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. Testers found it easy to wear, even when it wasn't raining.

Water Resistance

The Stretch Ozonic didn't score the highest in this metric, but its performance in other areas made up for it.

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.

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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.

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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 differently 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. This is truly where the Ozonic shines, and we couldn't believe how similar this jacket was to a softshell.

To help move moisture and dump heat, the Ozonic features two 13-inch long pit zips centered under each armpit. These pit zips have one-way zippers that start from the bottom, which means they are lighter but less versatile than other models with a two-way zipper. However, we often care more about the fabric's breathability 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. 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 that breathes incredibly well when considering the weather protection it offers. Compared with most other jackets in our review, we felt significantly less clammy while sweating in the Ozonic. The stretchy fabric feels smooth against the skin, even if you wear 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.

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Its stretchy material facilitated among the best range of motion and freedom of movement we experienced in any rain jacket we tested. Climbers and anyone needing more mobility from their rain garments will appreciate this jacket.

The fit of the Ozonic is in the middle of the road when considering a trim versus a roomy cut. It is slim enough not to inhibit most aerobic activities but has enough room for most people to layer a light puffy or a thick fleece underneath if needed.

Weight

At 9.6 ounces for a size small, the Ozonic falls in the lightweight (but not featherlight) category. This is a below average weight compared to most 2.5- and 3-layer rain shells. 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.

When it comes to its compressibility and the ability to “pack it down,” this jacket is more compact than most, small enough to be easily packed away for most applications. We like that it compresses into one of its pockets and stows via a reversible zipper into a smaller size than a 1-liter Nalgene bottle.

Construction Quality

The 50D stretch ripstop material on this jacket is thicker than some, 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 we saw in others, and performed better and over longer stretches 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 higher 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 good for 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?