MHW Windstopper Tech Jacket

This thing is perfect for climbing. You can use this as an outer layer when the temperatures are cool and windy. I have also used this jacket as an insulating layer during those cold alpine climbs. My only complaint is the sizing of this jacket. Tech jackets usually have a tapered cut to them, but I did not expect it to be cut so short. I purchased a size bigger than normal and that was a big mistake. It is now long enought, but the extra material bunches up under a pack or outer layer.

I am now on my second MHW windstopper jacket. The first version didn't have the shoulder reinforcments or the waist drawstring. I started using this jacket over six years ago on short backpacking trips and found it to be very versitle. It is very low on bulk which might make you wonder if it can keep you warm. Rest assured that with the addition of the windstopper membrain this jacket will retain an amazing amount of body heat. In the fall and spring when the weather is a misting rain I seldon pull out the waterproof shell because this jacket will repel light rain and it dries quickly.

In the Summer this is the only insulating garment I put in my pack. It is light enough to carry and will knock the chill off that comes after the late afternoon thunderstorm.

For most of my Winter backpacking in the Smoky Mountains I wear this jacket over a long sleeve zip T shirt and stay perfectly comfortable. The full length front zipper and the long pit zips allow for venting as the weather or you warm up. On rest breaks simply zip up and this will keep you comfortable until you start moving again. The zippers are easy to work and can be operated by one hand. The collar is snug enough to prevent most heat loss without the strangle effect.

In 2001 I climbed Mt. Ranier in nothing but a MHW Transition T and the MHW Windstopper Jacket. I pulled out a down parka for rest stops due to the 25 - 30 mph wind, but found the jacket to be warm enough while I was climbing.

After literally hundereds of hours of use my original jacket is in good condition but elected to get the second jacket for the improvements that are on the Tech Jacket, Waist draw, chest pocket, and reinforced wear areas. I also have the MHW windstopper pants and I have found them to be great for extreame weather.

I purchased this jacket from Mountain Gear on clearance for $150 because it was last years color. Although I have only had one chance to use it so far, I am impressed with its versatility. In the morning with temperatures around 55 F, I wore it with the pit zips open over a light weight long sleeve pullover and shorts and was comfortable. As the temperature warmed to around 65 F I took it off as it became quite warm. That evening, the wind picked up to around 25 mph and temperatures fell to around 50 F and I put the jacket on with pits unzippedand was comfortable. The next morning with temperatures in the lower 40's and 20-25 mph winds, I closed the pits and was comfortable.



The collar is a good height and it didn't interfere with my movements at all. The only problem I had was that I am not used to pit zips and have some trouble opening and closing with the jacket on, but that may be because I need practice.

I use this jacket as an insulating layer and love the warmth it provides. But perhaps more telling is I use this jacket for every day use as well because I like it so much. Some of the features that I like are the abrasion resistant shoulders and the draw string waist which can really help when the wind picks. The "pit zippers" are really nice to adjust your heat with ease. The WindStopper material really helps in a cold wind.

This is a solid all-around versital jacket.

I'm going to be the poor review. I had a MH fleece jacket (300 wt) that I used to wear with a wind/water shell that I loved and stayed very warm in. I changed to this parka cause I heard of all the great features. I found this jacket does not keep me warm without a healthy layer of fleece under it. It does block the wind, but I found the insulation is far from sufficient for me.



It is now my around town fleece, and I'm back to my older fleece jacket along with a light water/wind shell....

This jacket is been with me on my last six climbs. It works great at what is intended for, aerobic work in cold, windy weather. I have use it not only when climbing, but also when I am mountain biking. I sweat a lot, and this jacket, with its under arm zippers, keeps my core temp comfortable. Of course, if it is very, very cold, and you are standing still, maybe you will need the power of down. But you start moving, climbing, jogging or pedalling into the cold and wind, and this jacket will make all the difference. I found that a silk T-shirt, a meddium weight polipropilene long sleeve top, and my MHW Windstopper jacket can take me almost anywhere. Just keep a Mountain Hardwear Phantom jacket handdy in your backpack for the summit photo session.

Use this jacket for nearly five years, solo in summer or even winter time. Its really a good windstopper and the zippers under the arms provides for a good ventilation

Warm and stops wind as billed. Ventilation zippers are easy to get to. Worth the price.

Not the warmest jacket around but tough, functional and stops wind. The pit zips are great for when you're moving and getting heated up, they are the longest pit zips I've seen.

The jacket works well blocking wind but, is definetly not insulating at a standstill. The sizing is a little odd (there is a BIG difference between the medium and large.) The medium's sleeves rode up too much for my liking so i opted for the large. mistake. now there is just extra material in every direction. My fault i know, either way it is a nice jacket.

I've had my MHW Tech for about 4 years now, and it is still going strong. Very durable and versatile. Other than extensive everyday wear, I've found it most useful when active in temperatures near freezing, with or without wind, when layered over a baselayer. Unfortunately, MHW appears to have stopped making women's versions of this jacket about a year ago.

It is a very nice jacket that works well when you are actively climbing. It stops the cold wind very nicely and it is perfect for cold weather hiking and cold/windy climbing. It is designed as an outer layer and works well for regulating your temperature, so don't expect it to work well as a insulating layer since it isn't one. The material is thin but very durable.

Sometimes I love this jacket... sometimes I want to burn it.

This makes an excellent shell for hiking and climbing on cold windy days. Though it provides almost no insulation, it keeps the wind out amazingly well. On sunny and windy winter days I can't ask for a better jacket than this. It breaths very well for being windproof and allows a good transfer of sweat. THe ventilation options come in very handy while climbing as taking jackets on and off gets annoying.

But using this jacket on days where there is no wind and it's warm isn't as happy. It is heavy for the amount of insulation and versatility you get so unless it is really a windy day, I'd go with another jacket. But if the winds are picking up and it's dry out there, you literally can't have a better jacket.

I've been in 70+ mph winds and all I could feel was the pressure of the wind pushing it against my body, no wind got though at all. Great fall and winter jacket!

For some reason, I get cold easily in this jacket. Seems like a regular fleece is warmer. It does block the wind, and I guess that is what it's designed to do. The mesh on the inside can be uncomfortable against bare skin. I still wear mine all the time, just as long as I am wearing a base layer.