Mountain Hardwear Compressor Classic Jacket - Men's

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Compressor Classic Jacket - Men's:

The Compressor PL has been a staple of my backpacking and active activities. Used specifically as my primary insulation in Fall, Winter, and Spring. In concert with a rainshell and a breathable long-sleeve baselayer, I have worn the PL while Snowboarding/Skiing, at the campfire at night, and on my bike during wintertime commutes to the office.

The Primaloft and denier exterior are the two highpoints. They make the jacket amazingly lightweight, very warm, great windblocker, ultra-compressable, and a super-fast dryer. While snowboarding I had managed to soak the enitre right sleeve and 15 mins after being inside the sleeve was dry. Amazing. I will never you use fleece again. Primaloft!

In reference to the non-breathability to the denier, I found that on warmer days or in high exertion activites and layer of moisture would stick on the inside, but this issue is solved by a long-sleeve breathable baselayer keeping you skin seperated from the denier.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Compressor Classic Jacket - Men's:

I tried this jacket on [...] and had to have it! I've not been disappointed. It's extremely light, very warm, deflects the wind. It's always in my pack as one of the ten essentials of hiking (extra clothes). Its a joy to pull it out of my pack at the end of a hike and put it on. I've used it to "lighten the load" carrying a light sleeping bag and then sleep in this jacket. About the only time I'm reluctant to wear it is when off trail scrambling and I encounter a portion of the hike that requires a bit of "bushwacking." Jacket seems a little fragile for that activity but it can't be the jack of all trades now can it?

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Compressor Classic Jacket - Men's:

This jacket is phenomenal. I spent a great deal of time researching various compressor jackets, both down and synthetic, and purchased this one to replace my 10-year old MH compressor jacket, which now belongs to my wife. I ultimately chose it over a down jacket because of moisture concerns in the areas where I tend to go and the weight/ warmth/ compressibility downside is fairly small (in my opinion) vs. a similar down jacket.

Now for the specifics:

Low to mild activity in pretty cold weather (-10 to 15 F): In the few days that I have had to test it out, I have been very impressed. I live near Boston and commute in daily with my 3-year old son. We take the train together and then I carry him about 3/4 of a mile to school (on my shoulders -- it is a great workout and we love the time to talk vs. a stroller or having him walk). Then I have another 3/4 mile walk to my office. I layered up yesterday (low teens with mild wind) and today (9 degrees dropping to the negative teens after wind chill) with a fleece, the MH compressor jacket, and a shell (probably not necessary, but I wanted to see how breathable the combo was) and had absolutely no complaints. Not only was I not cold, but I also didn't get overheated either. So, two thumbs up for performance in low to very mild activity.

Medium to high activity in cold weather (15 F): The first night I had the jacket, I took my dog for a long walk and run to see how quickly I would have to shed the jacket. As expected, the jacket performed great during the walk and then got too hot as I started running. I was wearing a thin fleece layer and the compressor jacket on top + a thin hat and thin gloves. Even on the run, starting out I was very comfortable but as soon as I heated up I could tell that the jacket would have to come off (i.e. if it breathed just a bit more, I think it would have been fine). Normally I like to control temperature by taking off my gloves and hat, opening vents (pits, pockets, and eventually the chest) and then pushing my sleeves up if I am still a bit hot. Given my activity level and the logistics of pushing the sleeves of my fleece and the compressor jacket up my arms, it was not feasible. So in short, if you like to control temperature like me on a hike, have the jacket in your pack for rests, emergencies, and camp. That mix of uses was exactly what I expected and the reason I bought the jacket, so for me, it is a perfect 100% fit.

My only gripe is that the jacket does not come with a stuff sack, sized perfectly for the jacket. It is a small amount of extra money, so it is not a price gripe, just a "this would be a perfect product if only..." gripe. Of note, I picked up an XS Sea to Summit stuff sack at the same time, and found plenty of extra room once the jacket was packed in. In fact, I bet a Small Sea to Summit could fit a pair of compressor pants and the jacket together.

This is another excellent product I have owned from Mountain Hardware! I'm headed out for a full test hike this weekend, and will absolutely have this jacket in my pack when I head up to the White Mountains for some more winter hiking in the next few weeks.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Compressor Classic Jacket - Men's:

I'm outside a lot and was looking for a coat that was lightweight but could keep me warm in low temperatures. I found it in this coat.

It's very lightweight and does bind when you are moving around. I just finished spending a couple hours in sub-zero temperatures wearing this coat and a pullover-fleece. I was amazed how warm I stayed.

This coat will be great camping and traveling because it packs so small. This was a good buy.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Compressor Classic Jacket - Men's:

This jacket has well made zippers for the external pockets, as well as the main zipper.The internal pocket zipper, and the surrounding material for that pocket, seem flimsy. This jacket also has some nice cinching cords external, and internal, around the waist. Very comfortable. I did find that one size larger that my norm, was the most comfortable.

I bought this for a multi day backpacking trek up Yosemite Falls. The night temps were in the upper 30's, as reported by a member with a thermometer. This jacket was most comfortable! Likewise, I also used this for a multi day excursion to Thousand Island Lake, in Mammoth Lakes.

Backpackers will like the fact that this light weight jacket comes with it's own stuff sack, and compresses to a VERY small size.

But be forewarned, we campers/backpackers, like to have camp fires...and a spark landing on this jacket, will immediately create a hole larger that the landing spark. At that point, and a few sparks later, and you won't want to wear this out in public. Consider the high cost of this jacket before being tempted to warm yourself by that fire!

In my line of work, we always warn people not to wear synthetics around open flames or grinding and welding sparks. Synthetics AT BEST will burn an expanding hole at point of spark contact...At worst, will melt and burn in the presence of an open flame.

For myself, when camping, I will have to bring a large cotton shirt which to wear over this jacket, or some other protective wrap. Or perhaps, something entirely different to wear around the camp fire. It was a PIA having to sit away from the camp fires on those two trips!

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Compressor Classic Jacket - Men's:

Wore this jacket backpacking Canyonlands, Utah. It was good at keeping me warm with temps in the teens. Even though it is light for backpacking it isn't good to wear while doing so. It doesn't wick away sweat. Also, it is too short in the torso allowing snow to get in my pants as it rode up from the pack waist strap.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Compressor Classic Jacket - Men's:

If you are an ultra light person. This jacket is a must have. I have been using this thing like crazy for all my ascents and it has performed remarkably. Just wear a nice baselayer and this jacket for outerwear and you will be able to take on -15 degree weather easily. If you are worried about durability when scrambling over rocks, just throw a shell on over it. Truth is I have gotten into the brush and rocks with this jacket and it has yet to have a blemish. Buy this jacket today!

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Compressor Classic Jacket - Men's:

AWESOME JACKET.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Compressor Classic Jacket - Men's:

This thing is great. I wear an XL TShirt and went with the Large in this jacket. It fits great though I wouldn't mind a bit more room in the armpit areas. It should be said I'm a man, 5'8" and 180 lbs and somewhat big in the chest area.
This thing works great around town and packs down very small. I bought it as extra and/or emergency insulation to put on under my softshell jacket for changing conditions. I usually carry a down jacket for deep backcountry emergencies (unexpected bivvys, injuries, etc.) but this will work great for shorter forays and has the advantage that it will keep me warm if wet from sweat, digging or precipitation. Not as warm as my full on down parka but different use I guess.

Comments about Mountain Hardwear Compressor Classic Jacket - Men's:

This was my first non-fleece insulating jacket and I have not looked back since. I took this jacket as my only insulating jacket to New Zealand for 3 months of serious trekking and it performed wonderfully. You cannot beat this jacket's combination of weight (or lack thereof), warmth, wind protection and packability. Although not water proof, this jacket dries very quickly.

To solve the non-breathability issue, I wear a long-sleeve lightweight baselayer and have had no complaints.