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New to the market this season is Montane’s Kamen range of Down Jackets. These come in two variations. The standard Kamen and its bigger brother, the Kamen XT which is being reviewed. They both feature 800 fill ExpeDRY Goose down, designed to resist water and moisture so it stays lofty even in damp conditions, but the XT version has a box wall construction. This means rather than the baffles being constructed like small pillows with the edges stitched through, the baffles are a 3D cube shape, meaning far less cold spots. Montane have also constructed these in an offset pattern to further minimise cold spots. On areas that see more wear, around the hood and shoulders, Montane have used Primaloft Gold synthetic insulation instead of Down. This is harder wearing and will help maintain warmth even when compressed by rucksack straps.

The outer material is also new for Montane this season having not been used on their previous Down Jackets. Despite only being 20 Denier Pertex Quantum Pro, it uses Diamond Fuse Technology to offer a tough and durable material. Even when touching the material with your fingers you can feel that it is slightly rougher and less delicate than some of the face materials you get on lighter down pieces. It also features a DWR (PFC free) coating which would give me the confidence to take the jacket out in harsher conditions with a pack on and feel like it could withstand more.

The Kamen XT fits into Montane’s expedition range and is very much designed for high mountain use and would be quite happy on 5000/6000m peaks. Whether being used around camp or on summit nights, the Kamen XT offers exceptional warmth. Weighing in at just over half a kilo it isn’t the lightest down piece but for a box wall construction it is only a couple of grams heavier than Rab’s similar spec Neutrino Pro which has stitched through construction. So the Kamen XT would be a warmer option. Montane have also made it around 50g lighter than the previous box wall piece from last season – the Anti-Freeze XPD jacket.

The two way YKK Vislon Natulon zip on the main body means it opens at the bottom as well as the top. This allows access to a harness as well as a way of venting out if necessary. With its tougher Quantum Pro face material, I would be more than happy to use the Kamen XT as a winter belay jacket, however only if the conditions weren’t too wet. It is built on a Mountain fit block meaning it is designed to accommodate technical layering pieces underneath and therefore could be put over the top as a quick way to warm up. However Montane have also used they’re Reach+ fit construction which basically offers an articulated fit around the arms to allow maximum unrestricted movement, which is beneficial for winter climbing or belaying. One other extra feature worth noting is the stuff sack. This has been made from the same material as the jacket and, if unstitched, would be the same size as one of the jackets baffles. This means if you were out on an expedition and suffered a ripped baffle the stuff sack could be used as a repair piece – assuming you have the necessary skills to fix it!

I got to take the Kamen XT out on a recent trip to the Lake District. Following a cold snap it seemed a great opportunity to test out the jacket in below zero temperature conditions. With the added windchill it felt around -10c. Each time I stopped at the summits I would put the Kamen on and, being on some fairly exposed areas, it gave great protection from the biting wind. With the hood up and my back to the wind, I felt snug and warm in the jacket. Although it is a fairly bulky jacket being down it packed down well. It would work fantastically if out on a winter camp, or even if doing a campervan trip in colder conditions.

Overall the Kamen XT is a great addition to the Montane range and offers some noticeable improvements over the previous iteration – the Anti-Freeze XPD. I wouldn’t hesitate to include this on a UK winter kit list or if heading on an expedition to higher altitude peaks.

Nick Brown
Nick has had a love of the outdoors, especially the mountains, for over 20 years. His passion has led him all around the world on many multi-day treks and mountain climbs in the greater ranges. As well as experiences in harsh environments such as the jungles of Asia and South and Central America and the vastness of the Trans-Siberian railway. A qualified Mountain Leader, he spends most of his time exploring the Scottish highlands and wild areas bagging Munros. On top of this, he enjoys trail running and rock climbing and strongly believes any outdoor experiences are good experiences - no matter what the weather, especially for mental well-being and happiness. Read more from Nick Brown