Full disclosure: here at Skimo Co, we chose the previous version of the Mezzalama jacket as our (now world-famous) shop jackets, so of course we are somewhat partial to it. Each and every member of our team has one, and we ski, run, eat, sleep, love, shower, and work in them on a nearly daily basis. Perfectly insulated (in our humble opinions) for skinning in cold, windy, or really any weather (except downright hot and sunny weather-- suns out, guns out). This updated version has several mostly cosmetic and aesthetic changes, none of which really alter our opinions on this jacket. Now with a slightly softer sleeve material, this version retains the weather resistance that we loved in the previous version. Two zippered hip pockets replace the single left-chest pocket, and, rather than a zipper garage, a flat flap on the inside top of the zipper protects your chin from cold zipper abuse. At the end of the day, the fact that we all own and regularly use this jacket is the best recommendation we can give it-- buy this jacket, you'll love it!
Strategic insulation on the chest and arms keep you warm without insulating too much, while super breathable stretchy mesh under the arm and on the back vent heat and sweat.
Reflective graphics and trim help with visibility in low-light conditions, and allow for a margin of safety when touring on piste where snowcats and machinery are moving around.
Warm and breathable Polartec Alpha material breathes like a dream and dries quickly when moisture does build up.
This version stows into the hood, and packs up tight and compact, giving you no excuse to leave it at home.
Hood is water and windproof and is thin enough to fit underneath a helmet.
Lightest and most breathable insulation Dynafit jacket
Bottom Line
Race weight insulation for fast travel
1/20/2020
Comment from
Onno
Your are right! I meant the alpha2 with polartec insulation indeed :-)
Good to hear that you won’t leave home without it :-). How does the dynafit down jacket fit into this equation? Would you consider this an alternative or do you also always bring a down jacket with you?
Hi Onno, the Radical Down Jacket is warmer and higher loft, so more of an extra layer than an outer layer in most circumstances. You'd likely wear the Radical over the Mezzalama when starting out in the morning or when your route goes into the shade. Alternatives to the Mezzalama would more likely be something like the Millet Extra Rutor or Karpos Alagna Plus, which are both in the category of "breathable, mostly windproof, light puffy."
Hi Skimo team, what layer do you typically use the mezzalama polar jacket for? Would this work on top of base layer and mezzalama race jacket https://www.dynafit.com/mezzalama-race-men-jacket-08-0000071070?number=08-0000071070_0000000023
Hi Onno, not sure of a "Mezzalama Polar" option, but I'm assuming you mean the Mezzalama Alpha, which utilizes Polartec insulation? Yes, the Mezzalama Alpha is an ideal choice for over the Mezzalama Race -- it's moderately warm (but somewhat breathable), windproof, and hooded, making it a good step up in protection from the elements if you have the Mezzalama Race (stretchy, fully breathable, non-windproof) underneath. Personally, I don't leave home without it!
