Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody Review

The Stretchdown Hoody prioritizes comfort and mobility above all else. The stretchy 20D Durable Stretch Doubleweave allows for unencumbered, natural movements. Even though it feels softer – and much less slick – than the thin nylon shell on many other jackets, it also seems more durable and abrasion resistant. The downside is that this is one of the heaviest and least portable jackets I tested.

Warmth

The Stretchdown Hoody is stuffed with tons of 700-fill-power down, maximizing loft and warmth. This fill-power down insulation isn't quite as high quality as an 800 or higher fill-power jacket. However, a higher fill power would only make this jacket lighter and more expensive. Since the Stretchdown Hoody isn't trying to be lightweight, it doesn't need the highest fill power.

Unlike many other down jackets I tested, the Stretchdown Hoody doesn't have fully stitched baffles. This not only allows the fabric to stretch fully but also makes the jacket warmer. Since the seams aren't fully sewn through, there are no thin spots lacking insulation.

The hand-warmer pockets are sewn deep into this puffy to help prevent heat loss. They're also fully covered by a flap of insulation, so you won't lose too much heat, even if you leave your pockets unzipped. The full-coverage hood is fully adjustable, with two toggles so that you can cinch it down around your face to seal in as much heat as possible.

The Stretchdown Hoody is also constructed with a drop hem along the back. Since the stretchy shell moves so well with you, you never have to worry about exposing your lower back to the elements when you lean forward or exposing your midsection when you raise your arms over your head.

Comfort

The Stretchdown Hoody is wildly comfortable. In fact, it's the most comfortable puffy jacket I've ever worn. The unique shell fabric has a broken-in feel to it. When I first put it on, I was immediately impressed by how much the Stretchdown Hoody doesn't feel like another techy, outdoor jacket.

Unlike most down jackets that are marked by their sleek shell fabric, the stretch fabric is incredibly soft and reminds me of a well-worn, knit fabric. It doesn't clam up when wet, either. The hand pockets are also lined with cozy knit microfleece. It was a joy to bury my hands deep in my pockets on a cold day.

With most jackets, fit is important for mobility. It can't be too small, or you won't be able to move. However, a jacket that is too big carries extra bulk, which also makes it hard to move. I'm typically between a men's Small and Medium, and I chose to test the Stretchdown Hoody in a Medium to maximize my ability to layer underneath. I could easily fit the thickest sweater I own underneath this jacket, and I suspect because of the stretchy material, I still would have been able to even if I had purchased a size Small.

Portability

I weighed a men's Medium Stretchdown Hoody at 18.1 ounces, which makes it one of the heaviest jackets in our lineup. It was also one of the least portable – it's a good thing it's so comfortable that you won't want to take it off.

It's more packable than a big, bulky winter jacket, but it isn't packable compared to most of the other lightweight down jackets I tested. The 700-fill-power down insulation is not as compressible as higher fill-power down jackets, and there is a lot of it stuffed inside the Stretchdown Hoody. It doesn't pack away into a hand pocket, but you can sort of stuff it into the interior drop pocket.

Weather Resistance

The Stretchdown Hoody is also not particularly weather resistant, but it performs well enough in cold, windy conditions. The Stretch Doubleweave isn't treated with a DWR coating, which means that out of the box, this jacket doesn't offer as much protection from precipitation as other down jackets we tested.

Without a DWR coating, this jacket also seems to be more prone to staining. Maybe it's because I've been wearing it so much, but it sure feels like the shell easily absorbs food residue and other oily liquids. It's easy to spot clean, though. And because it's more breathable than nylon, the shell material also dries quickly. This Stretchdown Hoody works well in dry winter climates, but if you live in a wetter climate, you'll need to pair this jacket with a waterproof shell.

Even though the shell material isn't water resistant, it does a great job of blocking the wind. I placed the Stretchdown Hoody up against a fan for a wind resistance test, and I couldn't feel any air blowing through the insulation, which backs up my experience of wearing this jacket on cold, blustery days. The toggle adjustment also allows you to cinch the hood down tight around your face, which came in handy in particularly adverse weather.

Breathability

Unlike many other thick puffies I tested, the Stretchdown Hoody is a very breathable down jacket. That said, it is still a heavy down jacket stuffed with tons of down, so it's not ideal for activities in mild weather. But it's breathable enough for cold-weather activities like ice climbing, skiing, snowboarding, or winter hiking. The fabric feels less clammy than many other jackets, and I didn't notice any moisture building up on the inside when I worked up a sweat.

Most down jackets I tested only have a single zipper. But the Strechdown Hoody features a two-way zipper, so you can choose to vent from the bottom, top, or both. I appreciated the ability to vent my core while keeping my neck covered. And if I ever felt like I was close to overheating, I unzipped the jacket from the bottom and top, leaving it closed near the bottom of my ribcage. This allowed me to dump heat quickly, without the jacket flopping around as I moved.

Should You Buy the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody?

The Stretchdown Hoody is a great option for winter sports, where you want maximum mobility and warmth. It has a casual look, so it's great for wearing around town as well. It's not the lightest, nor is it the most packable jacket we tested, but it's so comfortable that you won't want to take it off. If you're always wearing it, who needs portability?

What Other Down Jackets Should You Consider?

The Rab Electron Pro is warmer and more weather-resistant than the Stretchdown Hoody, and nearly as comfortable. The The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie is also super cozy and is slightly less technical looking than the Rab Electron, though it still certainly has an “alpinist” appearance. For a lighter weight, more versatile, and much more packable jacket, check out the surprisingly affordable REI Co-op Magma 850 Hoodie.