MAMMUT Ridge Jacket (2011)

I bought this jacket with the intention to replace my well worn and beaten up Mammut Alverstone Jacket that I’ve been wearing happily since Winter 08/09.
That won't happen because I'm not at all satisfied with the Ridge jacket as an outdoor jacket due to simple technical flaws that I’ve not come to expect from Mammut.
PROS: Great color choices. You get a proper choice of blue, red, black and white/grey with no unsightly bright neon colors to pander over. I got the red color which has a smooth silk like outer feel to it that was nice. Great rain protection from the rain due to a deep neck and hood pocket and a long cinch friendly hemline and cuff. At 11 ounces the Ridge is a very light weight jacket for the protection it offers. Great value at $99 on sale/$120 retail. Fit and cut as always from Mammut is flawless – there is no extra bulk, no extra fabric, no corncerns about sizing up or down to get layers in there. I’m 5’8” 150 lbs and the medium fits perfect with no extra bulk and plenty of room to layer underneath.
CONS: This jacket is NOT breathable at all. Even with the super long pit zipper vent system I was drenched in sweat during a uphill ascent with a weekend pack on my back in 50 F degree rainy weather. The 2.5L Drytech fabric is similar to the budget fabrics found on the Patagonia Torrentshell, Super Cell and Rain Shadow Jackets. It is some sort of layered rubberized DWR treated nylon that can feel like you are wearing a plastic bag over your body. This flaw alone makes this jacket completely useless as a Spring/Summer shell for serious hikers which is what most customers like me will buy it for. In contrast the Mammut Alverstone and previous DryTech jackets (with the Mammut BC Jacket being an exception) were 100% waterproof and much more breathable. Mammut sells a similarly styled jacket called the Grade Jacket that is a Gore- Tex PacLite material which cost twice as much as the Ridge and will be a more sensible purchase for serious backpackers who are considering this jacket.
For urban trekkers/bikers who are seeking a budget rain shell for your daily commute then this may serve your needs but then so will a $2 poncho.

I returned my Ridge jacket after one use and dug my Alverstone Jacket back from the grave to serve me another year before I ultimately replace it. Hopefully by then Mammut would have a more serious DryTech jacket for the price.

This DryTech 2.5L Rain Shell gets a generous 2.5 stars out of 5 from me. If you are buying this for basic weekend car camping and urban wear then you will be more happy than I am with it.