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

i got this jacked two years in a row as part of the montrail ultrarunning team kit. two years ago it didn't have a hood. i found the coat great, but this version is even better with the hoodie. it's perfect for cold morning snowy runs. it's got just enough breathability and the bomber wind stopper. i have started wearing it as my main jacket for backcountry skiing. skinning uphill in this jacket is just perfect. if it gets windy i put the hood on and go. it's got the thumb holds that give you that extra bit of hand warmth. i just throw a puffy on when i get to the top.. it's a thing of gear layering beauty.

i love the stretchiness for the thumbholes! I wish every jacket i owned had this feature! super comfy and light-weight! highly recommend

This jacket is incredibility phenomenal! Ridiculously and outrageously packed with advanced technically functional features, it's insane! The rear pocket-very radical, the thumb inlets - taken from Norrona, and the shell material is "out-of-this-world-advanced", ok, I know its just Gore-Tex N2S but it has definitely improved it's Windstopper layering, and, the color(Tiger)is vividly astonishing. The fit is perfect. At 6'1 and 195lbs. this item, LRG, fits like a glove. I am really at a lost with words to describe this jacket but if you are interested in this jacket, BUY IT! You won't be disappointed! Mountain Hardwear will make it much more difficult in this category of jackets for the competition! This will be very interesting to see. And for those who don't know, MHW was co-founded by the former V>P. of Sales and Marketing for TNF. Again, this particular piece of all year-around, lifetime warranted gear, is AWESOME! I love it!

I was completely unprepared for just how good this jacket would be. It is very small and thin, and astonishingly breathable, yet totally windproof. What blew me away was how warm it felt. I went hiking in 30F weather wearing the jacket over nothing but an ultra-light running shirt, and felt perfectly comfortable. Being able to flip the hood up and down makes a huge difference. Much warmer than just a hat. Next day, I wore the jacket on a backcountry trip. Skinning uphill, I was sweating like a pig, but at the top of the hill, it dried out instantly, without any cold sweat lingering cold. I've also got a transition zip tee, which I love for running in the rain (you can literally run in freezing rain, and come home warm and dry), but this is better still: the addition of a hood, thumb-loops, and a rear pocket makes the garment even more capable. BTW, though the description doesn't mention it, the "Windstopper" membrane is GoreTex N2S. Seriously, it is hard to overstate how fantastic this jacket is. This is really a giant leap in outdoor technology: I've not worn anything in years that has impressed me this much. You won't believe it until you try it. The jacket is cut slim and athletic, and designed to be worn close to the skin. I'm 5'11", 160 lbs, and the M fits me like a glove.

I haven't had this jacket long, but after reading some of the reviews and questions it seems it needs to be noted that this is a great piece but definitely not a waterproof shell; and is not advertised as such. This is an extremely lightweight softshell (13 oz) that is meant for aerobic activity. It wouldn't be nearly as breathable if it were waterproof, but it is water resistant and fully windproof. You can certainly wear it in the spring and fall but I won't be wearing mine below freezing unless I'm working hard running, x-c skiing, etc. In following with it's purpose, the Transition has no extra bulk and weight with pockets and zippers, just the one rear pocket with an internal hole for a headphone cord. It also has an athletic fit (read form fitting) so if you are a thicker person it may fit funny. Great jacket for it's intended use.

I can't say enough good things about this jacket. I use it for everything! Shoulder season rock climbing, winter runs in the northern midwest, nordic skiing, casual spring/fall wear, anything that I can throw at it, it handles with style and ease. It stops even whipping mountain winds with ease, yet breathes amazingly well. The only thing that I would change would be to add a chest pocket to be able to hold something, but that's it. Other than that, this jacket is perfect. I give it a 5/5 hands down!

Very well produced pure minimalist item. Gets a lot of use cycling. On the fit, it fits slim but have found the arm length great. Note: There is only one pocket (mp3) on the small of the back , low down and offset to the right. There is no other internal pocket. I'd love a united version of this jacket, with the features of the hoody and superpower jacket combined...

This has been a favorite jacket of mine for the past two years for many reasons. It fits great (I'm a skinny guy at 6'3" and 180lbs, and the L fits perfectly), really stops the wind and keeps you surprisingly warm for its weight, and the light weight means that you can always bring it with you.

What's wrong then? Well, the back pocket is sort of a miss - I'd much rather have a single chest pocket (Arc'teryx style). The thumb loops make no sense to me, but at least the arms are long enough. More importantly though, the fabric isn't the most robust. After two years of frequent, but far from daily, use, I can see that the fabric on the shoulders and chest is starting to fray, probably due to wearing a backpack while biking and hiking. Not surprising given the low weight, but still a bit disappointing to have to replace it after two years. That being said, I like the jacket a lot, and will probably buy a new one to replace it.

Got this two days ago and already love it. windstopper fabric throughout, areas that dont have that still offer considerable wind blocking performance, and a good athletic fit. there are only a two reasons that this isnt 5 stars. one is that there is no waist draw string but as the fit is good it doesnt render the jacket useless. my other problem is the pockets or rather the lack of pockets. it would be really nice if this had two high hand pockets but instead there is one small back pocket. not a big deal since the majority of the time im in the jacket im moving. if the back pocket were an inch and a half bigger in any dimension you could stuff the whole jacket into itself which would be great. All in all a super solid jacket that I would buy again in a heartbeat. im 5'10" and 140 pounds fitting into a medium with a bit of room.

Wore this on several occasions. Once backpacking in January in Utah and it kept me super warm and was very breathable underneath a Primaloft MonteBell puffy. I also use this when I run and ride my bike. I wish it had a front pocket somewhere just because reaching around back sometimes is a pain if you're layering. The scooba hood and thumb-holes rule! Bottom line is that this jacket rules for layering and stops the wind like a champ so much that you once you get warmed up on a hike you can stay warm and breathable on some of the coldest days.

I use this product for running/xc skiing, with a shirt underneath if it's quite chilly or even without one if it's just brisk. This jacket breaks wind almost as well as a little league team at a chili-feed. I think you could fit a thin fleece underneath this, but it is a pretty snug fit. I like that though.

The wrists are a little restrictive, pigeon-holing you into one mode of wearing, but the jacket is fantastic. However, the hood is Fantastic! with it, a small beanie is all I need for skiing even when it's quite cold out.

The pocket in the back I could take or leave. it's ok, but not great, and even a heavy set of keys bounces with you if you're running. I think my ipod nano was great though.

I've always been a big supporter of the windstopper shirts; to me they are just incredibly versatile; perfect for working hard up the mtn in the winter and good enough for the summer winds @ 14,000 feet. When I saw they trimmed this one down and added a hood and thumb loops I was hooked. It is a no-frills kind of jacket; 1 pocket in the back, no draw-cords, etc. It's simple and really light. I would highly recommend this as an all-around jacket; summer/fall/winter/spring. i also think its cool enough to wear to the pub..but i live in boulder so maybe my view is skewed.

The Jacket is alright for cold weather. It will keep you warm as long as you don't stop moving. If you stop don't stop long. I think that is because it does breath rather well. I don't know if my arms sweat more than the next guys but when I stopped thats were I felt the sweat turn cold the quickest. The size is spot on. I am 6'2" 208lbs and the large fits me really well. I use this jacket for running and it does what I need it to do. If I had to reccomend a jacket like this or simular I would recomend the MHW Dragon. This one is alright but the dragon is the heat. Plus more pockets and functionality. Just my two cents. OH one down side is this thing retains smells and not the good kind either. You will be washing this as oftain as your favorite t-shirt. So I don't know how that will effect the longevity of the product but hey one can always return it right?

I picked this up primaily for running, and also as a mid-layer/shell for hiking. We finally had some cold temps in NY to test this bad boy out and its warm. I'm still trying to find the right baselayer to temp calc. 1st time (powerstrectch base, 20-30 temp, teens windchill) and ended up sweating more than i wanted. 2nd time, similar temps and cap 2 base and similar result. In warmer temps, I've worn lightweight merino, and that worked out but I was also able to drop the zipper a bit more. When the temp is in the teens, I am less inclined to lower the zipper. Also, when I fully zip the jacket with the hood up, the neck is too snug for my liking. Wearing a turtleneck base w or w/o zipper saves me from having to zip the jacket all the way up. The lone back/side pocket is good for gloves, ear wamer, cap, etc (just 1 or 2, not all 3).
Large fits well for 6', 42 chest, 34-35 waist. The jacket has no drawcords but doesnt need them with the athletic cut.

I was a little underwhelmed when I got this jacket. Let me tell you that after wearing it for everything from trail running to slot canyonearing and back packing this jacket is the bomb! I love it, it is much warmer than expected yet light enough for warmer days. It also has exceptional rain retardence for a soft shell. Two words...buy it.

As said in other reviews, this jacket is well made and gets the job done. Just wanted to comment on the fit for taller guys. I'm 6'4, 180, and have 35.5" arms. I bought the large, and it fits perfectly. The arms allow enough movement to reach above my head, just not while the thumb loops are in place, which is a little disappointing. With both thumbloops in, I can't put both arms out in front of me without feeling like the jacket is going to rip across my back, and there is NO stretch in the cuffs. Other than that, it is cut well for a tall, lanky dude. As noted in an earlier review, the arms are tight enough that it is difficult to layer a long sleeve underneath, which I don't mind but others might. Also, the non-adjustable hood, when fully zipped, is super snug, but fits under a climbing helmet. Just a little tight on the chin. The pocket made me laugh... whose idea was that? Pretty useless, especially climbing. A chest pocket would have been nice. I picked this up on S&C for a killer price, so I'll keep it and just alter the thumbloops and maybe the hood. Bottom line- If you have broad shoulders, long arms, or a bigger head, i would look elsewear.

A fantastic cold weather running jacket. I have to give this jacket the edge over the TNF Cipher because of the fit and weight. So light you barely notice it. Not an ounce of wind gets through this thing. Very trim athletic fit throughout, so buy accordingly. Im 5'10'' 190 and the large fits like a glove without being constricting. You will only be able to get one layer underneath. For the purpose of running or x-c skiing, this jacket performs bettter than you think it should. If you are looking for style, or a casual fit, THATS NOT WHAT THIS IS FOR.. Want a casual jacket, go to the Gap

I am very pleased with this jacket. It is well designed and does everything they say it does. I highly recommend it.

Fantastic softshell jacket for running in cold, windy weather. Excellent wind blocking & wicking. Very comfortable. Personally, I like the slim cut. The only negative for me is the lack of pockets in the front. Looking forward to trying this jacket out for cross-country skiing.

I'm not really a gear geek, but sometimes I find something that just makes life in the hills a little bit better. I already owned a Transition Zip-T, which I love for cool, or windy conditions when climbing, backcountry skiing, running, or biking. This jacket takes it to a whole new level. The hood is form fitting, blocking the wind, and the thumb loops are great for keeping your hands warm by keeping the blood flow in the wrist warm. At least thats what I heard about how it works. And it does. The cool thing about this piece is that it'll keep you warm when it's cold and windy out, and when it warms up it seems to regulate the heat well. You can just keep on going and not worry about stopping to shed layers. This thing is the perfect piece of clothing for Alpine Rock Climbing and Backcountry Skiing. And other things.

Wore it in windy 25 degree weather shoveling snow with only a thin hoodie and a T-shirt underneath and stayed comfortably warm. The fit is athletic, so size up if you want to layer underneath. Haven't tested in water, but the DWR coating worked fine against some light snow. I doubt it'd survive a downpour though. The thumb-loops are fantastic.

This jacket is perfect for cold weather cycling. I wear it over a jersey and arm warmers and it's almost too warm for 20 degree weather. It breathes relatively well for a laminate fabric. The thumb loops are relatively useless for me because I have ape arms and they cut off the circulation in my hands. That's my only gripe and it's a small one. I can't wait to use this piece for tele skiing this season!

Where to start. They say its not meant for real wet weather but I have been out in the rain and the fabric (N2S- Goretex Next to Skin) beads well and I haven't got wet. That was about 15 - 20 minute. Ok, if its an extend period and cooler I would through on my North Face hard shell. The hud really helps keep my head dry. When its windy the jacket blocks the wind like a steel curtain. However, if its real cool you will need a layer such as underarmor. Since it really lite I don't thinks its purpose is insulation. The N2S technology feels reaaaal comfortable, like its next to skin - at least as much as a coat can be. The sizing in my view is on the small side. According to their sizing I should have got a L, but in fact I ordered a XL and it fit perfect. If you want to know more about N2S got to the Goretex site. It also goes by Windstopper technology. Last there are no hand pockets which I think is a deficiency - there is one back pocket for small amount of storage. Because its about 1 pound package it up in a eagle creek pack and store it on my frequent business trips.

Windstopper fabric stops cold wind very effectively. Easy to layer over and breathes well. For colder weather aerobic activities, I frequently only need a fleece vest on top. Great for running and xc skiing!

I ordered this based on the glowing reviews, but was sorely disappointed when this softshell arrived. It's true that it's light; but that's about it. First of all, the thing is pretty ugly--looks kind of like a jacket my dad would have worn in the seventies. You know, that kind of sleek sweatsuit look. Secondly, the fit is bizarre. I'm 6'3", 190 lbs. I ordered a large and XL in order to have a choice. The XL was baggy, and the jacket has no drawstring at the waist to tighten it up. The large fit well in the body but the forearms and wrists were so tight that I felt I was in a straightjacket. It's just an awkward piece all around, and I'm perplexed by the other reviewers and by Outside magazine's silver label. Order with caution.

You know, I never thought of the styling until you mentioned it, and it made me laugh, thanks. Fit is tight, but I realized that is better than loose material flapping in the wind. I would prefer looser fit around the cuffs to enable rolling up the sleeves. It packs into a pocket, is extremely light, and surprisingly warm. The hood fits under a climbing helmet (I think the hood is warmer than a hat). The thumb hole extension is a good idea (some extra protection from snow down the mitts). although mine came with one facing the opposite direction to my thumb. Back pocket is completely useless for climbing/hiking. I would prefer looser fit around the cuffs to enable rolling up the sleeves, and some front pockets.

Used for outerwear on cold days running, second layer for skiing. It is truly a "soft shell". Very thin, but surprisingly warm, and extremely lightweight. Tremendously windproof. Live in manhattan and the wind coming up the avenues (and down from the buildings) can be brutal. This cuts it out completely. Snug, but can still fit lightweight fleece underneath and maintain comfort to run in. Absolutely not for casual wear, back pocket is not appropriate to store much in comfortably, also gloves awkward to not wear (e.g., when sweating bc you have warmed up!). Hood is terrific.

I am pretty happy with this jacket. The Goretex N2S windstopper material is absolutely windproof, breathable, and repels light precipitation well. Super light weight but missing some features, hand pockets and draw strings (waist and hood) would make it perfect