Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket Review – Stretchy Rain Shell

This Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket review is about a fully waterproof yet stretchy and breathable lightweight 2.5 layer Dry.Q Active membrane jacket that banishes moisture and moves with you in any direction.

Key features & benefits

What this is about

Here you have a jacket that looks like your ordinary stretchy running jacket but raised to a new level – this is a rainwear piece with a 2.5 layer structure. So in a sense, it is a bit similar to the Outdoor Research Interstellar jacket which is a hard shell piece and therefore a bit heavier.

Who is it for

This is for anybody who needs a lightweight and stretchy jacket that at the same time provides a full rain protection. So I see it suitable for runners, bikers, climbers, etc. Bear in mind it is fully waterproof and breathable, so you will know where to use it.

Materials & features

The shell fabric is 40D nylon and this is combined with their Dry.Q Active membrane. This is what they call the four-way stretch, and this means it will indeed stretch in any direction and you will be able to make movements without restrictions.

The jacket is breathable but they have also built long zippered vents under the arms so you have extra ventilation when needed. The front zipper is AquaGuard VISLON which seals out moisture. All zippers are the two-way type.

One peculiar feature is that the jacket packs into its own chest pocket; typically this is the hand pocket in most of the jackets. On the cuffs you have Velcro tabs, and on the hem you have a drawcord. The hood is not stowable, but you have two adjustment elements on the front and one on the back. The fit is standard and it allows for layering.

Pockets

There are three of them, two hand pockets plus the mentioned chest pocket. All are zippered and the two lower are enormous, they go all the way up to the top, they occupy the whole front of the jacket and create an extra layer on the front. Note that they are positioned high, so they are harness- and pack-compatible.

Please see more in this short video by Mountain Hardwear:

What is Dry.Q Active

Dry.Q Active is a special sort of membrane they use, designed for materials which allow for high-movement, high-breathability and low weight requirements. These you need for aerobic sports like running. So this is a specific waterproof material which you would expect in a hard shell but applied here in a superlight and stretch fabric.

Specifications

• Type: rain shell jacket.
• Fit: standard.
• Weight: 10 oz (282 g).
• Center back length: 29 in (72 cm).
• Face fabric: 40D nylon.
• Center-front AquaGuard VISLON zipper.
• Pit zips.

Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket for men vs Competitors

I thought it would be useful to show this jacket side by side with some other built in a similar style. So here I give some basic parameters. Please follow the links to see more.

Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons

Mountain Hardwear Men's Stretch Ozonic Jacket

9.2

Design

9.0/10

Features

9.2/10

Versatility

9.5/10

Pros

• Stretchy.
• Very light.
• Great quality.
• Pleasant materials.

Cons

• No rollaway hood.
• No inner pockets.

Buy on Amazon

Buy at Walmart

Buy at REI

The jacket presented here is for men, but they have the corresponding Ozonic Jacket for women as well.

Thank you for reading. If you still feel you need something different, visit my page with clothing, you will find many rain shell jackets for men and for women. Please use the comment box below in the case of questions and comments. Have a nice day.