User Review: Mountain Hardwear Refugium Jacket

This jacket is the bomb! Now that I've had it for a few weeks, I seriously wonder how I ever got by without it. The light weight, warmth and fit are as good if not better than any similar mid layer style piece I've ever worn, but it's what's inside that really rocks!

Mountain Hardwear has apparently hitched up with a new company that I've never heard of called Ardica. You've got to see and try it to believe it!

Ardica makes a system which is built into the jacket that provides power, heat and charging capability all in one. It's a component system and the jacket and battery are sold separately. With the battery inserted into the jacket and properly charged, this jacket is like none you've ever worn! The system's three heat panels keep you toasty warm, and there's a USB outlet in the pocket so that you can simultaneously charge your cell or Ipod.

I've used it ice fishing, hiking, snowmobiling and sitting watching the local high school hockey team. It kept me toast while fishing for 5 hours and allowed me to rock out to some Motorhead while doing so. Pretty darn cool if you ask this Golden Gopher!!!