The SALOMON MOUNTAIN FLEX HOODED wicks moisture while you move and traps heat while you're still. It's a must-have active insulation item this season. [Review]

As you know, "active insulation," or warm clothing for active use, has been rapidly gaining popularity in recent years. It protects against the cold in winter while also quickly eliminating the stuffiness inside clothing caused by heat. However, while many brands are currently offering a wide variety of models, it is also true that the market is flooded with products that are similar in functionality. It can be difficult to identify products that are truly practical

Meanwhile, this winter, SALOMON released a new active insulation jacket, the " MOUNTAIN FLEX HOODED ." It features a uniquely designed padding material that delivers high performance, and a sophisticated design that blends both field and city wear. It's a jacket that stands out in both functionality and design, as is typical of Salomon. So how does it differ from other models? Let's take a quick look at its review.

Main features of the SALOMON MOUNTAIN FLEX HOODED

The SALOMON MOUNTAIN FLEX HOODED is a thermal jacket designed for all your activities, from steep climbs to fast-paced descents, providing comfort and freedom of movement in low temperatures. Its lightweight, stretchy, windproof, and water-repellent outer fabric, combined with a quick-drying, breathable stretch knit liner, ensures freedom of movement while keeping your skin dry. The PrimaLoft insulation, which offers just the right amount of warmth and breathability, features ClimateSync technology, a laser-cut three-pointed star pattern, which automatically adjusts breathability and insulation based on your activity. From winter trail running to snowy backcountry skiing, this mid-layer is the perfect choice for those seeking comfort and protection from the cold during high-tempo activities.

Recommended points

• PrimaLoft insulation is ideal for keeping you warm while you're out and about - not too warm or too cold
• ClimateSync technology regulates moisture and heat within the garment based on activity
• Moderate stretch for unrestricted movement on the mountain
• Outer fabric provides moderate wind and water protection while allowing air to flow freely
• Sweat-wicking, quick-drying and highly stretchable knit lining
• Adjustable hood that conforms to your head shape
• Large inner zip pocket large enough to fit a smartphone

Points of interest

• Weight and compactness

Main specifications and evaluation

Detailed Review

PrimaLoft Active insulation provides breathability and insulation, while proprietary ClimateSync technology provides excellent temperature and humidity regulation

I tried walking on a trail in the low mountains of Tanzawa in November, when frost finally began to fall early in the morning, wearing this jacket over a thin, long-sleeved base layer

The first thing you notice when you walk in it is how warm it is. It doesn't look particularly fluffy at first glance, but it traps more body heat than you'd expect

The reason for this warmth is, of course, the insulating material used in this mid-layer: PrimaLoft. It goes without saying that this is one of the world's leading brands of synthetic fiber insulation, and among its extensive lineup, the "Active Vent" series is used, which focuses on breathability. While the insulation itself is thin, it felt just right even when walking on trails near freezing temperatures

However, this is where the uniqueness and high performance of this insulation jacket shines through. As is often the case when climbing mountains, even if it's cold at the beginning, after walking uphill for a while it quickly becomes hot and you want to take off your jacket. However, on this day (although I did open the zipper to ventilate), I didn't need to take it off at all until the peak. In other words, it's incredibly "resistance to stuffiness."

The PrimaLoft Active Vent padding itself is naturally highly breathable, but this model doesn't stop there. The padding itself in the back is precisely laser-cut with a three-pointed star shape, creating a unique "ClimateSync Technology." The more you move, and the faster you move, the more these slits open, allowing moisture inside the garment to escape more easily. While you can't see it from the outside, you can clearly see this when you hold it up to the light (see photo below)

What's more, these slits also work to reduce airflow inside the garment when you stop moving, making it easier to trap heat, resulting in an exquisitely smart function that ``releases moisture when you move and traps heat when you stop moving.''

A highly stretchable, quick-drying, and moisture-wicking knit lining combined with an outer fabric that provides moderate wind and water resistance while allowing airflow

As you can see, the MOUNTAIN FLEX HOODED 's padding provides high levels of insulation and breathability in terms of both material and structure, but this is further supported by the carefully designed combination of the lining and outer fabric.

The lining is made of a soft, stretchy polyester knit mesh that is highly absorbent, quick-drying, and breathable. This layer quickly absorbs sweat and transfers it to the outer layer, preventing it from becoming chilled

The outer layer is made of ripstop fabric, which is stretchy, windproof, and water-repellent. It offers the protection and durability of an outer layer without restricting airflow (see photo below). The breathable insulation is also windproof, so it may get a little hot in the early autumn when temperatures are high, but on the other hand, from early winter when the wind starts to get colder, it is not too breathable and is just the right amount of comfortable, making it a convenient cold-weather outer layer that will be a great help

This combination creates a virtuous cycle: it traps body heat moderately, protecting you from the cold wind, while the sweat-wicking, quick-drying lining releases sweat. On this day, when I started to sweat and felt hot, I simply opened the front zipper to allow a little more air to flow, and before I knew it, my clothes were no longer soaked from sweat, allowing me to move around comfortably throughout the day. Of course, there are limits to this depending on the outside temperature and how easily you sweat, but personally, I felt it was just right for the winter months from around November to March, when daytime temperatures are around 5-10°C

Moderate stretch for unrestricted movement on the mountain

the MOUNTAIN FLEX HOODED also comfortable to wear, providing excellent comfort for active situations.

As for the jacket's sizing, I'm 176cm tall, weigh 64kg, and slim. I chose the M size, which had a slightly loose, standard fit, and the sleeve length was just right. If you want a tight fit as a mid-layer, the S size would be fine, but personally, I want to wear it as both an outer layer and everyday wear, so this size is best. Incidentally, the back hem is long enough to cover the buttocks, and it won't roll up when you bend or move, carefully designed to prevent cold air from entering

I am 176cm tall and weigh 64kg and wear a size M

The lining, outer fabric, and padding all have just the right amount of stretch. And naturally, the three-dimensional cut is designed with movement in mind, so it's stress-free even for large movements during activity, and the fabric itself is supple and soft, providing an incredibly comfortable fit. The smooth outer fabric doesn't rustle when rubbed

Adjustable hood that conforms to your head shape

Another thing I like is the design of the hood. The small, padded hood is designed to fit your head perfectly and is a balaclava-style hood that can be worn under a helmet. The size can also be adjusted with a cord lock. This type of hood is very useful, as it significantly reduces the cold when the wind is strong on the ridge

Large inner zip pocket large enough to fit a smartphone

There are hand warmer zip pockets on both sides, and an inner zip pocket on the left chest. It was larger than I expected, so I was able to fit not only a large smartphone, but also gloves and other items inside (see photo below)

Summary: A versatile outerwear that is perfect for winter activities, offering excellent cold and wind protection, moderate breathability, and surprisingly quick-drying properties despite its thinness

Salomon is known as a top brand for footwear and snow gear, but this piece proves they're also a force to be reckoned with in the apparel category. This piece fully demonstrates their impressive technical capabilities, adding a little ingenuity to ready-made materials to achieve even higher functionality. It's a well-balanced active insulation, typical of Salomon, that offers the warmth, wind resistance, breathability, and quick-drying properties needed for active wear during intense winter activities like trail running, fastpacking, and ski touring

Depending on the season and your activity level, this highly versatile piece can be worn as an outer layer over a base layer, as a mid-layer under a hard shell in bitterly cold weather, or as an easily washable jacket for everyday use. Even in a genre buzzing with new releases, this jacket holds its own against its competitors in terms of performance, making it arguably the season's biggest dark horse

For more information and to purchase the SALOMON MOUNTAIN FLEX HOODED

For details about the product, please check the official online store

Please consider a paid membership to support the website while enjoying premium content and exclusive events!

   

Related reading

[Practical Review] SALOMON Radiant Full-Zip Mid & Transition Full-Zip Mid: High-performance fleece with all the winter midlayer functionality you need

This season's most noteworthy active warmer, the Rab Evolute Hoody, takes active insulation to the next level. [Hands-on Review]

SALOMON OUTERPATH PRO 2.5L Jacket & Pants Review: High-performance rainwear with exceptional breathability and ventilation for exceptional comfort

Why Patagonia's Nano Puff Jacket & Down Sweater Hoody Are Timeless Classics, and How to Use and Utilize Each One [Practical Review]