What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying:"I reach for the StretchDown Hooded Jacket on technical alpine days where I need a midlayer that keeps up with every move without adding bulk around the hood or shoulders. The insulated hood seals in heat during exposed ridge traverses and cold belays, and the stretch woven fabric never once got in the way on steep terrain or dynamic climbing sequences."When the route pushes into exposed terrain and temperatures drop with the altitude, a midlayer needs to do more than just keep the cold out. The Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Hooded Jacket adds full head-to-hem coverage to the proven Stretchdown platform, delivering the same freedom of movement and premium insulation as its non-hooded counterpart with the added protection of an insulated, elasticized hood that seals heat in when conditions demand it most. Stretchdown technology weaves 700-fill RDS certified down directly into a single 20D stretch doubleweave fabric, eliminating the baffled construction that causes most insulated jackets to bunch and restrict during high-output movement. The result is a layer that moves through the full range of climbing, scrambling, and trail motion without pulling at the shoulders or limiting reach overhead. Elastic cuffs and dual lower hem adjusters lock out drafts at every opening, while a two-way center front zipper manages ventilation on the approach. Zippered chest and hand pockets keep essentials organized and accessible, and an internal drop pocket handles anything that needs to stay close to the body. At just 9. 3oz, the StretchDown Hooded Jacket punches well above its weight from trailhead to summit and everywhere the cold tries to find a way in.