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I was delighted when Montane offered an opportunity to test their Cetus Lite jacket several months before its official release. Since May it’s been put through its paces, and I’ve been impressed with the performance.The Cetus Lite is part of Montane’s new Petrichor range. Petrichor is Montane’s name for its own in-house fabric, which has been developed to minimise the fabric’s environment …

A waterproof jacket has become a real necessity in the extremely unpredictable weather in the UK, even in the height of summer. The new Torren Waterproof Jacket from Montane has served me well on far more occasions than I’d hoped for in the last few months. This is the first time that Montane’s new Petrichor waterproof technology has been used to help reduce the impact of PFC/PCAS i …

This has been my go-to jacket for the last 5 months (May to September) and has performed well when needed, either as protection from a sudden summer shower or worn for a full day on the Lakeland fells in low cloud and constant drizzle. This Cetus ‘Lite’ jacket in Deep Forest, size UK12 weighs 290g and packs down pretty small for stashing in a backpack. The Montane 3-layer Pet …

Unlike traditional waterproof technology, Petrichor’s hydrophilic membrane actively breathes to physically transport moisture away from damp layers and skin, and out into the air. The membrane manages your own microclimate to enable you to move fast and light while staying dry - the harder you work, the harder it works. This technology excels even when your baselayer is slightly wet, the air …

New for the Autumn/winter season from Montane is the Khamsin Softshell. It is a lightly insulated, wind resistant, technical softshell that is perfect for those changeable windy autumn days on the hills. It is made from wind resistant Raptor Flex fabric that is 88% recycled and has excellent four way stretch, making it super comfortable to wear. On the inside it is lined with an Octa fl …

Montane has become synonymous with lightweight and breathable clothing and equipment. For over 30 years Montane has worked closely with serious mountain professionals working in hostile conditions across the globe as a proving ground for garment design. From the British Antarctic Survey to British Mountain Rescue Teams. Professionals who demand the toughest credentials from their clothing and equi …

Engineered to excel across multiple activities, the Sirocco Lite combines high-performance fabrics to deliver wind-resistant protection, freedom of movement and breathable warmth for the ultimate versatile midlayer. Wind resistant and highly breathable insulated core protects and keeps the body warm without overheating during more demanding activities. High stretch fleece panelling …

The Montane Trailblazer 25L is a meticulously crafted backpack to elevate your hiking experience. This innovative pack seamlessly blends comfort, functionality, and sustainability, making it an ideal companion for day hikes, gym sessions, and daily commutes. With its 25-litre capacity, I found the Trailblazer 25L a perfect-sized day pack for hiking and hill walking. It was large enough to …

2023 was an excellent year for new ultralight equipment and clothing, and we wanted to highlight some of our favourite gear that hit the market this year. Some pieces, like the Montbell Plasma 1000, pushed the limits of what it means to be ultralight even further. Others, like the Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions sleeping pad, showed real innovation by raising their R-value to an industry-leading 8. …

I have to admit that this review is a tad late. In my defence, I was waiting for some appropriately cold weather to test the jacket; thankfully, November has arrived and brought some wintry conditions. Montane has brought two new down jackets to the market this season: the Alpine 850 Lite Down Hoodie, and the jacket I have been testing, the Alpine 850 Down Hoodie. The lat …

Surprisingly, Montane’s new Dart Lite T’s are made from recycled plastic bottles so are helping to reuse plastic waste. The resulting polyester fabric is quick drying as polyester doesn’t absorb water so is perfect for wicking away moisture. I have used the standard Dart long sleeve base layer before and prefer this new Lite version. I tend to get quite hot when hiking especially up hill …

The fabric being 100% recycled polyester isn't the softest base layer I've ever worn, but it definitely has the most stretch. I found it very comfortable nonetheless. The high wicking, good breathability & fast drying qualities make this ideal for intense activities or a great layering piece for cooler conditions. Another great feature of the fabric, especially with prolonged wear, is th …