Gear Review
Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Softshell Jacket - Men's
Cheap Thread, questionable assembly but Awesome Material and Design
By jmlaskos1100016443
Ranked #230 - Men's Softshell Jackets
November 12, 2008
I can't remember the last time I wanted a jacket as badly as I wanted this one: awesome design, mountain hardware label, etc. The taped seams, etc. I love the look of this jacket and it really does fit like a glove, but everyone who buys this should know that
A) It's just another premium brand made in China.
B) Columbia owns Mountain Hardware and has for years now (to me that means "Superior Cost-Cutting" particularly at the expense of quality).
My chief complaint about this jacket is that they used cheap - I mean Cheap thread to assemble this thing. Several of the seams have several points where the thread wore right through after only one year of use. The technology is there, the design is there, but why on earth a company would want to skimp on something basic like thread is Waaaayyyy beyond me.
I'm a 30-something... I'm hardly putting this thing through it's paces and I have several jackets that I rotate through....
View Details: Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Softshell Jacket - Men's
Helpful Votes: 1 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
Change me.
3 Comments Last Reply: November 19, 2009 By: Jon Webb
jmlaskos. Thanks for your comments. A just wanted to follow up on a couple: 1. Name one premium brand that is not made in China? 2. As for our relationship with Columbia... at least we are owned by a clothing company and not and investment group. 3. We have been using the same thread when constructing the Alchemy Jacket since its inception. That was 2 years before (8 years ago) our relationship with Columbia began and they have been a great partner. 4. The cost of the Alchemy has come down $40 dollars since it was born.. and that was due to a fabric change (lighter fleece backer) not because of our relationship with Columbia. 5. Just because Columbia products are lower price point than Mountain Hardwear's and they occupy a different part of the market (not high end) does not mean that their quality is poor. 6. As per concerns that Hardwear's market position was going to change (move down market) when the relationship with Columbia began... Tim Boyle, President of Columbia Sportwear, was quoted as saying "why would we want to compete with ourselves?" Again, thanks for your comments and I hope my points are clear. Transparency and truth in the market are as important as ever these days. Cheers~ Jon
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
jmlaskos. Thanks for your comments. A just wanted to follow up on a couple: 1. Name one premium brand that is not made in China? 2. As for our relationship with Columbia... at least we are owned by a clothing company and not and investment group. 3. We have been using the same thread when constructing the Alchemy Jacket since its inception. That was 2 years before (8 years ago) our relationship with Columbia began and they have been a great partner. 4. The cost of the Alchemy has come down $40 dollars since it was born.. and that was due to a fabric change (lighter fleece backer) not because of our relationship with Columbia. 5. Just because Columbia products are lower price point than Mountain Hardwear's and they occupy a different part of the market (not high end) does not mean that their quality is poor. 6. As per concerns that Hardwear's market position was going to change (move down market) when the relationship with Columbia began... Tim Boyle, President of Columbia Sportwear, was quoted as saying "why would we want to compete with ourselves?" Again, thanks for your comments and I hope my points are clear. Transparency and truth in the market are as important as ever these days. Cheers~ Jon
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
For some reason it duplicated. Sorry!
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No