When the chill of winter rolls around, my down jackets come out of the closet. They are ideal for extra-cold temperatures because they do a great job trapping heat and tend to be lightweight and packable. They also come in handy on days when you want to carry an extra layer in case temperatures drop unexpectedly. From winter hikes to sleeping comfortably outside, down jackets reign supreme for their versatility and warmth.
Living, working and adventuring in the cold of Chicago and venturing to ski towns throughout the winter, I’ve built up quite the collection of jackets, each with its own specific use case. I love my lightweight Cotopaxi Fuego for early- or late-season hiking. Similar to Emily Pennington, frequent contributor to CNN Underscored, I love my synthetic Arc’teryx Atom LT as a mid-layer under my ski shell. But when it comes to below-freezing temperatures or a blizzard-level snowfall, my Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Popover Hoodie is my top pick.
The Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Popover hooded jacket is insulated with 700-fill down and treated with a DWR finish that traps in heat, even in wet weather. From its comfortable fit and impressive warmth to its extreme durability, this down jacket has become my go-to winter puffy. I put the Stretchdown Popover to the test in the rugged mountains of Banff National Park and the equally brutal windy streets of downtown Chicago to see how it stands up to strong winds, heavy snowfall and seriously cold temperatures.
The ultra-durable Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Popover Hoodie provides equal comfort and warmth during chilly winter seasons. This hooded down jacket has the fit and feel of pulling on a comfy sweatshirt with the insulation and protection of a high-quality down jacket. It’s insulated with responsibly sourced, 700-fill down and treated with a DWR finish that traps in heat, even in wet weather. From chilly fall hikes to snowy winter trails, the Stretchdown Popover won’t disappoint.
What we liked about it
It’s clear Mountain Hardwear doesn’t skimp on technical functionality and fashionable design. This abrasion-resistant puffy jacket can stand up to rugged obstacles — from the hiking trail to the climbing wall — while also keeping you warm close to home on walks around the neighborhood.
Exceptionally warm
It’d be a huge bummer if you invested in a winter down jacket only to find out it won’t keep you warm. With the Strechdown Popover, you don’t have to worry about that. Mountain Hardwear designed this puffy with responsibly sourced, 700-fill down insulation and an innovative baffle design that uses less stitching and, as a result, helps reduce clumping and cold spots. That means this jacket keeps its loft and warmth in the coldest weather, even during moments of high activity like climbing or hiking.
I took the Strechdown Popover to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada for a week of winter adventuring, including several night hikes. The coldest temperature I wore this jacket was -4 degrees Fahrenheit on a night hike in Kananaskis. With a base layer and synthetic mid-layer underneath, I wasn’t cold in the slightest while walking. When I did stop to look up at the night sky and drink a hot thermos of tea, the cold did start to seep in after about 10 minutes of not moving around. Even while hiking on frozen Lake Louise in 20-degree-Fahrenheit temperatures, I was very warm.
I’m also a huge fan of the large hood and collar on the Stretchdown Popover. I was able to fit a scarf and hat underneath the collar and hood, which came in handy when strong winds picked up and the snow started to fall. Both features kept the chill off my head and neck. If I did start to get overly hot while hiking, I simply unbuttoned the collar and let in some cold air.
Super stretchy and durable
Another showstopper of this down jacket is its stretch and durability. Putting this jacket on feels more like wearing a puffy hooded sweatshirt … but 10 times warmer. The Stretchdown Popover is made of Mountain Hardwear’s proprietary Stretchdown fabric, a dynamic stretch material that weaves together discontinuous baffles and bounces back into shape when taking it on and off. And because this jacket does not have a full front zip, the stretch material makes it easy to pull on and remove, thanks to its elastic-like stretch.
The durability of this down jacket is beyond impressive. You won’t have to worry about this puffy ripping, unlike your average down jacket. While hiking through a thick patch of woods during a guided forest bathing experience while in Canmore in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, my arm and shoulder scraped against several low-hanging pine branches with spiky needles and twigs. I got nervous that I might’ve ripped my jacket, but after glancing down, my jacket was still perfectly intact. Thinner nylon down jackets are more susceptible to rips, whereas Mountain Hardwear designed this puffy with 20-denier durable stretch doubleweave — a strong blend of 86% nylon and 14% elastane. Expect the Stretchdown Popover to stand up to abrasion while climbing on granite or limestone walls, rubbing up against scraggly brush in the backcountry and even while doing yard chores like carrying split wood.
Not too tight, not too loose
“Spacious” should be the Strechdown Popover’s middle name. Mountain Hardwear designed this jacket with a relaxed fit, which translates to a roomier style with a softer drape and longer length. That means less restriction around the chest, waist and hips, and more room for layers underneath. Initially, I was concerned this jacket would be way too puffy. Quite honestly, I thought I would look like a giant grape or like Violet Beauregarde from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” I also wasn’t sure if I’d be able to fit layers underneath without feeling like a double-stuffed potato.
Turns out, the Stretchdown Popover was just the right mix of roomy, without making you feel like a total marshmallow. Because of its relaxed fit, I could layer a sweater or fleece base layer underneath without feeling too restricted. The jacket has an oversized zipper pocket in the front that’s big enough to fit a phone, a wallet and a lightweight pair of gloves. It also features a kangaroo-style pocket with an extremely soft fleece lining on the inside that kept my hands warm, especially at times when I wasn’t wearing gloves.
What we didn’t like about it
It’s hard to diss the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Popover when there’s so much to like about it. However, there are a few features you should keep in mind before making the investment in this puffy jacket.
Easy to overheat
If you’re someone who wants to use their puffy on strenuous mountain adventures, this might not be the down jacket for you. Because of how well the Stretchdown Popover insulates, I often found myself quickly overheating, especially on more challenging climbs with steeper grades or several hundred feet or more of elevation gain. The sweet spot for this jacket is hanging out outdoors on chill hikes that go at a slower pace and with minimal incline, or even during activities with downtime like bouldering, ice fishing or bird watching. Since this jacket does not have armpit zips to help heat escape, any warmth your body generates while exercising will be stuck inside.
Hard to get on and off quickly
Without a full front zip, this jacket is undoubtedly more challenging to get on than your average down jacket. It’s designed more like an anorak than a standard zip jacket, which means you need to put the puffy on overhead like you would a hooded sweatshirt. If you’re more of a fan of zippered puffies, Mountain Hardwear does make a version of this jacket with a full zip called the Stretchdown Parka. Especially while hiking uphill or wanting to shed a layer on morning walks when the temperature started to warm up, I found it difficult to quickly remove the jacket. Instead, I had to take off my backpack, set down my gloves and hat and take off the jacket. That said, I love the look and aesthetic of the Stretchdown Popover, so it’s most definitely worth it for me to have to stretch and wiggle out of the puffy before adjusting accordingly.
Water-resistant, not waterproof
As is common with most down jackets, the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Popover is water-resistant, not waterproof. Even during times of heavy snowfall, this jacket did an exceptional job shedding water off the hood, shoulders and body of the jacket. However, if you were to wear this jacket in heavy rain or consistent snowfall, you may run into issues where water will seep into the jacket and impact the down inside. When rain or snow really starts falling, it’s recommended you throw a shell or rain jacket overtop the Stretchdown Popover to protect yourself from getting too waterlogged.
How it compares
What stands out about the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Popover as compared to competitors is its exceptional durability and warmth. What it lacks in its versatility to wear on high-exertion outdoor activities, it makes up for in its weight and its ability to pack down super small. While more affordable, at 1 pound and 7.6 ounces, the Stretchdown Popover is a bit heavier than other large baffle jackets on the market like the $500 Arc’teryx Thorium Hoodie (1 pound, 2.2 ounces) and the $400 Rab Neutrino Pro (1 pound, 3 ounces). If extreme warmth is your concern, consider the much pricier $700 Arc’teryx Thorium SV Hoodie (1 pound, 6.9 ounces), which promises unmatched warmth in severe weather. And if weight and packability of the Stretchdown Popover is a big deal breaker, try instead the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie, which isn’t as warm but is a great ultra-light, ultra-versatile puffy for all seasons.
Bottom line
The ultra-durable and impressively warm Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Popover Hoodie doesn’t disappoint. With the look and comfort of a hooded sweatshirt but the technical build of a high-quality down jacket, this puffy is my go-to pick for casual winter activities, like walking around town during holiday festivals, chill hikes with friends or sipping hot chocolate around the campfire. While it’s slightly on the heavier side and doesn’t pack down as small as some of my other down jackets, the price point, warmth factor and durability make it one of my favorite pieces of winter apparel.