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The Montane Prism is a strange beast. In some ways, it's all a bit mid-range and underwhelming: at 385g it's the heaviest jacket in this review, the materials are good but not class-leading (PrimaLoft Silver rather than Gold), and it's certainly not super- technical. You don't get body mapping or
stretch panels, and it's arguably too warm for higher-intensity activities. Yet there is something about this jacket - a certain je ne sais quoi - that just hits the nail on the head, and it's difficult not to fall in love with it. It seems to strike a lovely balance between weight, warmth, features and performance. The adjustable hood, in particular, is excellent,with rear and front drawcords and easily the best peak on test it's stiffened with a wired peak). The fit is neither loose nor super-slim. Instead it's nicely in the middle, ensuring high levels of comfort. The articulated arms are cut nicely too, the dropped hem keeps your waist (and top of your bottom) warm, and the 30-denier, windproof Pertex Quantum shell feels tougher than many others. You can't argue with the price too. A similar women's version - the Prismatic - has the same fill and costs the same, but has some design differences.