Mountain Hardwear Kor Airshell Warm jacket – Stretchy and Warm

Kate Agathon

 

Designed for fall or spring days, the Mountain Hardwear Kor Airshell Warm jacket has all the features you’d expect from a hybrid jacket: stretchy fabric, insulation, and mobility.

Mountain Hardwear Kor Airshell Warm jacket review

For me, what makes the aptly named Kor Airshell Warm stand out from other hybrid jackets is that its warmth (and it is surprisingly warm, thanks to its Teijin Octa Airmesh lining) is distributed evenly, so there are no cold spots when I’m wearing it.

 

Whether I’m cross country skiing (I wear it on the colder days because of the amount of warmth it provides), walking the dog, or just going around town, the surprisingly lightweight Kor Airshell Warm does exactly as its name says it does: it keeps me warm.

 

While this is a great all-around jacket, specific activities I’d recommend this for are hiking and cycling; aerobic activities where extra warmth and protection from the wind are needed, and changing layers to suit conditions is impractical.

 

Constructed from durable Pertex Quantum Air 20D Stretch Ripstop recycled fabric, the jacket material is soft and breathable.

Key features:

• Adjustable (!) hood with rear halo cinch

• Full-length two-way center front zip

• Raglan sleeve construction and underarm gussets for

freedom of movement.

 

With two zip chest pockets, an internal mesh pocket, and two hand pockets, the

Kor Airshell Warm has more pockets than any other hybrid jacket I’ve worn previously.

 

One notable feature is the bungee clips inside the hand pockets. While I really like the concept, the clips need to be a tad larger to accommodate my keys or glove liners with attachments.

 

The Kor Airshell Warm moves with you and provides the right amount of coverage and warmth so that you are focused on the task at hand, not your jacket.

 

The well-designed fit of the jacket was flattering and not too bulky or skintight; but when you consider what it was designed for (single layer aerobic activities where it is an inconvenience to constantly be switching out layers), it makes sense.

In keeping up with industry color trends, Mountain Hardwear is using colors that appear differently in certain lights. Is the jacket grey? Is the jacket green? Is the jacket blackish? The official color name of my jacket is Black Spruce. Which, in a way, makes sense. Depending on the light, it could appear as any one of those colors.

 

I’m pretty basic in that I prefer colors that don’t require interpretation. If pants are dark purple, don’t call them Raven, call them dark purple. That way, I have an idea of exactly what to expect when the product arrives. I believe I’m in the minority on this, as other feedback I’ve received is that the gray/green/black color looks modern and exciting.

 

Overall, I really liked Mountain Hardwear’s Kor Airshell Warm for its fit and function. For me, it stands out among others for its ability to evenly distribute warmth.