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Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Softshell Jacket - Men's

Item #MHW0678 | 68 in Stock

I have the Marmot Leadville and have been using that jacket for...

By Ranked #29 - Men's Softshell Jackets October 15, 2009

I have the Marmot Leadville and have been using that jacket for my fall/winter runs. It breathes okay, is a bit hot in anything above 40 but is not very water resistant. I was thinking of using the MHW Alchemy to replace the Leadville but am worried that it's "too much" of a jacket for that. Mind you I live in the Wash DC area, it gets cold but not sub-zero cold. I hear that the Alchemy is very water resistant, almost waterproof, one reason why I'm opting for it. But again, it feels heavy and my runs are usually 5 miles. Any thoughts ...

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No

By Ranked #210 - Men's Softshell Jackets November 11, 2009

I live in Alaska and run in sub-zero conditions. I would never wear my Alchemy jacket on a run--I would sweat too much. And 5 miles is my average run length too. I'd much prefer a baselayer, thin midlayer and then some sort of ultralightweight wind shell.

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By Ranked #204 - Men's Softshell Jackets October 27, 2009

I have both jackets and although I haven't done a side by side comparison, I leave one at work one at home, I would say they're going to be about the same as far as warmth and water resistance.

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By Backcountry.com Vendor Rep Ranked #1 - Men's Softshell Jackets October 19, 2009

jsung. Depending on how you layer for your runs the Alchemy and the Leadville might be a little heavy. The Alchemy, like the Leadville, is made utilizing Gore Windstopper fabric and is extremely weather resistant. However, the seams on the Alchemy (not sure about the Leadville) are not taped so the jacket is not waterproof. If I were looking for a more running oriented jacket for the DC area with weather protection provided by Windstopper... I would look no further than the Mountain Hardwear Transition Jacket. It is lighter weight but perfect for high output activities like running. Check out the reviews. I live in Colorado and use the jacket here year round for running, nordic skiing, and on windy climbing days! Hope this info helps!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No

Tech Specs:

Material:
[Shell] Gore-Tex Windstopper Softshell and Alchemy Stretch Softshell (91%) nylon and 9% Lycra; [Lining]: Fleece 
Waterproof Rating:
Water-resistant 
Breathable Rating:
Not specified 
Center Back Length:
28.5in [M] (72.4cm) 
Core Venting:
No, naturally breathable throughout 
Pockets:
2 Hand zip, 1 welded chest, 1 interior zip 
Seam Taped:
No, welded seams 
Powder Skirt:
No 
Hood:
No 
Zip-in Compatibility:
No 
Weight:
[Lrg] 1lb 6oz. (632g) 
Recommended Use:
Ice / alpine climbing, backcountry skiing 
Manufacturer Warranty:
Lifetime 
Country of Origin:
China 
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