Please note: This jacket is good for all genders.
See all products together in our guide: Best Waterproof Rain Jackets for Hiking
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Incredible wind protection
- Keeps in place around the face
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive
- Underarm zippers can be fiddly to use on the go
See the Mammut Taiss HS Hooded Jacket in more detail:
Verdict
I was impressed with the Mammut Taiss HS Hooded Jacket overall. Some people may think that a rain jacket is a rain jacket, but I think that Mammut’s attention to detail is what makes this jacket stand out from other hard shell jackets. Those small details and the ability to make adjustments to fit your body no matter what you are wearing underneath are what sets this jacket apart from the rest.
Group comparison table:
Mammut Taiss HS | Arc'teryx Beta LT (2024 version) | Mammut Crater IV HS | Black Diamond StormLine (now Fineline Stretch Shell) | Outdoor Research Helium Rain | Cotopaxi Cielo Rain Jacket | Marmot PreCip Eco | Arc’teryx Beta | Marmot Minimalist | Rab Firewall Waterproof Jacket | Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 | The North Face Venture 2 | Columbia Watertight II | The North Face Dryzzle Futurelight | |
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Buying Options | ||||||||||||||
Our Awards | Best Wind Protection | Best Women's Performance | Best Stretchy | Best Ultralight | Best Men's Performance | Best Womens | Best Overall Versatile Women's Jacket | Best Mens | Best Budget | |||||
Catergory | Performance/Hiking/Mountaineering | Performance / Hiking | Performance/Hiking | Daily Use / Hiking | Hiking | Hiking/General | Daily Use / Hiking | Performance / Hiking | Daily Use / Hiking | All round outdoors use, extreme conditions | Performance / Hiking | Daily Use / Hiking | Daily Use | Daily Use / Hiking |
Weight | 15.3 oz. | 13.9 oz. | 12.5 oz. | 11.3 oz. | 6.3 oz. | 10.6 oz. | 10.6 oz. | 13 oz. | 16.8 oz. | 13.2 oz. | 11.6 oz. | 13 oz. | 12 oz. | |
Waterproof | 3L | 3L Gore-Tex | 3L | 2.5L BD.dry | 2.5L Pertex | 2.5L | 2.5L NanoPro | 3L Gore-Tex | 2.5L Gore-Tex | 3 L Pertex | 2.5L Pertex | 2.5L Dryvent | 2L Omni-Tech | 3L Futurelight |
Pockets | 5 | 2 zippered hand | 5 | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 3 | 2 Zippered Hand | 2 Zippered Hand | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest | 3 pockets (2 hand) | 2 zippered chest | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand pockets; 2 internal drop-in pockets | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest |
Pit Zips | 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Packable | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Price | $366.60 | Price not available | Price not available | Price not available | $101.97 | $145.00 | Price not available | Price not available | $220.00 | $235.00 | Price not available | $154.80 | Price not available | $199.99 |
Analysis and Test Results
This especially waterproof jacket may be on the more expensive side, but it rings true that you really do get what you pay for. The Taiss is an exceptional piece of mountaineering and climbing equipment.
With its various loops and compatible pockets, you’ll have access to everything you need. The single pull hood is storm proof and handles exceptionally well with micro adjustments. It will always stay in place, even with a helmet.
Mammut have also made use of PFC free DWR treatments for this jacket, which is great to see. After testing, this jacket feels like a burly, solid option that won’t be going anywhere any time soon if you decide to invest.
Performance Comparison
Type and Style
This jacket is designed to be multi purpose and Mammut say it’s suitable for hiking, climbing, mountaineering, ski touring and free riding. From testing, this seems pretty accurate. It’s a 3 layer option that is built to last. It’s waterproof and makes use of a Aquaguard 2-way front zipper.
Water Resistance
There is certainly a difference between water resistant and waterproof and this jacket is most certainly waterproof. We don’t get a lot of rain in Southern California, but it handled plenty of moisture in my testing!
The unexpected surprise that really impressed me was its ability to handle windy conditions. I had the opportunity to test this jacket during Santa Ana windstorms and this jacket held up extremely well. We had sustained winds of 40+ MPH with gusts up to 85 MPH.
Not only did the jacket keep me warm from the wind, but the hood with integrated reinforced peak and easy to adjust bungee kept the hat and hood completely in place! Mammut has also made water resistant zippers standard on this jacket. The waterproof binding tape on the inside of the jacket is very well constructed. Short of getting a tear in the material, water is not getting through this jacket.
Breathability
The biggest issue that I have with hard shell waterproof jackets is breathability. The tag on the jacket says, “breathable, waterproof comfort for ambitious alpine pursuits”. When I think of waterproof jackets, the word “breathable” never comes to mind, if I am being honest, because if it is going to keep moisture out, it will most certainly keep moisture in.
I’m not sure there is a lot that can be done about it, but the x-vented underarm zippers mitigate the issue as much as possible. I think the zipper vents are a must for a jacket in this category.
In testing, I did find it a bit difficult to unzip/zip the vent easily. The jacket material naturally folds under the arm and the zipper can get caught up a bit. There seems to be a bit of a learning curve to easily manipulate the zipper without the feeling that you might actually break the zipper. I’m hoping that with time and use, this will become less of a concern.
Comfort and Mobility
The fit of the jacket is quite nice. The integrated bungees at both hips and on the hood keep everything snug and in place and the heavy duty hook and loop fasteners on the wrists allow for easy adjustments for sizing no matter what you are wearing under this jacket.
The jacket held up well on the trail for comfortable movement. The collar of the hood, when zipped completely up and over the face, has a small amount of soft fabric that covers the hard polyester material and zipper, which makes it super comfortable to wear. No more hard/cold material rubbing on your face!
Materials
This jacket makes use of a strong mix of polyester, polyamide and polyurethane. The Mammut Taiss feels exceptionally well put together. You can easily bash this jacket around and not feel like there is any worry of it getting a tear.
Appearance
You certainly won’t find this jacket gracing the red carpet of the Met Gala, but I think this would turn some heads on the trail or on the slopes. It definitely has all the bells and whistles that I want if I’m going to be out in harsh conditions.
Durability
The jacket material, while lightweight and comfortable, feels thick and abrasion and tear resistant. The seams are all well-constructed and the stitching is impeccable.
The first thing that is going to wear out on this jacket is going to be the hook and loop wrist fasteners. While the fastener material is the thicker, more durable type of fastener, it will inevitably wear out, but by the time it does wear out, you’ll probably be ready for a new jacket.
It would be a simple and inexpensive replacement that any repair company would be able to make short work of to get some extra life out of your jacket. All in all, this jacket feels like it sits true to it’s price point.
Weight and Packability
The pack size and weight were about to be expected for a jacket of this type. It packed well and because it is so durable, I didn’t feel the need to handle it with kid gloves which made for quick and easy access in and out of my backpack pocket.
Men
435 g / 15.3 oz.
Women
390 g / 13.7 oz.
Features
I was genuinely blown away, pun intended, by how it handled extreme winds. Everything stayed exactly where it was supposed to be.
My vision was never impaired, and I didn’t have any fear of my hat/helmet blowing off which gave me more confidence to keep moving. Weather never interfered with my activity. There was no need for making constant adjustments.
The jacket also offers plenty of pockets. Two large water resistant chest zippered pockets that have no problem holding the largest phone on the market, snacks, lip balm, etc. and one smaller zippered inside pocket that is large enough to hold a small wallet and keys.
Sustainability
Mammut is committed to Fair Wear, which is a non-profit organization that works to ensure fair and safe working conditions around the world and they also use sustainable materials and have pledged to reduce their carbon footprint. This jacket is also PFC Free which makes it better for the environment!
Conclusion
When you venture into the wilderness, you have to be flexible. You have to be able to handle any weather that Mother Nature throws at you. This jacket gives you that flexibility and will be an essential piece of gear for me for years to come.
This is a great jacket to be worn by itself in warm and wet conditions and is great to be used as a protective outer layer in colder conditions. I never want to be in a situation where I can’t trust my gear no matter what outdoor activity that I am doing. The Mammut Taiss HS Hooded Jacket is something that I can trust in for hiking, climbing or skiing. Even in the harshest of conditions.
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