Exposure II, a bombproof multi-purpose waterproof/breathable parka, from Mountain Hardwear
Date: |
1/08/03 |
Tackle type: |
Apparel |
Manufacturer: |
Mountain
Hardwear |
Reviewer: |
Nature Boy |
Total Score: 8.83
Introduction: Mountain Hardwear. A name synonymous with extreme
alpine climbs in the Himalayas, MH is a leading provider of high quality
equipment for the most demanding outdoor endeavors. So how does that relate to
fishing? Well, when you're out fishing in the Eastern Sierras as much as Nature
Boy is, high quality technical gear can make or break your trip. The Exposure II
parka is designed for just about anything you can throw at it. I have used it
for fishing, hiking, snowboarding, even on a winter ascent of Mt. Whitney, and
it has never failed to keep me warm and dry. Whether you're patiently trying to
lure that trophy trout during a rainstorm in the Sierras, or waiting out a
snowstorm on Cho Oyu, this jacket may be the last one you'll ever
need.
Mountain
Hardwear Exposure II Parka Specs |
Material |
Dobby-weave
nylon shell, Coolmax lining, 2-layer Conduit laminate |
Weight |
2lbs
2oz |
Sizes Available |
Small, Med, Large, X-Large, XX-Large |
Color |
Dark
Salsa, Eucalyptus, Storm Blue, Titanium |
Fastening (Adjustment) |
Zippers, Drawcord |
Price as tested |
$250.00 |
Impressions: A durable outer shell jacket is your first defense against
the elements while fishing or during any other outdoors pursuit. It can
mean the difference between having the time of your life, and being cold, wet,
and miserable. Waterproof/breathable jackets are steadily increasing in
popularity, as they offer superior protection to rain and wind, while not
sacrificing comfort by actively transporting moisture away from your body
through a breathable membrane sandwiched between the fabric. My first
impression of the Exposure II parka was that it looked and felt very
durable. But at the same time, its attractive and form fitting design made
it functional for both urban and wilderness
expeditions.
|
The
dobby-weave nylon and dual color scheme make this jacket both stylish and
functional |
The Materials/Colors:
Waterproof/breathable membrane technology has been revolutionized since the
invention of Gore-Tex over 20 years ago, and since then, many manufacturers have
raced to design their own proprietary membrane technologies. Mountain
Hardwear is no exception. It has developed its own waterproof/breathable
laminate technology, known as Conduit. This unique membrane is made up of
interconnected hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules that actively work to draw
moisture vapor away from the body. This process accelerates as the moisture
concentration rises, so the more you sweat, the more vapor the garment
transpires. Because the Conduit membrane doesn’t rely on micro pores, it
presents a continuous waterproof barrier and can maintain phenomenal
waterproofness under pressure. The Exposure II parka has a shell of soft,
durable, dobby-weave nylon laminated to a 2-layer Conduit membrane, and a
separate, moisture-moving CoolMax mesh lining, which efficiently transports
moisture away from the body while preventing external moisture from getting
in.
Two
long pit zips are highly effective in preventing overheating during warmer
weather
The Field Test:
I
have tested the Exposure II in a variety conditions, ranging from mild rain
around the town, to sub-freezing snowstorms in the Sierras. My most recent
test was during a weekend camping/fishing trip to the Eastern Sierras, just
outside of the eastern border of Yosemite near Tioga Pass. We were
situated near 10,000 ft. in elevation, and we encountered rain, hail, and light
snow, in addition to temperatures in the mid-teens at
night.
|
While my
friends had retreated to the safety of their tents because all their clothes
were wet, I was landing this beautiful brown |
Durability:
The outer layer of the Exposure II is surprisingly durable, so much so that no
additional reinforcement is needed, unlike with many other similar
jackets. Having previously owned the industry standard
waterproof/breathable parka, the North Face Mountain Light Parka, I can
definitely say that the Exposure II is significantly more durable. Its
dobby nylon weave gives an extra sense of protection when battling through brush
or scrambling up stream to get to those secret fishing holes. The only
downside is its weight, with the jacket weighing in at just over 2 lbs.
The fabric is also stiffer than most nylon laminated jackets, but not to the
point where it is restricting or uncomfortable.
|
A close up
of the dobby-weave nylon fabric |
Storage:
The Exposure II offers many internal and external pockets for storage, which is
a godsend when its too cold/wet outside to wear your favorite fishing
vest. It features two large external zippered pockets, as well as a
internal mesh water bottle pocket, a zippered internal security pocket, and a
Napoleon pocket behind the front zipper. I found that the front two
pockets were more than adequate in size, readily accessible, and easily opened
and closed with just one hand (very useful when you're wearing gloves).
The internal pockets were very useful for storing valuables, and for keeping
critical items dry (cameras etc.).
|
The Exposure
II parka features two large front pockets that can hold a surprising amount
of gear |
Wind Resistant: As expected, the Conduit membrane combined with the
dense nylon dobby weave fabric made the Exposure II virtually impenetrable to
wind. So much so that it was actually hard to hear when I had the form
fitting hood on.
|
The white
Conduit membrane can be seen through the Coolmax mesh lining, which offers a
highly effective wind barrier |
Waterproofness
/ Breathability: I was first a little unsure about how MH's Conduit
technology would stack up against the industry standard, Gore-Tex. After
countless jaunts in the rain and snow, I can pretty safely say that Conduit
works just as well, if not better, than Gore-Tex. So much so, that I sold my
North Face Mountain Light (Gore-Tex) parka a few months after getting the
Exposure II. I have yet to encounter a situation where I've been wet and
miserable. Even in heavy rain, the Exposure II stood up nicely, and I was
amazed at how well the jacket shed water. The dobby nylon weave repelled
rain more efficiently than standard nylon, and prevented "saturation"
of the outer layer with water, as often occurs with similar jackets during
extreme wet weather.
|
All that was
left after a cup of water was poured on my sleeve |
Warmth:
Even though the Exposure II is not insulated, it is surprisingly warm even on
its own. Combined with a fleece jacket, it has kept me warm and dry even
in sub-freezing conditions. In warmer weather, the pit zips are highly
effective in preventing overheating.
|
Still dry,
warm, and happy even after a 1,000 ft. glissade down the main chute of Mt.
Whitney trail |
Applications: Whether you're looking for a technical mountaineering
parka for an alpine climb, or just a durable jacket to keep you dry during the
rainy season, this jacket will not disappoint. Combined with a fleece
jacket, such as the MH Ozone, which was recently reviewed by Zander, you'll have
a bombproof system that will keep you warm and dry even in the harshest
conditions.
Ratings:
Mountain
Hardwear Exposure II Parka Ratings (?/10) |
Construction/Quality |
A very well constructed
parka made with quality materials and a high attention to
details. |
9 |
Performance |
Excellent wind/water proofness and
breathability. Conduit laminate is competitive to Gore-Tex. Dobby
weave nylon is tough, but a little on the heavy
side. |
9 |
Price |
A bit expensive for wearing around the town,
but worth its weight in gold when the conditions get nasty. |
7.5 |
Features |
Numerous easily accessible pockets and storage
compartments come in very handy. Everything is well laid out and
functional. |
9 |
Design (Ergonomics) |
Well fitting, great
ergonomic hood, highly adjustable to your body form. |
9 |
Application |
Great for just about
anything where you're going to be outdoors and its going to be cold and
wet. |
9.5 |
Total Score (avg) |
8.83 |
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus
Minus |
J
Great Construction |
L A bit
heavy |
J
Very Durable |
L
Not as packable as other comparable jackets |
J
Looks nice |
L
A bit pricey |
J
Excellent wind resistance |
|
J
Excellent waterproofness/breathability |
|
Conclusion: Mountain Hardwear has come out with another winning
combination of form and function, by combining its dobby-weave nylon fabric with
its patented Conduit laminate technology, the Exposure II. This jacket may
be overkill for the casual roadside angler, but when you're out golden trout
fishing in the middle of the Ansel Adams Wilderness 30 miles from the nearest
trailhead, and the sky opens up, you'll be very glad to own one...