Mountain Hardwear  Free Element Hooded Insulated Jacket - Men's

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Durable, flexible and comfortable were the first words that came to mind when I tested Mountain Hardware’s Men’s Free Element Hooded Jacket out. It’s a rad synthetic fill jacket that is perfect for the in between weather where it isn’t too cold for a larger puffy but is still cold enough to warrant a bigger jacket. In the early mornings before work it became my go to jacket for hikes because of the lighter weight warmth and comfort. It was a good fit that offered enough room for fluid movement while still keeping then overall footprint of the jacket down so as to not have that bulky feeling. I usually fit into smalls in most brands and this jacket is no exception. The size small fit great. Overall it’s a rad synthetic filled jacket ready to take on your adventure whether that be a cold day on the town to crushing a hike in to the climbing route.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I wore the Mountain Hardwear Free Element Hooded Jacket in Buckland, Alaska, throughout October, primarily as an insulating layer at work and as an outer layer while running. I work on remote construction projects in Alaska, so practical layering and cold-weather performance matter to me. The jacket did well in the cold. At work, it served well as an insulating layer, but I needed another layer over it to cut the wind. That’s something I’d keep in mind if you plan to wear it as your outermost layer in exposed conditions. In my experience, it handled getting wet better than down, but I wouldn’t choose it for sustained wet conditions. I’d bring a protective shell when wind or wet weather is expected. I wore a size Large, and it fit true to size. The snug cuffs were one of my favorite design details. Overall, I’d recommend it to someone looking for an insulating layer for cold-weather work or a jacket to wear while running in suitable conditions. Its main limitation for my use was needing additional wind protection. My experience is based on October use in Alaska, so I can’t yet speak to long-term durability. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

Fits great feels nice and cozy will be perfect for this fall.