Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man Jacket

The Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man jacket is an absolute MUST for winter backcountry enthusiasts, and a great-looking alternative to the run-of-the-mill fleece jackets you see everyday. In fact, it's one of the most unique, technical and attractive fleeces around. Made with Polartec Thermal Pro High Loft, the Monkey Man's fleece, affectionately known as Monkey Phur, is more plush and shaggy than the common standard. It makes you warm just looking at it. That said, the Monkey Man is ironically much lighter than comparable fleece jackets, which brings us to its technical side. It's perfect for those concerned with insulating efficiency, i.e., most warmth per weight, and compressibility (packs well). When you hold the Monkey Man up to the sun, you'll see its noticeably open structure, dots of light poking through. It's SUPER breathable, so when you're skinning up the mountain quickly on a cold, bluebird day, you won't overheat and have to shed layers. Polartec Power Stretch cuffs and waist afford excellent freedom of movement, as well. Its insulative depth, great breathability, and extremely light weight prompted Everest guru, Ed Viesturs, to bring a Monkey Man Jacket on his last Annapurna trip. Obviously not windproof, the Monkey Man will be chilly in biting (East Coast) winds. Just throw on a weatherproof shell, and you have a layering system that's tough to beat.

$114.95

I'm goin' ape over monkey phur
I've been using Mountain Hardware's Monkey Phur for nearly 2 years to date. Probably the best base layer that I have ever utilized. Just make sure to wear a wicking garment underneath; this rag can get awfully hot! Very comparable to Patagonia's Synchilla, however, the Phur has a better fit, more features(better pocket zippers, stretch cuffs, zipper guard when done up etc..... This is an all around winner! I only hope that Mountain Hardware's recent pairing with Columbia will not stifle the innovative drive that produces clothing like this!

My favorite
This is the best jacket I own to throw on as I am rushing out the door. I am always comfortable in it and I like it much better then the Denali I own. The zippered vents make it comfy even in 80+ temps. I also wear it skiing as a mid layer in blizzard conditions or a top layer in 30degree spring days. I am going to buy another one and my mom bought one after wearing mine. Highest recomendation

Excellent fleece
The high-loft fleece does a great job of retaining warmth, especially under a shell. It's not windproof, but I've worn it in -5C weather(light wind and snowfall, hiking) with an Arc'Teryx Gamma SV vest, and it kept me warm. I've worn it under a 650wt down jacket in -30C weather, and I stayed very warm. It's lightweight, and the functional sleeves are great. It won't shed water, but I've worn it in light snowfalls and stayed warm; and it dries quickly. I prefer the lack of windproofing during physical activities, particularly as the MHW can get hot. For what it's worth, the "fuzziness" is pretty cool, and it stands out from other fleeces in terms of aesthetics.

I like Monkeys
This jacket is all you could ever ask for. It's lightweight, warm, breathable and compressible. Overall a great jacket for backpacking or just wear around the town.

Excellent Insulation
I recently wore the Monkey Man Jacket during a 3 day mountaineering workshop in New Hampshire's White Mountains. As a mid-layer it provided excellent warmth between my Tenacity Jacket outer layer and my Duofold heavyweight base layer. Even with temps in the teens, I was comfortable and often was warm enough to go gloveless and hatless during excertion. I especially enjoyed the light weight and packability, plus the technical tailoring of the item. The close fitting cuffs and hem were greatly appreciated when combined with my other layers.

Training Tips

Proper hydration for a run includes drinking 30 - 45 minutes before you start and about a cup every 10 - 15 minutes while running.

One of the best ways to win a running race is to win it in your mind first. Visualize yourself running and winning that important race. The more often you do this, you will start to "feel" the race. Your heart will get pumping and your body will feel the effort required to get the job done.

Be serious about getting and staying in shape. Create a written plan that outlines the steps you are taking and the expected result by a certain date. Review your plan frequently and adjust as necessary. Do what it takes to get what you want.

Buy running gear made with performance fabrics - Supplex, Coolmax, Lycra, Goretex - that allow for full range of motion.