Macpac Nitro Hybrid Jacket Review

Mac Pacs Nitro Hybrid Jacket is a light weight insulation and wind resistant layer, for active adventurers in the mountains.

The jackets construction and fabrics make it a good choice for use in the colder months while moving in the mountains.

Using this jacket in the European alps over the latter half of winter and spring 2024, i found myself using the layer for skinning and hiking uphill in the mountains as well as a light weight running layer on cold days. 

The front panel and top sleeves of the jacket has a light nylon shell over breathable fleece (polartec® alpha® direct) to add a light layer of breathable insulation. The side seams and under sleeves have a light fleece (Polartec Power Grid) without nylon wind layer.

The back panel and hood are uninsulated, with the thickness of a nylon wind shirt.

Using the layer on a number of multi-day ski tours in the Alps and Dolomites i found the insulation level works well for outer layer when moving up hill in the mountains, all except during hot spring skiing days, where a sun shirt is all that is required.

Having the light wind shirt style nylon at your back reduces the amount of sweat you produce and often i found the combination worked well out in the mountains.

The hood is sized large to fit a climbing/ skimo helmet and has a velcro tab to reduce the size when not needed.

The Nitro Hybrid Jacket doesn’t really work for activities without a backpack unless your running during cold days in winter and then its quite nice.

Skiing down hill on the ski tours i would always be wearing a second jacket in addition to the Nitro Hybrid Jacket.