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July 2024

Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Trail Apparel & Gear

Review & Photos by: Stephanie Kovich (@hikewithsteph)

As an avid hiker I need a variety of gear and clothing to ensure comfort, safety and functionality on the trails. In the past I have learned the hard way that you can’t just use any type of gear for your hiking adventures. I knew Mountain Hardwear was a reputable brand for outdoor sports so I was excited to try out some of their clothing items and their 25L backpack. I wasted no time and tested out my new items on a steep local trail called Goat Ridge in Chilliwack, BC. I also tested some of the clothing on some walking trails around home as well.

JMT 25L Womens Backpack

Let’s start with the JMT 25L Backpack. This backpack is so spacious compared to other day packs I've had of a similar size that it feels like it's actually larger. I was able to fit all of the essential items I normally bring with me no problem. I was pleased to even have some space leftover, which never happens for me in the smaller sized day packs. There are two zipper compartments, the top one is for your smaller, easy grab items. Then the next zipper opens the whole bag. I like that the side pockets are quite large to easily pack your hiking poles, larger water bottles, bear spray, and more. You can tighten the bag on the side which is nice as it allows for expanding and collapsing the bag depending on how many items you’re carrying that day. You also have the hip belt pockets to store your snacks or chapstick which is handy. Finally, there is also a removable front mesh pouch that's good for bulkier items that you would want to store on the outside of your bag like sandals (as pictured below), a helmet or a jacket. I am stoked to take this backpack on many more adventures with me and I even think it will be a great summer weekend getaway travel bag.

Inside the backpack only one-third full! Easy to see how spacious it is!

 

Front mesh pocket removes and stores in a velcro pocket at the bottom

 

Sunblocker LS Hoody

The Sunblocker LS Hoody is great for cooler adventures but is still light and wicks moisture. It offers UPF 50+ sun protection which is great for when you’re sitting at the summit and want to protect your skin from the sun.  I like that it has a hood so I can protect my scalp and neck as well when I’m fully exposed to the sun. It also came in handy when we started hiking down from the trail this day and it started raining for a bit. I really like this Pink Moonstone color and the fun designs on the sleeves.

 

Crater Lake SS Crew 

Similar to the Sunblocker Hoody, the Crater Lake SS Crew is great for sun protection and breathability. It contains the UPF 50+ sun protection and moisture wicking material. I like how soft and silky the shirt feels when wearing it. While I was hiking I felt a lot cooler so that was a bonus. Something to note though is it seems like this shirt is meant to fit loose and it’s a longer shirt, and I actually like looser fitting clothing myself, but if you like a more fitted look then consider sizing down.

Top: Crater Lake SS Crew Bottoms: Trail Sender Pants

 

Trail Sender Shorts

I wore the Trail Sender Shorts on the way up on our hike. I like that they fit a little looser in the legs but fit well on the waist with the stretchy waistband and drawstring. The material is softer than I originally thought they would be for hiking. I think they would make good beach and kayak shorts too as they would dry quick. There are two large pockets on each side which is great, since us women don’t often get pockets on our shorts. There’s even a smaller zipper pocket too for those little items you want to make sure don’t fall out of your pocket.

Top: Crater Lake SS Crew Bottoms: Trail Sender Shorts

 

Trail Sender Pants

I tested out the Trail Sender Pants on a local walking trail and wore them at the lake after our big hike the other day. These are my new favorite pants. They are so light and comfortable. They are similar to the shorts in material, waste and pockets. Just of course are longer to fit the whole leg and cinch at the bottom, jogger style. Again, I appreciate the large pockets. The pants are so light that you could wear them on a really warm day and not get too hot.

 

 

KOR Airshell Hoody

Next up we have the KOR Airshell Hoody. I got this light coat in Black and Pale Ice color. I really like this jacket as a packable layer for those chilly windy summits. The jacket is made from Pertex® Quantum Air fabric which is a durable yet super-breathable material. The fabric also offers protection for light rain too but not a downpour situation. I love that I can store the coat in an internal pocket making it much easier for packing. For such a light layer it actually traps in heat very well which surprised me while I was sitting at the summit eating lunch.

Stryder Hike Hat

Finally, I tested out the Stryder Hike Hat. As you can tell by looking at it, it is very breathable. It’s a great option to offer that extra protection for your face on those sunny days on exposed trails.

Conclusion

I was happy to finally test out a bunch of gear from Mountain Hardwear. I can tell that a lot of thought goes into their products for comfort and functionality while hiking or walking on the trails. My overall top 3 items out of this batch are the JMT 25L Backpack, the Airshell Hoody and the Trailsender Pants. If you spend a lot of your time doing outdoor sports like hiking, I would consider looking into some Mountain Hardwear gear!