Breathe Magazine

When people ask me what to wear in Colorado, I consistently advise one thing — layers. Having the ability to pull a few layers together will make a huge difference in your outdoor experience. Of course there is the standard base layer that wicks away moisture and keeps you dry, but on a trail run in 20 degrees, you need something more. Knowing that you don’t want to look like the abominable snowman meets Randy from “A Christmas Story” (think “I can’t put my arms down”), you need to stay warm and dry while working your way to the top of the trail.

Mountain Hardware’s Power Stretch Jacket is a soft shell fleece with Polartec.  This incredibly breathable layer is an awesome mid-layer.  Meaning, over your base layer you can sport this jacket with the utmost confidence that the body-fitting contour will move with you, keep you dry, and not bulk you down.  To be clear on the term body-fitting, I want you to know that I am not the person for spandex, so don’t get the idea that I am out running around in what could double as Michael Phelps’ bathing suit.  I simply mean this jacket doesn’t hang on you like a tent.  Plus, the materials are wind and water resistant so you can revel in the comfort of not having a cool breeze chill you to the bone or a light snowfall soak you down.

You have heard me talk about the merits of Polartec before and as you may have gathered, this is a tag you want to see on your gear. The materials are soft, lightweight, and keep you warm.

Three extra bonuses from this jacket: thumbholes, a hood and machine washable. You can laugh all you want about how strange it is to celebrate the thumbhole, but when you are crying from sweaty hands and soggy gloves you will understand. The thumbhole is the happy medium of hand warmth, and for a Libra, that balance is key. I am guessing the words and benefits of “machine washable” are a given.  And for the trifecta, a hood that zips up close to my cheek bones works like a built it neck gator.  One thing to note, when wearing the hood over your head and completely zipped up, the jacket has a weird similarity to hazmat suits — all I am missing is the clear goggles from my chemistry lab, and voila! I can jump into to any hazardous situation.

All and all, this is a must have in the mid-layer category. Keep in mind on extra cold mornings I wear my BAP vest over the jacket for extra warmth in the core section…remember it is all about the layers.