The Ultimate Pro jacket from Mammut is a pretty standard design – a shortish Alpine-style jacket that can be worn below a waterproof hard shell. It has a full length zip with a generous storm flap, two zipped side pockets and a roomy chest pocket which is ideal for carrying specs, compasses, smartphone or GPS. There isn’t a hood with this jacket, which suits me – I’m not too keen on a hood on softshells unless it’s really lightweight and can be tucked away if you’re wearing a hard shell on top. Having said that I know many others would probably prefer to have a hood on a jacket of this quality (there’s a similar hooded version).
Unlike most softshells the cut on the Ultimate Pro is fairly generous, although I found the sleeves to be a little on the long side. The sleeves end with adjustable cuffs and integral thumb hoops. The material is fairly stretchy and it’s a very comfortable jacket to wear allowing a great freedom of movement, particularly in the arms which also have articulated elbows. The side pockets are comfortable but access to them is restricted when you’re wearing a harness or hip belt.
This is one of the jackets I found to be very weatherproof, even in the rain, and the Windstopper membrane certainly works. It cuts the wind very effectively but it does make it a rather warm jacket. This is really a garment for the coldest of days and I find it a little on the warm side in most other conditions. For such a weatherproof jacket it’s relatively light at 450gms.
First published: Jan 2013
