ProView – Mountain Hardwear Women’s Super/DS Stretchdown Hooded Jacket

One puffy, two puffy, red puffy, blue puffy. I can’t tell you how many down jackets I’ve owned and tried in the last few years! Maybe 10 or more. As a guide and lifelong skier, I basically live in down jackets nine months out of the year. We get some cold weather here on the Front Range, especially moving up into the alpine where the winds can blow well over 100mph and it can be tough to find a jacket that you trust. I’ve had big jackets that don’t pack down, light jackets that don’t do the job, jackets that I really like that get shredded after a season of climbing rock and ice. All have their own pros and cons, but overall the Mountain Hardwear Women’s Super/DS Stretchdown Hooded Jacket has become a staple piece of my climbing kit.

 From the minute I took this puffy out of the package I wore it every day for about a week, I’ve put this jacket through the wringer. I’ve worn it in temps from 15 degrees Fahrenheit to high 60’s and it performed well in both. It’s comfortable enough for all-day wear and while it keeps you warm, it’s also breathable making it a great midweight jacket. It has a comfortable everyday fit that allows you to leave it on and forget about it, versus feeling restricted and bogged down like some other jackets. In general, I use this jacket about 4-5 days a week. 

• 

• 

Features

Some of my favorite features of this jacket are it’s 650 fill Responsible Down, meaning Mountain Hardwear holds a strict standard for animal welfare. This is the first down stretch puffy I’ve owned and the movement and freedom you’re allowed in the jacket is awesome for climbing on cold days. It’s fitted enough to wear under another layer on really cold days but does the job on its own in most cold weather. The laminated seams versus sewn cells make for less cold spots and while it’s not waterproof, it is fairly water-resistant. That being said, in wet conditions, I would recommend layering it with a compatible rain layer like the Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2. 

• 

• 

• 

Some fun features of this jacket include its ability to pack down into your climbing helmet and maximize space in your pack. Pockets big enough to hold a standard 12-ounce travel mug for those tired, cold, alpine starts, and a hood that fits just right, even over most helmets eliminating the bulky air pockets that some others have. The hood also sports drawstrings that make it adjustable on windy days.

• 

• 

Room for Improvement

As much as I love and recommend this jacket, everything has room for improvement. One of the cons I noted on this model was that even though it’s marketed as a climbing jacket it doesn’t have the ability to zip up from the bottom, leaving access to your belay loop. While this isn’t necessarily a flaw in the jacket, it would be a huge bonus in future models. Especially on multi pitch this is really helpful because you don’t have to keep constantly adjusting your harness to accommodate putting on a jacket at the belays.

• 

The Final Word

Overall, Mountain Hardwear makes really quality gear and it’s easy to tell they care about the user’s experience. They also stand behind their craftsmanship with a lifetime warranty extended to cover all unaltered products. Since getting this kit from Mountain Hardwear I’ve gone out of my way to find other pieces from them because their products are durable, comfortable, and well made. As both a professional and recreational climber, I’m looking forward to all the experiences to come in my Stretchdown Jacket. 

• 

• 

Shop the Mountain Hardwear Women’s Super/DS Stretchdown Hooded Jacket on Outdoor Prolink. Not a member? Apply today!