Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Jacket

The combination of a hardshell’s waterproof / breathable properties with the flexibility and warmth of a softshell jacket is the holy grail of jacket design for this reviewer. The Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Jacket is just that; part hardshell and all softshell.

Similar in design to the Marmot Nabu jacket the Alchemy uses Mountain Hardwear’s proprietary Dry.Q Elite waterproof / breathable technology to keep you dry and comfy on the inside. Compared to Gore-Tex, Dry.Q Elite is more breathable and can, therefore, move more air vapour. Dry.Q Elite is an instant on technology (which means it starts to breath the second you put it on) and, unlike Gore-Tex, doesn’t need to build up moisture, heat and internal pressure to force warm air through the fabric. Dry.Q Elite was developed in conjunction with eVent but eliminating the thin continuous polyurethane layer over the Polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (also known as Teflon), this allows the jacket to vent water vapor as soon as the garment is put on. In addition, Dry.Q offers up much more stretch and mobility for the wearer making it the ideal fabric for climbing, mountaineering and especially backcountry skiing.

Since Dry.Q Elite can transfer more air vapour you may find that you’re not as warm as with other waterproof / breathable jackets. To combat this, Mountain Hardwear has bonded a micro fleece to the inside of the Alchemy Jacket to keep you nice and toasty. This added insulation also eliminates that cold, clammy feeling you often find when wearing a shell against bare skin. With a chest pocket and two very large hand warmer pockets that go from the hem to basically the shoulders there is plenty of storage even without taking into account the internal mesh drop pocket. Both hand warmer pockets are pack and harness compatible and are mesh lined so they act as an effective way to dump excess heat, which is possibly why the Alchemy doesn’t have pit zips.

The bonded micro fleece adds a few degrees of warmth and a soft next to skin feel.

The helmet compatible hood rounds things out and is easily large enough for those that ski tour with a helmet or want the versatility to use the Alchemy as an alpine climbing jacket in the off-season. The hood offers up three way adjustability and a mouldable wire brim is effective in keeping out the weather, which I experienced on a particularly blustery early winter day of ski touring.

Materials:

Body Fabric: 3L Dry.Q Elite® Synchro NBT
Body Fabric Content: 56% Polyester, 44% Nylon

Features:

- Asymmetrical, Velcro-adjust cuffs protect the top of the hand without compromising mobility.
- Napoleon pocket for easy to access items.

- Adjustable hem with built in functionality.

- Easy-slide, water-repellant 2-way AquaGuard VISLON centre front zipper.

- 3-way adjustable, helmet-compatible hood features a wire brim to hold its shape.

- Asymmetrical, Velcro-adjust cuffs protect the top of the hand without compromising mobility.

- Large interior mesh drop pocket easily holds gloves and other essential small gear.

Verdict:

Verdict:
If you are like me and love to wear a softshell jacket for the added mobility and warmth it provides but are hesitant to leave the house without your trusty hard shell then the Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Jacket may just be for you.

I tested the Alchemy on several alpine hiking trips and preseason ski touring days around Whitewater Ski Resort. The weather on most days was cold and windy and it was nice to have the added insulation that the micro fleece liner provided as well as the flexible fabric so that my movements weren’t impeded.

The Alchemy is not a light and fast jacket; however, so if you are weight and space conscious then a traditional hard shell may still be your thing. The lack of pit zips may also be a decision factor for some; however I find I rarely end up using them on other jackets. When the temperature started to rise inside the Alchemy Jacket I simply opened up the pockets and main zip to dump heat in a hurry. The absence of pit zips does keep things simple and streamline but due to the added warmth of the micro fleece insulation it could have been a nice addition.

The fit of the Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Jacket is a very narrow cut, more so than the Mountain Hardwear Torsun Jacket so be sure to try before you buy. 

SPECS:

Price: $450CAN
Weight: 656g / 1lb 7oz
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colours: State Orange, Azul, Black

PROS:

- The stretch and warmth of a softshell with the waterproof and breathability of a hardshell.
- Embedded hem adjustments are a nice design feature.
- Huge hand warmer pockets are pack and harness compatible and mesh lined to dump heat when required.
- Mouldable hood brim is effective for keeping out the weather.
- Hem adjustments are built in so no dangling cords to catch on things, super cool!

CONS:

- Monotone in colour with no accents even on the zips or adjustments.
- No pit zips to dump heat.
- Helmet compatible hood difficult to fit when not wearing a helmet.

Rating: 8/10

Fit/Mobility                  2/2
Packability/Durability   1/2
Waterproof/Breathable 2/2
Features                       1.5/2
Quality / Price              1.5/2

This is only our opinion. Do you disagree? Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Join the discussion in the forums here, and let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation.

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