What is the Masao Light Jacket?The Masao Light is designed for all-mountain activities where you need protection and manoeuvrability with minimum weight. It is reliably waterproof and breathable and will pack down small for storage in your pack when the conditions allow.
What is it made of?This lightweight all-rounder is made from a 20D, 100% Polyamide (in this case nylon). The outer fabric keeps the weight down, but still provides good abrasion resistance as well as reliable wind and waterproofing thanks to Mammut’s DRYtechnology PU membrane. The membrane offers a water column (Hydrostatic Head) of 20,000mm and a breathability MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate) of 20,000 g/m²/24h, making the Masao a great choice for UK conditions. The outer has been treated with a PFC-free DWR to further help the jacket shed water and keep the user dry and comfortable.
What are the features?Starting from the top, the Masao Light features a helmet-compatible hood to protect you from adverse weather, this hood offers a tailored fit and has adjustment toggles to allow for a snug fit when not wearing a helmet. The main front zip and the pocket zips are all YKK Aquaguard zips which have been designed to keep the water out. Talking of pockets, the Masao Light has a single chest pocket and two harness-compatible hand pockets, keeping them out of the way and accessible when wearing a climbing harness or rucksack hip belt. This hardshell jacket also features pre-shaped sleeves and hems that can be adjusted for an individual fit. At the bottom of the sleeves, the cuffs are slightly asymmetric with elastic on the inside to keep the sleeves secure and a hook and loop adjustment on the outer. The jacket packs down impressively small and comes complete with a stow bag for exactly that. The stow bag allows you to carry it in your pack in case of need.
How does it fit?The Masao Light has been cut to fit into Mammut’s Athletic Fit block. In practice, that means the Masao Light offers a dynamic cut, defined body shape with pre-shaped sleeves and elastic/stretchable materials. The athletic fit works best in combination with fewer layers underneath.
- With PFC-free DWR treatment
- Tailored, adjustable, helmet-compatible hood
- Reinforced hood peak
- Underarm zipper for optimum ventilation
- Waterproof Aquaguard front zipper
- 2 climbing harness-compatible front pockets with waterproof zippers
- Pre-shaped sleeves
- Slightly asymmetric cuffs, elastic on the inside
- Hem width can be adjusted with the drawstring
- Additional stow bag for low packing volume
Care and maintenance
To keep your outdoor clothing and equipment in tip top condition and performing to its maximum we recommend the use of Nikwax products. We have been using Nikwax products since day one (26th March 1986) and have found them to be totally reliable, dependable and effective. Today’s Nikwax treatments contain environmentally friendly elastic water-repellent polymers that bond to fabric fibres, leaving the spaces between open and breathable. These stretchy polymers are able to stretch and move with the fabric so they stay put for longer and work better.
Nikwax treatments will not change the look or feel of the fabric and they are all water based, environmentally safe, non-flammable and contain no nasty Fluorocarbons. Nikwax products can be used to clean, re-proof and revitalise all your outdoor technical clothing and equipment.
Waterproof breathable clothing has a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish applied to the face fabric during the manufacturing process. The DWR forces water to bead up and roll off the surface therefore preventing the fabric from absorbing moisture. If the outside of your jacket is soaked in a layer of cold water, the warm damp air within can’t escape and will condense on the inside. This makes the jacket feel cold clammy and can make you think that it’s leaking. The DWR finish is not permanent and needs to be maintained and revitalised to optimise performance.
This three layer waterproof jacket should be cleaned regularly with Nikwax Tech Wash; I wash my jacket about once a month, or more often if it gets really filthy. Regular washing with Tech Wash will maintain the DWR for longer and remove salts and oils that can contaminate the fabric, and it will keep your lovely jacket clean and smelling fresh. Washing can be done in a machine according to the manufacturers care guidelines (on the internal label). First clean out any detergent and conditioner residue from the machine dispenser and then add the required amount of Tech Wash and away you go. Hand washing is also suitable but be sure to rinse the garment well.
When you notice that rain/water is no longer beading up and rolling off it’s time to re-proof. Nikwax TX Direct will re-instate a long lasting DWR to completely rejuvenate your jacket. Re-proofing can also be done in the machine once a garment has been washed. Just add the TX-Direct and use the same programme you used for washing. You can also use the spray-on product on a damp garment that has just been washed.
You wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and never have it serviced, so make sure you regularly wash and re-proof your quality kit.