Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket Review

With great breathability, excellent packability, and some of the better freedom of movement in our review, this is one of the more versatile jackets for warm weather-focused activities like hiking and backpacking.

Performance Comparison

Water Resistance

Regardless of the activity, your rain jacket's water resistance is a crucial factor. The Stretch Ozonic is among our favorite jackets, as it strikes a nice balance between weight, comfort, and weather resistance.

The Stretch Ozonic uses Mountain Hardwear's proprietary Dry.Q membrane in a 2.5-layer construction. The outer is a 50D stretch ripstop, which is average for thickness in our review, and there is 100% recycled polyester throughout the entire garment.

In our testing, the Stretch Ozonic kept our testers dry when faced with a prolonged drizzle or even light to moderate rain. However, in more sustained and heavier rain, it would begin to wet out to the point where the outer fabric would become saturated, and we would start to feel wet inside from water either getting through or a lack of breathability. We noticed this more in high-wear areas like the shoulders and the back of the hood. As a whole, the Ozonic still scored well, but there are a few other contenders that kept testers dry for longer.

We found the hood performance to be about average. It cinches nicely around the head and maintains a decent amount of peripheral vision. The cinching system also accommodated a variety of different-sized heads and headwear. However, it isn't big enough, at least in a practical sense, to fit over a bike, climbing, or ski helmet.

Breathability

Breathability is one of the strongest attributes of the Stretch Ozonic, particularly when compared to models of a similar price. Our review team found this jacket to be among the most breathable, confirmed in our side-by-side Stairmaster tests and while hiking, backpacking, and climbing. This is the jacket our test team reached for the most for aerobic-focused activities.

To help move moisture and dump heat, the Ozonic features two 13" long pit zips centered under each armpit. These pit zips have one-way zippers that start from the bottom, which means that they are lighter but less versatile than other models with a two-way zipper. However, we often care about the fabric's breathability more than other ventilation features.

We appreciate Mountain Hardwear's proprietary Dry.Q membrane and its ability to wick moisture and move it through the jacket. This fabric kept us from feeling swampy, even when working hard. We found this particularly nice while hiking uphill in the rain with a heavy pack. Sure, our backs got a little sweaty, but not much sweatier than a t-shirt would have been under the same circumstances and energy output levels. As a whole, the Stretch Ozonic is one of the more breathable models in our review.

Comfort and Mobility

One of our favorite things about this jacket is its stretchy material and a less clammy feel than most others in our review. From a comfort feel standpoint, the stretchy fabric of the Ozonic feels smooth against the skin, even if you're wearing short sleeves underneath — which is no small feat.

The fabric lining of the pockets is also soft. Two handwarmer pockets are lined with comfortable material, and the chest pocket fits a smartphone. However, if we over-tightened the hood, it pinched our ears, particularly when wearing glasses.

The stretchy material facilitated some of the best range of motion and freedom of movement of any rain jacket we tested. Climbers and other people who need a higher level of mobility from their rain garments will appreciate this jacket.

The fit of the Ozonic is in the middle of the road as far as having a trim versus roomy cut. It is trim enough for more aerobic activities but has enough room for most people to layer a light puffy or a thick fleece.

Weight

At 10.5 ounces for a size medium, the Ozonic falls in the lightweight (but not insanely light) category. Compared to most 2.5 and 3-layer rain shells, this is a below-average weight. With that said, some rain jackets weigh as little as 6.5 ounces. While those models are lighter, you certainly get more breathability, mobility, and comfort by going with this model for the extra 4 ounces.

Regarding compressibility and the ability to "pack down," this jacket is more compressible than most and packs away small enough for most applications. We like that it compresses into one of its pockets and stows via a reversible zipper to a size just smaller than a 1-liter Nalgene.

Durability

The 50D stretch ripstop material is on the thicker side, and the polyester construction (polyester being inherently more durable than nylon) proved a bit above average for abrasion resistance. This jacket's DWR lasted slightly longer than average also and performed better and for longer than others in its price range or that used 2.5-layer proprietary materials.

Should You Buy the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic?

The Stretch Ozonic is a versatile and comfortable shell with a stretchy construction that makes it great for activities requiring a higher level of mobility and freedom of movement. It's perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, and ski touring. While we love this jacket for aerobic activities where weight and freedom of movement play a role, it isn't as tough or as good for truly extended periods standing around in heavy rain as some other jackets. For that reason, we prefer it for less stormy seasons and climates.

What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?