Gear Review: Wild Things Superlight Alpinist Jacket
Forget the frills: This shell provides superior breathability with lightweight, all-season protection
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Verdict
I’ve used this no-frills hardshell for three years of fast-and-light summit pushes throughout New Hampshire’s Presidentials. You won’t find pit zips, a powder skirt, or an iPod pocket on this workhorse—just all-purpose lightweight performance. It’s made of eVent, which breathes well when I’m huffing uphill above treeline. The hood seals down around my face or loosens to accommodate a helmet. The hip-length cut and hem drawcord seal out wind-blown wet, and the chest-level pockets sit well above my pack’s hipbelt. And at barely one pound, it’s light enough to pack in summer, but rugged enough for year-round mountain use. wildthingsgear.com.
Best For
Climbers, peakbaggers, and ultralight backpackers who want superior breathability with lightweight, all-season protection
Tester Data
> Geoff Ward
> Tested for 3+ years
> “This small, New Hampshire-based company makes all of its gear in the United States. And you can tell that the owners field-test their designs.”
> $275
> 15 oz. (L)
> Unisex XS-XXL