Description of Mountain Hardwear Transition Softshell Jacket - Women's:
Get ready for cool-weather aerobic action with the windproof Mountain Hardwear Women's Transition Jacket. Grab your cross-country skis or snowshoes, zip up this breathable jacket over a moisture-wicking base layer, and head for the hollow. Side stretch panels let you move freely during autumn and spring running and climbing, and the Windstopper Featherweight fabric feels barely there. Mountain Hardwear included an MP3 pocket and peppered the Transition Jacket with 360-degree reflective hits for safety during a nighttime bike ride.
Bottom Line: Get relief from bracing winds with the Mountain Hardwear Transition Jacket.
I wore this jacket in Angelfire, New Mexico skiing in January. I layered it over a Patagonia capilene long-sleeved shirt and the Mountain Hardwear Monkey man fleece and was the perfect temperature all day. The winds were brutal and I was never cold, never hot either. I haven't really worn it in other weather, but I'm sure I'll love it. The only thing is, I didn't like the Chica color. It is about like caution cone orange. That's my only complaint!
Love this jacket -- have worn it running a handful of times since I bought it -- once in the rain, once in the snow and several times in just plain cold. It definitely does the job -- wasn't cold at all, and even a little warm. The only think I don't like is the thumb loop -- it is nice to have when it is freezing, but sometimes I like to pull the sleeves up and can't because the loop and the wrists are too small. This is the jacket for you if you don't mind keeping the sleeves down all the time!
I absolutely love this jacket. Out skate skiing, it stood up against windy 15 (F) degree weather with the hood up and only a wool thermal layer underneath. Just as great in sunny, 34 degree weather on backcountry tours. Very light weight and windproof which makes it an easy choice when weight is a factor. The only down side is the thumb loops - they seem to be too bulky and don't fit well under gloves. I tuck it back into the sleeve instead and problem solved.
