Himali Monsoon Hardshell Jacket Review

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In January 2024, I discovered Himali and the exceptional quality they offer when I ordered the Altitude Down Parka. You can check out that review here. I have been thoroughly impressed with the performance and durability of the parka. However, I needed to add a hard-shell jacket to my gear locker as a waterproof barrier when climbing, resting or belaying under wet ice climbs. I decided to try the Himali Monsoon Hardshell Jacket. Whether in the upper peninsula of Michigan or high in the Rocky Mountains, staying dry is the number one rule in staying warm.

Himali was started in 2014 after a chance meeting of two men on adventure in Nepal. Himali has proven itself to be a leader in extreme weather gear. Their performance base designs use feedback from professional mountaineers & mountain athletes to create apparel to help you perform at your highest level.

Lightweight, Packable and Feathery Soft

I was super stoked when my package arrived and it was so light, I wasn’t sure there was anything inside! The Monsoon HardShell Jacket is anything but “hard.” It is created with a Toray 20k/20k breathable waterproof membrane with a silky smooth interior liner that feels great against your skin. That makes this jacket great for all four seasons. It breathes very well. When I wore it with bare arms, it never felt clammy or sticky. Himali also added an eco-DWR coating to double protect you from precipitation.

The weight of this jacket is a tiny 14.2 ounces. It packs down super small and will be a great companion for hiking and backpacking. The inside seams are sealed with the same super, soft layer so the result is a seamless feeling on the inside of this jacket. Fleece in the wrists and chin areas add to the meticulous detail and overall comfort.

Easy Adjustments for Excellent Protection

The Himali Monsoon Hardshell Jacket has adjustment points in every place you need them. Starting at the waist is an easily adjustable bungee to keep the breeze from blowing up your back. The wrist cuffs tighten by adjusting the hook and look strap. There is plenty of adjustment length at the wrists to tighten them all the way down or keep them snug over a large pair of gloves.

Adjusting the hood is super easy! There are two easily grasped cords that hang down from the neck area. Give them a pull and you will perfectly shape the visor on the hood and prevent rain and wind from entering. There were no unfortunate gaps when tightening the hood and this will fit perfectly over a ball cap or eye protection. The last adjustment is the horizontal hood adjustment that will keep out the wind when wearing a helmet. This is a great feature since ice climbing along the Lake Superior shoreline can be super windy with lots of spray. Himali clearly took the time to make the adjustments versatile and perfectly functional.

Zippers and Pockets on the Himali Monsoon Hardshell Jacket

Himali designed the outside hand pockets on the Monsoon Hardshell with lots of room and versatility. The pockets are HUGE! The are large enough for a large pair of gloves in one pocket and a hat and skins in the other. The pocket zippers are waterproof and are super long. The long zippers and large pockets make them accessible even if you are wearing a climbing belt. It’s a fantastic design. The zippered pocket on the inside of the jacket is a great place to store your keys or credit card. The inside pocket was too small for a cell phone and I thought making it a little bigger for modern cell phones would be a great design change in the future.

Himali added vent zippers under the arms which will come in super handy to shed a little core heat when you are working hard. These zippers are sealed waterproof which made them a little tough to zip. The unzipping went well since the zipper pulls down toward your waist. Trying to zip the armpit zippers back up proved a little more challenging since the I needed a third arm to hold down the jacket while I zipped. They are comfortable and smooth and didn’t bunch or rub my armpit.

The main entry zipper on the front of the jacket is waterproof vislon YKK zipper. It allows for great flexibility and movement. It has is a two way zipper so it can easily accommodate your climbing belt while belaying or grant easy access to you layers underneath.

A Great Fit and Stylish Wearability

This jacket fits like air surrounding your layers, breathing and shedding moisture, while protecting you from wind and rain. The waist and sleeves have enough length for my 6 feet frame and I am super satisfied with my purchase. I would describe the sizing as “normal” and would recommend sizing up if you are going to wear it over thick layers. A recent update from Himali boasts an extra 2 cm of sleeve length which will make this jacket even better!

Himali selected a wide variety of colors to offer this jacket ranging from bright yellow (AntiFreeze) to blacks, blues, reds and some very trendy jewel tones (Meditation Red and Electric Teal). This is not your father’s raincoat. It is a beautiful, fashionable design that is wearable everyday. See the Himali website for the full range of sizes and colors for men and women.

Technical Details (From Himali’s Website)

• 20K/20K breathable waterproof membrane
• Fully seam taped
• Eco-DWR coating
• Windproof
• ‘Hood Bill’ laminated hood
• Tapered back hem
• Underarm zippers
• Reflective details for visibility
• Zippered internal pocket
• Zippered harness compatible hand pockets
• Waterproof YKK® zippers
• Average weight: ~ 14.2 oz

A Versatile Jacket for Every Adventure

The Himali Monsoon Harshell Jacket is designed to last. Hold this jacket in your hands and you will understand the difference between a well designed piece of outdoor gear and a department store rain jacket. This jacket has so many uses! It is already on my gear list for backpacking and ice climbing. My mind races to think of all the other uses! As a splash jacket while riding on a boat. A protective layer while inspecting watercraft for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, a seasonal job I picked up this year. Or just about anything else that will expose you to the frightful mountains winds or chilly spray of the Great Lakes.

While the price may seem a little steep at $440, I broke that down into a jacket for 4-seasons. It takes up minimal space in my camper van and is the essential piece of my layering system to stay safe, warm and dry during all of my activities. I only wish I would’ve ordered the pants to match! I’m certain it will last me for many years. You can order your own or check out all that Himali has to offer at himali.com