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Mountain Hardware Offwidth Jacket - what's it for?
 
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Mountain Hardware Offwidth Jacket - what's it for?
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redscotti
04/01/12 18:39
 Rookie 111 forum posts

Got given one over the holidays. Blurb says "perfect for climbing, Nordic skiing and other cool weather active sports" (http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Men%27s-OffWidth%E2%84%A2-Jacket/OM2935,default,pd.html).

Looks cool so I'll wear it down the pub but it's not windproof. waterproof, or warming. Can't think that it's adequate - never mind 'perfect' - for anything in the great outdoors.

Or am I missing something?????

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Martin Carpenter
04/01/12 18:58

Um yes I think you'll find that its at least pretty close windproof in practice, deals with showers etc very nicely and adds a touch of warmth simply through the non trivial thickness of the material. 

The thing for cold weather sports is that it doesn't need to be waterproof to deal with snow, and so there's no reason at all not to have a very breathable/mega tough thing like this.

Thats not really a UK use but as a deluxe wind shirt/fleece replacement for say Spring/Autumn walks with a bit of wind/drizzle etc about. Should do it nicely. You won't need to wear your waterproof all that much, and its both much tougher and more comfortable to wear than it.

(cross ref to threads about windshirts/lined windshirts - which this is rather similar too.).

The only thing I would say is that it'd do better with a hood (I had something very similar which was very nice, but ultimately moved on to one with a hood.).

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redscotti
04/01/12 20:14
 Rookie 111 forum posts
Mmmmmm. Thanks Martin for a more positive response than I expected. I'll reconsider - guess I'm more familar with the windshirt/fleece thing. It seems a well-made tough jacket but a bit posh for the hill (too TNF....!). My montane windshirt doesn't have a hood either which I'm fine with as I use a buff - I like the flexibility.
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Addick
04/01/12 20:41
I have a similar jacket by `66 North' and it's excellent for knocking around town in but never for serious hill use.
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Matt C
04/01/12 20:59
 Rookie 20693 forum posts 883 photos 2 articles 20 bookmarks

Some fairly positive reviews of the Offwidth over on Trailspace

I've been a user of things that are like softshell without actually being softshell - Paramo, pertex/pile, windshirts, lined windshirts - for about 20 years, but I never quite got 'softshell' since marketing gave it a name (especially the membrane-based stuff).

But this time last year I saw a good deal on a Haglofs Lizard top, which is a stretch non-membrane fabric much like the Offwidth, and just fancied trying it, without having any clear idea what the hell I was going to use it for or where it would fit into my clothing system....

Since I got it it's hardly been off my back or left out of my pack. I've found it really useful for skiing (downhill and touring), cycling, scrambling and walking/backpacking, usually as an outer layer until the proper rain arrives but it's an adequate mid-layer too. Add to that it's smart enough to wear around town, to the pub, or for travelling, and it feels like one of the best bits of kit I've purchased for quite a while.

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redscotti
04/01/12 21:16
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Thanks @Matt. Strangely enough I was looking at the Haglofs Lizard jacket pre-Christmas (didn't want to buy anything till I saw what Santa brought ).

 @Addick. Yeah that was my reaction at first. Some differing views being offered up here tho' so reconsidering.....It's what they call an athletic fit tho', making it difficult to layer and therefore less versatile. 

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Ashley Steadman
04/01/12 21:41
 Rookie 564 forum posts 3 reviews
I have the previous version of this product when it was sold as a "pullover".  As Martin says it is windproof of a fashion and my version is made out of a material called "tuffstretch" which is a bit like the TNF Apex Aerobic fabric.  It does not have a membrane or an insulating inner so is not worn for warmth but does non the less provide an outer layer that is reasonably tough and at least wind resistant.  In cold alpine type conditions with insulating layers underneath, if needs be, it would work rather like it says in the blurb quoted in the original post.  In many ways the fabric is similar to say Pertex Equilibrium as used in the Montane Dyno Jacket.
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Martin Carpenter
04/01/12 22:44

Quite a lot heavier than the Lizard this mind (571g vs 350), which is again a bit less versatile but probably a touch more weather resistance in exchange.

Basicall, its 'purpose', would be for wearing on days where you'd expect to be wearing your wind shirt most/all the time. If you've got that you get maybe a little bit more weather resistance and massive durability.

Although to be honest very suitable for wearing down the pub too - very tough and easy enough to wash/reproof at need for outdoors.

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TP
05/01/12 09:07

Glad someone else mentioned the Montane dyno / dynamo (older version) as I've had the original version (the Dynamo) in Montane's own, specified fabric for probably over 10 years now and replaced it with the pertex equilibrium version as it only cost me £32.50 (the dyno). No hood on either

I bought the first one as I wanted a softshell but I was not that up on gear back then so I gambled and got the cheaper, thinner dynamo. It was to replace my old sprayway banshee. This was in a windbloc membrane fabric but cold as the thick insulation layer was outside the membrane with only a thin microfleece inner to keep you warm. Very nice jacket for winter but not in wind as the warmth was so low. Anyway the dynamo was just as warm in winter if there was wind about.

Since then the newer dyno version has a more hardface to it (not true hardface tech though) making it tough. As a "98% windproof" jacket (more like about 80% in stronger wind) it works by reducing the wind through it but allowing some to get in to take away any moisture. That is in mild breeze to moderately strong winds. Above a certain wind speed it needs another, more windproof layer I'd say.

I found with my dyno that it is great if you are moving and working hard as it handles sweat well. Rain not so but I did once wear my old dynamo in 2hours plus of heavy rain when I left my windshirt and waterproof at home!!!! I didn't get cold and although wet through was actually quite comfortable. When the rain stopped my wicking base layers and the even more wicking dynamo softshell meant I dried quickly.

Anyway, I used my dynamo and later dyno all year round only I changed my layers around underneath it according to the season. I found it very adaptable and it worked for me very well for probably 8 years until I got a VR for winter. The dyno is still my spring to autumn top though.

With this in mind the offwidth jacket IMHO seems to be pretty much the same garment but by a different brand and with similar fabric. With this in mind I'd say with a bit of playing around with your layers you could use this in the hills all year round. It should breathe well under a hardshell too!! Membrane jackets would work less well under a hardshell. I'd expect it to wick and breathe exceptionally well, more like a microfleece would. My dynamo and dyno actually wicked better than my base layers which are all good brands. I know this because on a dry day when working hard the dyno would be dry on the inside as would the base layer but damp on the outside. Occasionally I have been sweating so much that the base layer was wet inside but the dyno wasn't.

BTW I nearly got one from ruck+run. They were selling them off for very cheap prices I though. Won't tell you how much as it was a pressie. I didn't because MHW is a brand that doesn't fit my shape. Although it was described as athletic which usually means slim I don't trust that brand's descriptions. I find they are more boxy cut than athletic in the past with their other "athletic" fit jackets. Since I'm tall and relatively slim the montanes and rabs fit me better.

So my advice is to give it a go on the hills as it will work if given the right combination of other layers. Like everything you have to test it out to find its strengths and weaknesses then account for them.

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