AT

If you thought that all insulated jackets were the same, think again. Instead of your standard insulated top, which uses the same material all over, the Zonal is a hybrid and uses a mixture of Mountain Hardwear’s own synthetic insulation, Thermic Micro, and high-stretch panels. Mountain Hardwear calls this system MicroClimate Zoning which all sounds very technical, but it basically means that the Zonal offers warmth around your core, but under the arms, where freedom of movement is generally preferable to insulation, you get stretch panels. So the Zonal isn’t going to be as warm as a fully insulated jacket, but it would be an ideal choice for a climbing/ice climbing over-layer as it allows you to get the full range of movement in your arms but still have a decent amount of warmth.
The insulation is a synthetic fill called Thermic Micro, a high loft fill that is surprisingly compressible, giving the Zonal jacket a great pack size. There are two zipped hand warmer pockets, a hem drawcord to keep cold draughts out and a soft, fleece-lined chin guard to prevent the zip from rubbing against your chin.

All in all you’re getting a good jacket at a nice price with the Mountain Hardwear Zonal. It perhaps lacks the warmth for use while being inactive in seriously cold weather, but for wearing for sports such as climbing and mountaineering the Zonal is in its element. And at £100 it’s a god option for those on a tighter budget too. 

Price: £100
Weight: 424g
www.mountainhardwear.com

AT score
Weight: 8
Pack size: 7
Warmth: 6
Value for money: 9
Overall: 7