have temperature/humidity issues above 70 degrees. I wear it as my primary insulation (base below, and when needed, a shell on the outside) while hiking in all four seasons. I wore it all throughout my winter hikes in the Whites this winter, and it performed remarkably well. No, it is not a warm jacket, but hiking up 3000ft in 10 degree weather with winds up to 20mph, I didn't need anything on my torso but this jacket, a light base layer, and my regular gloves. During breaks or on summit overlays during the winter, a MH compressor jacket goes on over everything (typically my shell as well).

What I particularly like about this jacket:

- The forearms are flexible. I love pushing the sleeves of a fleece up to control temperature. Most windstopper jackets are too stiff for my taste. The sleeves are soft and comfy and the wrist elastic is wide and serves to cover the base of your gloves well, but not so tight that there is any discomfort when they are pushed up to your forearms.

- 100% windproof up to ~35mph as far as I can tell (never tested it in winds higher as I usually have a shell on by that point to protect my noggin).

- Highly functional. There are enough pockets, but not too many. They are large where they need to be (above the hip-belt line) and small where they should be (internal and external chest pockets. The neck material zips up comfortably and rests well when not fully cinched up. The sleeves I have belabored, but are highly functional in temperature control. The jacket is nice and thin, while insulating well, and not bogging you down with excess and unnecessary weight.

- Durable: I beat my fleeces up and they usually wear out after 6 months of heavy wear. Mine has escaped tears from many a tree branch, beatings from constant hiking and commuting, and still looks relatively new (the pile to the fleece has softened, of course, but it hasn't pilled or otherwise broken down).

Notes on the photos:

In the Lonesome Lake photo, I am wearing the jacket with a thin wicking base layer. There about a 15mph wind that came across the lake as I crossed it, but otherwise the temperature was around 10F.

In the photo on Mt. Pierce, the temperature was probably 5-10F but there was a 45-50mph+ wind coming across the mountain and ridge (Crawford Path) to the left. So with the chill, temps were -15F+. On my torso I am again wearing a very light base layer, the MH windstopper jacket, and my shell (REI's awesome Shuksan jacket). I had no issues with temperature except on the slit of skin peeking out above my balaclava.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Fleece Jacket - Men's:

This light jacket is perfect to keep you warm on a windy day as well as when it is snowing. It is not as heavy as I would like it to be, but cutting out the wind totally makes you feel better. I don't need any other jacket but this one.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Fleece Jacket - Men's:

I bought one based on the reviews and was frankly disappointed. On a boat where the temperature was in the high 40s to low 50s and the wind was on the order of 20 knots constantly, I was cold in it even with a fleece vest underneath. Perhaps if I had been more physically active, it would have been better - cant really say.

The jacket was cut comfortably and the pocket layout was good. I found the prominent logo to be unesthetic - dont like to be a walking advertisement for Mountain Hardware but taste is not a matter of dispute.

I found that the North Face Apex did a much better job of protecting from the wind.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Fleece Jacket - Men's:

This is not a jacket you can sit around the bus stop at even 40 degrees and stay warm. It's really meant for active sporting activities in cooler weather. But anything much below 50 degrees it is not warm enough if you are standing outside for a long period of time. I live in MN and have been in 40 below zero temps and even 20 below temps frequently, so I'm not wimpy or anything. This jacket has no insulation so it's decent at stopping wind above 40 dgree air temperatures.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Fleece Jacket - Men's:

This is hands down the best jacket I've ever owned. I (like other reviewers) will start with the Cons: It's a bit heavy and doesn't pack very small. But those points pale in comparison to the other features of this jacket. I hike 7+ days with an Osprey Atmos 65 and still bring this in spite of it's bulk. Pros (biggest ones):*Durability*I bought this jacket when I first learned of it in 2003. I instantly liked it, but my love for the jacket grew as I shared such a variety of experiences with it and it always performed admirably. Sliding across sandstone on chilly November days in Southern Illinois, scraping on sticks and rocks while snow kayaking on rugged terrain, as an emergency layer when the temp touched freezing in July while trekking west to east across Glacier... and as a pillow on just about every trip I've ever taken. It's been wadded up, twisted, scuffed, burned, thrashed and even washed on hot/dried on hot and is still has windproof and solid as the day I bought it. *Versatility*Because it's windproof, this is usually my go-to outerlayer for even casual wear around Illinois in Juanuary. And even though it's not waterproof, the tafeta shoulders repel plenty of damp snow and light rain. (Spent an hour futzing with my spare tire last week in a drizzle and I stayed bone dry)The pit vents are indespensible. I found a sweet deal the other day on a Marmot Leadville windstopper soft-shell and bought it on a whim... [...] perfect condition. But I'm so spoiled on pit zips and the superior comfort of the MH Tech Jacket ... I'm glad I saved my receipt, it's going back tomorrow. In fact, this review is inspired by how spoiled I realized I am by this jacket. I've taken it with me everywhere I go and it has never disapointed. As long as you don't buy this expecting it to replace your driduk or poncho, you won't be disappointed. I love the fit, I love the style, I love the feel, and most of all I love the performance of this jacket. I will wear it until it falls apart at the seams or until it gets mauled by a grizzly.... and then I'll buy another one.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Fleece Jacket - Men's:

Fantastic product. A bit pricey if you just need something to wear while taking the dog for a walk, but a well designed technical windstopper fleece. Has pit-zips for ventilation, good overall breathability, convenient external pockets (even while wearing a climbing harness) and an internal pocket as well. Great for cool days (Recommend 30-60 deg. F), but this jacket is not designed as an insulator or a rain parka. Can be used well as a layer however, and tough as nails - have worn mine for years... from the Sierras to Afghanistan and have not damaged it yet (despite my best efforts). Mountain Hardwear did good - highly recommend.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Fleece Jacket - Men's:

I haven't worn my Denali since I got this jacket. Not as thick and heavy as the Denali, and it's actually windproof. Superb design! Material on shoulders are durable and can withstand abrasion from backpack straps. Side pockets are placed higher so that they can accessed over backpack's hip belt. I normally wear XL, but opted for XXL, fit's a little loose, but great for layering. Even loose, the cut and design is very flattering. Don't let the weight and lack of thickness full you, this is will keep you warm over the thick Denali.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Fleece Jacket - Men's:

To start i have had many jackets in my Short 6 years of avid love for the outdoors, but had more jackets then most ppl do in a lifetime. I have bought and sold a lot of jackets and become Disappointed and either returned them or sold them. This jacket is the First fleece I have owned that i will buy again someday. I have another Mt. Hardwear fleece and even the North Face Denali, i would not recommend them for anything then someone looking for something to fit into a "fashion statement." F,or the money this is the best fleece/jacket out there. I have the Arc'Teryx Theta AR Jacket, also well worth the money, and have had the best layering combination with these two jackets. The windstopper is very warm breaths amazing (went running in -20 weather with only fleece on, when i got back the condensation from my body had frozen to the OUTSIDE of the jacket and left me feeling warm and dry) and then adding the Gor-tex layer there was no discomfort for the Windstopper was tailored perfectly, not to mention i couldn't be warmer in any other combination. best fleece for any occasion!

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Fleece Jacket - Men's:

I bought this fleece for a friend after extensive research online and at the stores. I was debating between the NF Denali and this, and boy am I glad I chose this fleece! It is very lightweight but still warm and it is the perfect Christmas gift. Although a little pricey, I think my friend will be able to get years of use out of it. Plus, you can't beat the positive reviews already out there!

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Fleece Jacket - Men's:

No idea what happened to Jon Buoy. Did he have an adequate head warmer, wind-blocking pants, gloves?

I've been wearing a Gamma MX, but retaining too much sweat, then getting sopping-sweat-chills on long rides when energy is dissipating and I slow down. Have had to put a down vest on for last 10 miles.

I wore the Windstopper Tech yesterday with 19F start and 31F finish three hours later. Cap undershirt and two midweight fleeces underneath. Ski gloves (Gore-Tex, Thinsulate lined). Rainpants to block wind and 1 midweight fleece longjohn. OR Windstopper fleece balaclava with nose covered.

Within 5 minutes I had to zip down 3/4ths in front and decided to open the pit zips full because I started getting too warm. After 2 hours, when the temp was 28, I zipped the front up to 1/4th open, didn't touch the pits.

I got only very mildly damp at the skin, and probably could have gone another hour comfortably at 31. I'm not cold-weather-hardened like icebikers, and feeling cold is no longer "invigorating" like when I was young and could wear half-wet jeans for a full day of Sierra skiing and shivering while riding up the chairlift was fine, or go pigeon hunting on a 10 degree January morning in Los Padres wearing sweater, thin jacket, and jeans but, no cap or gloves, and want to do these things again and again. At my age getting cold is not fun. (I'm heading towards 60).

But now, I'm actually looking forward to trying some colder weather riding instead of resigning myself to the indoor trainer, e.g. in the teens and twenties. I am confident this jacket, with appropriate full-body layering will do fine. I may even try a single-digit ride (when the roads are dry), just to see what this baby can do. (I'm assuming that at some temp those pits will have to be zipped up. ;) )