Most any good jacket can keep you warm during cold winter weather. The challenge is making a jacket that delivers that warmth while remaining as lightweight and unburdened as possible. The Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Hooded Jacket does just that with a unique construction that’s able to trap more heat than traditionally-made garments.
Designed to work like no other insulated jacket in the market, it uses stretch-welded channels in place of traditional stitched construction to lock in more warmth without adding extra bulk. In fact, there’s even less bulk since you remove the all the stitching that would otherwise just add extra mass and weight, turning out a winter garment that weighs just a pound.
Of course, it’s not just the construction that allows the Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Hooded Jacket the ability to keep you warm. It also gets chambers filled with Q.Shield, a permanently water-repellent down fiber that retains its insulating performance even in the wettest conditions, all while maintaining its loft for stretching and following along with your movements during any mountain activity. Jacket material is a dynamic stretch-knit fabric that, the outfit claims, is a lot more comfortable than conventional ripstops, so it should wear a whole lot better whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, or exploring in the cold.
Available in six colorways, the Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Hooded Jacket is priced at $290.