REASONS TO BUY
Incredibly robust design
Lots of fit adjustability
Effective pit zips
Decent weather protection
REASONS TO AVOID
Very heavy
Harder to pack
Can overheat while wearing it
Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded Review
A rugged softshell that prioritizes longevity and weather resistance over packability
Credit: Syd Knadler
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 9, 2026
RELATED: The Best Softshell Jackets for Men
Our Verdict
If durability is high on your list of needs, the Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded should be on your radar. This incredibly hefty softshell features a thick three-layer design to keep weather at bay and offers an abundance of great features, from pit zips to thumb loops. It weighs substantially more than most softshells (20.2 ounces in a men's medium), but it's significantly warmer and more abrasion-resistant than the lightweight competition. As long as you don't need the most breathable softshell, the Ultimate VIII SO Hooded is a phenomenal choice for adventurers who put longevity before weight.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best for Durability |  Best Overall Softshell Jacket | Best Year-Round Softshell | Best for Wet Weather |  Best Bang for the Buck |
| Price | $299 List Check Price at REI | $300 List Check REI (on sale!) | $165 List Check Price at REI | $280 List Check Backcountry (on sale!) | $130 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A rugged softshell that prioritizes longevity and weather resistance over packability | This is a great medium-weight softshell jacket that will hold up to rugged use thanks to its durable fabric | This is the layer for you if you need versatility and affordability in your next softshell jacket | A genre-bending layer that offers excellent water resistance in a relatively breathable package | This well-fitting option is one of the most breathable and lightweight softshells available today |
| Rating Categories | Mammut Ultimate VIII... | Arc'teryx Gamma Hoody | Outdoor Research Fer... | Rab Kinetic 2.0 | Rab Borealis |
| Weather Protection (30%) | |||||
| Breathability (30%) | |||||
| Mobility (25%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Versatility (5%) | |||||
| Specifications | Mammut Ultimate VIII... | Arc'teryx Gamma Hoody | Outdoor Research Fer... | Rab Kinetic 2.0 | Rab Borealis |
| Fabric Weight Class | Heavyweight | Midweight | Midweight | Midweight | Lightweight |
| Insulated | No | No | No | No | No |
| Number of Pockets | 1 exterior chest zip, 2 exterior hand zip | 2 exterior hand zip, 2 exterior zippered chest | 1 exterior chest zip, 2 exterior hand zip | 2 exterior hand zip | 2 exterior hand zip |
| Material | 100% recycled polyester | RecNylon DBL Weave Solid (88% nylon, 12% elastane) | 86% nylon (46% recycled), 14% spandex 90D stretch woven ripstop | Proflex: recycled polyester knit face 3L with PU membrane and recycled polyester backer | Matrix single weave stretch nylon with fluorocarbon-free DWR |
| Measured Weight | 20.2 oz (medium) | 15.4 oz (small) | 13.8 oz (medium) | 11.6 oz (medium) | 9.2 oz (medium) |
| Hood | Yes, adjustable with reinforced peak | Yes, helmet compatible, adjustable StormHood | Yes, adjustable, stowable | Yes, under helmet with rear hood adjustment | Yes, under helmet with Lycra binding |
| Unique Features | Adjustable hem underarm zip, thumb loops, 2 way front zip | Athletic slim fit, large over-helmet hood, all-arounder performance | Adjustable hem, left hand pocket doubles as stuff sack, UPF 50+, stowable hood | Breathable water resistance, relaxed fit, adjustability | Mesh pockets for ventilation |
| Layering Capabilities | Best worn over other layers | Best worn under other layers | Can be layered over or under other layers | Can be layered over or under other layers | Can be layered over or under other layers |
| Adjustable Cuffs (Material) | No | No (stretch cuffs) | No (fixed half elastic cuffs) | Yes (Velcro cuffs) | No (fixed elastic cuffs) |
| Available Sizes | S - XXL | XS - 2XL | S - XXXL | S - 2XL | XS - 2XL |
Our Analysis and Test Results
From alpine backpacking trips to winter hiking, this standout softshell delivers lots of features and durability. Credit: Syd Knadler
Weather Protection
The Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded is an incredibly protective jacket relative to most softshells, boasting a three-layer design that kept us shielded from wind and moderate precipitation. While it still doesn't replace a true rain jacket or hardshell, the VIII offers more warmth and weather resistance than most softshells.
We stayed warm in the Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded in much cooler environments, even when camping in mid-40-degree weather. During testing, we also got hailed and rained on while wearing the Ultimate VIII and stayed completely dry as long as the storms didn't last all afternoon. When our adventures got windy, this softshell didn't even flinch, and was one of the few we tested that could handle wind and rain. Again, this isn't a replacement for your hardshell, but in small- to medium-strength storms, it'll keep your base layers far drier than other softshells.
This is one of the few softshells that we've tested that can handle longer rain storms. Credit: Zach Lovell
Breathability
The Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded is not a very breathable softshell. As with most gear, you can't have it all, and the Ultimate VIII prioritizes protection and durability over airflow. However, we could keep this layer on all day long on alpine climbs and higher-elevation hikes in the summer months, and we didn't overheat in it in chillier seasons.
The three-layer construction of the Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded helps move sweat away from the body, but there's no getting around how thick this jacket is. Fortunately, this is one of the few softshell layers we've tested with armpit zips. With the pit zips and all three mesh-backed pockets open, the Ultimate VIII has great airflow, but you might still end up taking it off on prolonged uphill trails.
The Ultimate VIII isn't the most breathable, but we didn't overheat in it in cooler seasons or environments.
Mobility
This softshell boasts a relaxed cut that's got a great range of motion. From 14-hour alpine climbing days to yardwork, the Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded never restricted our upper body, and our review team unanimously agreed this was a very mobile softshell.
The Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded is substantially thicker than most of the competition, and its polyester construction does not stretch nearly as much as single-layer nylon (which is a common softshell design). Fortunately, Mammut leaned on a more relaxed cut for mobility, and the voluminous hood let our necks turn freely.
This softshell is just relaxed enough to keep mobility unrestricted, even with a less-stretchy fabric construction.
Weight
This metric is one of the biggest setbacks for the Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded. A 3-layer, weather-resistant jacket is bound to be heavy, especially given its features, and we expected high numbers on the scale.
We measured the Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded at 20.2 ounces in a men's medium, making it a true “heavyweight” softshell. Depending on your priorities, the weight might be worth it for longevity, features, and weather resistance, but there's no getting around how bulky it is to pack.
At 20.2 ounces, the Ultimate VIII is much heavier than the average softshell on the market today. Credit: Syd Knadler
We brought the Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded on overnight climbing or backpacking trips, but it is almost a pound heavier than the featherweight competition. With a bit of arm-wax, we could cram it into an already-stuffed bag, but be aware of the durability-to-weight trade-off on an otherwise phenomenal softshell.
Despite being a heavy jacket, the Ultimate VIII can still be squeezed into a backpack, though it might take a bit more effort. Credit: Syd Knadler
Versatility
While the Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded isn't the best softshell for summer recreation, it handles winter conditions much better than most. It also has lots of features we don't always see in a softshell, especially in ultralight models. While the Ultimate VIII's bulkiness reduces its versatility, it's still a jacket that works well across a wide range of adventures and climates.
The hood of the Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded has an easy-to-grab drawstring, even with gloves, and it releases easily if you want to loosen the fit. The hood's drawstring runs along both the brim and the back of the head for a better seal if you need to battle wind or sideways precipitation.
The drawstring system runs across two areas of the hood for a better seal. Credit: Syd Knadler
This softshell can also easily be adjusted at the hem, with drawstrings on both the left and right sides.
The Ultimate VIII has drawstring hem systems on both the right and left sides of the jacket. Credit: Syd Knadler
If you need to add more layers, the Ultimate VIII is uniquely more accommodating as an overlayer. For baggier hardshell jackets or parkas, the Ultimate VIII still works underneath, but we often found ourselves sliding puffies and fleece layers underneath.
This softshell is one of the few we've tested that works best as an overlayer. Credit: Syd Knadler
Should You Buy the Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded?
Add the Mammut Ultimate VIII SO Hooded to your cart if you want a weather-protective softshell that'll last a long time. It's much heavier than most softshells, but for some, that weight is worth it for a more rugged, feature-rich design. We stayed cool on long, cardio-intensive days in the Ultimate VIII, with pit zips and mesh pockets encouraging airflow, but it isn't as breathable as lighter-weight models. This is also a more expensive softshell, but we still found it to offer exceptional value given its more rugged construction.
The Ultimate VIII is a warm and water-resistant softshell, though it's a bit heavy and bulky. Credit: Syd Knadler
What Other Softshell Jackets Should You Consider?
Check out the Rab Kinetic 2.0 if you want a similarly water-resistant softshell, but need something lighter than the Ultimate VIII. If price is holding you back, check out the TACVASEN Special Ops Tactical, a heavyweight softshell at a third of the price of the Ultimate VIII.
—Zach Lovell
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