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The ThruDark Mountain Pro Fusion jacket enters a crowded market place yet manages to bring some genuinely new features which differentiate it from existing offerings.
Hybrid jackets like the Fusion Pro typically combine fleece and a light synthetic insulation. The insulation is targeted around the core and the fleece gives enhanced mobility and potentially more abrasion resistance when in contact with rock etc. when climbing. I’ve used a few jackets like this in the past and the insulation was configure basically like a gilet back and front or just over the front of the torso with a lower section of fleece around the waist area reducing bulk beneath the harness). Hybrid jackets like the Fusion Pro can work as both mid and light outer layers bringing more warmth and wind-proofing than a fleece for similar weight and often more compressibility. Their versatility can often streamline layering in the mountains as you can disperse with a windproof, only needing to don a hardshell if things turn really wet and gnarly. The downside is they are not so suited to milder conditions where a light fleece and windproof give you more options.
The Fusion Pro is very much aimed at the cooler spectrum of temperatures with the core insulation comprising 100gsm PrimaLoft® Gold Active with 60gsm in the sleeves. This is covered by a Pertex® Quantum PFC free DWR shell which gives a bit of showerproofing and decent wind-roofing whilst still remaining breathable. Elsewhere around the waist, side panels, lower arms and hood Polartec® Power Air is used increasing breathability and providing stretch. The hood deserves special mention in that it is a well designed ‘over the helmet’ fit as opposed to the under the helmet ‘scuba’ type hoods. This makes perfect sense for a mid/outer layer allowing you to adjust your temperature without removing your helmet as well as looking a lot less like someone in a condom suit when worn without a helmet! The hood adjusts with a cord lock to the rear of the head so there are no adjusters cluttering up the neck area. ThruDark have also incorporated a RECCO reflector into the hood. RECCO has seen a bit of a resurgence in recent years perhaps on the back of its 2015 search and rescue helicopter mounted system which has made it more genuinely useful for SAR teams. It is a passive reflector though so only searchable by teams equipped with the technology so you’re realistically talking about the European Alps, Scandinavia and North America it is in no way a substitute for avalanche beacons or PLBs. A rather cynical acquaintance in mountain rescue said it was great for body retrieval… The lower arms are likewise Polartec® Power Air with a simple cuff (no thumb slots) and thankfully cut so that you can push them up to the elbows to cool down or get them out the way when jamming without cutting off the circulation. What is it with designers over the last decade whereby the forearms of so many jackets can’t be pushed up to the elbows? I’d reckon 75% of the mid layers I’ve owned/reviewed make this simple adjustment either impossible or uncomfortable! Pocket wise you get two hand-warmers, two external ‘Napoleon’ chest pockets and an internal valuables chest pocket. The Napoleon pockets have decent sized zip pulls but the lower hand warmer pockets have very minimal pulls – this may be to keep them from snagging on hip belts etc. but it does make them a bit less useable with cold fingers. The main jacket zipper is by the way an excellent stiffened looped affair that is easy to grab with or without gloves.
In Use
A spell of fantastic autumnal weather in Scotland saw the Mountain Pro Fusion’s first outing. A scramble up Tower Ridge on the Ben, the Aonach Eagach the next day and then some hiking in the Mamores gave a range of conditions and uses. The Mountain Pro Fusion excelled in all these activities. Although it is a slightly more boxy ‘military’ cut compared to some of its competitors it doesn’t bag out and obscure your feet or feel bulky when climbing. There is excellent mobility thanks to the stretch of the fleece and as I’ve mentioned it’s nice to be able to push the sleeves up to your elbows when climbing. The Mountain Pro Fusion’s warmth means that it is not suited to steep high exertion approaches but then no insulated garment is. However for steady or stop start alpine style climbing along ridges etc. it is excellent. Again this is assuming coolish conditions, if the sun is beating down on you descending across a glacier in the afternoon then it wouldn’t be the jacket to wear. On the other hand for those early morning starts from bivi or hut it is great. The Mountain Pro Fusion is also reasonably compact so can easily be stashed in your sac when not required, my size XS tipped the scales at 470g so though not in the lightweight league it is certainly reasonable for its versatility and rugged build. Having used the Mountain Pro Fusion since October I can say the build quality and fabrics are holding up brilliantly with no visible damage or really any signs of wear. I initially thought that the PrimaLoft® Gold Active and Pertex® Quantum on the back of the jacket would be a problem sweat wise but I actually think this combination works better than those jackets that use fleece here. Whatever you use you’re going to get sweaty wearing a pack and the PrimaLoft® and Pertex® combination seems to dry more quickly and absorb less moisture (less weight) which is a win in my book. Sadly I didn’t get any winter climbing in this winter due to a rotator cuff injury picked up skiing across Norway. I’d have loved to use the Mountain Pro Fusion for some ice and mixed action – it will have to wait for next year.
The Fusion Pro is rated to 0°C however for me this seems quite conservative especially if you are intending to use it as an active mid-layer in combination with base layer and shell. There are no real standards for rating mid-layers but I’d be happy wearing the Mountain Pro Fusion at least -10°C with a shell and -5°C on its own there wasn’t much windchill.
The ThruDark Mountain Pro Fusion is a tough versatile jacket well suited to alpine and winter climbing but not out of place hiking in cooler climes.
Pros
- Versatile
- Rugged
- Sleeves that push up!
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Dinky zipper pulls on lower pockets
- A little heavier than some
SRP £250
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