Montane Featherlite Down Women's Jacket

Product Information

One particular feature we like is the size of the two zipped hand pockets, which are particularly deep - great for when you've got cold hands, or for carrying bulky gloves, a map etc. Worn as a warm midlayer or standalone outer for fast ascents in the likes of the Chamonix Valley, the Microlight Summit is a streamlined technical jacket for when weight is a concern but function is paramount. It's not a deal-breaker for non-climbers by any means, but perhaps with a few tweaks the system used here could be improved on?

Montane Featherlite Down Jacket - TGO Magazine REVIEW: Montane Featherlite Down Jacket - TGO Magazine

Warmer down jackets are available, and lighter alternatives can easily be had" says Dan Bailey "but I suspect you'd struggle to find anything that's both. For carryimg it as a belay jacket, it can pack into its own pocket and the drawcord is long enough to tie to a harness, or clip to a krab. Once a bit wet, the jacket does seem to dry very quickly when inside or chucked on the back seat on the drive home. The Transcendant is snug on the arms, which provides lots of warmth but does mean you can't roll your sleeves up.Nevertheless the material has felt quite damp in use, either from sweat and wet gear underneath or from sleet and mist from outside. Still, if you're in an alpine or Scottish winter type situation in which if every gram counts, then its relatively high weight is another count against the Transcendant (along with fill and features). The snug athletic fit keeps the jacket close to the body of the wearer and helps prevent drafts coming up from the waist; however a longer cut in the body would have provided better midriff insulation.

Featherlite Down Jacket, Trail Jacket and Smock - Montane All Featherlite Down Jacket, Trail Jacket and Smock - Montane

Warmth-wise it sits somewhere in the middle ground due to the combination of the reasonable 700-fill down used (as opposed to higher quality 750 or 800), coupled with the quantity within, which is higher than most. In defence of this somewhat miniscule quantity, there are also areas of Arc'teryx's synthetic Coreloft fill in areas of high moisture retention such as the cuffs, under arms, front of face, and shoulders. That might be the Fowler influence - they must have designed the Ramche very much with climbers in mind. It's a small criticism, but slightly annoying that as you walk and swing your arms, the untethered ends of cord whack you on the hand with every step - they could have been channelled up inside the jacket. The design has left room in the midriff and features drawcords on the hem to try to counter this, but ultimately it would have been nice if the cut was slightly longer, particularly for use when climbing.

Berghaus tell us it's twice as strong as the nearest competition, though we don't know what they're comparing with. The Featherlite doesn't stuff into its own pocket, but it does come with a small stuff sack that allows it to be packed down to a compact size. In very cold conditions around freezing point, I used it wear Their 600 and 700 fill power duck down jackets are hydrophobic, so it's a shame that the Quasar Nova isn't. Elastane-bound cuffs make for a simple feel at the wrist; these can be pulled over the forearm to help you cool off in a hurry, and coaxed over bulky gauntlet-style gloves.

Montane Women’s Featherlite Down Jacket Review: Montane Women’s Featherlite Down Jacket

For the Featherlite, Montane have opted for a generous 140g (size M) of 750+ fill power down with a 90/10 down/feather mix - a lot of decent-quality down to offer a good level of warmth for the weight of jacket, without costing an arm and a leg. The woven baffle construction and the 800-fill power goose down make this piece particularly warm for its weight, and help to create a nice slimline jacket; cost aside, the main downside is the tailoring. The jacket is medium in length, sitting around the waist to the front and sides and slightly lower at the rear to offer only partial bum coverage.Our reviewer noted that he has managed to get the jacket quite damp to the touch at times (over a wet shell on cold, damp drizzly and even snowy days, or for warmth when stopping after a steep, sweaty walk uphill) and the insulation does not seem bothered even if the inner or outer material feels wet.