Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man Review

This one's way easier on the pocketbook than the Patagonia R2 Jacket - Men's or Arc'Teryx Caliber Cardigan - Men's, but heavier and less durable. If you're headed out for a serious expedition and need a heavier weight fleece, The North Face Denali is a more rugged option that will hit your wallet harder and take up more space.

See our complete Fleece Jacket - Men's Review to see how this compared to others.

Likes
The Monkey Man offers excellent fit and finish with no loose threads or uneven seams. Attention to detail includes elastic in the collar — a nice touch that keeps it from flopping too much – a zipper garage to keep cold metal away from your chin and adequate pockets. The comfort and approachability was outstanding, making the Monkey Man one of two fleeces that had total strangers walking up just to touch the fuzzy fabric. The athletic cut is ideal for thinner body types and is a nice change from blockier designs. No drawstring at the waist was one less thing to fiddle with and didn't seem necessary.

Dislikes
As with most outdoor gear, the logo was a bit obtrusive. Being made in El Salvador of polyester means no awards for ecological or social sustainability. The wrist elastic could be tight on folks with larger arms. Don't set it down in the grass — you'll never pick all the stickers out. Both the Monkey Man and the yellow Patagonia are poorly suited to foggy climates, making the North Face brown softshell a better bet that offers the same clean look for way less money.

Best Application
The Monkey Man is suitable for a wide range of applications. Climbing and bouldering, there's little to snag. Mountain biking or running, it breathes well. Lounging, you can't beat it. It would even work on the town, with random people wanting to touch you (if that's your thing). If you want a hood, check out the Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man Lite.

Stories
On a trip to the Northern California coast to harvest seaweed the fleece got damp from combing water out of the fog. I ended up with a micro-climate raining on my feet and wanted the Patagonia hooded softshell. I was dry and warm inside but on a longer day or trip it would have been a hassle.

Value
A worthwhile buy if it's all you can afford and need to get outside and play. May last a long time if cared for well.

Other Versions
Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man Lite