The Thermotastic Hooded Jacket is a bit more jacket than the Switch Flip Hooded Jacket that we reviewed in Part I of our Mountain Hardwear series. However, the Thermotastic, weighing in at 10 oz (282 grams) is an equally good travel jacket when compared to it lighter weight cousin. The bold new look of the Fall 2015 Thermotastic jacket features a vibrant base color which comes in four different color arrangements (Bright/Dark Blue, Black/Shark, Shark/Black, and Inca Gold/Shark).
Color Options for the Thermotastic
The Hooded Thermotastic has a quilted, rip-resistant, 20D nylon fabric that is water resistant enough to be a stand-alone jacket. Yet, the low-profile design of the jacket allows for it to become an insulation layer under a more heavy duty, technically inclined outer jacket.
Like all Mountain Hardwear jackets, the Thermotastic is exceedingly comfortable. The synthetic insulation traps warmth close to the skin while its soft inner lining wraps the wearer in comfort. Furthermore, the overall athletic cut of this jacket is highly flattering, accentuating the broadness of the wearer’s shoulders.
The two main features of the Thermotastic are the synched hood, perfect for rain/cold weather situations, and the side-zip breast pocket, ideal for storing those “grab-and-go” items like phones, passports or money clips. This breast pocket also give the splash of color that sets this particular Mountain Hardwear Jacket apart.
Another fantastic jacket from Mountain Hardwear
After wearing the Thermotastic Jacket around over the past few weeks I have noticed a few things beyond its ability to keep me warm and dry (its been unseasonably cold and raining over the past few days here in Idaho.) Despite the fact that the Thermotastic has a heavier down when compared to the Switch Flip, it compresses down far more than you would expect from a down jacket. This makes the Thermotastic a perfect travel companion, especially when traveling to locations where you either know the weather is going to be cold or those locations where weather can be a total wild card.
Like all of the jackets that Mountain Hardwear produces, the Thermotastic feels exceedingly smooth/soft to the touch and its comfort is unparalleled. The Thermotastic is available for $220.00 from Amazon.com, Moosejaw.com, and MountainHardwear.com. The $220.00 price tag is slightly more than the Switch Flip ($175.00). However, if you are looking for a jacket that offers more insulation, or you prefer the look, you cannot go wrong with the Thermotastic.