Mountain Hardwear Men's Monkey Man Jacket

Amazing!
February 11, 2012

This fleece is some sort of alien technology. The second I put it on I feel 10 degrees warmer. I have had synthetic insulated jackets in the past like the MH Compressor or OR Neoplume and I must say that this performs comparably. My only qualm with this is that it is sort of heavy. My XL weighs in at roughly 23 ounces. It doesn't compress as well as synthetic fill jackets, however it is much more forgiving in regard to snags or wayward embers. It dries quickly, and has 2 side hand pockets that are tall enough (the pocket goes from the waistband to the upper chest area) to hold a Nalgene Silo (48 oz.) Highly recommended.

Excellent Fleece
January 25, 2012

I am 5'7" 165 with 42 inch chest - athletic build with long arms. Ordered Large and fits me perfect. Not much room to spare but not tight either and fits over mid or heavy weight base layer without issue. Great for layering. Great collar, super soft & very comfortable - people love touching it.

Like Monkey Like Son
December 21, 2011

Great jacket - my son liked it so much that I bought him one and he's getting "where did you get that cool, soft jacket" all over the sunny southwest. Like a lot of Mountain Hard Wear tops, the body & the sleeves are a littel long, but I like it that way. Just as long as you know, going in, what you're getting. If you happen to have short arms (short sleeve length) you may be disappointed.

Best fleece around!
December 01, 2011

Just like everyone else says... this is a great fleece jacket. It is very soft and very warm. Being a fleece, it is obviously not supposed to be wind or water proof. But it works great as a base layer. I am 6ft - 175lbs, and the large fits me perfectly with probably an extra inch in the sleeves. It has that nice trim, athletic fit and feel. Basically, I would say it is worth every penny of the price tag. It is an investment, but you will not find a BETTER fleece for the price! Just buy it! You will never be able to let it go.

Like wearing your favorite blanket!!
November 26, 2011

This is the most comfortable jacket you can own. Very lightweight yet super warm. Expensive for a fleece but I will wear this thing anytime I can because it is so darn comfortable! Roomy pockets and comfortable form fitting cuffs. It is not windproof but is resistant to most cool breezes. Can get a little warm because it is wind resistant when the temperature rises. Some reviews said it runs small so I ordered an XL but I found it to run true to large. A large would probably fit me better but I won't take it off long enough to exchange it..

Phurry Walls!!
October 12, 2011

I bought this fleece as a thermal layer underneath my shell during colder days. I really love the soft feel of this particular type fleece in fact I felt more like a dog than a monkey-man due to the constant "petting" I received from admirerers. It does run on the small size so if you are looking to wear this more like a regular jacket you will want to go a size up. I'm 5'6" 165lbs and a large usually fits me well but I went with the medium for layering purposes. The arms run a little long but I don't see this as a problem. All in all one of the warmest fleece jackets I'v ever owned.

Good Product
August 21, 2011

I like the style - I like the feel of it and that was with no shirt on underneath. I purchased XL which fit - but XL usually fits a little bit larger on me - I like the room. I'm going to order another one in another color - just to have - but going to try a 2X to see how that fits. I live in South Florida and won't get much of a chance to use it here - but will when I travel .........

mountain hardwear
July 06, 2011

High quality materials and construction as expected from this brand. I have one of their soft shells which is 5 years old and looks new. Monkey man jacket is not quite as substantially made and has no pit jips.

March 05, 2011

This is a great jacket, very warm and comfortable. Great layering piece or Stan alone. Be warned though, the Size runs small though so order up. Very warm and good looking. Great jacket

Softest Fleece Jacket Ever
February 26, 2011

Simply put, the "Monkey Phur" is the softest material ever; It feels like you're wearing a blanket without the bulk. When you wear it, people want to pet you. The jacket does run fitted, so I think it's a good idea to go one size up.

Great Buy
February 15, 2011

This is a great jacket and I would recommend it to anyone. It can be worn by itself, I've had it on in 10 degree weather and was perfectly warm. If I layer it with my MHW syncro it is almost too warm even below zero. It is super soft, great stretch and is extremely light for the warmth it provides. The only complaint I have is that the arms are a little long.

Almost too warm
February 14, 2011

Perfect fleece for backpacking - nice touches like leaving out the phur right where the backpack hip belts rest. Jacket is so warm that I don't get to wear it as much as I'd like because I get too hot - like taking down my tent on a 32 degree morning made me break out in a sweat. Would have been 5 star rating but the sleeves are too long for me. I wear a 32/33 inch sleeve and the medium is a 34 inch sleeve. All the other brands (Patagonia, NF, Marmot, etc.) make the medium 34 inches so there's no alternative. The fit is snug but that's what you want in a backpacking fleece - it won't bunch up under a shell or when you strap the pack on.

Best Fleece Ever
February 07, 2011

I have a buddy that has been wearing his Monkey Man fleece for years. I've been jealous of him for years. I just got mine and literally have worn it every day since. I know it is built to last because my friend wore it all the time and it always looked like it was in excellent condition. I recently went on a day hike and this was an awesome fleece layer. It kept me super warm in 20 degree weather. Wear a short sleeve shirt underneath and a durable shell over it to block out the wind and elements and you are good to go whether you're hiking, camping, shoveling snow, skiing, or walking about site-seeing. I love the slim fit because it makes it that much easier to wear underneath any jacket. I'm 5'-8" and around 165lbs and the medium fits me great. Do not hesitate to buy this jacket. you will not regret it. Worth every cent.

Just What I Was Looking For
February 02, 2011

I bought this jacket to replace a TNF Denali jacket I had worn for some time. I friend of mine recommended Mountain Hardware, so I thought I would give it a shot. The Monkey Man jacket is exactly what I was looking for. The outer material is incredibly soft and the jacket is lightweight, but does an excellent job of keeping me warm. I'm 6'2 and weigh 195 lbs, so often it's hard to find a jacket that is long enough without being too wide, but I ordered an XL and it fits great. Long enough in overall length and sleeve length, but slim enough that I don't feel like I'm swimming in the jacket.

This thing is HOT!
January 23, 2011

I got this jacket for Christmas and I've worn it several times as a base layer. I sweat all the time now! It is extremely warm. When I wear it inside I sweat instantly. I was skiing at Vail Colorado and I was wearing this underneath another jacket, and most of the day I had to have my outer layer opened so I could cool down. It is unbelievable how great this jacket is. All the women in your life will start to pet you like a dog, this thing is soft! I would recommend it to anyone. Oh, and the fit is perfect, fits comfortably, yet snugly. Great job Mountain Hardwear!

most comfortable jacket !!!!
January 16, 2011

I personally havent found a more comfortable jacket than the monkey man. Like another reviewer wrote Its like wearing a teddy bear! I find myself leaving it on indoors. Its that comfortable! As far as warmth it performs exactly as its designed. If it cool to cold outside its perfect alone. If is in the 20s or worse, you will not find a better midlayer in my opinion. Dont hesitate!!!

Great Jacket
January 10, 2011

I love this jacket! Get your regular size if you want the slim fit that is great for layering, or get the size up for use as a stand-alone jacket.

Light & WARM!
December 28, 2010

Bought the Monkey Man after trying several similar types from other brands. Finding a jacket that fits my arm length without being huge & boxy in the body is pretty difficult. Mountain Hardware stuff fills the bill generally speaking, and the Monkey Man is great. Very lightweight and warm! Have not had to even layer it here in the 0 degree Northwest winter. Only minus: The one I got had a weird "twist" in the construction, so it would not zip or wear straight. Sent it back & am purchasing another in hopes it was a fluke. Outstanding service & returns policy with Altrec - though shipping can be a pain if you're trying out several.

So glad I bought it!
December 27, 2010

After reading all the reviews I took the plunge. I have a MH Windstopper Tech Jacket that had lasted well over 6 years. I bought the Monkey Man in XL (fits true to size to Tech jacket) in black. I don't take it off it's so comfortable, surprisingly warm (start sweating inside), and despite not being officially windproof does a darn good job. Another great MH product. I'll definitely be back.

Love this jacket!
November 15, 2010

I am actually a female who bought this men's jacket since I wanted something a little bit comfier than the women's sizes. I absollutely LOVE this jacket and would recommend it to anyone. I am 5'3'' 120 lbs and the men's small fit me perfectly with room to spare. The "phur" is amazing and so warm...I get compliments all the time!

Cozy furry amazing jacket
October 28, 2010

I love this jacket it is warm and fuzzy on the inside and is a great base layer to put under a nice shell. I do have to mention thought that it is not windproof, but breathes nicely!

Versatile, comfortable, warm and light
September 09, 2010

Just got back from a few days in the Sierra Nevadas which gave me a chance to try out the monkey man jacket... outstanding! Temps got below freezing each night and the jacket was warm with just a light wind shell over it. Very breathable, even under high aerobic activity. Packs smaller than it looks. Versatile addition to any backpack.

Fuzzy & Warm rolled into 1
July 18, 2010

Wonderful sweater! I received one from work and my boyfriend liked it too, so we ordered him one. He is a wild land firefighter so weight and warmth were key in a sweatshirt. This one fit the bill in every way, and is very comfortable for all day wear.

Soft and comfy!
March 29, 2010

I bought this jacket a few weeks ago. I just need something warm and light. I hated wearing jackets until I got this one!

Warm and Light
February 10, 2010

Great jacket very warm, very light, and fits well. The jacket is very easy to move around in and extremely comfortable. It is form fitting so it doesn't have the bulky feel as some of the other jackets. The power stretch cuffs keep the jacket sleeves out of your way when working with your hands. Great Product!

warmest jacket i have ever owned!
January 25, 2010

its perfect for whatever winter activity you can imagine! I love mountain hardware!!

Monkey Man Purchase #2
January 05, 2010

I bought this for my boyfriend for Christmas and he loves it! He has one from last year that he wears non-stop and wanted a new color. It is super warm, cozy and layerable. He wears a large and is 5'11" 170 1bs.

Great Jacket and Awesome Customer Service!!!!!
January 04, 2010

Jacket is exactly what I wanted and is warm as long as there is no wind blowing. Altrec's customer service is by far some of the best I have encountered.

awsome:)
December 29, 2009

this is my fifth mountain hardwear jacket when i saw it in the store (rei) i said what the heck tried it on and now i live in this thing its super cozy with tech features i love. nice and toasty warm. my other jackets have lasted nearly ten years really im stoked :)

Fantastic!
December 21, 2009

My son loved his jacket and now wants to get one for his girl! Great service!

Great Jacket!
December 02, 2009

This is the second Monkey Man jacket I have bought, and it is great! It is so lightweight yet warm and looks nice as well. I think this is the best fleece jacket you can buy!

This is a great jacket...
October 27, 2009

This jacket is worth every penny..it is so warm and so soft but without being bulky. I will definitely have to buy another!

Great jacket- order one size up
July 21, 2009

This is a wonderful jacket, so cozy and soft- but it fits snugly through the chest so order one size up. Sleeve details are great

My favorite jacket
May 08, 2009

This is my third monkey jacket. I eventually want one of every color. Great for wearing around town and extremely warm under a shell. I'll gladly pay full price for this jacket.

Great Jacket
December 29, 2008

This jacket is so comfy and it is a good all around jacket. Not waterproof keep that in mind.

Absolutely love it!
November 16, 2008

So I'm not a big technical guy, but this jacket rocks. First day I got it, I actually fell asleep on the jacket, using it as a pillow b/c it was so soft. It looks great too, and definitely stands out against the crowd. Doesn't block the wind entirely (like my MH Windstopper Tech), but it does a decent job. Also, its really warm b/c the arms are somewhat tight fitting. Only complaint is the lack of pit zips/vents; if they came out w/ a Monkey Man with vents, I'd be all over it. Sizing: Great fit on me. I bought a Medium and it was the exactly right fit for me. If anything, I'd say the sleeves are a 1/4" too short on me (I'm a 34/35 sleeve length is dress shirts). For other jacket reference, I wear a medium in MH Windstopper Tech and a medium in The North Face Venture. In just about every brand actually, medium for me.

Outstanding fleece
November 04, 2008

This jacket is unbeatable for warmth-to-weight. It is extremely comfortable and feels amazing against the skin. Although it isn't windproof, it keeps you so warm on windy days, it tends not to matter. The only problems I have with the jacket is that the cuffs lose their elasticity relatively quickly, but this certainly doesn't detract enough from the value of the jacket not to buy it. It also makes for a great layering piece. The only other jacket I would consider to come close to the Monkey Man is Patagonia's R2. I'm 6' 2" and about 175-180 pounds with really long arms and it fits me just fine.

toasty fleece
March 04, 2008

This is one, warm fleece, no doubt. I find mine best layered under a windproof vest--the nice soft "fur" is great to wipe face and nose while biking, scrambling, etc. As per my usual fit with Mtn. Hardwear, I need about a half-size bigger than what I normally would wear.

Perfect
February 05, 2008

There are three things that make a great jacket. First is weight- the Monkey Man is the lightest jacket I have ever owned. Second is the feel- the Monkey Man is the softest jacket I have ever owned. And third is warmth- I have never felt cold or even chilly while wearing the Monkey Man. It even exceeds these boundaries. You can't find a better jacket.

Great Jacket: A+
January 08, 2008

Great Jacket. Bought one last year, and so far it's lived up to my expectations and more regarding warmth to weight ratio. The Medium fits me very well (I am 5'11, 137 pound) with a bit extra in the sleeve, a nice length just past my belt and the chest is comfy - not too tight, but then again, not too loose. I wouldn't layer much underneath as the sleeve tend to be a bit tight in the bicep/upper arm area with too much underneath. Very soft and extremely breathable, so it doesn't work well by itself in windy conditions (I've found it is actually rather prone to letting wind through as compared to most other fleece) but then again, I'm sure the high pile fleece wasn't designed to keep the wind out. Once isolated underneath a wind blocking layer (I use a Marmot Oracle Jacket or my Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Jacket most of the time) it is absolutely the warmest midlayer I have ever owned and have felt comfortable in temperatures down to single digits with wind chill of -30. From time to time I also layer under my Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Vest and that also works surprisingly well. If I wear the Monkey Man Jacket indoors by itself, I often find myself overheating within a few minutes and must unzip or plain take it off - The High Pile fleece is that effective. Overall, great coat with great versatility in many different situations and a great piece to own whether using to walk from place to place casually or in the outdoors hiking/backpacking as a technical piece.