ProView – BlackYak Hariana Jacket + Mewati Pants

One of the things I love most about winter is that snow and storm cycles are never taken for granted by those of us who love to ski or ride. The pure joy found in sliding down a slope on planks is perfectly balanced by the agony we must endure during dry, mild spells. This season, winter took its good ol’ time arriving in the Pacific Northwest, but when it finally showed up in late November, it delivered. Throughout the month of December, I tested the BlackYak Women’s Hariana Jacket and the Blackyak Mewati Pants in a variety of winter conditions, mostly on skis.

I tested both the pants and the jacket on mild and stormy days riding lifts at Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort and in the backcountry around Central Oregon (although I did not wear the pants touring). I managed to get 21 days of skiing in during the month of December, mostly in the weekday pre-dawn hours before heading into work. I also took both items to a backcountry hut for a weekend ski touring trip with friends. On New Year’s Eve, I appreciated the Hariana Jacket’s protection while touring on Broken Top in high winds and whiteout conditions. Even after the sun burned off the clouds, I kept the jacket on to block the occasional icy wind gusts.

Features/Performance

Since I was touring more than riding lifts, I spent a bit more time in the Hariana Jacket. Overall, it’s a high quality hardshell jacket and I was pleased with its performance. I particularly like that it’s lightweight and not too “crunchy,” as hard shells can sometimes be. This jacket is not bulky or heavy, so it’s great for both the resort and the backcountry. I removed the powder skirt since we didn’t have any super deep days in Central Oregon this month. The Hariana blocked the wind and snow on storm days yet never felt too hot while touring on cold days (and I rarely wear a hardshell while touring). I was able to stuff the jacket into my daypack when I didn’t need it, and because it was light and compressible, it was an easy choice to always keep it on hand. Many times, I was grateful to have it in my pack when I reached a blustery mountain- or ridge-top.

One feature that I love about the Hariana jacket is that it can be unzipped from the bottom. On touring days, I could go through beacon check with my partner(s) at the trailhead with all my layers on and all I had to do was unzip a few inches at the bottom, lift up my insulating and mid-layers, and pull my transceiver out of its harness – without removing layers or losing precious body heat. Normally, even on touring days, I’d be removing my top layers before setting out, but on the days we were taking the snow machine out, I could do beacon check and keep all my warmth contained within my layers. I can’t overstate how much I appreciate the convenience of unzipping the Hariana jacket from the bottom!

I wore the Mewati pants at the resort and at a not-so-well-insulated backcountry A-frame cabin. These pants are made for especially cold or stormy days at the resort, and that’s where they shine. They are somewhere between a thick mid-layer and puffy pants – but they’re not bulky or restrictive. In fact, the Mewati pants are soft, stretchy, and comfortable. They are form-fitting but not tight, and they stretch enough to comfortably fit a variety of body shapes. They provide added insulation over the knees and rear – without creating the feeling of wearing a diaper. The Mewati pants are well-constructed with high-quality materials.

I did not wear the Mewati pants touring or climbing. I tend to run hot while ascending, so I opt for silk-weight long underwear underneath softshell or hardshell pants, depending on the weather. In extreme cold, I might consider wearing these pants under my hardshell bibs while touring. They would also be a great layer for snowmobiling into a backcountry yurt or cabin. I wore them during a weekend trip to an old backcountry A-frame that was chilly, even when the fire was cranking, and the Mewati pants were great for hanging out in the cabin at night and for extra warmth in my sleeping bag.

Room for Improvement

One thing I didn’t like about the jacket’s fit was that the sleeves were a bit too short for me. I often found myself fiddling with the sleeves, trying to keep them contained within my gloves, only to have them slide up and expose my wrists to cold air or snow. I consider myself to be fairly average in size and proportion, so those whose arms are a bit on the shorter side might find that the Hariana’s sleeve length is just right for them. Aside from the sleeves, the fit was good: the jacket’s length is adequate and the hood fits over my ski helmet.

The Final Word

This was my first experience with BlackYak gear, and overall, I am impressed with the quality of fabric, materials, and construction. Both the Hariana Jacket and the Mewati Pants are well-designed and comfortable. I like the fit on both, and with the exception of the sleeves on the Hariana Jacket, I believe both the jacket and the pants fit true to size. I would recommend the Hariana Jacket for both inbounds and backcountry skiing, and I would also recommend it for mountaineering, even though I didn’t test it for that activity. The Mewati Pants are an excellent layer for resort days, as well as snowmobiling or wintertime trips to a backcountry yurt or cabin.

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