Mountain Hardwear Synchro Softshell Ski Jacket - Men's - 2009 BCS

I got this as an outer shell specifically for skiing. So far, it has stood up to many tree snakes and icy/rocky falls with nary a tear. The pit zips are great, it has a ton of pockets and a hood that fits over a helmet with room to spare.

I have no complaints and will highly recommend this shell.

I've used this jacket skiing, snowshoeing, and backpacking in sudden downpours, freezing cold, and extreme wind. This one jacket handles all of those scenarios effortlessly and it has quickly become the one essential piece of clothing I always carry with me in my pack. First off, it has remained waterproof after months of continuous use and abuse. Second, for being a windproof jacket, it still breathes well (this is aided by the venting zips that are everywhere). Conversely, in sub-freezing temps, a base layer and a 100 weight fleece is all I've ever needed to keep me warm during any aerobic activity. Third, it is bombproof! I've hit the deck on ice, sharp rocks, and more with this jacket on. While I have ended up with scrapes, gashes, and bruises there is not one scratch on this jacket. I can't recommend this jacket enough.

I have owned this jacket for four years and it still works just as well now as it did when I purchased it. What I am most impressed by is the water-proofing and breathability. I have stood in the rain for 3 hour long football games and remain dry and warm. I have skied huge storms in Colorado and remain dry and warm. I've even used this jacket during summertime rainstorms in Europe and remained dry and cool. As long as you maintain the jacket as Mountain Hardwear suggests(use some sort of water proofing spray, or do what I do and use Nikwax's Techwash) this jacket will be very good to you for years to come.

Have used the Synchro twice for skiing, once in light snow although wet snow, and once in cool clear conditions. It is early in the season, however I think this jacket will be great for most conditions. This jacket looks great as well.

The fit and finish of this jacket is great. I am 6 ft tall about 175 and the large fits me great with room for a couple of base layers. The pit zips are great, as well as the wide range of pockets and mp3/phone pocket with a headphone cord pass through. The hood is well designed and fits well over my rather large Giro helmet. I have used the hood on my naked head as well and although not Ideal it will still work in a pinch. The fabric seems to shed water very well and I love the softshell feel, although it seems to have more of a feel of a tweener jacket, not quite a softshell and not crinkly like a hardshell. Time will tell how the DWR finish holds up.

The biggest drawback I see with this jacket is that without a powderskirt it will not work well for big pow days. You can cinch down the waist but some of that sweet wasatch pow can still get inside the jacket. I feel that this is the only reason that I won't be able to use this jacket in all conditions. I have a fairly long upper body and the jacket is a little short on my backside as well. I wish it went down a couple more inches, but this is a minor quibble.

All in all I look forward to putting the synchro through its paces.