I've been using the fleece for about a year now so thought it was about time I did a proper write up of it. It was the first fleece I'd ever bought that had this many nifty features. I think it can definitely sit in the superfleece category. Firstly though I must apologise for the photos, since the weather has been so poor I've not been able to get out and get some decent shots of the beast in action.
This is the list of feature that Montane list on there website:
POLARTEC® Wind Pro® fabric is highly wind resistant and thermally efficient
DRYACTIV Stretch underarm body contoured side panels
Flatlocked sewn seams throughout for extra comfort and durability
Two luxurious hand-warmer pockets positioned well clear of backpack or climbing harness belt
Full length, reversed and baffled two way YKK front zip for ease of use with a backpack or climbing harness
Low bulk elasticated cuffs which pull up forearms to aid cooling
Adjustable hem to prevent heat loss
POLARTEC® Wind Pro® fabric is highly wind resistant and thermally efficient
DRYACTIV Stretch underarm body contoured side panels
Flatlocked sewn seams throughout for extra comfort and durability
Two luxurious hand-warmer pockets positioned well clear of backpack or climbing harness belt
Full length, reversed and baffled two way YKK front zip for ease of use with a backpack or climbing harness
Low bulk elasticated cuffs which pull up forearms to aid cooling
Adjustable hem to prevent heat loss
I'll cover each feature pointed out above in more detail through-out the review.
The cut is typical Montane. Athletic, without being restricting or uncomfortable. Far from it infact; this fleece is so comfy I have a hard time taking it off when the mercury plummets. The Polartec Wind Pro fabric is 475gsm meaning it is about as thick as fleece gets. To make it even warmer the inside is a high loft fabric that can only be described as fur like and is insanely warm and satisfying to chuck on. The outside is a pretty smooth and dense fabric for a fleece giving 4 times more wind resistance than fleece. I could be wrong with the 4 bit though, that's from memory but it certainly does make a noticeable difference unless its howling a gale. For dry, breezy days it'll certainly hold its own without the need to stick a shell on permanently. The side panels and underarms parts are made of a Dryactiv 365gsm brushed, spandex mix fabric. While not as warm as the high loft Wind Pro it gives superb ease of movement leaving the rest to do what its made for, insulate.
The cut is typical Montane. Athletic, without being restricting or uncomfortable. Far from it infact; this fleece is so comfy I have a hard time taking it off when the mercury plummets. The Polartec Wind Pro fabric is 475gsm meaning it is about as thick as fleece gets. To make it even warmer the inside is a high loft fabric that can only be described as fur like and is insanely warm and satisfying to chuck on. The outside is a pretty smooth and dense fabric for a fleece giving 4 times more wind resistance than fleece. I could be wrong with the 4 bit though, that's from memory but it certainly does make a noticeable difference unless its howling a gale. For dry, breezy days it'll certainly hold its own without the need to stick a shell on permanently. The side panels and underarms parts are made of a Dryactiv 365gsm brushed, spandex mix fabric. While not as warm as the high loft Wind Pro it gives superb ease of movement leaving the rest to do what its made for, insulate.
To keep all this warmth firmly in place there is a drawcord on the neck and bottom of the jacket which work pretty well. Fairly low tech but like they say, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.
The pockets are a feature that I think are pretty well thought out. Both feature zips and have a mesh liner to aid ventilation while allowing warm air from your body to warm hands better. The main body insulation is on the outer side of the fabric meaning you are putting your hands inside the warm cocoon of the fleece, not just in stitched on afterthought.
The zip is 2 way affair with a pretty smart wind baffle with 'Montane' printed along it. To me it just looks smart, with rubber grippers all over the contact points.
A medium weighs 690g making it at the heavier end of the scale for fleece and a bit bulky to store but for me this is a small price to pay for the luxurious feel it affords. It's not cheap either retailing at £130 but to be honest it can usually be found for a fair bit less. I managed to pick mine up for less than half that which is a bargain for what your getting.
How is it to use though? WARM to put it simply. For active use you will boil if used for anything warmer than freezing. If you do happen do use it and end up sweating profusely your safe in the knowledge it wicks stupidly fast. Within 20 minutes of mildly hard work at -3C a couple of weeks ago the inside of my shell was drenched while the inside of the fleece was bone dry. Until this point I don't think I realised quite how breathable it actually was! For layering under a decent down jacket I don't think you'd need anything any warmer south of the arctic circle, or at least in this country anyway! On top of the uses outside, since it has such a luxury feeling I've found it to be my guilty pleasure jacket for wearing about the house when its cold, you know, being the hardened outdoorsy type I am! Whatever you use it for though, it'll certainly do its job well.
In a nutshell, buy it if you want one of the warmest, luxurious feeling, premium quality fleece jackets going with features galore at a fair but not cheap price.
