REASONS TO BUY
Great fit and coverage
3-layer protection
Ample pit ventilation
Adjustable hood and waist
High-quality design
Lightweight and packs into pocket
REASONS TO AVOID
The water-resistant zipper is difficult to zip and also leaks
Mountain Hardwear Threshold - Women's Review
This 3-layer rain jacket provides excellent water-resistant performance through a longer parka fit, but the main zipper leaks and is difficult to zip
Credit: Trish Matheny
By Trish Matheny ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 1, 2026
RELATED: The Best Rain Jackets for Women
Our Verdict
The Mountain Hardwear Threshold is a 3-layer rain jacket with great water resistance and a couple flaws. The outer shell is comprised of Mountain Hardwear's DrySpell 70-denier ripstop nylon, and it effectively beads precipitation, although we did have issues with water leaking through the zipper in our tests. We love the jacket's longer hemline and large hood, which offer ample protection from precipitation. The design is lightweight and easily packs into a pocket, making it easy to throw in your backpack when the forecast looks questionable. We wish it had better breathability, but opening the pit vents helps a bit. If it weren't for the main zipper that is difficult to open and close and a bit leaky, we'd be pretty sold on this design for its water resistance and lightweight, high-quality construction.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Likes
The Threshold is constructed from high-quality material that had no trouble beading and shedding water in our tests. The longer hemline and larger hood offer more coverage and are helpful for keeping you dry, although the water-resistant main zipper did leak during our controlled shower and pour testing.
The Threshold features 3-layer DrySpell water-resistant fabric along with 70-denier ripstop nylon for additional durability. We were impressed with the performance of the fabric more than the watertight zipper that was sticky to open and close. Credit: Trish Matheny
Mountain Hardwear is notorious for creating excellent equipment, and the Threshold's design features one of the best construction qualities that we've tested. We appreciated features like the pit zips, 3-layer protection, and its ability to stow inside a pocket and remain lightweight for mountain adventures. We were impressed by every quality detail — except for the main zipper.
The Threshold packs into its own pocket, even smaller than our one liter water bottle. Credit: Trish Matheny
Dislikes
The zipper was a sticking point for us (literally). It kept getting caught on the storm flap every time we used it, and this zipper also leaked a bit in our pour tests.
While the Threshold advertises a watertight zipper, water leaked into the interior during our objective pour tests. Credit: Trish Matheny
During our objective uphill testing, we couldn't wait to open the vents and main zipper to offload some body heat. If you're hiking hard or the weather is hot and humid, you're likely to overheat (opening the pit zips helps, but only so much). However, this is typical of jackets with great water resistance, as it's difficult to nail a jacket design that's both incredibly waterproof and super breathable.
We love the Threshold's 12-inch pit vents for increasing airflow, but the water-resistant fabric doesn't breathe well on its own. Credit: Trish Matheny
Should You Buy the Mountain Hardwear Threshold?
The Threshold definitely sets itself apart from many jackets we tested, thanks to top-notch water resistance within a high-quality design. If it weren't for the lack of breathability and a difficult zipper, it would be near the top of our award-winning lineup. We're not sure if we just got a lemon, but it's hard to put a full stamp of approval on a jacket with a troublesome zipper.
If we didn't have to fight the main zipper to open and close the jacket, this would have been one of our top performers. Credit: Trish Matheny
What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
If you like the longer hemline on the Mountain Hardwear Threshold but don't really need a lightweight and technical jacket, check out the Patagonia Everyday Rain Jacket. The oversized fit is easy to layer, and it also has a mesh liner. If you're on a budget, check out the Helly Hansen Moss. It's a rain slicker style with full coverage and the water resistance on par with the best; it's just heavier and bulkier, which eliminates some versatility.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Mountain Hardwear Threshold - Women's versus top competing products:
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Price | $200 List Check REI (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | This 3-layer rain jacket provides excellent water-resistant performance through a longer parka fit, but the main zipper leaks and is difficult to zip |
| Pros | Great fit and coverage, 3-layer protection, ample pit ventilation, adjustable hood and waist, high-quality design, lightweight and packs into pocket |
| Cons | The water-resistant zipper is difficult to zip and also leaks |
| Rating Categories | Mountain Hardwear Th... |
| Water Resistance (45%) | |
| Breathability (20%) | |
| Comfort and Mobility (15%) | |
| Weight (10%) | |
| Construction Quality (10%) | |
| Specifications | Mountain Hardwear Th... |
| Number of Fabric Layers | 3 |
| Material and Waterproof Membrane | DrySpell 70-denier 3-layer ripstop nylon |
| Measured Weight (Size Small) | 11.2 oz |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand |
| Pit Zips | Yes |
| Pit Zip Length | 12 in |
| Stows into Pocket | Yes |
| Carabiner Loop in Stow Pocket | Yes |
| Helmet Compatible Hood | No |
| Hipbelt Friendly Hand Pockets | No |
| Additional Features | Hook-and-loop adjustable cuffs, Dual drawcord hem adjustment, Adjustable hood |
—Trish Matheny
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