Mountain Hardwear Alakazam Jacket Features:

• Totally waterproof, breathable softshell loaded with ski features
• Removable, adjustable, stretch powder skirt
• Pit zips for additional ventilation
• One-handed hood and hem drawcords for quick adjustments
• Zip handwarmer pockets
• Plenty of interior pockets for all your gear
• Soft, “Butter Jersey” cuffs
• Micro-Chamois™-lined chin guard eliminates zipper chafe
• Colors: Blue/Grill, Black/Grill, Red/Grill (tested)
• MSRP: $375

Mountain Hardwear Alakazam Jacket Review

At Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011, I was introduced to Mountain Hardwear’s new fabric technology, Dry.Q. It represented a line in the sand between Mountain Hardwear and long-time partner W.L. Gore. Mountain Hardwear was so confident in their new fabrics that they were cutting the cord and moving on without the most recognizable waterproof/breathable membrane on the market. It didn’t take much convincing to sell me on the finer points of Dry.Q as I tested the Effusion Power Jacket and now the Alakazam Jacket.

The Alakazam is packed full of ski-specific features, like the detachable powder skirt and “Butter Jersey” cuffs. It features an efficient fit without a with just enough room for a typical light to midweight underlayer. Overall construction is superb and on par with what I’ve come to expect from Mountain Hardwear.

Wearing the jacket around, one of the first features I appreciate is the semi-detached collar design. In fact, I like this feature so much that I’d call it the Alakazam’s most impressive feature. Typical hooded jackets feature a rollover collar that flows into the hood. The result is typically a poor seal between the back of the neck and the jacket. The Alakazam remedies that by its semi-detached, fleece-lined collar. You can stand the collar up and keep all the heat in with or without using the hood. It allows you to enjoy the jacket with or without using the hood.

For simplicity, all the zippers on this jacket are of the waterproof variety and all have worked well, except for the upper-chest pocket. The problem is not necessarily related to the zipper, but to the design of the outer zipper flap. The way it’s designed, water and snow gathers inside the lower part of the zipper flap and gets frozen there. In my world, I’d get rid of the outer flap and just go with the zipper.

While the Alakazam does feature a zip-off powder skirt, this jacket still doesn’t pack down all that small. There are better lightweight jackets that pack up super-small, so keep that in mind. No, it’s not huge and bulky, but it does take up more room than my typical lightweight shells in my backcountry pack. Yes, you can lighten it up by zipping off the powder skirt, but it’s still a tad bulkier than I’d like for dedicated backside use.

Back to a few more great features, it’s impossible to overlook the quality and design of the hood. It goes on easy and adjusts to fit a helmet or bare noggin with ease. A single pull on the rear pulltab and it cinches down in just the right places. Another great feature is the Monkey Man-like  shag insulation that lines the upper-back, shoulders and upper-arms. That fleece greatly adds to the warmth and comfort of this jacket.

Breathability of the Dry.Q Elite fabric was as expected — superb. On a particularly snowy day at Deer Valley, the temperatures were cold on the ridgelines, but in the protection of the trees where the snow was piled high and deep, I found myself in a close-encounter with a scrubby pine tree that snagged my arm and sent me tumbling. With one ski missing, I began hiking uphill in waist-deep powder. After a few minutes, I began sweating and the Dry.Q Elite fabric breathed like a champ. In fact, I never needed the pit zips.

Good Alakazam Jacket

• Dry.Q Elite fabric breathes better than other waterproof/breathable fabrics on the market
• Exterior fabric is bomber and has withstood serious abuse
• Butter Jersey cuffs are comfortable and keep the snow out
• Semi-detached, fleece-lined collar gives you the best of both hooded and non-hooded worlds
• Strategically-placed insulation on shoulders and upper-arms extends warmth
• Awesome hood works well with or without a helmet

Bad Alakazam Jacket

• A little heavy and bulky with all the pockets, powder skirt, etc.
• Sleeves could be an inch longer
• Ditch the pit zips… unnecessary fluff to appease old-school nay-sayers
• Chest pocket flap captures snow

Bottom Line: Mountain Hardwear Alakazam Jacket

Knowing the origins of Mountain Hardwear’s new Dry.Q Elite fabrics, it’s no wonder it works so well. I’m sold on its superior breathability and continued weatherproofness. The Alakazam Jacket is a great ski-specific jacket with all the bells-and-whistles you could ever want when bombing the deep on the frontside of the mountain. And, should you need to push its limits in high-output situations, it will not leave you cold and clammy.

Buy Now: Visit MooseJaw.com

Mountain Hardwear Refueler Shorts Features:

• Available in three inseam lengths: 5”, 7”, 9”
• Three color options: Titanium, Navy, Black
• Main panels: Wildwood Stretch Plainweave fabric
• Chitosan antimicrobial finish on inner liner
• Velcro side pocket
• Inside security pocket
• Flatlock seam construction
• Soft drawcord at waist
• UPF 25
• Weight 3.5oz / 99g
• MSRP $35.00

Mountain Hardwear Refueler Shorts Review

If there’s one thing better than value, it’s value with options. Mountain Hardwear’s Refueler shorts are available in three different colors, and three different lengths to satisfy runners of all inseam persuasions. My preference is generally the 7” length, which gives my 6’2” frame plenty of coverage without feeling like I’m filming a rap video.

When you first take these shorts out of the packaging, it feels like there’s almost nothing there; at a mere 99g, the Refueler is less than half the weight of some other trail shorts in my closet. Both the main panel fabric and interior liner are incredibly thin, and wick moisture well enough so that the shorts don’t feel bulky by the end of a 20-miler. Thanks to their lightness, these shorts would be great for the dog days of summer, but they’ve also provided ample insulation on some of our foggy 45-degree mornings on the Monterey Peninsula. Durability (i.e. tear-resistance) might be an issue if you end up bushwhacking off trail, but I haven’t had any problems with everyday trail use.

The main panels are a stretch fabric that moves very well with your legs, and have rapid wicking and drying properties to move moisture away from your skin and prevent chafing. The flatlock panel construction is very smooth and didn’t cause any irritation on longer outings. Likewise, I haven’t had any discomfort from the waistband, even when wearing the Refuelers with a waist-mounted bottle carrier.

Storage is adequate for the basics, with an internal key pocket and a side compartment that’s big enough for a gel or perhaps a folded-up trail map. One minor gripe is that the side pocket closes with two small Velcro tabs, which are a little bit tricky to access with one hand while maintaining stride. Then again, the Velcro is pretty effective at keeping stuff from tumbling out of the pockets.

Honestly, there’s not a lot to complain about here, especially considering that the Refueler is so affordably priced. For about a hundred bucks, you could get three different varieties – or the same variety in three different colors – and be almost completely equipped for a full season of running adventures.

Good Refueler

• Variable lengths
• Super lightweight
• Very comfortable
• Efficient moisture wicking

Bad Refueler

• Thin fabric might be vulnerable off-trail
• Cumbersome side pocket access

Bottom Line: Mountain Hardwear Refueler Shorts

If you’re looking for a very solid, very basic short to meet the majority of your trail running needs, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better value than Mountain Hardwear’s Refueler shorts.

Buy Now: Visit Backcountry.com

Mountain Hardwear Dry.Q Active Effusion Jacket Features:

• Body mapped design with Dry.Q Active panels (as tested)
• DWR finish for water repellency
• Reflective print for ultimate visibility
• Thumb loop with half-glove cuffs in a pinch
• Chest stash pocket
• Flat-lock seam construction
• Colors: Blue Chip/Grill, Bonfire/Grill (tested), Cool Grey/Grill
• Athletic fit
• Weight: 12 oz
• MSRP: $150
• Available Fall 2011

Mountain Hardwear Dry.Q Active Effusion Power Jacket Review

This new jacket hit my porch in January. The entire package and presentation was fit for a king as Mountain Hardwear introduced their new Dry.Q Active technology. I have one of only a handful of Dry.Q Active Effusion Power Jacket samples and haven’t hesitated putting it to the test. Honestly, it’s the perfect jacket for most of my athletic cold-weather adventures and has proven to be a great jacket for me.

A quick rundown of the top features without-a-doubt includes the unique thumb loop/half glove design. I’m a huge fan of thumb loops for trail running jackets as it adds hand protection on-the-fly without the need for gloves. With the Effusion Power Jacket, you not only get thumb loops, but a deployable half-glove on top of that. It’s definitely unique and works well when needed. The rest of the kudos goes to the overall body mapped design and fabrics.

The fit is very athletic. I received a Large, and found it to fit efficiently with little extra room throughout. I was able to comfortably wear a medium-weight base layer or a short-sleeve cycling jersey underneath, but I couldn’t wear anything thicker than that. The sleeves are extra-long, which makes me wonder if a Medium could be a slightly better fit. As it was, the extra bunching in the wrist-area was only a bother when trying to find my watch.

The body-mapped design truly works well as the wind protection is superb and water repellency is top-notch while back and side panels quickly wick away moisture.

Thinking back on all the hours of use I’ve had with the Effusion Jacket, nothing says more than my backcountry ski trip to the Tetons. Day 2 was windy as a stormfront approached. The wind slowed and the skies opened up with the fury only the Tetons can unleash. The entire climb up the skintrack, I felt comfortable. The wind never penetrated my core and snow melted and beaded up without penetrating the jacket. When the weather finally got too snowy and cold for just the Effusion, I slapped a hardshell on top and I kept warm and comfortable. Though the back panels would be quite damp, it always dried out quicker than expected.

For cold-weather trail running, the piece is absolutely perfect. It blocks the wind in the front yet breathes well and offers an athletic, efficient fit. For road biking, it functions equally as well. On my long ascent on a cold morning up American Fork Canyon, I stayed comfortable and on the descent, the front-facing fabrics blocked the wind extremely-well. The versatility of this jacket and the Dry.Q Active fabrics are awesome.

It’s hard to be too picky about a pre-production sample, but I have to mention a few things. Tops on that list is the thumb loop and half glove. While it worked well and I really do dig it, I was able to put more stress on some of the seams than it can handle. I popped a few stitches every so often while engaging the thumb loops, but no seams ever pulled out completely. It also needs an improved closure at the hem as it just looks unfinished. I’m also wishing mine had the back pocket like the production models should.

NOTICE: The jacket I received was a sample primarily to test the Dry.Q Active fabrics. For production, the front-facing panels of the Effusion Power Jacket will be built with Mountain Hardwear’s proprietary Airshield Active fabric, which differs slightly from the Dry.Q Active as tested. Airshield Active is a wind-blocking fabric but is not waterproof like Dry.Q Active. To get the full Dry.Q Active fabric experience, you’ll have to opt for the hooded version and give up the thumb loops with half-gloves.

Good Dry.Q Active Effusion Jacket

• Perfect combo of body-mapped softshell fabrics
• Keeps you dry on-the-fly and dries out in a jiffy
• Nice collar diameter and height for warmth
• Killer for backcountry skiing, trail running or even road biking
• Thumb loops with half glove is sweet
• Abundant reflective materials to be seen

Bad Dry.Q Active Effusion Power Jacket

• Sample seemed unfinished in front at he bottom of the zipper. Maybe a snap or revised drawcord placement is in order.
• I wish my sample had a back pocket (production specs show it will)
• Thumb loop stiching popped in a couple of places

Bottom Line: Mountain Hardwear Dry.Q Active Effusion Power Jacket

Mountain Hardwear is steering the boat in a new direction this Fall and with a great piece like the Dry.Q Effusion Power Jacket, they should continue to thrive. This jacket is perfect for cold-weather aerobic activities. It keeps the elements at bay and breathes well at the same time. Look for this one in the Fall, but keep in mind that it will not feature Dry.Q Active front panels as this one did.

Buy Now: Search for Mountain Hardwear Jackets

Smith Optics

I’ve got 4 kids, so what caught my eye was the cool, integrated goggle/helmet combo that will be hitting the slopes next Fall. The kids Smith Cosmos helmet and Galaxy goggle has a hook latch on one side and the Tractor Beam magnetic clip on the other side. The result? The kids goggles will stay put and taking them off and on will result in less complaining from the little ones. Very cool.

Gore-Tex

New from Gore is the Active Shell material that is a realization that they were missing out on the more athletic side of the market. While Gore-Tex Pro Shell is undoubtedly bombproof in the field as a impenetrable hardshell, Active Shell is the lightweight and breathable side of Gore while still remaining waterproof.

Therm-a-Rest

With the wild success of the 3-season Therm-a-Rest Neo Air sleeping pad, Therm-a-Rest is now introducing an all-season version to keep you warm and toasty in the snow. Weight still comes in at a paltry 19 oz. and is built with additional layers of reflective material to improve the convective heating capabilities and keep you warm and toasty. Effective R-value is increased from 2.5 to 4.9 as compared to the classic Therm-a-Rest Neo Air.

Kaenon

Take notice… Kaenon has arrived in a big way. While they may still be seen as high-end and “niche”, Kaenon is finally getting their share of attention with bold styles and solid optics. I’m a huge fan and grab mine first over all others.  Check out the new Squeeze for women and the Trade for men. Solid.

Volkl

While Volkl has had backcountry-friendly skis in Europe, they have yet to make something relevant to the North American market. Look for that to change in 2011 with the top dog, Nunataq backcountry touring ski. With enough width, pre-cut skins, early-rise tip and flat camber, the Nunataq can more efficiently attack the Rockies unlike any Volkl before.

Adidas Outdoor

While Adidas outdoor has been strong in Europe for a few years, 2011 will mark their first full foray into North America. Expect the Three Stripes to appear on mountains and in the backcountry with efficient fit hard and softshells featuring Gore-Tex fabrics. The Terrex Feather Jacket is the head honcho of the line… a solid hardshell with some great features.

I also liked the casual Daroga Leather shoes for their versatile, kick-back styling.

Mountain Hardwear

Goodbye Gore-Tex! While Gore is enjoying solid acceptance still among many brands, Mountain Hardwear is switching gears and pulling the plug on everything Gore. This enables them to deliver their products and fabrics THEIR way. For Fall 2011, you’ll find great mixtures of fabrics (hard and soft) and insulation. The fabrics primarily fall into DryQ Active and DryQ Elite product lines with an emphasis on function. Having used a DryQ Active piece for several weeks now, I’m digging where Mountain Hardwear is going.

La Sportiva

Skis, boots AND bindings… whoa! So, La Sportiva is coming into the ski market with a randonee racing twist. Most of the line will only find a home in limited locations, but it all looks well-built and capable. The RT binding is the first tech binding to feature a Release Value (similar to DIN) in the toepiece. It’s a simple design and ultralight. And the Hi-5 ski has enough rocker and size to keep it fun in the deep.

Black Diamond

Talk about an overhaul… wow! The entire Black Diamond ski line gets re-done with more rocker, girth and power than ever before. The Power series gets new and shiny from top-to-bottom and the Efficient series gets the new ultralight Justice (my pick for a backountry slayer). The new top dog is the huge Gigawatt, which sits even wider than the Megawatt. Lots of new technology going on here.

Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man Lite Jacket Features:

• MicroClimate Zoning™ construction for built in warmth, breathability and stretch
• Polartec® Thermal Pro® Monkey Phur Lite and Polartec Power Stretch®
• Extremely warm, extremely soft
• Stretch hem and cuffs seal in warmth
• Close fitting hood, designed to fit under helmet
• Pockets set high and out of the way from harness and pack straps
• Integrated thumb loops for warmth
• Weight: 1 lb. 2 oz. / 498 g.
• Center-to-back Length: 28″ / 71 cm
• MSRP: $165

Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man Lite Jacket Review

Starting in late Spring, I’ve been able to use the new Monkey Man lite while skiing and running in cool weather conditions. Having not worn the original Monkey Man Jacket, I can appreciate just how warm it must be as this one is like wearing a heating blanket. The Monkey Man Lite is built a bit more streamlined than the regular version, so it can be worn in more technical situations as an insulation layer or outerwear.

The combination of Polartec fabrics has proven to be extremely durable and weather resistant. Heavy snows and even rain is kept at bay while maintaining good warmth. Built-in thumb loops make it even better and extend the sleeves for situations where you are caught without gloves and need just a little more hand coverage.

On a great Spring afternoon at Alta with my son, I enjoyed the extra length and streamlined fit of the Monkey Man Lite. Keeping the snow out was aided by the stretchy Power Stretch fabric at the hem and cuffs. The thick pile of the fleece on this jacket makes for a highly wind-resistant piece while maintaining good breathability.

I pushed the limits of this jacket on a snowy trail run. While I didn’t quite overheat, lets just say that it keeps you ultra-warm. I felt like it breathed well and a quick unzip of the front provided good ventilation. The snug-fitting hood is awesome to have in a pinch and really increases the warmth of the entire package.

The blue color tested is a bit on the bright side as I felt like a Smurf while wearing it, but other color options are available. I also thought that the sleeve cuff length could be shortened just a tad since they bunched up around the wrists when not using the thumb loops. I guess the intent is that the sleeves should fit perfectly when using the thumb loops, so it depends on how you intend to wear it. Also, without a shock-cord in the hem, the lower edge can creep up a little bit.

Good Monkey Man Lite

• Serious warmth in a lightweight package
• Thumb loops provide extra hand coverage in a pinch
• Fabrics shed wind and weather well
• Good trim fit for base layer or technical outerwear
• Extra hem length provides good coverage

Bad Monkey Man Lite

• Sleeves do bunch up when not using thumb loops
• Hood can get in the way in certain layering situations
• Pocket zipper pulls could be better (simple rope pulls are so 1995)
• Shock-cord hem may keep things in place a little better

Bottom Line: Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man Lite Jacket

It’s fuzzy and it’s warm… the new Monkey Man Lite Jacket is a bit more streamlined than the original for better technical performance. You can expect stove-like warmth and good wearability in a variety of conditions with this jacket.

Buy Now: Search for the Monkey Man Lite Jacket

Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead 3 Tent Features:

• Guaranteed watertight construction with fully taped fly, taped perimeter seam, welded corners and welded guy clip anchors. Rain room tested with 1200″ of rain in 24 hours.
• Atlas 7001™ pole system is strong, lightweight, durable, resistant to corrosion and dents, and easy to service by hand in the field
• Pitch Light™ configuration allows user to set up a superlight shelter using only the tent fly, poles and footprint (sold separately)
• Large mesh area for maximum ventilation when needed; can be covered with zippered roll-back sky panel for warmth and privacy
• Two adjustable vents in fly sheet for air circulation
• High ceiling for extra head room
• Two large canopy doors with dual slider zippers for easy entry
• Two vestibules for storage
• Reflective starter point, guy-out loops and zipper pulls for easy set-up at night
• Superlight 1/4″ buckles and webbing reduce tent weight
• Color coded pole loops for easy set up
• MSRP: $300

Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead 3 Tent Review

Bomber Mountain Hardwear construction… check. Ultra-huge mesh windows for stargazing… check. Excellent headroom… check. The Hammerhead 3 is not an ultralight 3-person tent, but it’s built smartly with a bevy of features to make it a versatile choice for those seeking a little extra elbow-room.

Setup is straightforward with two identical poles running fore and aft and a single peaked pole for height. Poles are color-coded and are slightly bent to make the proper shape. This is great when pitched, but when stored, the poles then don’t sit completely flat, thus taking up a little more room than standard, unbent poles. The poles connect to resin clips in 6 locations along the floor of the tent. These simple clips allow for easy pole attachment and staking while also making for easy rain fly attachment.

The two carabiner-like clips secure the poles where they intersect. The gate stays closed with simple spring pressure from the clip body. These major intersections are easily done first to keep the tent in place, then followed by the remaining hooks to secure the tent body. To unclip, a squeeze of these two carabiners pops the gate open and you’re good.

The Hammerhead is appropriately named as it sits very tall and features double-sided entry with dual vestibules with 20 sq. ft. of exterior storage. While the rain fly will undoubtedly be used most of the time, one of my favorite features of this tent can be used when going fly-free. The absolutely enormous grill on the Hammerhead provides quite the view of the night sky. Now there are a ton of tents with ample mesh for breathability and a clear view of the night sky, but this one is unique in its ability to cover that huge mesh area with its roll-back sky panel. It zips off and neatly rolls out of the way for unimpeded viewing then can be covered mostly or completely with a few zips and clips.

Without the rain fly, many mesh-happy tents can become downright chilly, but with the roll-back panel zipped back in place, 35-degree nights were considerably less chilly. We were able to enjoy the clear view of the sky until it was time to sleep, then zip it closed for a bit more privacy and warmth.

All doors and zip-away panels can be rolled and secured via either simple hook and pull latches or simple drawcords that allow for tighter stowing. With that simple addition, door panels were securely and easily kept out of the way.

I did have some issues with the double doors. While it’s nice having two doors, they aren’t all that large, so access isn’t quite as roomy as other tents. I also couldn’t get the tent completely taught at the door zippers, so it typically required a two hand process with one hand holding the tent tight and the other pulling the zipper open or closed.

I pitched it using the optional footprint, which is recommended and further extends the tent’s function in Pitch Light configuration (e.g. poles, fly and footprint).

The rain fly provides ample double-sided vestibules to stash gear and keep them from the elements. I didn’t encounter any foul weather while using the Hammerhead 3, so I’ll have to report back later and just take Mountain Hardwear’s word on the watertight construction for now.

As it is, the Hammerhead 3 is a great option for backpacking and car camping with double-wide comfort for two or ample for three.

Good Hammerhead 3

• Love the roll-away sky panel for stargazing or privacy
• Extra headroom is great
• Double entry with roomy vestibules
• Simple pleasures add up: pull-tight drawcords and resin pole/stake clips
• Taped construction for weather protection
• Can be pitched in several options–especially when used with the optional footprint
• Great breathability
• Does well in wind

Bad Hammerhead 3

• Could be a tad lighter
• Bent poles don’t store flat, so they take up extra space when packed
• Doors required two-hands to open/close

Bottom Line: Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead 3 Tent

With an amazing roll-away convertible sky view panel, the Hammerhead 3 tent is like sleeping the the cockpit of a fighter jet with a wide-open view of the sky. Then, when it’s time for privacy or extra warmth, the zip panel closes. I like the extra headroom and amply-sized double vestibules combined with numerous great little features. There are lighter 3-person backpacking tents, but this one is quite compelling.

Buy Now: Search for Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead Tents

Montrail

Hot on the heels of the Montrail Rockridge and Sabino Trail comes three new shoes for Spring: Fairhaven ($110), Badrock ($100) and Rogue Racer ($110). The Fairhaven and Badrockfirst use Montrail’s new FluidPost technology with  triple-density EVA foam to provide “custom” pronation control under all conditions and terrain. As the foot falls inward, it rolls smoothly from soft to firm support for an adaptive  and safer foot strike — it all sounds pretty cool and is applicable to all foot types.

The Rogue Racer is a lightweight race-day shoe or a training shoe for those who prefer a more minimalistic design. At 8.8 oz, there are lighter shoes on the market, but the Rogue’s are packed with a bit more features than your standard racing flat.

For post-running comfort, Montrail is introducing the Lithia Loop ($60) and Lithia Slide ($65) sandals with dual-density PRFRM thermo-moldable footbeds for soothing trail-worn feet.

Mountain Hardwear

Extending the Hardwave Suspension design, Mountain Hardwear is now pushing its use throughout most of the line. This system is flexible, yet supportive and breathable and has been adapted slightly for use in larger packs, like the Men’s Molimo 70 ($250) and the Women’s Lomasi 60 ($250).

Sierra Designs

It’s been a long time since Sierra Designs had backpacks in their line, but they didn’t get into it halfway… their complete pack lineup is as impressive as many who have been making packs for much longer. Utilizing aircraft-grade aluminum stays, the Fulcrum Suspension system is both light and strong. The entire package is built to carry weight well with the suspension design and other little features, like the angled pack bottom to further concentrate weight on the waistbelt. Not only is this design made for comfort in the long haul, it’s made for ventilation with plenty of airflow. Each pack is also hydration compatible. Shown below is the Revival 65 ($240).

Outdoor Research

Hot off the heels of the success of the Helium Jacket, Outdoor Research keeps the momentum flowing with the ultralight Vigor Jacket ($70) and the Paladin Jacket ($250). Both jackets utilize Pertex laminates for lightweight durability with supreme weather performance. The Vigor is made for cycling and running and weighs a paltry 5 oz. The Paladin is a true 3-layer jacket built with Pertex Shield that can withstand heavy weather and demanding use.

Patagonia

Leading the charge in sustainability, Patagonia’s product line is now 90% recyclable through their Common Threads program. Kudos to Patagonia for that achievement. A new piece is the Ultralight Down Shirt ($250) that tips the scales at a mere 5.6 oz using ultralight ripstop nylon while being packed with 800-fill down for warmth. It’s packable and comfortable.

The new Men’s Torrentshell Pullover ($119) is made for climbers who prefer a minimalist design so nothing gets caught up in harnesses or packs. This pullover is economical and streamlined for demanding climbers and mountaineers.

Another great introduction is the new Air Flow running shirts. Available in both short-sleeve ($59) and sleeveless ($55), the Air Flow fabric features a subtle weave for extreme moisture wicking and performance.

The North Face

Ultralight continues to be the story with The North Face launching the Verto Jacket ($99) that tips the scales at a paltry 3.2 oz. This ultralight jacket will save your bacon in a pinch and packs away into its own energy bar-sized pouch.

With the success of the Single Track trail runners, The North Face is evolving their designs with the introduction of the Double Track ($110). This shoe features a bit more stability (X-Dome Cradle), yet still promises the overall performance that the Single Track’s are known for.

Another great piece from The North Face is the new Silicate mountain bike shorts ($85). These are more trail-friendly with a high-quality removable liner. The chamois is infused with silver microbial technology and was Italian-designed.

GoLite

I saw a few great pieces from the great folks at GoLite, but the one that stands out the most is the Kenai jacket ($200). Built with Pertex Shield, this technical 2.5-layer jacket is trim-fitting and perfect for demanding pursuits. I tried it on and loved the anatomical sleeve cuffs, pit zips and helmet-compatible hood. Weight is listed as 10 oz. on this, so it’s light, but not scary-light.

Arc’teryx

There’s just no stopping the Arc’teryx momentum from year-to-year. They just keep on innovating. For starters, the new Motus Crew shirt ($59, short-sleeve or $69, long-sleeve) is built to keep you warm (when needed), dry and comfortable with its hydrophobic and silver ion infused yarn.

Another cool bit from Arc’teryx is the new Cierzo ultralight pack line. Available in three sizes with several fun colors, the Cierzo line is simplistic yet still full-featured and is priced from $59-$119.

La Sportiva

After the announcement of the new La Sportiva MorphoDynamic trail runners last week, I thought they’d be content with that. Well, to my surprise, there are a few new or updated models and that includes the new La Sportiva Crosslite 2.0. Built with the same outsole and a similar upper, the Crosslite 2.0 has all the makings of a race-day feel with day-to-day training capability.

Mountain Hardwear Geist Jacket Features

• Highly luminescent reflective print for ultimate visibility
• Ghost ripstop stretch fabric
• Knit mesh in high perspiration areas
• Inherent stretch in both fabrics for mobility
• Full front zipper with chin guard for comfort
• Hand pockets with earpiece cord exits
• Entire garment stuffs into self pocket for packability
• Colors: Red (tested), Titanium, True Blue
• MSRP: $110

Mountain Hardwear Geist Jacket Review

Now that I’ve had several months to test the Geist Jacket, I’ve come to appreciate many of its great qualities. For starters, the Ghost Ripstop fabric is ultralight but still very durable and water-resistant (thanks to a DWR treatment). Water just beads up and rolls off and wind is kept at bay.  With this ultralight shell, it doesn’t provide much in the way of insulation. So, even though it does shed water and wind, a warmer base layer will still be needed on cold days on the trail.

I’ve used this shell for trail running, road running and road biking with much success. Its 6 oz weight feels downright feathery and moves uninhibited (thanks to its stretchy fabric) with your every move. As is typical with Mountain Hardwear products, the Geist features an athletic fit. I’d daresay the fit of the Medium is absolutely perfect in every aspect on my 5’11″ 165 lb frame.

After long runs, the mesh back panel on this jacket does absorb a decent amount of moisture, but does dry quickly. I’ve also noticed that the fabric unfortunately retains a bit more body odor than other comparable jackets. A bit of an anti-microbial treatment or odor-fighting fabric may be in order.

I appreciate the pockets with simple rubberized zipper pulls (no cheap rope loops here), but the chest pocket was either placed in the wrong spot or was the wrong size to carry anything of significance, like a cell phone (not out of the ordinary, but worth noting).

The collar is well-designed. Sometimes, the collar height is too tall or diameter too large, but the Geist sports a low-profile collar that’s built with dual-sided stretchy fabric. The interior uses the wicking soft mesh fabric that’s used in the underarms and back panel for a soft feel next-to-skin and the exterior uses the shell fabric used elsewhere. This combination provides excellent coverage and comfort.

Good Geist Jacket

• Ultralight feel
• Efficient cut… I’d daresay “perfect”
• Excellent water protection… rain just rolls right off
• Reflective print helps night visibility
• Collar height and soft fabric is perfect
• Simple, effective zipper pulls
• Stuff pocket packs it all down to nuthin’

Bad Geist Jacket

• Provides minimal warmth… good when all you need is wind protection… bad when it’s downright chilly
• Can get a little smelly after a good run or two

Bottom Line: Mountain Hardwear Geist Jacket

The Geist Jacket is a killer entry into the ultralight athletic shell market. It’s built for high-energy activities, so it sheds wind and rain/snow while remaining breathable and comfortable.

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Mountain Hardwear Geist Vest Features:

• 100% windproof Ghost ripstop stretch body construction
• Wicked taper mesh back panel
• Durable Water Repellant (DWR) finish
• Center back length 28.5” (72cm)
• Front zipper with chin guard
• Vertical chest pocket with media cord exit
• 3M ultra-high reflective highlights on side and back
• Weight:  3oz (94g)
• MSRP:  $90

Mountain Hardwear Geist Vest review

The Geist is an update (and a German translation) of the popular Ghost vest and jacket, which were built for lightweight durability.  Mountain Hardwear updated those models with minor style adjustments, and somehow managed to make the vest nearly 25% lighter without sacrificing durability or performance.

Ripstop nylon fabric provides excellent wind resistance on the front panels, while fast drying knit mesh on the back provides moisture transfer and ventilation for temperature regulation.  The mesh features Chitosan fabric to help with odor control, although it will still retain some funk if you happen to leave it in your car all day after a hard 20-miler (Guilty!).

Rear view; mesh panel, reflective accents

Both fabrics have inherent stretch properties to allow freedom of movement, and the entire garment has an enhanced Durable Water Repellent finish to repel light rain.  The narrow cut and longer than average back length make this suitable for mountain biking as well as running, although the tail isn’t as long as you’ll find on most cycling-specific apparel.

The entire vest is incredibly light and soft, and barely feels like an extra layer over the top of a tech shirt.  However, it retains warmth quite well, providing more than enough insulation to ward off the early-morning cold before stripping to a single layer.  It’s also comfortable enough to wear for several hours if the sun decides to sleep in for a while.

I’ve experienced each of the above scenarios; most frequently, I wear the Geist vest and arm warmers with a T-shirt before sunrise, then tuck them into a pocket once the morning heats up.  With its super-thin construction, the vest compresses very small, and at a mere 3 oz, it’s hard to tell that there’s any additional weight in my pack.

Honestly, there’s not much to dislike here, so I’ll just describe one pet peeve:  since the material is so lightweight, if you’re running through a cross-breeze, the collar has a tendency to get blown upward onto your cheek.  When I tuck the collar inside out – problem solved.

Good Geist

• Amazingly lightweight and comfortable
• Very thin for easy layering
• Good heat retention
• Compresses very easily

Bad Geist

• Not enough protection for harsh cold or wet conditions
• No key clasp
• The collar thing

Super compact for easy storage

Bottom Line: Mountain Hardwear Geist Vest

Combining minimal weight with high durability and performance, the Geist Vest is an ideal accessory for increased core protection from mild to moderate conditions.

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About the Mountain Hardwear Typhon Gloves

A new gauntlet-style glove from Mountain Hardwear, the Typhon also utilizes a relatively-new waterproof/breathable membrane called Outdry. How does Outdry differ from Gore-Tex, you might ask? Well, I’m sure the folks at Outdry will go on for hours, but the simplest explanation is that the membrane itself is fused to the outer layer of fabric. The result is a more cohesive feel with no dead air space and an improvement in breathability.

Features

• Midsize gauntlet
• Integrated, removable leashes
• Easy drawcord system
• 4-way stretch nylon soft shell
• Water resistant goatskin palms
• Outdry laminated waterproof/breathable membrane
• Polyester/wool removable glove liner
• MSRP: $130

Mountain Hardwear Typhon Gloves Review

Rounding out my review of Outdry products, the Mountain Hardwear Typhon gauntlet-style gloves have now been all over the Wasatch in varying conditions. The overall glove package is outstanding and the performance of the Outdry membrane has been equally good.

I’ve really come to appreciate the dexterity offered by these gloves. This is likely due to the use of the Pittard’s water-resistant goatskin and the fused Outdry membrane. With many Gore-Tex gloves, you can feel each layer independently, but with these, the inner wool/poly glove liner felt immediately next to the outer shell. I could easily grasp buckles, toggles and zippers every time–not something easily done with many gloves.

The outer shell can be worn alone or in combination with the glove liner, which can also be worn alone. If you’re in a pinch, these can be your do-it-all backcountry skiing glove, but I still prefer to have a dedicated pair for skinning and another pair for skiing. The value of the flexible glove shell/liner comes more into play for winter camping or expeditions where you’ll simply use the liner around camp and such.

One of my gripes with gauntlet gloves is tightening and loosening the gauntlet cuff. Mountain Hardwear mitigates this by using an innovative pull/pull design on the Typhon that allows you to use one pull (white) to tighten the cuff and another pull (yellow) to loosen the cuff. This greatly simplified the process of getting them on and off.

I occasionally had the liner pull out of the outer shell when removing the gloves, which can be an annoyance. That’s about all I can think of in the negatives on these gloves, really.

The Outdry membrane worked really well–even in warm, wet and slushy snow. No water penetrated these gloves at any point. As with all gloves, there is a temperature limit. On the chairlift, on a cold day, I found them to start to get a bit chilly, but once moving again, my hands warmed up.

Good Typhon

• Stretchy shell fabric provides excellent fit
• Outdry liner doesn’t add any bulk and provides excellent waterproofness
• Great dexterity with goatskin and fused Outdry membrane
• Gauntlet keeps the snow out
• Simple single-pull close/open toggle system

Bad Typhon

• Wool/poly inner glove does pull out separately; requires some fiddling on occasion, but not as bad as a poorly-designed glove that inadvertently pulls out
• May never use the glove liner or shell alone

Bottom Line: Mountain Hardwear Typhon Glove with Outdry

In the market for a mid-length gauntlet glove to keep your digits warm and cozy? Check out the Typhon glove with Outdry for a waterproof/breathable Gore-Tex alternative.

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