Mammut Aenergy WB Hooded Jacket Review
By Graham Johnson
Windshirts are a key part of my layering system for almost every season and almost every activity. Whether I'm ski touring, alpine rock climbing, trail running or whatever—slipping a windshirt over my baselayer or a light fleece is often perfect for the high output/slightly inclement conditions that we encounter in the mountains. And if things get worse, it's very easy to throw another layer—whether it's insulation or a shell—or both—over the top.
The downside to windshirts is that, by nature, they are very lightweight and I've certainly burned through a few of them in my time. It's been about six years since I last reviewed a windshirt (Montbell Tachyon anorak) and while I still use that ultralight/ultrapackable anorak for trail running I've moved on to slightly heavier, more durable and more versatile jackets. One might even call them super light softshells instead of windshirts. I recently purchased a Mammut Aenergy WB Hoody. Cue another rant about Mammut's naming system—I had initially thought that the WB meant it was Waterproof and Breathable but it turns out it stands for WindBreaker (HS for HardShell is what denotes waterproof and breathable...). It comes in a range of colours and also in a women's cut.
At 132g (claimed, not verified) this is almost double the weight of the Tachyon but is by no means a heavyweight. 132g seems to be a good sweet spot—in between the two stalwarts of this category—Patagonia's Houdini comes in at 109g and Arcteryx's Squamish Hoody at 140g. The Aenergy is heavy enough to have a more soft-shell like feel—avoiding the more plastic/crinkly feel of lighter fabrics like the Houdini or the Tachyon use. it has a more durable fabric on the medial aspect of the inner forearm—where Mammut apparently expects higher wear. The cuff is a nice little half-elastic design that makes it easy to push up on your forearm without being bulky when it's around your wrist.
As expected from a windbreaker, it is both wind resistant and very breathable. The fabric is lightly stretchy and keeps a nice trim fit. I can fit a light fleece and a baselayer under it, but not much else. The hood, unlike most other hooded windshirts, is very much designed for wearing with a helmet—allowing full range of motion with the hood up.
One of my ever-growing number of pet peeves is stuff sacs or pocket pouches that are just barely the right size for the thing you're stuffing. Yes, it makes the volume smaller in your pack, but they require contortionism and frustration to get them to fit. Not so with this! The WB fits very comfortably inside its chest pocket which can then be hung from a harness by a robust-enough little loop.
The bad:
The volume adjust drawcord on the hood is so long that it actually gets caught on things—I've taken to tying little knots in it so it's not so dangly. It's not a deal breaker but it is a little annoying.
LIke most Mammut products—there are so many Mammut logos that anyone, at any distance, from any angle will know what brand of windshirt you are wearing.
Aside from some relatively minor niggles this thing is great. I expect to be using it for climbing and skiing for many years.
4.5/5 stars