Mammut has a huge product line, and in this article I review their non-insulated shells to help you choose the best Mammut jacket to match your needs. I’ll start with a little background on the brand and then jump into the extensive product line.
With so many choices for jackets in the outdoor market, we at Outdoor Crunch tend to focus on brands that resonate with our Colorado mountain lifestyle. I appreciate technical gear made for outdoor adventures by people who share our passion for the backcountry. In the best cases you get a design-forward philosophy with a strong consideration for environmental protection. While Arc’teryx (one of our favorite brands for technical jackets and other gear) was founded in the Coast range of British Columbia, Mammut hails from the alpine playground of northern Switzerland. Both brands bring authentic mountain heritage to their product lines.
Best Mammut jacket for Winter 2024-25
- Best Mammut jacket for mountaineering: Nordwand Pro HS
- Best Mammut jacket for skiing and snowboarding: Eiger Free Pro HS
- Best Mammut jacket for hiking: Alto Light HS
- Best Mammut jacket for running: Aenergy TR HS
- Best Mammut softshell jacket: Ultimate VII SO Hooded
- Best all-around Mamut jacket: Crater IV
What I like about Mammut
Beyond their Swiss Alps heritage, there's a lot to like about Mammut. Their products are made thoughtfully for the activities we love. Details like reinforced peaks on hoods, shaped hoods that stay out of your face (unless it's a jacket for climbing or skiing, in which case the hoods are designed very specifically to fit helmets), double zippers for you folks on belay, athletic cuts for highly breathable active outerwear, and drawcords on ski jackets made to be used with gloves, make it clear that the designers in the Mammut office get after it. Their commitment to reducing their environmental impact is also important to us because the carbon footprint of outdoor gear is rather large. Talk the talk, walk the walk.
Subjectively, I also like Mammut’s style. Great fit, colorways, and an appropriate amount of steez.
More about the Mammut brand
Mammut has been around since 1862 and is a leader across Europe but is a newer entrant in North America. Founded as a family rope business serving agricultural needs, Mammut introduced its first glacier rope for alpine use in 1952. From then on their focus shifted to mountain products, introducing their first avalanche transceiver in 1969. Today, Mammut is headquartered in Seon, Switzerland, with a North American office in Denver and a warehouse in Vermont.
In their words, Mammut focuses on safety, protection, and resourceful performance. You can see a focus on mountaineering and climbing across their products, but they have clothing and gear for all outdoor pursuits. Mammut strongly considers the environmental impact of their business - from materials, to production, to logistics, and even packaging.
I’ll highlight material selection in this article, but if you want more detail on their environmental initiatives you can read their 100-plus page responsibility report here:
www.mammut.com/us/en/responsibility
Here are some key areas where Mammut works to reduce the impact of their products:
- Materials
- Recycled fabrics
- PFC-free fabrics and coatings
- Down insulation and wool are sourced in compliance with the Responsible Down and Responsible Wool standards (RDS and WDS)
- Processes
- Sustainable textile production sourced through the Bluesign system
- Use of solution dying where possible to reduce the water used in dyeing fabrics
- Packaging
- They are working to reduce use of plastics through membership in the European Outdoor Group’s Single Use Plastics Project. To understand the importance of this issue, check out this article from Outside.
- All cardboard packaging is made of 100% recycled content
Mammut jacket specs
Here is a table showing the major technical specifications of each Mammut shell.
Model | Description | MSRP | Cut | Weight (mens / womens) | Featured fabric | Main Material | Lining Material | Insert | Denier (main material) | Water Column | Breathability | Suitable for | Windproof | Water impermeability | Packability | Lightweight | Durability | Stretch | Warmth | Pit Zips | Two-way zipper | Helmet Compatible Hood |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aenergy TR HS (Men's - Women's) | Ultra-light waterproof hardshell jacket | $249.00 | Athletic Fit | 170g / 155g | Mammut DRY Active | 100% Polyamide | 100% Polyamide | 100% Polyamide | 20D | 20000 mm | 5 | Trailrunning (6/6), Hiking (5/6) , Ski Touring (3/6), Trekking (3/6), Mountaineering (2/6) | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | N | N | N | ||
Aenergy SO Hybrid (Men's - Women's) | Light softshell to protect against wind and weather | $219.00 | Athletic Fit | 401g / 353g | Mammut SOFtechTM | 92% Polyamide, 8% Spandex | 88% Polyester, 12% Spandex | 6 | Ski Touring (6/6) , Mountaineering (5/6) , Climbing (4/6) , Speed Mountaineering (4/6) , Hiking (3/6) , Trekking (3/6) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | N | Y | N | |||||
Aenergy WB hooded (Men's - Women's) | Ultralight breathable windbreaker | $129.00 | Athletic Fit | 132g / 123g | Lightweight and robust recycled polyamide material | 100% Polyamide | 83% Polyamide, 17% Spandex | 83% Polyamide, 17% Spandex | 15D | 5 | Speed Mountaineering (6/6) , Trail Running (5/6) , Climbing (4/6) , Hiking (4/6) , Mountaineering (4/6) , Ski Touring (3/6) | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | |||||||
Alto Guide HS (Men's - Women's) | The reliable hardshell with all-mountain perform | $349.00 | Regular Fit | 472g / 417g | Mammut DRY Tour | 100% Polyamide | 40D | 20000 mm | 4 | Mountaineering (6/6), Trekking (6/6), Hiking(5/6), Climbing(4/6) | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | |||||||
Alto HS (Men's only) | Waterproof hiking hardshell | $199.00 | Regular Fit | 440g | Mammut DRY Tour | 100% Polyester | 100% Polyester | 50D | 15000 mm | 3 | Hiking (5/6) , Everyday(5/6) | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||
Alto Light HS(Men's - Women's) | Lightweight hiking hardshell | $219.00 | Regular Fit | 355g / 315g | Mammut DRY Tour | 100% Polyester | 100% Polyester | 50D | 15000mm | 4 | Hiking (6/6) , Everyday (4/4) | 6 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 3 | ||||||
Convey Tour (Men's - Women's) | An essential item in your backpack on any hike | $279.00 | Regular Fit | 336g / 286g | GORE-TEX® Paclite | 100% Polyester | 50D | 28000 mm | 4 | Hiking (6/6) , Everyday (5/6), Trekking (3/6) | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |||||||
Crater IV (Men's - Women's) | Sustainable 3-layer hardshell jacket | $449.00 | Regular Fit | 482g / 444g | 3-layer GORE-TEX® fabric with PFC-free ePE membrane | 100% Polyester | 100% Polyester | 100% Polyester | 75D | 28000 mm | 4 | Trekking (6/6) , Mountaineering (6/6) , Hiking (5/6) , Climbing (4/6) | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | |||||
Eiger Free Advanced (Men's - Women's) | Advanced touring hardshell jacket | $750.00 | Ski Regular | 561g / 509g | GORE-TEX ePE membrane | 100% Polyamide | 100% Polyamide | 100% Polyamide | 70D | 28000 mm | 3 | Freeriding (6/6) , Ski Touring (5/6) , Mountaineering (4/6) , Skiing (4/6) , Hiking (3/6) , Trekking (3/6) | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | ||||||
Eiger Free Pro HS (Men's - Women's) | Durable freeride hardshell jacket | $899.00 | Ski Regular | 684g / 633g | GORE-TEX® Pro | 100% Polyamide | 100% Polyamide | 100% Polyamide | 80D | 28000 mm | 5 | Freeriding (6/6) , Skiing (6/6) , Mountaineering (6/6) , Hiking (3/6) , Skit Touring (3/6) , Trekking (3/6) | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |||||
Eiger Speed HS (Men's - Women's) | Ultra-light hardshell jacket for fast-paced alpine tours | $375.00 | Athletic Fit | 264g / 253g | Mammut DRY Active | 100% Polyamide | 100% Polyester | 100% Polyamide | 20D | 20000 mm | 5 | Speed Mountaineering (6/6) , Trail Running (5/6) , Climbing (3/6) , Mountaineering (4/6) , Ski Touring (4/6) | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 | |||||
Haldigrat Air HS (Men's - Women's) | Lightweight, breathable freeride hardshell | $499.00 | Ski Regular | 474g / 430g | Pertex® Shield Air | 100% Polyamide | 83% Polyamide, 17% Spandex | 100% Polyamide | 40D | 15000mm | 5 | Ski Touring (6/6) , Freeriding (4/6) , Mountaineering (4/6) , Skiing (4/6) , Climbing (3/6) , Hiking (3/6) | 6 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |||||
Haldigrat HS Hooded (Men's - Women's) | Eco-conscious freeride hardshell jacket | $625.00 | Ski Regular | 651g / 594g | Mammut DRY Expedition | 52% Polyamide, 48% Polyamide | 100% Polyamide | 40D | 30000 mm | 4 | Freeriding (6/6) , Ski Touring (5/6) , Skiing (5/6) , Hiking (3/6) , Mountaineering (3/6) , Trekking (3/6) | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||||||
Linard Guide HS (Men's - Women's) | Lightweight elastic hardshell jacket for hiking | $299.00 | Regular Fit | 437g / 387g | Mammut DRY Tour | 100% Polyester | 100% Polyester | 100% Polyester | 50D | 20000 mm | 5 | Hiking (6/6) , Trekking (6/6) , Everyday (4/6) , Climbing (3/6),Mountaineering (3/6) , Ski Touring (3/6) | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 | |||||
Microlayer 2.0 HS (Men's - Women's) | Hard shell jacket made from sustainable materials | $159.00 | Regular Fit | 284g / 258g | Mammut DRY Tour | 100% Polyamide | 50D | 10000 mm | 2 | Hiking (5/6) , Everyday(5/6) | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3 | |||||||
Nordwand Advanced HS (Men's - Women's) | Lightweight and breathable hardshell jacket | $699.00 | Regular Fit | 445g / 390g | GORE-TEX® Pro | 100% Polyamide | 30D | 28000 mm | 5 | Mountaineering (6/6) , Climbing (5/6) , Hiking (4/6) , Ski Touring (4/6) , Trekking (4/6) , Freeriding (3/6) | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |||||||
Nordwand Pro HS (Men's - Women's) | Hardshell jacket for extreme alpine routes | $850.00 | Regular Fit | 622g / 568g | GORE-TEX® Pro | 100% Polyamide | 100% Polyamide | 92% Polyamide, 8% Spandex | 80D | 28000 mm | 4 | Mountaineering (6/6) , Ski Touring (4/6) , Skiing (4/6) , Trekking (4/6) , Climbing (3/6) , Hiking (3/6) | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |||||
Seon Pac HS (mens) (Men's ) | Rain jacket for adventurers | $345.00 | Regular Fit | 367g | GORE-TEX® Paclite | 100% Polyester | 50D | 28000 mm | Everyday(6/6) , Hiking(5/6) , Trekking (3/6) | |||||||||||||
Seon Pac HS Hooded Parka (womens) (Women's) | Rain jacket for adventurers | $309.00 | Regular Fit | 321g | GORE-TEX® Paclite | 100% Polyester | 50D | 28000 mm | 4 | Everyday(6/6) , Hiking(5/6) | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | |||||||
Taiss HS (Men's - Women's) | Versatile 3-layer hardshell jacket | $385.00 | Regular Fit | 420g / 247g | Mammut DRY Expedition | 100% Polyamide | 100% Polyester | 30D | 27000 mm | 6 | Mountaineering (6/6) , Climbing (5/6) , Hiking (4/6) , Ski Touring (4/6) , Trekking (4/6) , Freeriding (3/6) | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||
Tais Pro HS (Men's - Women's) | Technical all-rounder for mountain enthusiasts | $559.00 | Regular Fit | 655g / 565g | Mammut DRYtechnology™ Pro | 100% Polyamide | 93% Polyamide, 7% Spandex | 70D | 27000 mm | 5 | Mountaineering (6/6) , Freeriding (4/6) , Ski Touring (4/6) , Skiing (4/6) , Trekking (4/6) , Climbing (3/6) | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | ||||||
Ultimate Comfort SO (Men's - Women's) | Unmatched comfort in an outdoor jacket | $239.00 | Regular Fit | 520g / 483g | Mammut SOFtechTM | 86% Polyamide, 14% Spandex | 90% Polyester, 10% Wool | 3 | Hiking (606) , Trekking (6/6) , Everyday (6/6) , Mountaineering (2/6) | 6 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
Ultimate VII SO (Men's only) | Technical softshell jacket | $259.00 | Regular Fit | 454g | GORE-TEX® Infinium | 100% Polyester | 4 | Hiking (6/6) , Trekking (6/6) , Everyday (5/6) , Mountaineering (3/6) , Ski Touring (3/6) | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |||||||||
Ultimate VII SO Hooded (Men's - Women's) | Technical softshell hooded jacket | $289.00 | Regular Fit | 530g / 441g | GORE-TEX® Infinium | 100% Polyester | 4 | Hiking (6/6) , Trekking (6/6) , Everyday (5/6) , Mountaineering (3/6) , Ski Touring (3/6) | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
Fabrics
Mammut uses fabrics they develop themselves as well as from well-known brands GORE-TEX and Pertex. Here are the key fabrics used across their shells:
- Mammut DRY Active - Developed for trail running and fast tours
- Mammut SOFtechTM - Multilayer abrasion-resistant, extra stretchy and breathable softshell fabric
- Mammut DRY Tour - Developed for hiking, trekking and winter sports
- GORE-TEX® Paclite - 2.5-layer laminate construction for a packable fabric that is waterproof and breathable
- GORE-TEX ePE membrane - The GORE-TEX expanded polyethylene (ePE) membrane is their first PFC-free offering
- GORE-TEX® Pro - 3-layer fabric with a membrane bonded to a rugged outer face textile equipped with DWR and a backer on the inside. GORE-TEX advertises this as being for climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, freeriding and hunting. Completely windproof and made for abrasion resistance.
- Pertex® Shield Air - Electrospun nanofibre web, with an open network of interconnected pores. Made to be ultralight and highly breathable.
- Mammut DRY Expedition - Developed to tackle the challenges of high-alpine terrain
- Mammut DRYtechnology™ Pro - Highly durable, windproof and waterproof (minimum 30 denier polyamide outer fabric, minimum water column rating of 20,000 mm).
- GORE-TEX® Infinium - This fabric is windproof and highly breathable but offers protection only for light rain.
Water Impermeability (aka waterproofness)
This is measured in what is called the water column or hydrostatic head rating and measures how much pressure a fabric can withstand before water penetrates it. The test literally uses a column of water, with the result measured in millimeters of when the water penetrates the fabric.
This table from Evo gives a good overview of generally accepted guidelines.
Source:
www.evo.com/guides/outerwear-waterproof-ratings-and-breathability
Waterproof Rating (mm) | Water Resistance provided | Conditions |
---|---|---|
0-5,000m | No resistance to some resistance to moisture | Light rain, dry snow, no pressure |
6,000-10,000mm | Rainproof and waterproof under light pressure | Light rain, average snow, light pressure |
11,000-15,000mm | Rainproof and waterproof except under high pressure | Moderate rain, average snow, light pressure |
16,000-20,000mm | Rainproof and waterproof under high pressure | Heavy rain, wet snow, some pressure. Think PNW. |
20,000 mm+ | Rainproof and waterproof under very high pressure | Heavy rain, wet snow, high pressure |
Breathability
This gets a little complicated in that there are two measurements given here. All GORE-TEX fabrics use the Thermal Evaporative Resistance (RET) test. For RET values, a lower number is better.
General guidelines for RET values:
- >6g/m2 - Intense activity (running)
- >12gm2 - Moderate activity (hiking)
- >20gm2 - Breathable but you are going to be uncomfortable with any real activity
Mammut and Pertex fabrics express breathability in the amount of water vapor (in grams) that can pass through a square meter of fabric in a day (g/m2/24h). Using this method, a higher value means the jacket is more breathable.
- <5,000g/m2/24h - Light activity
- <15,000g/m2/24h - Moderate activity
- >15,000g/m2/24h - Intense activity
Mammut jacket model details
I've spent a lot of time with Mammut's shells and have dug through the features, materials, and tech specs to pick my favorites across key categories.
Best Mammut jacket for mountaineering
Nordwand Pro HS
The Nordwand Pro hard shell (HS) is part of Mammut's Eiger Extreme product line. This line represents their most technical products and spans gear from climbing equipment to expedition boots. This jacket has been refined over the years using feedback from Swiss mountain guides and Mammut pro athletes. The result is a jacket built for extreme alpine environments. The 80 denier GORE-TEX Pro fabric is made specifically for abrasion resistance and uses pre-consumer recycled nylon. Additional panels feature GORE-TEX Stretch for freedom of movement when swinging your ice axe. Areas prone to stress are reinforced to prevent damage. This piece is made for the abuse of the high mountains. Details such as microfleece chin protector are clearly the influence of athletes who have subjected this shell to harsh climates.
Best Mammut jacket for backcountry skiing / snowboarding
Eiger Free Pro HS
Another offering from the Eiger Extreme series, the Eiger Free Pro HS is designed for chasing backcountry pow lines. Everything about this jacket is made for snow. The drawstring adjustment on the hood and hem are made with COHAESIVE® stoppers designed for use with your gloves on. The long cut, snow skirt, and wrist gaiters give ample protection in the deep stuff. The recycled Nylon face fabric is 80 denier to provide durability against abrasion and the GORE-TE Pro membrane is highly breathable for a winter piece. The water repellant molded tooth zippers are a breeze to operate. This is an impressive ski and snowboard shell.
Best Mammut jacket for hiking
Alto Light HS
The Alto Light HS has a minimalistic design and delivers a waterproof, breathable, and packable jacket that is great for day hiking and camping. The 15,000mm waterproof rating is sufficient for moderate rain and even an occasional downpour, but it lacks the protection of an expedition-level piece. The Mammut DRY Tour fabric is very breathable, and the underarm zippers for ventilation is a nice touch at this weight and price point. The hood on this jacket is a great fit, coming from someone who has a strong dislike for helmet-compatible hoods when they aren't warranted. The single point adjustability ensures the hood doesn't drop into your field of view when dashing through a deluge. Stash this jacket in your daypack with plenty of room for your SLR and hiking bacon.
Best Mammut jacket for running
Aenergy TR HS
Mammut's most breathable, packable, and lightest 3-layer hard shell, the Aenergy TR HS is made for high-output activities. Whether you are looking to break a PR on your favorite trail or training for your next marathon, this is a great piece no matter the weather. This jacket has an athletic cut, low-volume hood and pre-shaped sleeves to give it the proper fit for going fast. With a breathability rating of 20,000 g/m²/24h and a waterproof rating of 20,000mm, this is definitely a trail-worthy jacket made to keep you comfortable when things gets epic. You'll hardly notice it is stuffed in your ultra-pack, but you'll be happy it is when the sky turns dark.
Best Mammut jacket - technical soft shell
Ultimate VII SO Hooded
I love the versatility of a good soft shell. They excel at general hiking and trekking, as well as every day use. They aren't insulated but offer a little more warmth than a non-insulated hard shell. I lean towards a soft shell as my 3-season daily workhorse. Whether hiking, camping, or fall days downtown I just prefer the fit and comfort they provide. The Ultimate VII SO features 3-layer GORE-TEX Infinium. This fabric has the GORE membrane as the outer surface of the fabric so that the hell doesn't take on any water during inclement weather. Polyester and Nylon on hard shells are fairly hydrophobic, but a soft shell can get weighted down when wet. Infinium is a relatively new innovation from GORE-TEX and this is a great application for it.
Mammut offers a non-hooded version for men. See is here:
www.mammut.com/us/en/products/1011-01820-40135/ultimate-vii-so-jacket-men
Best Mammut jacket for all-around outdoor use
Crater IV
For those who enjoy the outdoors in all different ways, we think the Crater IV is an extremely versatile jacket. Whether it is a light day hike, summiting a 14er, or getting on belay, the construction and features of the Crater IV make it a great choice if you want one jacket for all of your activities. OK, it doesn't have a powder skirt, but for your hardcore 3-season needs this really hits the sweet spot. The helmet-compatible hood has both vertical and horizontal adjustment to get the fit just right. The pockets are also harness friendly, similar to Mammut's more mountaineering-focused models. It's also worth calling out that the face fabric and backing are 100% recycled polyester with a PFC-free GORE-TEX ePE membrane.