Feature-rich hardshell - Mountain Equipment Lhotse Jackets - Men's

The Lhotse is a feature-rich hardshell jacket, putting Gore-Tex Pro waterproofing and breathability on full display. Work hard, and this jacket excels. In fact, the harder I work, the worse the conditions, the better this jacket performs. Mountain Equipment seemed to think of every imaginable need in the design. 3-Layers throughout, with denier distribution for protection where it is needed. Designed as a shell for mountaineering, I find it incredibly useful on longer trail hikes where it protects you from everything the weather can dish out. Used it in a 4-hour cold downpour, and upper body stayed completely dry. As a hard shell most jackets struggle on the articulation in the jacket at key points. Not this jacket. Raise you arms overhead, you can without restriction. Arm sleeves don’t ride up. Velcro lets you adjust at the wrist, to your needs, gloves or not. And I don’t have to worry about the pack straps damaging the fabric on the the shoulder area. It is 80 denier there, and just about indestructible. If you are a bigger map friend, the outer chest pocket lets you stow a big map for easy access. The side pockets ride high intentionally, so you don’t lose use while wearing a hip belt. Self-regulate your temperature with the pit zips, and main body zipper, which are all two-way zippers. All zips are YKK throughout, that when zipped, are housed in fabric, so water rolls off, not in. Know how your body reacts to exertion level, and this jacket has the options to ‘button up’ from the head down, or cool, as needed on the fly. And the hood is awesome. Multiple points to cinch. Keeps water out, and vision clear. When purchasing size, take into account this is an alpine fit, hard shell, but I’ve had no problem wearing mid layers comfortably underneath. I’m 5’6”, athletic build, at 175, 43 chest, and a large is perfect. Like most hard shells, the back is longer, protecting you when the weather turns. Even with my pack on, the jacket retains its length. Even the looks on this thing are great. Note: the jacket isn’t quiet, that is in part a result of the outer shell. There is a fixed-grid type backing to the interior that I find to be soft and comfortable. Possibly the best weather proof, hard-working jacket I’ve ever owned, dating back a lot of years. It is not the lightest hardshell for those of you that are huge gram counters, but I’ll personally give up a little weight for security, fit, comfort, and solid bombproof protection any day. Can’t say enough good things about the Lhotse. Buy it.