Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Vest

I purchased this vest because I do a lot of winter mountain biking and cross country skiing in northern Michigan, where it's often windy and temps average 10-25 F. Over a long-sleeve synthetic top, this vest is perfect for winter aerobic activities. I'm impressed at how warm it is and enjoy the freedom of a vest compared to a fleece. The material is of high quality and the zippers seem very durable. If the weather is colder or I'm doing something less intensive, this vest works very well underneath a regular fleece jacket. The vest has a snug fit; I'm a 5'9" male with a slim build (~30" waist) and wear the small, but I might consider a medium if I was layering more underneath the vest. The neck zips almost up to the bottom of my ears and can be a little tight at times. Combined with the right clothes, this vest will be wearable year round here in upper Michigan. I recommend this vest to anyone who lives in cold, windy areas and enjoys aerobic activities but doesn't want a full jacket.

For those that haven't discovered it yet, Mountain Hardwear makes some awesome and very functional windstopper products. The windstopper tech vest is of no exception, as it is lightweight, of great quality, attractive, and above all, warm. A great piece of apparel to have with you when backpacking. My only word of caution is be careful when sizing, as you obviously want the vest to be snug but comfortable enough for the windstopper membrane to do its job. The vest does have elastic cinches around the waist, which helps to keep it snug in addition to an athletic fit. I'm about 5'8" 220 lbs with a stockier build and the XL was a good fit that still allowed a baselayer underneath. In terms of length, this vest doesn't seem to be catered to taller individuals, as some reviewers have pointed out the cut is a bit shorter for them, but if you're in the neighborhood of 5'8" it's perfect.

I purchased this item to use in the spring, fall and on cool summer mornings as a simple vest for some wind protection and to carry a cellphone and perhaps a driver's license/credit cards. I ordered size XXL with some trepidation given other reviews re:fit . It turns out that the vest is cut as a "regular" - not a "slim" and it fits appropriately for everyday wear. Compared to other non-technical XXL jackets, the fit is snug but not so much as to be uncomfortable. The length also is a bit short but not problematically. Having sought out a lightweight technical vest with at least 3 zippered pockets, this is the best combination of functionality and fit that I found. Also, I agree with other reviewers that it is a lint magnet but again not a problem.

This is the best vest out there. Windproof and lightweight it's a perfect supplement to a Capilene midweight long sleeve on summer backcountry overnights when it get breezy on exposed terrain, and will keep you warm at dusk/sunrise. It's trim fit is designed for the 33% of U.S.A. that's not overweight, and aids in efficient body heat retention and layering under a trim fitting superlight rain jacket. My only complaint is the placement of the hand pockets. The zippers end up under a hip belt. This is a bad thing access-wise and comfort-wise. (See the tech jacket for proper placement of hand pockets.) The Michigan skier in the first review nailed the other use of this vest too- high aerobic activity where you want the nips to stay thawed but need some real estate to evaporate moisture.

Bike in the mid 40s with just a regular long sleeved shirt and this vest on (and glove) and felt comfortable.

Usually size small from pretty much every brand fits me just slightly big. I go through reviews sometimes just to see if someone mentioned the item fits small, and if there's comment like that, the item usually fits me fine, which is the case with this one. So it might fit small/short for you if a small sized item usually fits you fine.

The slim technical fit with the collar folded down makes the vest seems a bit girlie though... and the black microfleece trap/show dust like crazy, but the dust compensate for the slightly girlie look a bit... not that I'm insecure about my own masculinity or anything... really.

Since others have commented on sizing, I thought I'd throw my thoughts into the mix. I ordered a small, and returned it for a medium. I'm 5'8", 145 lbs, with a 38-39 inch chest. Trying on other vests in a store, I determined that I was a Patagonia medium, and a The North Face small. The MH vest fits like the Patagonia - I needed the medium.
Having said that, it's a very well made vest. I used it as a layer under a softshell for the morning spring skiing when the temps are still in the 30's and it's perfect. I used it once as an outer layer around town, but it wasn't much of a test.
Hope this helps someone. It's a wonderful vest.

First of all, my girlfriend keeps telling me "it is a cool vest !" So this is a big plus, because mostly I care how women think about me...
This vest is light weight yet it keeps your core warm. I ride a big motorcycle and I wear this vest underneath my mesh jacket and it does a good job during morning / chilly days ride. I KNOW this is windproof because riding a motorcycle is all about going into wind.
This is also a cool vest to wear when you go out for a casual dinner and such. It is low key and shaped athletically and it fits me perfect because I have a athletic body...^^"

Mtn. Hardwear makes some of the best quality gear available from a consumer's standpoint. This is of course my personal opinion. The tech vest is a piece of gear that keeps you warm in most any outdoor sport and is comfortable and lightweight. It can be worn into spring after cold winter weather. Usually with just a t-shirt underneath for cooler spring temperatures. In all, the tech vest is a breathable Gore-tex piece that is both functional and looks good.

The only thing I would have changed about this vest is that it be a little longer. I'm 5'11" slim build, and 95% of the time a medium fits me perfectly. This one is a bit short, but once I tighten it, I can slip my shirts underneath it.

It is light, warm, stylish, and nice for times when you don't quite want a jacket, but need something more than a shirt.

I recommend it.