Mountain Hardwear Geist Jacket - Men's - 2010 BCS

full disclosure; i'm sponsored by mountain hardwear - but i don't bs in my reviews.

i'm a weight weenie. so when i got the geist as part of my team kit for the montrail ultrarunning team i thought i was going to hate it. well i don't hate it, but it's not the super light weight minimal jacket i was hoping for. the mountain hardwear anorak or the patagonia whodini are some favs that come to mind. those are around 4oz., this jacket is 6oz because it's got two hand pockets in addition to the chest pocket. none of which i'll ever use while running or hiking in this jacket. but the jacket fits great. it's a composite of different materials, some to block wind, some to allow it to breath when you sweat. for that reason i think it actually out performs my anorak. if weight really matters, ie a long adventure run, then i'd take the anorak. if i'm out running in windy, rainy or slightly cold conditions i'll take the geist.

bottom line: this jacket won me over with it's superior breath-ability and comfort, but i won't take it on my long adventure runs.

Super light weight. Wind resistant and repels water. Exactly what I wanted. Is awesome to run in on those cooler days that I don't want insulation, but it is misting or raining outside. No complaints.

I am most impressed with the Geists ability to wick away moisture, while keeping the wind out. The wicking aspect of it is incredible. As a runner who heats up quick, this coat is the only one I've used that quickly removes moisture. Although the Pacific NW has had an atypical winter this year, the past couple weeks have been more consistent with the usual weather patterns. The weather has been in high 30's/low 40's and wet. These temperatures and damp conditions require a jacket of minimal thickness, yet durable enough to keep moisture and wind out. This is the jacket for those conditions!In addition, the jacket is incredibly light and the fabric does not constrict at all when moving on the trail.

The bottom line is I've never owned a coat like this that makes me feel somewhat dry and warm in the crappy, damp Pac NW winter conditions.

Bought this on sale, love it 99% of the time. Fit is perfect, got a LG & I'm 5'9, 175 lbs...fitted but not super snug if that makes sense. Love this for all my less than severe weather days in Oregon, one complaint tho: the collar tends to turn up and scratch my chin/neck a little if not zipped all the way up (especially with head wind). Not sure how NHW could fix this as the edges are lined...the zipper just is a little abrasive. I still give it 9 of 10 b/c of its light weight, great fit and bomb-proof nature. Love MHW!!

It's definitely a lightweight jacket. You need a good base layer if it's chilly. Also I couldn't find the supposed opening in the pockets to run your headphone cords thru.

Totally wicked light shell, use it for winter cycling in Wisconsin. Cuts right through the wind and wipes my snitcicle stalactites off my face pretty well. This is one of my favorite pieces.