Hardshell Jackets
Product 2019
Woman, Man
This Mountain Hardwear Men’s Exposure/2™ Gore-Tex Jacket Pro Jacket is designed for mountain sports in bad weather, but not only that, its specifications are designed to withstand the toughest conditions but the Mountain Hardwear is also very versatile. This preliminary admitted, we put it to the test in cascade of ice and other exits in ski touring. We first tested it out ice climbing and other various ski touring excursions.
Weighing 482g for size small, the Exposure 2 displays a good compromise between lightness and robustness. Mountain Hardwear’s “Traverse” color, gives an easily identifiable look in the landscape in the event of any problems.
The three-layer Gore-Tex® Pro offers waterproofness, lightness, breathability (within a certain limit) but also very good protection. The fabric, although rigid at first glance, doesn’t interfere with movement. The fabric is also very sturdy and so there’s no risk of tearing it on abrasive granite rocks. We were able to test the Gore-Tex® Pro’s resistance going down several difficult channels without damaging the fabric.
The size small is perfectly adapted to our height (1.67 m) with or without helmet. The clever assembly of fabrics, and the preformed sleeves increase freedom of movement while guaranteeing a minimum of effort (there’s no resistance from the design and fabric).
The four (yes, four!) chest pockets are ideally placed when you put a harness on. All zips are completely waterproof. The outer closures are virtually invisible and are perfectly hidden.
The pockets are superimposed and their volume is large enough to slip all your necessary items during your activities.
Inside the Men’s Exposure/2™ Gore-Tex® Pro Jacket, there are two more storage compartments, a small inside pocket on the right and an expandable top-opening mesh pocket on the left side. So there is a total of six pockets in this jacket, it’s remarkable, but do you really need them?
The protective skirt adjustment is intuitive thanks to a system that Mountain Hardwear calls Cohaesive™. These small “push lock buttons” are ideally positioned and do not interfere with wearing a harness or backpack.
The photo clearly shows their locations. To release the elastics, a simple pressure is enough. Once again everything has been carefully thought out.
The hood with an integrated visor has been designed for wearing with a helmet and adjusts perfectly without hindering head movements, while ensuring good face protection even in the worst weather conditions.
Here there is the same adjustment system as for the inner skirt for the hood (Cohaesive™). Some soft reinforcements placed on the upper part of the central zipper, and under the hood, so there’s no irritation on the lower part of the face and the neck.
When the mercury rises, the ample under-arm zippers (46cm for size Small) gives optimal and effective thermal regulation: it isn’t only the armpits that are ventilated.
As you can see, the Mountain Hardwear Men’s Exposure/2™ Gore-Tex® Pro Jacket’s results are rather flattering. What could be criticized? Following our field experience, here are a few minor points that could be discussed or modified. Three pockets (six in total) that overlap on each side of the chest is clearly too much.
The central zip is a bit coarse compared to all the other beautiful finishes on this jacket.
Finally, the fabric could be slightly more stretchy when compared to other membranes, especially Dermizax™.
After several weeks ice climbing,, ski touring in the sun and off-piste skiing in full blizzard conditions, this jacket has easily met our expectations.
The versatility of the Mountain Hardwear Men’s Exposure/2™ Gore-Tex Pro Jacket is well-conceived and designed. Thermal regulation is effective regardless of the outside temperature or activity. A top-of-the-range product to be serene and comfortable in all your mountain adventures.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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