Gear Review
Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Softshell Jacket - Men's
Centerpiece jacket
By Barrett Wood
Ranked #764 - Men's Softshell Jackets
September 16, 2008
I waited for a long time before I got this jacket. It was worth the wait. I love the Alchemy. It repels water and blocks wind. The side panels stretch a fair piece so the jacket really moves with you. It was my go-to jacket all winter. The internal chest pocket easily holds a wallet and keys and the external one is great for a phone. The front pockets can double as pit zips and can really vent the jacket. The hem and collar drawcords lock out wind and rain and the cuff liners work really well. The cuffs take some getting used to but they are awesome once you figure it out.
The cut is athletic, but you can get a baselayer or two underneath the Alchemy without feeling stuffed into it. I'm 5'9" and 135 and the small is almost too small for me, but not quite. The Alchemy is a great, durable, functional softshell.
View Details: Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Softshell Jacket - Men's
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes
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.
2 Comments Last Reply: March 28, 2011 By: vml4482441
Those cuff flaps are there to have a tight seal against the elements. With that said I would prefer to have the “standard” Velcro adjustable loops instead if I had a choice. If you have big arms with big wrists, then it might be a little too tight, at least for a while until they loosen up with use over time. The way I would wear mine would be to push my arms through the sleeves hard and quick, and this would push the cuff flaps out, and then I would push them back inside after putting on the jacket. It was a little annoying at the beginning but now I don’t even think about them anymore every time I wear mine. I actually like the tight seal and lock that these cuff flaps provide, as my sleeves would stay put when I raise my hands above my head. This is one of my favorite soft-shell jackets (I have many), as I have two of them in my closet to go to all the time. FYI, I just bought an Arc’teryx Hyllus soft-shell and was totally disappointed with it, as it wasn’t even close to my Alchemy in terms of form fitting for twice the price. Enough said!
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
Barrett, you mentioned that the cuffs take some getting used to and you 'figured' them out. I just bought this jacket and love it. But I haven't 'figured' out the cuffs yet. What is the purpose of the double cuff? Help me figure out why the cuffs are like that. Thanks!
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes