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TRAIL MAGAZINE

Montane Pac Plus XT £240 and 3-point adjustment. Shaped cuffs with secure Velcro closures cover the wrists superbly. As a result, it feels very protective, even in a full-on downpour. Last year, Montane's Pac Plus jacket managed to nab both Trail Best in Test and Best Value awards. All in all, we thought it was just about the best 3-season hillwalking jacket out there. So what's changed with this new, higher-spec offering? Well, it's tougher for a start, with a more robust nylon face fabric (40-denier vs 30-denier). which is now fully recycled too. Like all the latest Gore-Tex Paclite fabrics, it's a 2-layer construction with an integrated backer. But with Paclite Plus the inner is highly textured, so it slides more easily over other Layers and doesn't feel clingy. You also get more mountain-focused features, including an external chest pocket, a bigger helmet-friendly hood and the welcome addition of pit zips. Happily, the fit hasn't changed. It's still brilliantly cut, with a trim silhouette and ample length in the arms and body. The drop tail helps to provide good coverage at the rear too. The excellent hood has a wired peak.

IF WE'RE BEING FUSSY

The thicker fabric and extra features have added a little weight and cost, though the XT is still very packable. Like almost all Gore-Tex membranes, Pac Plus is a bit crinkly, and though it feels nearly as comfortable as a 3-layer shell, the latter still wins on wicking performance and long-term durability.

Verdict
A mountain-ready shell with a great fit. Still lightweight and packable yet robust and well equipped, making this a great upgrade for those in search of a technical 3-season waterproof.