Mountain Hardwear Nemesis Softshell Jacket - Men's - 2007 BCS

The Nemesis is a very solid, durable mid-weight fleece with good features and details. It is not a Softshell Jacket, however. I also own MHW's Synchro, which is an unlined soft shell. I am unsure why MHW would choose to apply the same label to this jacket.The "Windproof and water-resistant Schoeller NanoSphere body" is only present on shoulders, tops of arms, and chest pocket. This is not adequate protection from serious wet or cold. It is, however an excellent protection against pack wear, as well as markedly increased wind protection for arms.Pockets are well-designed and manufactured, with two interior mesh pockets, two hand warmers, a Napoleon and an upper sleeve pocket. The main zipper is high-quality, slightly over-sized, with notably smooth motion. All trim details (collar, cuffs, elastic cinches at neck and waist, etc.) are the quality expected of MWW.With all these seams and zippers, along with fairly generous construction (though arms are a bit shorter than advertised on size chart), this is not a lightweight jacket. It IS extremely durable, and layers well with a windproof vest. Very sharp appearance (though over-tagged, as with most MHW gear).Bottom line: This is a costly fleece that is worth the price. If that appeals, consider the Nemesis. If you are looking for a "real" jacket, there are many better candidates available, especially at this price.

The Nemesis jacket is well made product by MHW. The jacket fits to the form of your body but also stretches to give plenty of room for layering (A heavy sweater and t-shirt was easily managed. I am convinced another layer could work but the arms would be tight). The jacket kept me more then warm in 40 to 50 degree weather while strong Alaska winds and misty rain assaulted most everyone but me. I have confidence it could manage the low teens with proper layering. The shoulders and arms have the NanoSphere to protect you against the rain (the Sphere does not cover the entire arm, fleece makes up the under part of the arm). The body of the jacket is fleece. The Nemesis would not protect you in heavy rain. In the sleeves are cuffs for around the wrist (no way to tighten them but this is not needed). I chose the brown color, and the picture on the site did it justice. The Nemesis is very comfortable and the stitch work does nothing to ruin that comfort. 3 pockets on the outside and 2 on the inside. There is a drawstring cord located at the bottom/inside part of the jacket for a snugger fit. Lightweight and very sharp looking.Pricey but an excellent product!

The selling points of this fleece jacket are the Fit and Water resistance. This jacket is NOT windproof nor is it designed for deluges (look for Windstopper Tech by MHW, Patagonia R4, NTF Windwalls or Sentinel jackets if you don't already own a highly technical fleece jacket for windy/blistering cold). You can't have one jacket that does it all, and this Nemesis jacket is designed to give you warmth and water-shedding abilities during those unexpected light showers (NanoSphere shell on shoulders and arms where rain hits with most impact) in the ~50 degree range. It is also a great jacket for around the town, as it looks great, and the fit is perfect. Other technical fleeces I own are windproof/waterproof but they also have long monkey arms, high placed pockets, looser fit for layering (which are all essential in their own rights). I'd highly recommend this Nemesis for the everyday use around town / short hikes, because did I mention that it is the best looking/fitting fleece jacket I own.

First the good. This jacket looks great. One can wear it out on the town and look good. The jacket is very comfortable and fits wonderfully. Since it fits so well, it easily layers under a hard shell. This jacket will shed light rain etc without any problems.
The bads are also significant. . . . .
I don't feel this jacket is warm enough. It is essentially just a lightweight fleece. The wind cuts through it quite easily even at 10 - 15 mph. The sleeves and shoulders are true softshell material, but the fleece lining doesn't make up for the loss of heat the material leads to.
So, if you need warmth while you are doing something aerobic, this jacket will work. But it doesn't work as a day to day jacket for much else without a hardshell near by.
I'd give it 3 stars, but the good looks really do give it one extra.

This is a good looking and obviously well-made jacket, but be prepared for a trim fit. I'm 5'8" and 155lbs, and I would be hard pressed to get anything underneath it other than a t-shirt. I ordered a medium, and actually started wondering if I received a mislabeled small. For comparison, I also have a medium MH Windstopper Tech jacket, which is a much looser fit and allows for true layering underneath it. The Nemesis is much more form fitting, so order one size up if you want it for anything other than an inner layer, or outer layer in moderately cool/cold temps (40-50 degrees).

It's hardly fair to describe this as a "softshell". 3/4 of the jacket is just fleece, not a "fleece lining", with Schoeller fabric only in the shoulders and arms. Maybe there is some use for which such a combination would be just right, but I haven't thought what that might be.

I don't know who tre26etc is; I'm Jim the Braindoc. I own lots of MTHW gear, like most of it. My new Nemesis jacket is like one of my ex-wives: Looks great, promises much, delivers less. The wind blows right through the material. I know MTHW sells a windshirt which is said to be terrific, but it's disappointing to have spent over $150 on a jacket for warmth in not-to-bad weather, and nee3d to buy another layer to achieve that. I find the fit good, the color (expresso, aka brown) attractive and the style excellent - if only it did what an outdoor jacket oughta do!

Great piece of equipment if you don't mind it being too small even through MHW sizing chart. Fits small, smaller than usual MHW gear, you want to order next size up. Light, sleeves are "normal" length, even a bit too short,comparing to those new nowadays technical shells and climbing jackets that feel like they were built for monkeys. Thick woven front, decent wind resistance. Athletic cut, so if you got pot belly, go with diff brand or jacket.