If you have a question that isn't answered here, or need more information, feel free to contact us directly.
Where to Buy
Where can I purchase Mountain Hardwear products?
You can find our products in shops throughout the United States, Canada and the rest of the world. For dealers in the United States, Canada and worldwide, use the Dealer Locator. If you have problems finding a particular item, contact your local dealer.
Do you sell directly to consumers?
As a manufacturer of high-end outdoor gear, we have decided that, for now, the best way to distribute is through specialty outdoor shops with employees who are knowledgeable about our products. We are still a relatively small company and are not currently prepared to become a direct seller. To purchase our products online, see our online dealers listing.
Can I return or exchange a Mountain Hardwear item directly through you?
We're sorry, but as we do not sell direct, we do not offer returns or exchanges. Returns and exchanges need to be processed through a retailer (preferably the retail store from whom the product was purchased). Please contact the dealers in your area to see if they would be willing to work with you. To locate a dealer near you, use our
dealer locator.
Product Care
How do I care for my Gore-Tex or Conduit shell garment?
For complete washing and care tips of your Mountain Hardwear Shells, read The Care and Feeding of Your Waterproof/Breathable Shell.
How do I care for my soft shell garment?
For complete washing and care tips of your Mountain Hardwear Soft Shells, read The Care and Feeding of Your Soft Shell.
How do I care for my down garment?
For complete washing and care tips of your Mountain Hardwear down jacket or parka, read The Care and Feeding of Your Down Jacket or Parka.
When do I need to apply DWR (Durable Water Repellent) to my shell?
Much like car wax on a car, DWR just makes water bead on the surface of the shell. And just like car wax on your car, you know it's time to reapply when water stops beading on the shell.
How do I care for my sleeping bag?
For complete washing and care tips, read The Care and Feeding of Your Sleeping Bag.
How do I care for my tent?
For complete washing and care tips, read The Care and Feeding of Your Tent.
How do I care for my backpack?
For complete washing and care tips, please read: The Care and Feeding of Your Backpack.
How can I remove sap from my tent rainfly?
We don¹t recommend using anything beyond water to try to remove sap as anything strong enough to dissolve sap would at a minimum damage the DWR treatment of the fly. What we recommend is trying to remove as much as you can with water and elbow grease, then for whatever is left over throw some dirt or talc on it. That way, it won¹t be sticky anymore.
Why do you recommend against top-loading washing machines?
A front-loading washing machine does not have an agitator on which drawcords or pockets could catch. And since that damage caused by a washing machine is not related to the workmanship or materials of the product, it will not be covered under our Lifetime Warranty. Please follow the care instructions provided on our product pages.
Why do you recommend against using home dryers for sleeping bags and insulated apparel?
Home dryers have been known to melt holes in the fabric of insulated items. We recommend using large commercial dryers on low heat. The dryer also must be large enough for the bag or garment to flop freely around. Since damage caused by a dryer is not related to the workmanship or materials of the product, it will not be covered under our Lifetime Warranty. Please follow the care instructions provided on our product pages.
Warranty and Repair
We stand behind all our products with a Limited Lifetime Warranty. If you are having any problems with one of our products, you can contact the Warranty Department.
In the United States
e-mail: warranty@mountainhardwear.com
phone: 800.953.8398
fax: 510.559.6709 (Attn: Warranty)
mail: Mountain Hardwear, ATTN: Warranty, 1414 Harbour Way South, Ford Point Suite 1005, Richmond, CA 94804
In Europe (excluding UK)
e-mail: Europe-info@mountainhardwear.com
phone: +33 390.22.08.00
In UK
e-mail: info@mountainhardwear.co.uk
phone: +44.1572.724.499
fax: +44.1572.757.929
In Canada
e-mail: canadaservices@mountainhardwear.com
phone: 519.245.4811 or toll free: 866.346.1588
fax: 519.245.4425
Our Apparel
Why don't you assign temperature ratings to your clothing?
We do not offer temperature ratings on our clothing simply because it is impossible to assign them—the environmental conditions, your metabolism, your circulation, what you¹re doing, how quickly you warm up, your layering options when you go out, etc. all provide too many widely-differing variables from individual to individual to be able to offer any sort of guidelines.
How can I find out what size I am in your products?
There is a link to our sizing chart on each apparel product page.
I'm in-between sizes. Do you offer customization?
While we do not offer build-to-order services, please contact our Warranty Department at (800) 953-8398 about the possibility of getting your garment altered.
What jackets can zip in a liner? What jackets will serve as a liner?
At this time, there are only certain jackets that offer zip-in compatibility. In order to determine whether or not a piece of apparel is zip-in compatible, simple click on the link that reads “View Additional Specifications” on the product page. Compatible outerwear will have a feature bullet that reads “Zip-in compatible,” or “Zips into all Trifecta System Shells.”
Our Tents
What is the difference between Average Minimum and Average Packaged Weights?
According to the guidelines put forth by the Tent Manufacturers Association, average weights are specified as such:
Average Minimum Weight: Tent canopy, rainfly (if applicable) and poles
Average Packaged Weight: As purchased at the dealer; tent canopy, rainfly (if applicable), poles, tent pegs, tent stuff sack, pole stuff sack, peg stuff sack, guy line, guy line adjusters, user manual(s), repair items and whatever else is included by the manufacturer.
What is a single-wall tent and what is a double-wall tent?
Most people are very familiar with double-wall tent designs—they feature the canopy of the tent (the first wall) and a separate, removable rainfly (the second wall). While the rainfly offers a lot of versatility (offering not only protection from wind and rain, but privacy and UV protection), it can make the tent that you carry into the backcountry somewhat heavy. This is why single-wall tents were developed. Instead of having the weight from that extra piece of material that some people might decide to be excessive, the tent canopy is made from the same waterproof material that is used in rainflys. By offering the same level of protection from rain in the canopy, the result is a lighter tent which also offers simpler set-up (even in rainy conditions).
Do any of your single-wall tents experience condensation?
While our Crossflow Technology makes our single-wall tents among the best-ventilated designs available, there are instances where you might see condensation of various levels in them depending on the conditions in which you might use them. Keep in mind that double-wall designs can have just as much, if not more condensation but the amount of condensation tends to be masked by the water vapor collecting on the rainfly instead of on the canopy wall. For some people, condensation might be worth the risk in order to get a lighter tent. For others, condensation just is not worth it. For this latter group of people, we recommend that you consider a double-wall tent design instead.
For more information on tent condensation, please see the following Outside Magazine tips:
How can I prevent condensation inside my tent?
How can I reduce condensation inside my tent?
How can I get a replacement pole or rainfly for my tent?
Please contact our Warranty Department at (800) 953-8398.
Do you stock footprints for discontinued tents?
Yes, we do have some old footprints in stock. Please contact our Warranty Department at warranty@mountainhardwear.com or at (800) 953-8398 to see if we have the footprint you need. And, there's always a chance there's still an unsold footprint out there at a Mountain Hardwear dealer, so please use our Dealer Locator to help you in your search!
Our Sleeping Bags
Do your sleeping bags zip together?
All of our current sleeping bags with the exception of our Mountain Goat children's bags and the Superlight (Phantom and UltraLamina) line of sleeping bags have the ability to be zipped to another of the opposing zipper orientation. We only test this feature with our own sleeping bags. However, other manufacturers' sleeping bags manufactured after 1996 that feature a full-length, YKK #8 zipper should also work.
Will the Phantom sleeping bags zip into the Conduit SL Bivy?
While they can be successfully used together, since the Phantom bags offer a much lighter, 3/4-length zipper, they will not zip into the Conduit SL Bivy like our other sleeping bags.
General Product Questions
I'm not sure what Mountain Hardwear product I have. If I give you the RN and CA numbers on the tag, can you identify it for me?
Despite popular belief, the RN and CA numbers are of absolutely no use in identifying a product (they're actually used in identifying the factory it was made in for U.S. Customs). Please email info@mountainhardwear.com with as complete a description as you can write as well as any digital photos you might have of it and we'll do the best we can to figure it out for you.
Does Mountain Hardwear have a product testing program?
While we really appreciate the offer, all of our product testing is covered by our sponsored athlete team and our own employees. That said, we always welcome any feedback you might have from using our products in the field!
Sponsorships
How do I apply for expedition sponsorship?
Contact sponsorship@mountainhardwear.com, and we will send you our guidelines.
General Questions about Our Company
Why did Mountain Hardwear decide to become part of Columbia Sportswear?
In 2003, Mountain Hardwear decided to sell the assets of our company to Columbia Sportswear. We continue to operate and design our products independently of Columbia Sportswear in Richmond, California and we are still managed by the same founders and designers that started the company in 1993. The combination is a good fit considering Columbia Sportswear's strengths as a company. By using their operational expertise in areas such as warehousing, accounting systems, and international distribution we are able to concentrate on designing the best products possible.
Will the quality of Mountain Hardwear products change as a result of their partnership with Columbia Sportswear?
Columbia's focus is on creating value oriented products at the mid-level retail market and Mountain Hardwear's focus is on designing leading-edge products for the technical user. Columbia Sportswear wanted to find a company that complimented their market position, and not compete with them. The quality and innovation of our products is what attracted Columbia and we continue to work very hard at maintaining that focus.
Where are your products made?
Mountain Hardwear manufactures products in many countries around the world, choosing our manufacturing partners based on product quality, industry experience, dedicated and honest working relations, human rights issues, environmental concerns, and economics. Our gear is made by people who believe in craftsmanship. We make small production runs of complicated technical equipment and are, therefore, selective about the materials we use and who produces them. We assemble materials from all over the world – all from companies that share our philosophy of creating the best possible gear. We want to be assured that the gear we sell, gear on which the buyer sometimes stakes his/her life, is as good as we can make it.
In order to maintain high standards for decent and human working conditions in our manufacturing operations, Mountain Hardwear has established specific guidelines for its manufacturing partners around the world.
How can I get Mountain Hardwear stickers?
Please send a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope to the following address:
Mountain Hardwear
ATTN: Sticker Request
1414 Harbour Way South
Ford Point, Suite 1005
Richmond, CA 94804
Please allow up to 4 weeks for delivery. Any requests without a return envelope with required postage will not be processed.