Backside Line
The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic (males’s / girls’s) is a light-weight, waterproof, and extremely breathable rainshell designed for hikers and backpackers who worth mobility and sturdiness. Crafted with Mountain Hardwear’s Dry.Q Energetic expertise, it delivers dependable waterproof safety whereas sustaining wonderful breathability for high-output actions. The 4-way stretch material enhances mobility, making it preferrred for mountaineering, climbing, or backpacking in unpredictable climate. By means of many assessments in rain and shine, the Stretch Ozonic continues to be considered one of our finest rain jackets.
Weighing simply over 10 ounces, this jacket is well packable, stuffing into its personal chest pocket for handy storage. Options embody a helmet-compatible hood, underarm zip vents for enhanced airflow, and waterproof zippers. Its tailor-made match gives a steadiness of consolation and efficiency with out feeling restrictive.
Whereas the Stretch Ozonic excels in mobility and waterproofing, its light-weight development can really feel much less sturdy in rugged situations and is thinner than others we examined. The match, whereas comfy, is barely dishevelled and could also be too giant for thinner torsos however works effectively for layering beneath. Regardless of these small shortcomings, the Stretch Ozonic is without doubt one of the most comfy and dependable jackets we examined, incomes it a spot in our lineup.
How We Examined
Put to the check in Alaska’s relentless rain, sleet, and snow, this jacket has confronted demanding trials throughout a number of hikes in harsh, moist climate. We push all our rain jackets to their limits, evaluating how lengthy they face up to moisture earlier than soaking by and figuring out the situations the place they carry out finest.
Fast Specs
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic
Tremendous Comfy Rain Jacket
CleverHiker Ranking:
82.8/100
Value:
$230
Listed Weight:
10.7 oz. / 9.9 oz.(males’s / girls’s)
Execs
- Stretchy & comfy
- Light-weight
- Quieter material
- Massive chest pocket
- Deep handwarmer pockets
- Massive pit zips
- 2 adjustable hem cords
- Packs small into itself
Cons
- Hood visor isn’t as extensive or lengthy as some
- Velcro cuffs are skinny & much less sticky
Consolation & Mobility
The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic is extraordinarily comfy and cellular, making it a standout possibility for dynamic outside actions. Its 4-way stretch material strikes seamlessly together with your physique, providing an unrestricted vary of movement throughout actions like mountaineering, climbing, or scrambling. The light-weight, comfortable materials feels comfy towards the pores and skin, decreasing the stiffness usually related to different rain shells. It is without doubt one of the most comfy jackets we’ve examined.
Having mentioned that, the match is finest for layering. The arms are pretty dishevelled and require tightening down the cuff cinches nearly all the best way.
Climate Resistance
The Stretch Ozonic strikes a steadiness between weight, consolation, and climate resistance. Whereas it definitely isn’t a crisp hardshell meant to take a beating from the weather, it gives sufficient climate resistance for average publicity to precipitation. The two.5-layer Dry.Q material stood as much as stiff rain, however did moist by after a number of hours. The 50 denier material isn’t the thickest we examined and gives common climate resistance. So whereas the Stretch Ozonic might not be our first selection on heavy rain days, it gives sufficient safety for many outings and is finest fitted to reasonably wet days.
Air flow
This jacket has wonderful air flow and breathability, making it preferrred for cardio outside pursuits. It gives waterproof safety whereas permitting moisture vapor to flee, decreasing clamminess throughout high-energy actions. We not often felt the sticky claminess of different jackets and this was considered one of our high picks for being energetic on wet days.
The pit zip vents supply extra air flow, permitting you to rapidly launch extra warmth when temperatures rise or exertion will increase. The light-weight, 4-way stretch material not solely enhances mobility but in addition helps environment friendly airflow, maintaining you comfy throughout extended use.
Sturdiness
Whereas the comfortable materials feels extra pliable, the Stretch Ozonic has not proven any indicators of wear and tear and has held up effectively all through testing. The standard of the DWR has not diminished noticeably, and the jacket continues to carry out as if model new. We intend to maintain utilizing the Stretch Ozonic for a lot of extra wet days to come back.
Weight
The Stretch Ozonic is without doubt one of the lightest jackets in our lineup. With a producer weight of 10.9 ounces and a measured weight of 10.1 in a males’s medium, it’s an incredible possibility for ounce counters who nonetheless want strong safety. This interprets to a jacket that doesn’t really feel cumbersome simply matches right into a backpack and may be very packable. We love its means to zip into its chest pocket for straightforward stowing in a day pack or working vest.
Ought to You Purchase the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic?
When you hate the normal crinkly stiffer really feel of conventional rain shells, then the Stretch Ozonic is the jacket for you. It is without doubt one of the most stretchy and cozy choices we’ve worn. The fabric is comfortable and pliable on the pores and skin and breathes exceptionally effectively. We not often felt clammy or sticky whereas mountaineering in it.
Whereas it might not be essentially the most bomb-proof shell on the market for critically moist climate, it’s a nice possibility for average rains and going out and in of precipitation. We love its low weight, means to pack into its chest pocket, and excessive flexibility. That is considered one of our high decisions for rain jackets to put on whereas exercising within the rain.
What Different Rain Jackets Ought to You Think about?
When you just like the Ozonic however need to find out about another related choices, listed below are our favorites from our information to the perfect rain jackets.
REI Flash Stretch Evaluation: A less expensive possibility, the Flash Stretch can be a extremely cellular jacket however at a cheaper price level.
Montbell Versalite Evaluation: When you liked how light-weight the Stretch Ozonic is, the Versalite is the lightest in our lineup and is certain to impress.
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Evaluation: With the same weight and stretchiness to the Stretch Ozonic, the StormLine gives barely increased efficiency in climate resistance making it preferrred for rainier climate.
