Repels water and breathes – that’s all I want in a ski shell. Whether backcountry skiing in the Wasatch, or going bell-to-bell at Alta, a shell’s technical performance can make or break your day. So when I got the opportunity to test the Mountain Hardwear Minalist Jacket, I was totally game. Why? Because the shell is infused with Dry.Q Elite, a waterproof/breathable membrane that I’ve become a huge fan of. So how well does it work in this jacket? First, the details.
The Mountain Hardwear Minalist Jacket features:
- Dry.Q Elite 3-layer ripstop nylon
- Standard fit
- Underarm zips
- Removable, adjustable powder skirt
- 3-way adjustable drop hood, helmet-compatible
- Recco reflector
- MSRP $399.95
The Minalist Jacket is an enigma. Its name implies that this is a minimalist shell. But the Minalist is anything but minimalist. Large, bulky zippers, huge pockets, removable powder skirt, underarm vents, key clip in left pocket – all add weight and make this more of a resort shell than a light-is-right backcountry layer. Although I was fooled by the name, my appreciation for all these features came forth as soon as I used the shell for the first time.
I usually wear a size medium. But for outer shells, I typically wear a size large to make room for an insulated mid-layer underneath. However, the Minalist size large is more like an XL. The first time I put it on, I felt like I was wearing a big blue tarp. A puffy layer underneath takes up some room, and the arm sleeve length seems reasonable, but the torso is extremely roomy. Midwesterners with beer bellies visiting the mountain states will fit right in with the cut of this jacket. However, the over-large size wasn’t a deal breaker, especially when skiing in-bounds.
At Alta, where I spent most of my time wearing the Minalist, I found the shell to function admirably. While the cut made me feel a bit like a park rat, the roominess actually gave my body tons of freedom to move. There is no arm constriction and I found plenty of space in the shoulders for far-reaching pole plants. The oversized hood is awesome for wearing over a helmet, which I utilized on a very windy storm day doing laps off the Wildcat lift. I also love the offset zipper that closes up a gigantic collar. Typically on nasty days, I wear a neck gaiter, but with the Minalist, I can hide inside that collar with the hood up and be totally protected, almost like cinching down the hood of a sleeping bag on a cold night.
Other details are nice, like the removable powder skirt. If I feel it’s not needed, the skirt easily zips out and can be stowed, saving on bulkiness and weight. The sleeves have great coverage over the wrists and use velcro to cinch down for heat entrapment and powder repulsion.
But my favorite feature of the Mountain Hardwear Minalist Jacket is the Dry.Q Elite membrane. This sucker BREATHES! While this hard shell is like a bomb shelter when sitting on long lift rides in a blizzard, the breathability is still top notch. But to really test it out, I took it backcountry skiing on an unseasonably warm day near Brighton. In fact, I wore it over a base layer the entire skin up. I found out the shell has its breathability limits, though I am still impressed. With temperatures in the mid-40s and sunny, I had to open the pit zips and the front, but I made it almost all the way to the summit without overheating.
On a backcountry note, – I do not think the Minalist is an appropriate shell for ski touring. It is too bulky and heavy, and the material is very stiff which makes it hard to stuff down inside a ski pack. So while this shell is breathable and bomber with nice design features, it truly has a misleading name.
The Good: Breathes like a champ, nice features like offset zipper and removable powder skirt, literally bomb-proof (like I would wear this thing in a nuclear winter and feel protected.)
The Bad: Misleading name, sizes really large, bulky zippers, heavy.
Final Word: The Mountain Hardwear Minalist Jacket is ideal for lapping the resort on days when a puffy mid-layer is needed. Otherwise size down! I’m over the moon for the Dry.Q Elite membrane. Overall, it’s become my favorite cold weather/storm jacket for shredding all day at Alta.