A flexible fleece for backcountry fishing, the Ozone, from Mountain Hardwear
 

Total Score: 9.08

Introduction: When most of us think tackle the first thought that usually comes to mind are rods and reels, but one of the most important pieces of gear is the right clothing. This clothing offers protection from the elements, enabling us to fish longer and harder. Mountain Hardwear produces a flexible new fleece that is ideal for backcountry fishing that is able to exceed angler demands through the use of exciting new Polartec® materials.
  

Impressions: Anglers stalking trout in the backcountry have to rely on their apparel to provide protection from all the elements. Fleece apparel is popular among anglers because for the most part it is comfortable and has excellent thermal capabilities. However, some anglers shy away from fleeces because they are bulky and are not rugged enough. From the first moment I set eyes on the Ozone jacket from Mountain Hardwear I knew this was a different type of fleece. The Ozone is very streamline, form fitting, and featured what appeared to be a very tight knit durable exterior. When we first asked Mountain Hardware about a good garment for backcountry anglers they immediately recommended the Ozone based on its light weight   and yet surprisingly formidable characteristics.

The Materials/Colors: Before embarking on our field test we did some research on the new Polartec® materials that the Ozone was crafted from. It turns out that Polartec® materials are among the most flexible materials in terms of thermal and moisture handling. The outer skin of the Ozone is made of Polartec® WindPro, which offers four times the wind protection of traditional fleece without compromising breathability. Highly compressible and lightweight, the dense WindPro fleece is able to trap body heat efficiently, while its water-repellent exterior sheds light rain and snow.

If you have ever fished for backcountry Browns you know that these fish spook easily.....I mean REAL easy! Mountain Hardwear has a couple color options for the Ozone. The Salsa and Midnight colors will make you stand out in the environment, good for climbing and hiking, but for anglers the moss and slate colors are excellent for blending into the surroundings. During our test we surveyed how close we could get to the fish with different colors, and sure enough with the moss Ozone we were able to get right up to the edge of the river without spooking the Browns, something we were not able to do with a ordinary white t-shirt on.

The Field Test: We tested the Ozone by hiking into the backcountry of Kings Canyon National Park. Home to some of the largest Sequoias in the world, as well as a the natural home to Golden and Brown trout. During the field test the Ozone encountered heavy spray from waterfalls, blazing sun, submersion in rivers, and even an unexpected thunderstorm.
 

Durability: The outer layer of the Ozone jacket is much more durable then it looks. One key thing we noted as a major improvement over traditional bulkier fleece materials was the low profile of the Polartec® material. When off trail and navigating bushes and sharp rocks the fleece never snagged up, and when it encountered a sharp obstacle it resisted damage very well. To reduce wear and tear on high stress areas like the cuffs and arms the Ozone is buffered with Polartec® Power Stretch. Polartec® Power Stretch has four way stretch capabilities and also effectively draws moisture away from the skin while remaining durable on the outside.

Storage: The Ozone doesn't offer a whole lot of storage as the whole fleece is designed to be form fitting. The Ozone is designed to be used as a mid layer garment beneath an outer shell so this makes sense. The two pockets on the Ozone are mid body and are best suited for warming hands rather then large tools which you will feel pressed up against you. To carry all your backcountry gear you will still want to wear a pack of some sort.