Hardwear Sessions

Lou Dawson writes the heavily followed Back Country skiing blog wildsnow.com. He recently reviewed the Mountain Hardwear Medusa Gloves and wrote "The Medussa passed, and get an A+ because the latest nifty ever-so-cool "Outdry" waterproof/breathable (WB) technology works."

"The glove torture test is this: First, use for hours of snow shoveling and "work" such as loading/unloading snowmobile. If they pass that, get them out for at least ten days of backcountry skiing. Lastly, stick them under the faucet for a while and see how dry they stay."
Read the article here wildsnow.com

Your faithful blogster testing MH Medusa Gloves, somewhere in Colorado, about 15° Fahrenheit.

Alpine Climbing Glove - Medusa Glove

Mountain Hardwear earned several positive category distinctions in the Backpacker 2010 Gear Guide which is a valuable source for serious mountaineers, campers, day backpackers and hikers. Visit Backpacker online, Backpacker.com

Tough Stuff is a new category in the issue.The editors picked 30 products that have endured over the last two decades of hardcore field testing. They called out Mountain Hardwear's Transition, the toughest, most versatile windshirt around. Click here to view Backpacker Magazine clipping. The following are a few pages where Mountain Hardwear products are mentioned. Flip through the issue to find several more Mountain Hardwear products written about.

| Skyledge 2.1

| Boy's Epic & Girl's Epic	| Drifter 3
| Fluid 32	| ExtraLamina 0°
| Torsion Glove & Women's Torsion Glove, Seta Strapless Running Gaiter and Quasar Running Cap	| Wiki 65 / Women's Nalu 60

From Doglotion.com

"Yep, our first 10 out of 10 gear review. Kinda like the Nadia Comaneci of the ski glove world, but, um, different. Simply put, the Mountain Hardwear Bazuka Gloves are the best gloves I've ever had, by a long shot. They're also most likely the first gloves I'll keep for more than a season without using duct tape."

Check out the new generation in Northern England sporting some serious gear for those bitter English winter days. Pictured in the highlands of the Lake District. Your favorite Mountain Hardwear pieces, now in smaller sizes: youth-sized jackets, fleeces, sleeping bags, and accessories, with the technical fabrics and quality construction that you expect from Mountain Hardwear. Check the out Mountain Hardwear Kids gear here.

Jessica Bulman and Wilam Bulman from Cumbria, England

Mountain Hardwear Gloves with OutDry received innovation award during the SIA show.

Read the Full article. View Mountain Hardwear Outdry Gloves.

Summiting Denali is hard. But try telling that Iraq war vet Marc Hoffmeister, who led a team of veterans and amputees to the top this past summer.
>> View the photo gallery, video and full story here.

Marc Hoffmeister,Team Leader Operation Denali

Previous Hardwear Sessions Posts
November 13, 2099 :Operation Denali Mission Complete!
April 7, 2009: Operation Denali

National Geographic also features Skyledge 2.1 in their Best of Adventure: Must-Have Gear.

Mountain Hardwear attended the ice climbing community's favorite gathering,
The 2010 Ouray Ice Festival

Reviewed by Kevin Short, ESPNOutdoors.com

The Beryllium Jacket, Exposure II Bib and Compressor Pant were all mentioned in this glowing review on ESPNOutdoors.com:

Beryllium Jacket

"Three layer Gore-Tex ProShell, simple zip pockets, no big flappy bellows pockets, and it weighed a whopping 18 ounces. 18 ounces as opposed to 46 ounces for one of the big box store jackets that I had been wearing is a huge difference. All that extra weight built into a shell does not equal more warmth or wind resistance, it simply adds more weight that you're carrying around every minute you have it on your back. Ever wonder why your shoulders and neck hurt at the end of a long day's fishing?"

Exposure II Bib

"The Exposure uses Mountain Hardwear's proprietary waterproof/breathable laminate, as opposed to Gore-Tex. I saved a little money on the bibs (since most of the sweating you do is in your feet and your upper body, why go for the higher dollar Gore-Tex on bibs?) that I put into the jacket. The weight on the Exposure is about the same as any multi-layered bibs with full zips. Again, all those layers and all those zippers add on the ounces."

"The purpose of the layer next to your skin, the base layer, is to pull moisture away from your body. A wet body is a cool body -- that's the reason you sweat, to cool your temperature. If you leave too much moisture on the skin's surface, you'll cool down too much and be cold, thus the need for a base layer. I've long worn polypropylene as my base layer. I've tried everything from high dollar Patagonia to the cheap stuff....Read more."

Compressor Pant

"For bottoms, I'll wear fleece pants or a pair of Compressor pants from Mountain Hardwear over the Icebreakers.This combo is toasty warm for most days. If the wind is howling, I'll add the bibs and shell layer to top it all off, keep the wind out and seal in the heat."

Steve Romeo's Website, dedicated to Backcountry Skiing and Ski Mountaineering in Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park, posted an OutDry experiment..

By randosteve, December 30th, 2009: Tetonat.com

OutDry Glove Technology from Kara Armano on Vimeo.

There has been a lot of chatter about a new glove waterproofing technology coming out of Italy these days called OutDry, which completely laminates a waterproof membrane to the outer shell of a glove. This is different from other technologies used by GORE and Polartec, in that most other membranes are attached to the shell of the glove by only the finger tips and base...near the cuff. OutDry claims that since there are less places for "dead air" (and water vapor) to accumulate, gloves made with OutDry will be more waterproof, as well as more breathable and durable.

Typhon Backcountry	Women's Echidna Backcountry	Epic Backcountry	Women's Epic Backcountry
Bazuka Snowsports	Jalapeno Snowsports	Guajillo Snowsports	Women's Pasilla Snowsports
Medusa Alpine Climbing	Medusa Mitt Alpine Climbing	Hydra Alpine Climbing

From what I can tell, so far, only one US company, Mountain Hardwear, currently uses this process to make their gloves. I was lucky enough to get a pair of gloves made with OutDry before my trip to Antarctica and Aconcagua, some Mountain Hardwear Medusa Gloves. Though the weather was too warm and sunny (thank you very much) to really need and use a warm glove in Antarctica, and too dry to really test the waterproofness of the gloves on Aconcagua, I have been doing my best to run them through the ringer since I've been back. To start out with, the workmanship of these gloves is.....read the full article here.

Written up in the 12-20-09 Denver Post, the Bazuka Gloves deliver for waterproof breathability. "Gore-Tex has pretty much set the standard in breathable waterproof membranes for the past three decades, but the patented OutDry membrane found in Mountain Hardwear's Bazuka Gloves (MSRP: $170) is aiming to raise the bar." Read the whole review!

Enlarge image

Our most technical insulated glove for snowsport professionals, with OutDry® Waterproof Technology for extreme environments. We bond the waterproof, breathable OutDry® membrane to a full-leather body, sealing out water, wind, and cold. Insulated with Thermic Micro™. Full leather fingers and palm, with molded, closed cell foam protection on back of hand and knuckles. Learn more about the Bazuka Gloves here.

Skyledge 2.1 receives award in December 09-January 10 National Geographic Adventure. Reported as "must have" gear, and one of the most groundbreaking products of 2010."

The Skyledge is a compact, freestanding, three season tent designed for the serious backcountry user. An all-mesh canopy reduces weight and allows superb visibility and ventilation. Learn more here.

Men's Journal Dec 09-Jan 10 just came out with their Gear of the Year! Mountain Hardwear cleans up in two categories. The Refugium Jacket for Best New Technology and the Intention 75 for Best Backpack.

The comfort-oriented Intention is designed for large loads and long days on the trail. The secret to the pack's suspension is our custom-shapeable Fit-Lock™ hipbelt, which wraps around the framesheet to draw the load tight, providing excellent balance and load transfer. Check out Mountain Hardwear's Intention 75.

Refugium reviewed by John Boy Walton, " This jacket is the bomb! The light weight, warmth and fit are good if not better than any mid-layer piece I've worn, but it's what's inside that really rocks." Read the whole review at Trailspace.com. Among the most popular gifts this season is the Mountain Hardwear Refugium and Radiance heated jackets, employing Ardica heat technology. Check it out in Mountain Gear's press release!

Heat your core - charge your electronics. This lightly insulated, low profile jacket comes pre-wired for Ardica Heat and Power Technology. Wear alone, or under a shell for extraordinary warmth and charge portable electronics on the go. Check out the Refugium Jacket

Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop; The Sounds of Long Range Models

Ken Clark wrote in his AccuWeather.com Blog Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop; The Sounds of Long Range Models, "It has been a frustrating week trying to make long-range forecasts. Early in the week it looked like by the middle and end of next week the West would go back to a high-level blocking pattern, sending storms farther south again toward the Southwest, but by Wednesday and Thursday that hope had gone by the wayside."

Storm History of the Blizzard of December '09
The memorable Blizzard of December 2009 laid down a swath of snow 1 to 2 feet deep from the southern Appalachians to Long Island and southeastern New England.

Time to do some flips in the snowbanks with Mountain Hardwear's reversible Women's Flip Jacket, updated with a new textured dobby fabric. PrimaLoft® insulation stays warm under damp conditions. Great for layering.

>>Check out Mountain Hardwear's Technical Ski Shells & Advanced Snow Gear.

• Lightweight PrimaLoft® microfiber insulation provides exceptional warmth in damp conditions
• Soft, snug rib knit collar
• Contrasting quilting: abstract quilt pattern reverses to reveal horizontal striations
• Zippered cuffs for easy fit adjustments
• Zip handwarmer pockets

Mountain Hardwear's technical ski jacket, the Kramer Jacket

Visit www.MensJournal.com to view the reviews and other Mountain Hardwear products mentioned.

Mountain Hardwear's Pasilla Glove is designed to fit smaller hands. A versatile insulated snowsports glove, with OutDry® Waterproof Technology for exceptional protection. We bond the waterproof, breathable OutDry® membrane to a tough Taslan nylon shell, sealing out water, wind, and cold. Pigskin leather fingers and palm resist abrasion. Features include:

Thermic Micro™ insulation at back of hand
• Durable water-resistant pigskin palm and fingers
• Nose wipe patch on thumb
• 1000D Cordura® inset at palm for durability
• Full coverage gauntlet with SimpleCinch one-handed closures for quick adjustments
• Brushed polyester fleece lining adds warmth and wicks moisture

Check it out here.

A traditional winter jacket that's been keeping the snow loving men warm for decades and is apparently still styling! Check out Olympic athlete, Todd Lodwick in a similar jacket. -- we like ours better!

Hit the slopes in this warm down parka. Waterproof shell fabric stands up to snow, and superlight 650-fill goosedown minimizes your need for layers. Mountain Hardwear Downhill Parka. (For the Ladies)

" I had a little OutDry moment down in Antarctica that I thought might appreciated. Coming back to the ship in our Zodiac, we decided to grab a piece of continental ice to use for evening cocktails as 12 year old Scotch goes well with 1,000 year old ice. As we came up to a group of ice chunks, people started to break out their ice axes to snag the ice with, but I was able to reach directly into the water with my OutDry gloves and grab a sizable chunk. The other eight people on the Zodiac couldn't believe it until they tried the gloves on for themselves - after a full day of skiing, being plunged directing into freezing sea water and holding on to wet ice, they were bone dry and warm. There were eight instant OutDry converts."

" Thanks again for the great products!"

- Andrew McLean

A Winter Jacket That Charges Your Gadgets

October 2, 2009
By Rik Fairlie

Available in the Refugium Jacket and Women's Radiance Jacket | Photo Courtesy of New York Times Blog

Yep, that's right. Reach into the front left pocket and you'll find a power adapter that enables you to charge your iPod, digital camera, GPS device or cellphone -- no matter if you're riding a mountain bike or roaming snowy city streets. The heating and power capabilities are made possible by the addition of rechargeable lithium-ion battery and heating system developed by Ardica Technology.

Read more on New York Times Gadgetwise Blog.

By Shannon Davis posted on Backpacker.com

The author demonstrates proper hitchhiking technique while wearing a kilt. | Photo Courtesy of Shannon Davis posted on Backpacker.com

Be bold and wear this hiking kilt on trail--you (and the ladies) will thank us!

First off, it's a kilt. Not a skirt. There were definitely a lot of "hey, cool skirt!" comments floating around. There are basically two ways to respond to this. 1) Correct that person, as I mostly chose to (the irascible approach). 2) Just say "thanks, man" (the hell cares approach). But one thing's for sure: Wearing a kilt definitely requires an attitude that's both bold and carefree. If you don't have this attitude naturally, a kilt will help you foster one along. It requires cojones.

And speaking of cojones, after I stepped out of the car, only 2.3 seconds passed before another person in our group (a woman!) lifted up my kilt. In addition to drawing attention, a kilt also apparently erases social mores. Women, at least initially, do not respect the kilt in the same way that men respect a skirt.

But how does it perform in the mountains...Read more on Backpacker.com

In this video Mountain Hardwear Athlete, Kenton Cool talks about the South Col Pack, Ghost SL Sleeping Bag, Navigation Pants, and the Argon Jacket. He makes some good points explaining why this gear is perfect for the Alps. For example, " The Navigation Pants are made of stretchy, semi waterproof material with an internal gator at the bottom. The color is fantastic for the alps; it is not black. The cool color is perfect for when the sun comes up on the glaciers so you will not fry in them. They are indestructible and have a built in waistband to cinch so you don't have problems with your harness." Click on the images below for more details.

Dougald MacDonald, past editor in chief of Rock & Ice, regular contributor to Men's Journal, Outside, Backpacker, and more likes our Runout Pants.

"Mountain Hardwear Runout climbing pants. Super-comfortable. Fit well under a harness. Look good enough to wear out to dinner--at least until you smear them with chalk and aluminum grime from your rope."
- Dougald MacDonald's Blog, themountainworld.blogspot.com

The Runout Pant has a Crag™ Canvas Body that is 100% cotton canvas. Heavy duty, durable cotton canvas "breaks in" beautifully with time and washing. Pigment dyed, peached face. 8.5 oz/yd2.

• Lots of pockets for storage
• Adjustable drawcord hidden inside hem to cinch pant leg
• UPF 50 sun protection
• Integrated webbing belt with buckle closure for easy fit adjustments
• Durable canvas fabric great for day cragging
• Inseam gusset and articulated knees for mobility
>>Where to buy

Ardica is the leading developer of miniaturized portable power systems. Their latest introduction, the Moshi Power System, generates 40W of power from a lightweight, flexible and portable planar array of lithium ion batteries. This system can power and charge a wide variety of electronic devices while simultaneously delivering comforts like heat and sound to garments, bags and more. Find out more about the contest here.

Mountain Hardwear uses this device to heat your core and charge your electronics. This technology is found in the Refugium Jacket and Women's Radiance Jacket.

Notes from Patricia Bamert, Office of Ueli Steck

Mountain Hardwear Alpinist, Ueli Steck has packed his bags to conquer Makalu with the following Mountain Hardwear gear.
Sub Zero Jacket Designed for cold weather climbing and mountaineering, 650-fill goosedown with Taslan reinforced abrasion areas take on the weather and your pack with ease.	Hooded Compressor PL Jacket Superlight, PrimaLoft® ECO fill provides excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, insulates when wet, compresses easily, and is good for the planet. Specifically designed for alpine pursuits where moisture and weight are factors.
Power Stretch Jacket An abrasion-resistant jacket with the stretch, warmth, and breathability of a fleece, and the protection of a soft shell. Treated with an advanced surface-fusion polymer for wind- and water-resistance. Wear alone or use as a mid-layer.	Compressor Pant Superlight, PrimaLoft® ECO fill is high-loft, warm, and good for the earth. Specifically designed for backcountry activities where moisture and weight are factors.
Phantom 32° Our most popular down bag, the Phantom™ 32 is a really light, warm and compact two-season sleeping bag. The Phantom 32 is built to a snug mummy fit from Superlight 15 denier fabric and insulated with 800-fill down. Ueli Steck will also be using the the Bunker Expedition tent."
Absolute Zero Mitt 3 layer Conduit™, Duraguard™ palm, Keprotec® reinforcements and a warm, ThermicMicro™ liner mitt make our top-of-the line mountaineering mitt essential gear for high altitude and deep cold. Keprotec® reinforcements and a rappel-tough Duraguard™ palm handle rocks, ropes and ice in freezing conditions. The removable liner mitt has an improved fit with increased articulation and snug elastic at the wrist to hold in heat and increase warmth.
Quark Jacket The super lightweight, super breathable, highly waterproof Mountain Hardwear Men's Quark Jacket revolutionizes technical shells. Using only super soft tricot and a Conduit laminate, this ten-ounce jacket cuts out the middle man without sacrificing protection. You'll barely notice the Quark Jacket on your back or in your pack, but you can't ignore the 20K-rated waterproof coating and welded seams keeping you dry during an alpine storm.	Belay T Short Sleeve Fast drying, wicking and soft. Seams rotated from pressure points and flat lock seams for comfort. 88% Supplex nylon, 12% elastane jersey. Lightweight, soft hand and wicking finish. 4.6 oz/yd2.

Do Mountain Hardwear employees wear what they sell? The answer is yes. Check out the "Hardwear Crew" Tab located on theMountain Hardwear Facebook Page (Seattle Store, Portland Store) to see what Hardwear gear we wear. We look forward to your feedback and encourage you to share your favorite MHW gear.

Sean McDevitt in the "rain room" testing the Spring 2010 tent designs | Photo by Roland Dare

Do Mountain Hardwear employees wear what they sell? The answer is yes. Check out the Mountain Hardwear Facebook Page (Seattle Store, Portland Store) to see what Hardwear gear we wear. We look forward to your feedback and encourage you to share your favorite MHW gear.

Jason Miller reviews the all new Mountain Hardwear Fluid 10 on Feedthehabit.com

With all the hydration packs currently on the market, there are only a handful that I can totally recommend (Deuter comes to mind). But, the new Mountain Hardwear Fluid 10/18/26 hydration pack lineup looks like a great foray into the market. The best feature is the frame sheet, dubbed HardWave, which looks like an accordion going top-to-bottom for a back-conforming fit, but still providing torsional rigidity. Another bonus of this design is its ability to conform to the contours of your back while providing excellent breathability.

An additional innovation on this pack is the OTF (On-the-Fly) Compression system that allows you to cinch down the entire pack from the hip. This ingenious design has long been needed in the market. I always complain when packs don't have compression straps to cinch the load, but this one takes simple compression straps to the next level by allowing you to cinch the entire load down from the waistbelt. Capacity is 600 cu. in. and weight is 1 lb. 4 oz. with an MSRP of $80

View Mountain Hardwear Fluid 10 photos here: Feedthehabit.com
Visit MountainHardwear.com to view Backpacks.

View More Pictures from the Designers' Rainier Trip

About a month ago, the Mountain Hardwear design team headed to Mt. Rainier. Here, our materialogist Gaston McMillan describes the trip's impact upon his design philosophy. Gaston first delivered this piece as a presentation at the Industrial Fabrics Association International's annual conference in Las Vegas. Gaston gave his presentation the day after the team returned from Rainier.

By Gaston McMillan

I've just come from a climb on Mount Rainier in Washington. The peak is at 14,400 ft and is a wonderful place to spend time as well as the premier training ground for anyone going to greater, more difficult places like the high ranges in Alaska or any of the 8,000M peaks around the world including Aconcagua, K2, or Everest. Rainier is a big powerful mountain with beautiful glaciers, laid on the shoulders of a sleeping volcano. I was there with the Mountain Hardwear product managers, several of our designers, and the Rainier Mountain Institute guides with whom we work. Our intention was to first; be able to spend time with and get meaningful feedback from the guides -- unfiltered -- on our gear and the means of communicating more effectively in the future; 2nd, to have a meaningful, shared experience among all of us and 3rd, to attempt to ring that bell at the top, or more plainly, to try for the summit.

Our athletes and field testers have long wished for a lightweight softshell designed for high-impact aerobic activities, something that could stand up to inclement weather, feel good next to the skin, and accommodate a wide range of movements. When Gore-Tex introduced a new generation of WINDSTOPPER fabrics, including a stretch knit, our designers realized that they had found the perfect starting point.

By Alex Baires

Pull out your camping gear one more time before the weather changes. Or, if you need to upgrade, consider treating yourself to a Mountain Hardwear Light Wedge tent, Foray pack, or award-winning UltraLamina bag. These, among with a few select other Mountain Hardwear equipment styles sold in the U.S. come with a "Leave No Trace" outdoor ethics tag. This is our way of asking you to take a minute to think about your impact on the outdoors during your trips.

In a joint effort with Leave No Trace, Mountain Hardwear included outdoor ethics tags with approximately 7,000 packs, bags, and tents sold in the U.S. this Spring/Summer. We plan to continue this program next Spring/Summer and in the meantime, feel free to use this PDF file to print your own Leave No Trace outdoor ethics tag (on recycled paper, of course). Or, we would be happy to send you a tag if you send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Mountain Hardwear Gives Back LNT Outdoor Ethics Tag, ATTN. Alex 4911 Central Ave. Richmond, CA 94804

Looking forward to a good winter with lots of good snow in the mountains...

By Sean McDevitt
Mountain Hardwear Design

When we started the Viperine tent project, we set out to make the most efficiently designed, 2 person tent that was actually livable but light enough for backpacking. We wanted it to be strong enough for most conditions but competitive on weight and price. We build a lot into our tents, such as welded zipper flaps and full taped perimeter seams — features that our competitors often skip. These features add weight and cost but also add functionality. In a world where customers shop on weight per square foot, we are challenged to deliver tents that live up to our standards of quality and still deliver on weight. Eventually, after much work, our lead tent Designer Martin Zemitis came up with what we think is a ground breaking design.