With the Sunridge-GTX-Pro-3L Jacket and Bib Pants, Mammut offers a combo for the "freerider who doesn't want to compromise on the mountain". I tested for you whether the clothing delivers what it promises.
What does Sunridge actually mean? Outdoor clothing items are often given evocative names of famous mountains, special areas or the like. My Google search for Sunridge left me a little disappointed, as only one mall in Calgary bears this name. Well then, only the good old dictionary can help me. In vain, no hits for this compound word either. Never mind, "sun" (sun) and "ridge" (mountain ridge) are welcome companions of the freerider, even if they are not written together.
That settles it for me that I have a quirk: I always want to know why something is called what it's called, otherwise I'm actually quite normal. I'm passionate about skiing, I'm not particularly talented, but I enjoy it. I prefer to ski wide, flowing powder slopes, and I'm willing to put up with the odd ascent. In between, it can also be a somewhat steeper gully. If there is no powder snow, I work on my technique on the piste and also on moguls.
Little and very late snowfall in the 2014/15 season drove me onto the glaciers at the beginning of November, then onto various ski slopes and finally into the backcountry after the first dump. I've been out and about with the combo for a good 20 days so far and have tested the Mammut Sunridge-GTX-Pro-3L combo in a wide variety of situations. And now we finally come to my findings, which you have had to wait so long for.
Mammut Sunridge GTX Pro 3L Jacket Women
Features
In addition to the features already taken for granted with Mammut jackets, such as a ski pass pocket on the wrist, pre-shaped sleeves, hand gaiters, zip-off snow skirt, loops with press studs for attaching jackets to pants and a helmet-compatible adjustable hood, the Sunridge GTX Pro 3L Jacket offers an adjustable collar, 2-way underarm zippers for ventilation and two higher front pockets, which should make it easy to use even with a backpack on.
According to Mammut, a jacket pocket inside even offers storage space for climbing skins or ski goggles. This is also equipped with a goggle cleaning cloth and is media-compatible.
Practical test
My Mammut Sunridge-GTX-Pro-3L Jacket has become a cherished piece of ski clothing for me, although it also has less good features. However, I would like to emphasize in advance that these less good features described below have little to no impact on the freerider's performance. But read for yourself...
I always find it amazing how such ultra-thin material can keep my upper body warm in crisp double-digit minus temperatures and strong winds. The adjustable hood that fits over the helmet and the warming hand gaiters are also very comfortable in such weather conditions. I only got really cold once; that was after digging for a huge snow profile. The jacket is not made for standing around for long periods of time (which freeriders don't normally do).
The two front pockets are quite large, but I always have to open the chest strap of my backpack to get to the zippers. It's worth mentioning that the chest strap sits very low on my back, as I'm wearing a backpack that's a little too big for my back length. There is also a large pocket inside the jacket which, according to the manufacturer, can even be used for climbing skins. However, my skins don't fit in there at all, even though my skis are only a good 1.70 m and the skins that go with them aren't the biggest either. Of course, the bag can be used for other purposes, ski goggles fit in there anyway (I personally don't put my goggles in there though, as I'm afraid they could be damaged by carrying the backpack).
I love the 2-way underarm zippers for ventilation from Mammut. This often saves me having to take my jacket off and stow it away on shorter ascents or on very cold days. I just leave it on, open the zippers and still don't break a sweat, or only a little. Of course, it would be luxurious if it could also be used with the backpack on. But I simply can't manage to open the zippers without taking off my backpack, no matter how much I twist and turn. I don't want to rule out the possibility that there are people who can do this.
On the one hand, I really enjoy the adjustable collar of the jacket, but on the other hand it almost drives me crazy sometimes. The collar is nice and wide and doesn't pinch at the bottom of the chin like others often do when they are fully closed. It lies in front of the chin, protrudes slightly and therefore also offers wind protection up to the mouth. Despite the comfortable width at the top, the collar closes very well at the neck. This means that no body heat is lost and no cold air penetrates from above. A pleasant feature on cold and windy days. Unfortunately, this also means that the air I breathe always reaches my ski goggles, which then tarnish briefly. Unfortunately, the zipper for adjusting the width kept getting stuck on me. It usually opened without any problems. After several attempts to close it, the zipper got stuck at some point and wouldn't let go...
I was annoyed by this collar system on a ski tour on a particularly cold day. I decided to keep the jacket on during the ascent. When I wanted to close the jacket again at the top, I noticed that my breath had frozen to the collar. A stiff, frozen collar on an ice-cold chin is extremely unpleasant!
The jacket quickly turns grey at the pressure points on the backpack and at the edges of the fabric, such as the chin, but of course this also depends on the color you choose. The choice between "salamander" and "maliblue" is rather limited. Personally, the jacket seems a little tight around the hips, although I have to mention that I generally wear protector pants when skiing. So much for my findings on the jacket, let's move on to the pants ...
Sunridge GTX Pro 3L Bib Pants Women
Features
Pre-shaped knees, belt loops on the waistband for the jacket-trousers connection and side ventilation backed with pink mesh as well as the hem edge reinforcement and ski edge protection are just some of the obligatory features of these pants from Mammut.
The pants also have a removable elastic bib with a "Barryvox-compatible" pocket that can be closed with a zipper and an additional safety button. A leg height adjustment system is designed to ensure that the trousers are less likely to be worn down. According to the manufacturer, the trouser leg ends are lined all around with a cut-resistant material to protect them from ski edges.
Practical test
In general, I can say that these trousers are made for riding, not for standing around. They have a comfortable wide cut and offer optimum comfort of movement. Climbs can take place in complete silence, as the material doesn't make an annoying "crackling noise" like many others do. The side ventilation extends from the hips down to the knee and therefore offers comfortable and adequate ventilation. However, the Sunridge-GTX-Pro-3L Bib Pants can't keep me warm for very long without movement, despite warm ski underwear and closed side ventilation, it gets chilly when standing around.
Three zippered pockets on the pants themselves and one on the bib offer enough space for various utensils. Two pockets are lined with fleece, which I like to use to quickly warm up my hands from time to time. The third pocket is attached to the leg and is ideal for maps or the like.
According to the manufacturer, the bib pocket is a Barryvox-compatible zippered pocket with a safety catch and loop on the inside. Naturally, I tried it out at home. The device fits in perfectly and is also secured so that you can't lose it in the event of an accident. In my opinion, however, the positioning of the avalanche transceiver directly on the ribs is somewhat unfavorable in the event of a fall. I therefore stowed my Barryvox in one of the two zippered pockets.
The elastic bib is very comfortable to wear. This is also confirmed by the fact that I still haven't taken it off, although it annoys me every time I have to take off almost all of my outerwear to go to the toilet.
The edge protection on the lower legs of the pants is unfortunately inadequate. The protection didn't hold up to my ski edges for long and many small cuts went so far through that they also cut the snow skirt underneath.
The leg height adjustment is a very pleasant feature thanks to the press stud fastening. Nice to have, although of course not absolutely necessary.
Conclusion
The Mammut Sunridge Jacket & Bib Pants Women is a comfortable and high-quality combo for freeriders. In addition to its low weight, it offers comfortable features such as underarm ventilation and functional side ventilation on the legs. Large pockets allow various items to be carried close to the body for quick access, so you don't always have to take off your backpack. Depending on the position of the zipper, an adjustable collar keeps the heat in or allows it to escape.
In my opinion, the inner pocket for climbing skins is superfluous, as it is too small for freeride ski skins anyway.
The edge protection is inadequate. However, I would like to point out that I have never had a pair of pants (not even from any other manufacturer) where the so-called edge protection actually prevented cuts from the ski edges.
Note: I had Kevlar fitted by a tailor as edge protection on another pair of pants. The fabric is heavy, but it's the only one I haven't cut yet.
Advantages and disadvantages of the combo
+ Weight
+ Excellent weather protection
+ Helmet-compatible hood
+ Underarm zippers
+ Large pockets (jacket and trousers)
+ Comfortable movement
+ Side ventilation
+ / - adjustable collar
+ Adjustable collar width-adjustable collar
- zipper on collar
- choice of colors
- bib pocket for avalanche transceiver
- edge protection
Details Mammut Sunridge GTX Pro 3L Jacket Women
Sizes: XS to XL
Colors: salamander and maliblue
Material: GORE-TEX® Pro 3-Layer
Weight: 810 grams ? my scales only show 560 grams for size XS
Recommended retail price: 700.00 euros
Gusset at the collar for width adjustment
Pre-shaped, three-way adjustable, helmet-compatible hood
2-way underarm zip for ventilation
Splashproof, robust 2-way front zip
Pre-shaped sleeves with Velcro cuffs
Extra-wide cuffs that can also accommodate gloves
Lycra® hand gaiters
Inside zipped pocket for ski goggles with goggle cleaning cloth
Multimedia-compatible interior
Zip-off snow skirt specially tailored to the female figure, made of warm and kidney-protecting material
Loops with press studs for fastening jackets and trousers
link to the manufacturer's product information page, here you can find the jacket in our partner store.
Details Sunridge GTX Pro 3L Bib Pants Women
Sizes: 34 to 46
Color: dark space
Material: GORE-TEX® Pro 3-Layer
Weight: 630 grams ? 655 grams for size 38 with bib
Recommended retail price: 550.00 euros
Removable, elastic bib
1 Barryvox-compatible zip pocket with safety catch and loop inside
Waist adjustment system adjustable from the outside
Belt loops on the waistband for jacket-trousers connection
2 zip pockets with pleasantly warming fleece lining
1 map-compatible leg pocket with splash-proof zip
Side ventilation with splash-proof zip, backed with mesh
Snow skirt with loop for ski boot attachment
Seam edge reinforcement and ski edge protection made of Dyneema®
link to the manufacturer's product information page, here you can find the pants in our partner store.
