Mountain Hardwear's Recon is designed to be the Ultimate Backcountry
Outerwear
Date: |
2/26/03 |
Tackle type: |
Apparel |
Manufacturer: |
Mountain
Hardwear |
Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.91
Introduction: With snow and ice in the direct path to backcountry waters
many anglers can find themselves cut off from the prime fishing locations in
Winter. For
those willing to brave the rigors of winter to reach these pristine and
un-pressured waters Mountain Hardwear introduces the Recon Jacket. The Recon is
designed to for the ultimate hardcore backcountry explorers, climbers, and die
hard anglers.
Mountain
Hardwear Recon Jacket Specs |
Materials |
Ripstop 3L Face Fabric, 3-Layer Conduit Laminate, and Nylon Taslan
reinforcement |
Weight |
1lb 12oz/780g |
Sizes Available |
Small, Med, Large, X-Large |
Colors |
Burnt Orange/Silver, Dark Sage/Shark, Ultramarine/Silver |
Fastening (Adjustment) |
Zippers, Draw cords |
Price as tested |
$280.00 |
Impressions: Imagine being able to reach that perfect stretch of water,
being only human being within miles of flurry covered wilderness, with the only
sound you hear being the trickle of the stream and your flies sailing in the
wind with each cast....for many of us this is a picture of paradise. While not
for everyone the adventure of hiking into the backcountry in the coldest months
of winter is a tradition for some. For these willful anglers the Recon
represents the latest in shell engineering, boasting innovative features
and equally advanced materials in it's construction. When I first received the
Recon from Mountain Hardwear the first thing I noticed was how amazingly light
this shell was. Weighing in at 1lb 120z the shell was feather light, and seemed
emaciated and streamline in construction. I was skeptical of how well such a
thin shell could possibly protect anyone from the harsh elements of winter. But
after a few initial tests, and two trips to the backcountry I would find myself
eating my own words, as the Recon proved to be much more then I originally
estimated.
|
The Recon
Jacket is made for backcountry outdoorsman and the harshest conditions |
The Materials/Colors: Last
month NatureBoy reviewed Mountain Hardwear's Exposure II Parka which introduced
us to the 2 Layer Conduit Membrane. The Recon ups the ante with a three layer
laminate advancement. Conduit Membrane is quiet and lightweight while still remaining
waterproof and breathable. The membrane is made out of interconnected
hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules that actively work to draw moisture vapor
away from the angler's body. The garment is actually able to accelerate the
process of transpiring moisture the more you sweat. The face fabric is durable
nylon ripstop, and the Recon is reinforced with Taslan, a textured yarn that is
extremely rugged but feels soft to the touch. You can tell that these are not
the standard cottons and nylons found on your run of the mill jackets.
Because the Conduit does not rely on micro pores it remains truly waterproof
while moving moisture out of the garment
Mountain Hardwear offers the Recon in three color
combinations: Burnt Orange/Silver, Dark Sage/Shark, and Ultramarine/Silver. The
reason that Mountain Hardwear builds the garments with these color combinations
is to appeal to a number of different activities and applications. The Orange
and Ultramarine with silver are much more striking combinations that are great
for climbers and skiers where high visibility is an asset. For anglers the
ability to blend into the background and remain invisible to shy backcountry
fish should be a key factor in clothing selection. The Sage/Shark combination is
absolutely excellent for disappearing into the background forage...and is the color we
recommend for all backcountry anglers.
The Field Test:
To test the Recon we set out on two treks into the High Sierras. One trip
involved hiking along miles of snow laden streams while the second trip
consisted of a day of fishing at Saddlebag lake. During both trips we fully
tested the Recon's wind and water resistance thanks to moderate to heavy
snowfall throughout both expeditions.
|
The
combination of Ripstop face fabric and Conduit form a effective barrier to
moisture while remaining breathable |
Durability:
How do you test durability on a jacket? In the lab we hooked up each cuff to a
pressure scale and achieved 15lb's of exerted pressure without a single stitch
breaking loose. In addition we ran rocks, sandpaper, and hooks vertically and
horizontally over the Ripstop fabric. While sporting a matte finish the Recon
was amazingly slick and negotiated all these stress tests with little more then
minor cosmetic damage, none of which would impair the performance of
capabilities of the garment. This jacket is light but extremely solid thanks to
a complete interior reinforcement of tough Nylon Taslan.
|
The entire
interior is reinforced with high density Nylon Taslan |
Storage: The Recon offers a
moderate amount of storage via weatherproof zip pockets that are located on the
chest of the jacket. In addition to these pockets are two extra long pit zips
that actually open up for instant ventilation and very convenient access to a
vest or fleece liner. In addition the Recon has one small zip pocket on the
right side of the interior which is large enough to shelter valuable tools and
instruments. While the amount of storage is not as much as some of their other
jackets in Mtn Hardwear's lineup this shell always felt lightweight and does
enable anglers to reach quickly inside to access primary layers of clothing.
My favorite innovation by far is
the welded arm radio pocket that is made to hold almost any handheld radio. In
this pocket the radio can remain turned on and still can be used simply by
moving your arm across the front of your chest to speak into the radio. What
this innovation allows you to do is free up a hand while fishing or climbing and
still maintain close communications with your party.
|
Large Pit
Zips are great for ventilation and accessing inner layers. |
Wind Resistant: The Recon doesn't just reduce wind exposure it stops
it. Like a solid wall from the elements the combination of 3 layer Conduit and
the Ripstop face fabric form a formidable barrier. The Recon has one of the best
integrated hoods I have ever seen which simply rolls and Velcro's neatly behind
the collar. On some jackets the hood is so large and cumbersome that when it is
tucked away it still weighs heavily on the back of your neck. With the Recon you
hardly feel the presence of the hood, but don't let the small folded size
deceive you. Once unfurled this is a huge hood...so big in fact that without a
hat it is actually hard to see out of. The reason the hood is enlarged is to
accommodate climbing helmets. The hood also features a soft visor that does an
excellent job of keeping snow and rain from coming in direct contact with your
face. Once zipped up I felt well shielded from the stalwart winds.
|
The Recon
has waterproof pockets with well reinforced zippers |
Waterproofness
/ Breathability: In the wilderness the Recon was faced with varying
levels of cold and constant exposure to moisture in he form of sleet and snow.
To further stress the jacket we intentionally pinned it down outside of shelter
where it was covered with half a foot of snow by morning. After locating the
jacket (which was no easy task under the white blanket of fresh powder) we
simply shook the snow off. The Recon's interior was not only completely dry but
the outside showed no signs of moisture penetration either. The best way to
describe the Recon is that it seems to repel moisture. The bottom of the jacket
can be drawn tight and has a fused inner skirt which acts as an effective gasket
for snow, if there was one thing we could add to the Recon it would be to have
this same innovation on both cuffs. While the cuffs can be drawn closed with
Velcro straps snow and moisture can still get in if you fall or reach into snow
pack.
With an incredible ability to
prevent moisture from entering the garment one might think that the interior
would easily trap sweat. This is hardly the case as the Conduit does a
first-rate job of allowing unwanted moisture to escape.
|
Even with
the Velcro strap drawn tight some snow can still enter the cuff |
Warmth: The Recon is a good
shield from the elements but you will still require a fleece layer to be
comfortable. The Recon is designed not as a primary jacket but as a outer shell.
I combined this jacket with Mountain Hardwear's Ozone fleece for an extremely
light and mobile combo that still was very warm. Compared to some of the other
editors in my party I easily had the lightest outfit, yet I was still the most
comfortable throughout the trek.
|
By far the
coolest innovation is the integrated radio pocket that enables you to keep
your hands free and communication open |
Applications: Climbing, hiking, and fishing longer is very possible armed
with the Recon. At a price tag of 280 dollars the Recon is among the mid to high
priced shells on the market, but at least in the case of the Recon you are
definitely getting what you pay for. The Recon enabled me to hike through the
backcountry in the middle of the storm to earn the privilege to fish waters
that, except for my flies, will remain untouched for the rest of winter. While
made for backcountry outdoorsman the Recon also serves as an excellent layer for
fishing in bad weather or from watercraft. When on my bass boat I often find
myself suffering the force of high wind resistance as I zip from one side of the
lake to the next...while sporting the Recon the trips seem a lot shorter.
Because of its light weight and ability easily pack small this is a jacket that
can go anywhere your will desires.
|
The enlarged
hood does a great job protecting you from the elements and is even large
enough for a hat or climbing helmet |
Ratings:
Mountain
Hardwear Recon Jacket Ratings (?/10) |
Construction/Quality |
Excellent construction and use of extremely
high quality materials...this is one jacket built to last |
9 |
Performance |
Conduit continues to become more and more
enhanced and is a worthy competitor for the well known Gore-Tex competition.
|
9.5 |
Price |
A bit pricey for some but we believe you are
definitely getting what you pay for with this garment |
8 |
Features |
Lots of features like enlarge pit zips, and an
integrated radio pocket make the Recon a pleasure to use. |
9 |
Design (Ergonomics) |
Well fitting, great ergonomic hood, good
accessibility but some people may want more storage capacity |
8.5 |
Application |
great for anything from simple rain protection
to surviving that unexpected blizzard |
9.5 |
Total Score (avg) |
8.91 |
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus
Minus |
J
Extremely Light |
L
Some people may want more storage |
J
Very Durable |
L
Wish cuffs had skirted second layer |
J
Excellent moisture protection |
|
J
Excellent wind resistance |
|
J
Excellent breathability |
|
Conclusion: Mountain Hardwear has a well earned reputation for designing
and building some of the most innovative and high performance outdoor products
to ever grace the backcountry...and the Recon is no exception. The Recon is
built to impress, and any angler that yearns for a backcountry adventure will be
in good hands under the protective layers of Ripstop and Conduit that this
garment affords. There are not many jackets that can offer the best of both
worlds, with exceptional portability and superior protection. If you are in the
market for a premium quality shell you simply can't go wrong with the Recon.