When you leave the house, mother always says, “don’t forget a jacket!” This is especially true here in Utah. Even in the mountain summer months, evenings and nights can get chilly, so you need something to stave of that cold air. Mountain Khakis has the brand new Maverick LT Softshell Jacket, that seems to be ideal for spring, summer and fall.
The Mountain Khakis Maverick LT Softshell features:
- Stretch fabric with a DWR finish
- 3 zippered pockets
- Internal wind flap with rollover chin guard
- Drawcord hem
- Contrast stitching
As temperatures have been warming up here in the Wasatch, I’ve taken the Maverick LT on most of my backcountry skiing excursions. In search of spring corn snow, the combination of that warm sun coupled with a heavy aerobic activity like skinning up mountains puts a lot of stress on outerwear. Most shells just are not light enough or breathe well enough to keep the body dry and cool, yet warm when winds pick up or clouds disappear behind dark clouds. But the Maverick LT does it all and then some.
First off, this jacket is very light, thin and simple. It’s just one layer of stretch fabric (90% polyester, 10% spandex) that moves with the body. The thin material is light enough to provide just the right amount of temperature regulation needed for high-output activity. It blocks the wind, breathes like a champ, and is super packable in case you don’t need it until later. The DWR coating also keeps out light precipitation in case of storm squalls or afternoon thunderstorms.
Despite being minimalist, the jacket does have a few features, like three pockets. Two side pockets are good for quick hand warmers, while a chest pocket is great for stowing a phone or iPod. A drawcord hem keeps cold air out (and warm air in) and a soft chin guard protects sensitive face parts from zippers.
On backcountry ski trips, the Maverick LT has been great on warmer spring days, especially in the mornings. Before sunrise, I stayed warm but never overheated as the fabric breathes so well. Once that high, spring sun started cooking and I could get away with just my base layer, the softshell stowed easy in my pack until it was time to ski.
As we transition into spring and summer, I think the Maverick LT will be well suited for backpacking trips, mountain biking in inclement weather, or just having around in case you get cold at outdoor concerts or sitting around the camp fire. Plus, the design, in classic Mountain Khakis fashion, looks good enough to wear as an everyday jacket around town without coming off as a total gear-head. I especially dig the contrast stitching on the zippers.
Good Maverick LT: Light, breathable, blocks wind, nice styling.
Bad Maverick LT: I have no complaints!
Final Word: Mountain Khakis is proving once again that they are much more than pants – they are also creating some seriously good technical pieces for major outdoor exploits, and the Maverick LT softshell is another solid entry into that category.