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The Montane Featherlite Hoodie became one of my most-used layers on this year’s TGO Challenge. It was a very windy crossing, and other than my baselayer and trousers, which I had to keep on or risk being arrested, this was probably the item I wore most.

I have used lighter windproof layers before, but what I like about the Featherlite is that it does not feel too stripped back. At 115g (medium), it is still very light, but it acts more like a proper jacket than a spare emergency layer.

It took the edge off exposed coastal sections, breezy road walks and higher ground without forcing me into a waterproof every time the wind picked up. That matters on a trip like the TGO, where you are moving steadily for long days and do not always want the heat build-up of a shell.

The Pertex Quantum Air fabric is the main reason it works so well. It takes the edge off wind chill without feeling clammy as soon as you start working harder. It is not waterproof, and I would not treat it as one, but it handled light rain far better than I expected and dried quickly once the shower had passed. For the conditions I had in Scotland, that balance of wind protection, breathability, and quick-drying was exactly what I wanted.

I found it roomy enough to wear comfortably over a baselayer or light midlayer, while still sitting neatly under a pack. The slight stretch in the fabric helps too, especially when using poles or moving with a loaded rucksack. I like that it does not look so technical that I would avoid wearing it day to day.

The feature set is another reason I kept reaching for it. The full-length zip makes venting simple, the elasticated cuffs are neat and unfussy, and the adjustable hem lets you cinch it in when the wind starts getting under the jacket. I also like that it packs into its own zipped chest pocket, so it is easy to stuff away when the wind drops.

The hood deserves a mention because I expected it to be the weak point. It has no adjustment, which usually makes me nervous on a windproof, but it held surprisingly well. There is a photo from my trip report above of me standing in a proper hoodie on top of a lighthouse, and the hood is still sitting where it should be. That tells you more than any spec sheet.

The 12D fabric means it is still a lightweight shell, so I would not use it as a rough scrambling jacket or expect softshell durability, but it did stand up to some Scottish gorse bush-wacking without showing any signs of wear.

For hillwalking, backpacking, fast hiking and long-distance routes, it hits a very useful middle ground. It is light enough to carry all the time, protective enough to wear for hours, and practical enough that it does not feel like specialist kit you only use in the hills.

Andy Neil
Andy has been a keen long-distance hiker and wild camping enthusiast since he completed the Cleveland Way in 2015. Since then, he has walked thousands of trail miles all over the UK and is an active member of the Wild Camping UK community, being an admin of the largest wild camping community on Facebook. He strongly advocates for responsible wild camping and believes it is important to leave no trace when camping in the wilderness. He joined the UOG team in 2021 and works as a website developer and content creator. Read more from Andy Neil