Backside Line
The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic (males’s / girls’s) is a light-weight, waterproof, and extremely breathable rainshell designed for hikers and backpackers who worth mobility and sturdiness. Crafted with Mountain Hardwear’s Dry.Q Energetic expertise, it delivers dependable waterproof safety whereas sustaining wonderful breathability for high-output actions. The 4-way stretch material enhances mobility, making it excellent for mountaineering, climbing, or backpacking in unpredictable climate. By many assessments in rain and shine, the Stretch Ozonic continues to be considered one of our greatest rain jackets.
Weighing simply over 10 ounces, this jacket is definitely packable, stuffing into its personal chest pocket for handy storage. Options embody a helmet-compatible hood, underarm zip vents for enhanced airflow, and waterproof zippers. Its tailor-made match presents a steadiness of consolation and efficiency with out feeling restrictive.
Whereas the Stretch Ozonic excels in mobility and waterproofing, its light-weight development can really feel much less sturdy in rugged situations and is thinner than others we examined. The match, whereas comfy, is barely dishevelled and could also be too giant for thinner torsos however works nicely for layering beneath. Regardless of these small shortcomings, the Stretch Ozonic is without doubt one of the most comfy and dependable jackets we examined, incomes it a spot in our lineup.
How We Examined
Put to the take a look at in Alaska’s relentless rain, sleet, and snow, this jacket has confronted demanding trials throughout a number of hikes in harsh, moist climate. We push all our rain jackets to their limits, evaluating how lengthy they face up to moisture earlier than soaking by way of and figuring out the situations the place they carry out greatest.
Fast Specs
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic
Tremendous Comfy Rain Jacket
CleverHiker Ranking:
82.8/100
Worth:
$230
Listed Weight:
10.7 oz. / 9.9 oz.(males’s / girls’s)
Execs
- Stretchy & comfy
- Light-weight
- Quieter material
- Massive chest pocket
- Deep handwarmer pockets
- Massive pit zips
- 2 adjustable hem cords
- Packs small into itself
Cons
- Hood visor isn’t as vast or lengthy as some
- Velcro cuffs are skinny & much less sticky
Consolation & Mobility
The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic is extraordinarily comfy and cellular, making it a standout possibility for dynamic outside actions. Its 4-way stretch material strikes seamlessly along with your physique, providing an unrestricted vary of movement throughout actions like mountaineering, climbing, or scrambling. The light-weight, comfortable materials feels comfy towards the pores and skin, lowering the stiffness typically related to different rain shells. It is without doubt one of the most comfy jackets we have now examined.
Having mentioned that, the match is greatest for layering. The arms are pretty dishevelled and require tightening down the cuff cinches nearly all the best way.
Climate Resistance
The Stretch Ozonic strikes a steadiness between weight, consolation, and climate resistance. Whereas it actually isn’t a crisp hardshell meant to take a beating from the weather, it offers sufficient climate resistance for reasonable publicity to precipitation. The two.5-layer Dry.Q material stood as much as stiff rain, however did moist by way of after a number of hours. The 50 denier material isn’t the thickest we examined and presents common climate resistance. So whereas the Stretch Ozonic will not be our first selection on heavy rain days, it presents sufficient safety for many outings and is greatest fitted to reasonably wet days.
Air flow
This jacket has wonderful air flow and breathability, making it excellent for cardio outside pursuits. It offers waterproof safety whereas permitting moisture vapor to flee, lowering clamminess throughout high-energy actions. We not often felt the sticky claminess of different jackets and this was considered one of our prime picks for being energetic on wet days.
The pit zip vents supply extra air flow, permitting you to rapidly launch extra warmth when temperatures rise or exertion will increase. The light-weight, 4-way stretch material not solely enhances mobility but additionally helps environment friendly airflow, maintaining you comfy throughout extended use.
Sturdiness
Whereas the comfortable materials feels extra pliable, the Stretch Ozonic has not proven any indicators of damage and has held up nicely all through testing. The standard of the DWR has not diminished noticeably, and the jacket continues to carry out as if model new. We intend to maintain utilizing the Stretch Ozonic for a lot of extra wet days to return.
Weight
The Stretch Ozonic is without doubt one of the lightest jackets in our lineup. With a producer weight of 10.9 ounces and a measured weight of 10.1 in a males’s medium, it’s an incredible possibility for ounce counters who nonetheless want stable safety. This interprets to a jacket that doesn’t really feel cumbersome simply matches right into a backpack and could be very packable. We love its capability to zip into its chest pocket for simple stowing in a day pack or working vest.
Ought to You Purchase the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic?
If you happen to hate the standard crinkly stiffer really feel of conventional rain shells, then the Stretch Ozonic is the jacket for you. It is without doubt one of the most stretchy and cozy choices we’ve worn. The fabric is comfortable and pliable on the pores and skin and breathes exceptionally nicely. We not often felt clammy or sticky whereas mountaineering in it.
Whereas it will not be probably the most bomb-proof shell on the market for severely moist climate, it’s a nice possibility for reasonable rains and going out and in of precipitation. We love its low weight, capability to pack into its chest pocket, and excessive flexibility. That is considered one of our prime selections for rain jackets to put on whereas exercising within the rain.
What Different Rain Jackets Ought to You Contemplate?
If you happen to just like the Ozonic however wish to study another comparable choices, listed below are our favorites from our information to the very best rain jackets.
REI Flash Stretch Evaluate: A less expensive possibility, the Flash Stretch can be a extremely cellular jacket however at a lower cost level.
Montbell Versalite Evaluate: If you happen to cherished how light-weight the Stretch Ozonic is, the Versalite is the lightest in our lineup and is certain to impress.
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Evaluate: With an identical weight and stretchiness to the Stretch Ozonic, the StormLine presents barely greater efficiency in climate resistance making it excellent for rainier climate.
