Mountain Hardwear Monkey Jacket 9.5/10
This fleece has been around for years and anyone that has ever had this fleece won't want to wear anything else. It's fluffy but not overly weighty (514g) due to technostretch paneling, so it provides a slim fit whilst requiring the 'casual' look rather than the uber technical. The furriness (is that a word?) is high-pile 'Monkey-Phur' "ha!" (basically super-warm), it's ish wind-resistant too due to the intensity of the weaving but that does mean it's not super-breathable (especially around the tight-fitting arm areas). It's not a piece for the super-active but ideal for cold British day on the hills, it certainly has backcountry appeal. It's darn sexy really, very strokable, huggable and a real joy to wear (it honestly brought tears to my eyes when I put it on after a long day/night slog on the hills in Yorkshire to reach our camp, it's a bear hug in jacket form). Sure, there are a LOT more wind resistant jackets about but this is a fleece, and it does that job SUPERBLY.
Under a GTX waterproof this jacket does enough to hold the wind at bay. Thank goodness it's full-zip because I'm prone to overheating when in the tent with this thing on (but I don't want to take it off). Minor points against it 1: the cuffs are elastic, it would keep you warmer if they were adjustable, but then it's a 'casual' piece. 2: It's poor in windy (okay for brisk) conditions so good for the hills and low level alpine but not for anything major.
Good breast pocket too, and an excellent fit for me (men might struggle with big biceps, the arms are reasonably tight) oh and it also forms a fabulous pillow incidently! Overall you can't get much better for warmth: weight ratio but you'll need some wind protection (I use the Haglofs Lizard top, or Mountain Equipment G2 soft shell) if on a breezy crag/edge. Probably the best fleece on the market! Rediculously comfy, cosy and super-warm.
SPEC:
Extremely soft, extremely warm Zip handwarmer pockets
MicroClimate Zoning construction for built-in warmth, breathability and stretch
Usage Backcountry / Climbing
Weight 1 lb. 2 oz. / 514 g.
Center Back Length 28"; 71 cm
Panel Polartec® Power Stretch®
Body Polartec® ThermalPro® Monkey Phur
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