REASONS TO BUY
TechnoStretch panels that make it much more breatheable
Velcro cuffs/
REASONS TO AVOID
Doesn't stuff into itself
Pretty expensive for what you get
Mountain Hardwear Zonal - Women's Review
Credit: Mountain HardWear
Price: $185 List
By McKenzie Long ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ Mar 19, 2011
Our Verdict
The Women's Zonal Jacket has been discontinued. To compare all of the women's insulated jackets that we tested and to find the best fit for your needs, check out the Best Insulated Jacket for Women Review.
If you are looking for a jacket to wear while doing aerobic activities in the cold, or a jacket to use as an extra warm layer under a shell without suffocating, then this is the jacket you should buy. Since it has Technostretch panels on the side and rear, it is by far more breathable than the other insulated jackets in this review, which makes it more specialized. For a thinner and lighter jacket, the Montbell UL Thermawrap Jacket - Women's (7.5 oz) is perfect, weighing almost half as much as the Zonal (13 oz.) If you would rather have a thick hooded jacket, the Arc'teryx Atom AR Hoody - Women's is quite cozy and relatively breathable for its size.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Likes
The Mountain HardWear Zonal jacket has some nice features that none of the other jackets in this review has. The most notable feature is what they call MicroClimate Zoning, which is the panels of Technostretch (similar to Power Stretch) that follow your body's hot spots to make this the most breathable insulated jacket. Often if you wear an insulated jacket as a layer, no matter how thin it is, if you start to sweat at all it becomes a little stifling. This jacket is the one exception. It could take the place of a fleece layer, being considerably warmer and almost as breathable since the side panels and a large swatch along the rear are essentially fleece.
This is also the only jacket in this review that has Velcro closure sleeve cuffs, which is a nice feature for tightening the sleeves around gloves. There is also an easily accessed net pocket on the inside of the jacket for storing items like gloves, goggles or sunglasses. If need be you can stuff the whole jacket in this mesh pocket, though not that easily.
Dislikes
With the exception of a few special features like the Velcro on the cuffs, the net pocket on the inside, and the Technostretch panels, this jacket is actually very basic. There is no soft material in the pockets and only a very tiny soft patch near your chin when you zip up the neck. Being on the simple side saves weight, which is a plus, but if you are looking for a plush and cozy jacket, this is not it. There is no chest stow pocket, which is not a big deal because usually this jacket is worn under a shell, which would have other pockets. This jacket stuffs into its interior mesh pocket, but like the Sherpa Vajra has no closure or clip loop so it's not as handy as the Nano Puff to bring along on a climb unless you also have a small pack with you.
Best Application
This is the perfect piece for aerobic activities in the cold, and is an ideal layer for alpine climbing. It is warm and insulating while the Technostretch panels allow it to breathe. This jacket works well for cross country skiing, hiking to a cold climb, or skinning up a peak.
Value
The Zonal jacket is on the expensive side, but it does have some features that all the other jackets lack, such as breathable fleece panels and Velcro cuffs. If these features are important to you, then this jacket is worth the price tag.
—McKenzie Long
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