Marmot Moblis Review

The Moblis is one of the burlier jackets we tested, complete with an inner liner and windproof material. This won't be your trail running jacket, but for moderate outings in cold weather, this is a comfortable choice.

Performance Comparison

Weather Protection

Thanks to its heavyweight M2 fabric that has a bonded well-designed inner fabric, the Moblis does well at keeping icy winds at bay. While no softshell is completely immune to wet weather, the tight outer weave resisted wetting out during our shower test longer than many lighter weight jackets without a thick outer shell. The hood has three cinch closures ensuring that a good seal is achieved, though the small size makes it hard to fit a climbing helmet, let alone a ski helmet, underneath. We really like the adjustable wrist cuffs that allow for wearing big gloves during the colder months, and the hem fits just under the waist and has a cinch to tighten it. We found that in all but the reachiest of maneuvers, the hem stays put and doesn't expose the lower back.

Breathability

This is one of the thicker softshells in our review, and with the addition of the inner liner, it envelops the wearer in a heavy layer of fabric. This does a great job of keeping gusty winds from stealing away your heat, but it makes it hard for the jacket to breathe as effectively as lighter fabrics. During aerobic exercise, including hiking uphill at a moderate pace, the Moblis could not dump heat and wick moisture as fast as models that scored higher in our review, making us overheat more rapidly than desired. This jacket is better suited for colder temps and a more relaxed pace — going on a leisurely fall hike or a wintertime snowshoe would be much more realistic activities to use this jacket than on a steep uphill mountain bike ride.

Mobility

The Moblis is a stretch woven jacket that is tailored to hug the body but is not tight fitting. We find it easy to fit warmer base layers underneath without feeling constricted. It is a heavyweight jacket, though, so it does not feel as easy to move in as lighter, more stretchy models. This is especially apparent when wearing the hood over a helmet, which is a very tight fit and does not allow for much freedom of movement.

Weight

Weighing 29 ounces, the Moblis is one of the heaviest jackets that we have reviewed. This is a feature-rich jacket, but it is much heavier than some models that have the same features and are virtually waterproof. Given that the breathability is wanting and the mobility is average, there is not a lot of attributes other than wind resistance that make the Moblis worth the added weight. But, as mentioned above, it is a good all-purpose softshell that works best in the cold months when the added warmth is worth its weight.

Versatility

Marmot really went all out in regards to designing the Moblis. There is a feature for everyone here, with very little lacking. A three-way adjustable hood and adjustable cuffs and hems mean you can fine-tune the fit and make sure to seal out the cold. The pockets are very well designed, positioned so that you can access them while wearing a harness or a backpack strap, and this is one of the few models in our review that offers an internal pocket for a phone or wallet — a thoughtful addition. Style-wise it fits in as much at the local coffee shop as the side of a mountain.

Value

This jacket is a reasonable value, with many other top-performing models soaring well past it. Given that you can often find the Moblis for much less than full retail at popular online retailers, it is a good, quality jacket.

Conclusion