Lucy Wallace reviews the Mountain Hardwear Ozonic Insulated Jacket, inspired by snow sports to give freedom of movement.
The Mountain Hardwear Ozonic Insulated Jacket takes inspiration from snow sports, with a boxy cut and generous proportions, this jacket has also featured in our guide to the best synthetic insulated jackets. The Ozonic features stretch fabric throughout, providing the freedom of movement favoured by skiers and snowboarders.
Price: $250 | £250 | Weight: 615g | Materials: shell: 50D stretch ripstop Pertex quantum air; fill: 120gsm stretch Primaloft Gold Active | Features: helmet-compatible hood, zipped handwarmer and internal chest pockets, internal drop pocket, under arm vents | Sizes: XS-XL | Men’s version: Yes
The women’s Stretch Ozonic is not the lightest, but the 120gsm Primaloft Gold Active fill means that it’s extremely warm. There are underarm vents with mesh backing to dump heat and improve breathability if necessary. The hood is really roomy, fits over a helmet and has an adjustable drawcord at the back to ensure that it stays in place.
The handwarmer pockets are nice and big, and I like the extra internal drop pocket: good for stashing spare gloves or a Buff. The cuffs have big Velcro tabs to cinch them down and keep out draughts or snow. But at £250 this was by far the most expensive jacket I tested.
Designed for cold and dry conditions, the Mountain Hardwear Ozonic is a bit warm and bulky for general mountain use in the UK. It’s not something I’d want to carry in a rucksack, and it would need to be extremely cold if I was to wear it all day whilst active.
However, I have found it really lovely to wear during my work as a wildlife guide, which often involves standing around on cold and windy shorelines. It feels a bit like bringing a sleeping bag to work!
In its Alpine habitat, the Ozonic is a good, practical choice with the warmth and ease of layering that is needed for that environment.
