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Montane described this piece to me as a “Scottish belaying jacket”, and having used it since February, I’d say that’s pretty accurate. It’s been my go-to insulation piece on cold trips through the Highlands earlier in the year, and it came with me on a March section of the Pennine Way too, where nights were long, windy and properly cold.

The Fortes XT’s real forte is static insulation: it prioritises keeping you warm when you’re not moving. It’s not the jacket I’d reach for when hiking at a pace. It’s the one you shrug into when you’re belaying, brewing up on a summit, or settling into camp. A jacket like this traps heat, blocks the elements, and stops you from getting chilled before you’re ready to get going again. It’s also been my first choice for cold-weather wild camps. The use of Synthetic fill just makes sense in this jacket; it keeps working when damp, and, for me, a huge benefit, especially after a wild camp, is how easy it is to wash.

The Montane Fortes Range

The Fortes XT is the warmest in the Fortes range, but all three pieces, the XT, Lite and Nano, use the same core materials: PrimaLoft Gold Active insulation, Barrier Tough mini-ripstop nylon, and Montane’s air-permeable APT liner. They’re simply tuned for different levels of warmth and movement. The XT, reviewed here, is built for exposed, miserable conditions; the Lite pares things back for faster mountain days; and the Nano is a feather-weight, windproof layer with mapped insulation for winter running. Across the range, Montane focuses on warmth, moisture management and durability, while keeping weight surprisingly low.

What’s Inside: PrimaLoft Gold Active Vent, APT & Weather Protection

PrimaLoft Gold Active Vent is what does the real work in the XT. It uses fine synthetic fibres that trap heat while still letting excess heat and moisture vapour escape. The XT’s insulation is body-mapped: 160 g/m² through the torso, kidneys and tops of the sleeves, and 60 g/m² in the hood and underarms. It prioritises keeping your core warm while trimming bulk. The Barrier Tough 12D outer is much tougher than the fabric weight suggests, while the 10D APT (Air Permeable Technology) liner improves airflow through the jacket, helping manage moisture.

The Barrier Tough outer has a PFC-free DWR that sheds light rain and snow, and, combined with the insulation and breathable APT liner, provides a reassuring buffer when conditions turn. Offering enough protection until you can pull on your winter shell.

The Fortes XT in Use

After months of use, the XT has proven exactly what I hoped it would be: dependable, weather-resistant warmth for those static, exposed moments. On wind-hammered ridges, and on frosty mornings when making a brew, I have never once felt under-insulated. At 588 g (Men’s Medium), it is not ultra-light, but every gram feels like it is there for a reason.

Fit-wise, the XT leans slightly roomy, and that is intentional. It is cut to go over winter layers without feeling tight or bunching up, yet it is not so oversized that you cannot pull a shell over the top. It plays particularly nicely with full winter hardshells, though very minimalist alpine shells may feel snug once the XT is underneath. For reference, I went with a Large (which is my go-to size). I am 6 ft and not exactly slim, and the fit has been spot on. Over the last few seasons, I have found Montane sizing a bit variable, but this winter’s range seems to have landed just right.

The hood deserves particular praise. It is deeply insulated and genuinely warm, and adjusts both around the face and over the crown, so it works well with or without a helmet and does not hinder peripheral vision. There is also a subtly stiffened peak that helps shed snow and drizzle. The set-back cuffs extend insulation over the wrists and seal neatly with gloves, and they are adjustable with a hook-and-loop fastening, which is great when swapping between glove thicknesses.

Pocket layout is excellent. All external pockets remain fully accessible while wearing a pack or harness. The hand pockets sit high enough to clear a hip belt, and the chest pocket does not require any awkward reaching. All the zip pulls are glove-friendly, and the main front zip is a two-way YKK design, backed with a storm guard to keep the wind out. The two-way opening makes a big difference when belaying or wearing a harness, letting you vent from the hem without exposing your entire front. The hem itself has a drawcord, allowing you to cinch the jacket in to seal warmth and stop wind from creeping up inside.

I am also a huge fan of the internal dump pocket, only one, sadly. It is generously sized, ideal for stashing bulky insulated gloves or a hat, and a great place to keep a power bank or water filter out of the cold. 

When it is time to pack it in your backpack, the XT comes with its own stuff sack. It compresses reasonably well for something this warm and also recovers loft quickly once it is back out. Within a minute or two, it feels full and insulating again, which has been great on trips when I repeatedly pack and unpack it throughout the day.

Who It’s For

It is worth stressing that this is not a jacket designed for high-output movement. It will breathe better than most belay pieces thanks to the APT liner, but the XT is at its best when you are static: resting on the hill, belaying, sitting out rough weather or settling into camp after dark. That is exactly why I prefer synthetic here, too. For wild camps, I like that I can throw it on, use it hard, and not worry about babying it. If it gets grubby from smoke, condensation or mud, I can just give it a proper wash when I am home, which is far easier than caring for a down piece.

If you want a warm layer to throw on the moment you stop, whether that is for climbing, winter backpacking, Scottish mountaineering days or slow, cold camp mornings, this makes a lot of sense. It is built for foul, unsettled conditions, where warmth, weather resistance, and a tough outer layer matter more than shaving grams. If your priority is moving fast and keeping weight to an absolute minimum, or you tend to stay on the go rather than lingering at belays and brew stops, then the lighter Fortes pieces in the range will suit you better.

Verdict

Warm, weather-resistant and impressively robust for its weight, the Fortes XT Insulated Hoodie is a serious winter layer built for exposed mountain use. If you’re after a dependable, high-loft synthetic jacket for static insulation in British winter conditions, this one earns its place in the pack.

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