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Make the Mountain Hardwear Men's Compressor PL Jacket your super-light insulator for high-alpine assaults. It packs down in a small stuff sack and fits in the corner of your pack until you need it as an extra layer. Mountain Hardwear stuffed the Compressor with synthetic PrimaLoft One insulation, which maintains its insulating properties even when wet. Beyond climbing, the Compressor's light weight and packability make it easy to bring on backcountry tours or even as a mid-layer for lift skiing.
Bottom Line: A warm, superlight jacket that shrugs off cold weather.
I'd rate this jacket 6 stars if I could because this thing is absolutely amazing. I am getting ready to thruhike the AT and needed a lightweight and packable layer which was durable and weather resistant. I was planning on using the MontBell UL Thermawrap jacket until I saw this was on sale at my local gear shop. The MontBell is a great jacket and it's warmth to weight ratio is superb, but this jacket is only a little heavier, packs into the same stuff sack that came with the MontBell (approx. 3"x6.5") and can conquer 10 degree gusty days like a CHAM-PI-ON. The MontBell was good only to about 25 degrees with a long sleeve baselayer, the Compressor to 5-10 degrees with the same long sleeve baselayer. Another nicety on this moneymaker is the zip up fleece lined hand pockets on the outside, the zip up chest pocket within the jacket, the adjustable velcro cuffs, the cinching waistband and neck band completely lock in your body heat. My Spring 2009 MontBell UL Thermawrap has two hand pockets on the outside that do keep your hands warm but lack the comfortable fleece and handy zippers that the Compressor has. Also, the Montbell has only those two pockets and no more. When you put these two jackets side by side the hands down absolute winner is the Compressor. It's warmer, has more pockets with zippers to keep your stuff in and secured, packs down to the exact same size (once again, approx. 3"x6.5"), has a higher stitch count that gives the user far more durability and confidence with this jacket. I've tried to find something wrong with this jacket and the closest I can come is that it's heavier than the MontBell, but when you see that it's only 6 oz. heavier and has a lower temperature rating with all the features I've mentioned, the weight doesn't become a negative factor for this jacket. I'm in love...
I agree with Jon--the Monkey Man, under a windproof shell is probably the better insulator of the two. It can provide some SERIOUS warmth in that configuration. The Compressor is better as a stand alone insulator in breezy conditions, but the reason they call it a "Compressor" is because it is meant to be a very light and packable layer of insulation you can pop out of your bag when you need it and forget it is there when you don't. It's warmth is comparable to a TNF Denali fleece jacket, with better windproofing.
Both Jackets insulate very well. The Compressor Jacket insulates better when worn on it's own due to the fact that it is more windproof than the Monkey Man/Woman. When the Monkey Jacket is worn under a shell that blocks the wind... it is extremely warm. The Monkey Jackets are made with High Loft Thermal Pro Fleece from Polartec. The Compressor Jackets are insulated with 120grams of Primaloft PL 1 insulation. Hope this helps!
This go-to jacket has become an essential peice of gear while traveling the wilds of the world. The jacket is light weight, compressable, super warm, with functional (not fashionable) waist and neck draw cords, and Velcro wrist straps to seal in body heat. It works well both as an outer layer or layered under a shell. It does not breath, but is very effective at blocking the wind and keeping core temps up. I have recommended this jacket and pant to many who travel with me
How well does the jacket breathe? Is it meant to be worn while hiking/sweating or is it more of an extra layer to put on after setting up the tent and relaxing? One more thing, I'm 6'2" and 185- what's the best size for me? Thanks!
This jacket is designed for both, but certainly excels at insulating during cold and wet alpine assaults – one thing is for sure – it’s a great jacket that breathes well! You will probably need a L or a XL, it’s best to make a few simple measurements with a cloth tape measure, then check the sizing chart on this page. If you lack the availability of the cloth tape, use a bit of string to measure you chest, arms, etc…mark the string, then check the length with a standard tape measure.
Fits more like a sweater; if you're in between sizes order the largest. Short waist length, and very lightweight and compressible. Sporty looking. Warmer than it appears.
Let's say I'm 5'6" and 150lb. should I order a medium or large? I'm probably going to layer it over a midweight base layer and a 100 to 200 wt. fleece (I think), and under a soft shell or hard shell, depending on the weather...any more spectacular advice to give? Any would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Sounds like you would fit into a medium well. Although, if your chest/mid section is any larger than 41" (measure this with a layering piece on) you might want to consider a large, but at 5'6" the sleeves would probably start to get baggy - your best bet is the medium for sure. Depending on where your at, you might not need the 200 wt. fleece layer, this jacket is pretty warm.
I've had this jacket for almost a year now and I would highly recommend it. The pros are as follows... very light and very warm, can compress down to easily fit into a Nalgene bottle, perfect for wearing under a hard or softshell, dissipates moisture fairly well, and blocks the wind pretty good too. The cons are... Not the best for outerwear, offers little protection from precipitation, can tear or snag pretty easy, and it doesn't have a hood. That's about it! As long as you use this jacket properly I think you'll have a warm and loyal friend for a long time!
Decisions decisions...I'm looking really hard at either the MH Compressor or the MH Phantom Down Jackets, and I was hoping you lovely outdoor enthusiasts could lend some advice. The main uses would be winter camping/hiking/backpacking, winter/cold-weather climbing, mountaineering, and hanging out on backporches in the cold. Any thoughts on which might be better? Or if I'm looking in the right direction? I would really appreciate any help I could get.
You are looking in the right direction for sure! The Compressor jacket is a tad lighter, plus it stays warm if it gets soked and the Compressor is a tad longer. The Phantom is going to be warmer but if the down gets wet the jacket losses some warmth. They have about the same features and the Phantom packs down a little smaller. If you plan on needing you jacket for wet/soggy and cold conditions, go with the Compressor - it kinda sounds to me though, that the Phantom is going to be the better choice for you.
I'm in the market for the same thing. I think you need to base your decision on how well you can handle your down clothing. Down in general compresses better, but it also loses all of its insulating property when it gets wet - and this includes when it wets out from your body sweat as well as from external moisture. Many guide services recommend a synthetic insulation jacket for layering, and then a waterproof down parka that goes over everything (including your hardshell) for really cold conditions, typically when summiting. I have a Patagonia down sweater that I really like, but for mountaineering I want the extra insurance that a synthetic jacket provides. These jackets generally seem to be an adequate (and less bulky) replacement for fleece jackets, with the actual warmth obviously dependent on the individual jacket. You will need to decide up front how you want to use the insulated jacket in your clothing system and then make decisions based around that.
Ordered this jacket thinking it's color would be identical or similar to the women's version of "grill" which I liked. They are nothing alike with the men's version being much darker and shinier. Perfect for an arctic rave but not for me. Picked up a North Face Redpoint Optimus instead. Both are Primaloft One and very warm. Just prefer the simple black better. The hood on TNF jacket is a nice bonus as well.
I love MH anything and am curious to know how this jacket compares to the Mont Bell UL Thermawrap jacket. I know this is absolutely heavier, but is it warmer? Does it come with a stuff sack? What's the deal, Lucille?
The Thermawrap Jkt is a tad lighter @ 9oz and has a DWR finish that probly sheds water better when it's new. The Compressor is going to be warmer, is a bit heavier @ 15oz and stuffs up into its own pocket, real nice jacket!
I'm looking to use this a base layer under a shell. I'm 6'0 175 with longish arms. Anyone know how this fit is? I wondering if a Large would be too bulky.
This is my second jacket - same style. Accidentally burned the first! Love it's warmth, light weight, and love the new color in a charcoal gray with a bit of shine. I wore it in 10 degree weather, on the slopes, and never got chilled.
It is not designed to zip into the Trifecta jackets...but, it would layer perfectly under any shell. I wore mine today under a softshell skiing on area in extremely cold conditions and I was glad I had it...
This thing packs into its own pocket, yet unfolds and "de-winkles" so fast you didn't know that it had been packed so small. I have used this under a ski shell for cold days, and as a stand alone when the temps are not so cold. Inner nylon is great for layering because nothing gets caught while trying to put it on. Also sheds light rain and snow, which is a lot better than some down jackets can do. NO complaints here on a mulit-use piece of gear.
One of my friends has raved about his Compressor PL jacket since he got it. I purchased one this year and I have to agree. I wanted an nice alternative to a pile jacket for layering. This jacket is far warmer and lighter that most pile ones. I wear it not only backcountry and resort skiing, but around town as my main winter jacket.
The shell is probably a little fragile - (be careful ripping through the trees in it). Whether you wear this jacket alone or beneath a shell, it is a jewel!
I just got this jacket and after wearing three times around the neighborhood, the zipper snagged and tore the material. I've read a number of reviews on other sites saying the same thing. I love the fit and build of the product, but was surprised by this! Have others experienced similar?
This jacket is very warm and packs up into it's own pocket. I own the blue color. It will definitely get a lot of use as a mid layer and as an emergency layer in the backcountry or camping. I've tried to wear it by itself a few times, but people make comments about how shiny it is every time. Multiple people have said it looks really ghetto and I agree with them. A girl last night said that it reminded her of a pimp's jacket. Another guy asked if it was made by FUBU. The zipper also gets caught on the material when unzipping it about 85% of the time.
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