ISPO Award Winner 2025: Mammut Eiger Free Pro HS Hooded Jacket

“We wanted to build something dedicated to the sport and the community behind it. So we took what we know from creating high-end mountaineering products and shaped it into gear that reflects the freeride culture”, Alfred Stoppacher, Eiger & Innovation Lead, explains the big idea behind the Eiger Free Pro HS Hooded Jacket. Eiger Free applies the learnings and experience from decades of creating elite mountaineering gear and redesigns it to freeriding with its own distinct identity.

In freeriding, gear must survive repeated abrasion, sharp edges, pack straps and the unpredictable impacts of variable snow and weather conditions. The Eiger Free Pro meets this challenge through a robust construction concept: fewer bonded elements, strategically placed top-stitching for seam strength, embroidered logos instead of prints and oversized Nr5 YKK vislon zippers on the center front and all pockets.

Two clean cutlines along the center-front zipper drastically simplify replacement in the event of failure—a common repair issue in heavily used hardshells. Every jacket includes waterproof, self-adhesive repair patches. Together, these features extend product life significantly while maintaining the reliability required for harsh alpine conditions.

The jacket uses 80d GORE-TEX PRO 3-layer material with a PFC-free ePE membrane, a recycled nylon face fabric and a solution-dyed backer. The result is a hardshell that is fully waterproof, windproof and abrasion resistant, while reducing environmental impact. Built to withstand deep powder, storms and rapid shifts in weather conditions, it offers a dry, stable interior climate even during high-output descents.

While performance sets expectations, the freeride world brings its own culture, attitude and visual language. Senior Designer Apparel Iina Lehto captures this evolution: “Functionality and performance have always defined the Eiger collection. But in Eiger Free, style isn’t an afterthought—it’s also one of the driving forces.”

The jacket’s boxier freeride fit, articulated elbows, piped seams and clean block-color options reflect this design ethos. It delivers unrestricted freedom of movement even with multiple layers underneath and without sacrificing the robust character of an alpine shell.

Eiger Free was developed with a testing process that went far and beyond. Product Manager Apparel Susanne Leutner highlights the depth of this approach: “The goal was to create products, that reflect the demands of the athletes. For Eiger Free, the amount of testing was on another level. We ran lab tests, tracked performance data with sensors, and refined every detail. But the real difference came from our athletes—who basically lived in the gear all season long.”

Across three prototype stages, freeriders tested the jacket in North America, Georgia, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Norway. Narrow couloirs, steep faces, multi-day missions and high-speed powder lines shaped the final design. The result is a shell that enables ambitious skiers to move with confidence in technical terrain.

The Eiger Free Pro HS Hooded Jacket features Mammut’s Snow Sports Regular fit—straight, roomy and designed to accommodate layers without restricting motion. A RECCO reflector adds enhanced searchability in rescue situations. Every material, cutline and detail is engineered to withstand repeated high-load use, making it a reliable companion for demanding freeriders who prioritize the descent.

• Durable, repairable construction engineered for long-term performance

• Rugged GORE-TEX PRO 3L with PFC-free ePE membrane for harsh winter environments

• Athlete-tested in multiple countries and optimized across three prototype stages

• Freeride-focused fit and style with mountaineering-grade protection

• Includes repair patches and design elements that simplify field maintenance