MontBell Ultralight Thermawrap Insulation Jacket - Men's - 2008 BCS

I've owned this jacket for over a year now and I feel comfortable enough to review it now. This thing rocks incredibly warm for such a lightweight jacket. It comes everwhere with me and I don't even feel it. It's not the most durable jacket ever, so if you have a heavy pack I'd use a softshell or fleece instead. But when you stop moving and the packs come off, this goes right on. It's pretty windproof and will shed a limited amount of water...don't drench it though. Great jacket!

Friends, Family, Countrymen... to truly perfect this great piece when the temps are sub 30's layer like this; baselayer = merino wool / capilene / polyester / etc., Midlayer = MontBell UL Thermawrap. Now if you have a hardshell make sure you have another barrier over your Thermawrap because as I found out the hard way when going fast and hard and pumping sweat, there was too much body heat (condensation) on the inside of my shell so whenever the winds blew, I was uncomfortably chilly. To fix this, put another wicking layer over the Thermawrap and your hardshell and your body heat will dissipate just fine and you can tell the wind to kiss your ass. What can I say that hasn't already been said by others? It is super light, it is surprisingly durable, it does block about 87.349% of the wind, and finally, keeps me warm when stopping for a break on the trail and I've drenched this piece in my sweat. Very, very nice!

Upon seeing the 3 thumbs down, I had to reassess my review and look at what negative factors contributed to a misunderstanding or dislike of this article. It could be that my review just wasn't technical enough so let me try...

This jacket only has two front hand pockets which are not fleece lined or zipped. It has an elastic waistband that does fit snugly around your waist if you are even a hair overweight. The only zipper is the one on the front that goes both up, and surprisingly, down. It is extremely packable, stuff sack is probably 3.5"x6", but even when in it's stuff sack in can go smaller if needed to. It cuts decently through the wind, give it a 4 out of 5 stars and has no factory DWR applied to it so the 15D material gets wet very easily. In bitter cold, (0-20 degrees F) do not expect this to keep you warm if you are not moving. You will get hot while moving if the temps are (21-+ deg. F) It could afford better stitching so it would last longer. It feels super light, slightly cheap, but it's from the no extras added design. Once again, super packable.

ah man. i'm so jealous of my twins jacket. he wears this all the time, and i continuously offer trades for it...jerk..the black one kinda looks like a trash bag i wont lie...BUT the blue and green/ brown ones look BAD A! SOOOOOO0O0O0O0O ridiculously much better than the previous version of it...the cuffs are just...little weird on the older one, BUT they PERFECTED the compression cuffs on this one! buy it! or steal it from your twin/ friend.

This is the best as far as uber light insulation goes. So by that I mean it is perfect for people who are so weak that they can't carry a peice that will actually keep them warm when it gets cold. This thing only weighs 8 ounces so don't expect more than 8 onces of performance, and by that I mean that this is not some magical insulation that insulates better than down without the puff or the weight. This thing insulates about as well as a wind resistant sweater, and that is exactly what is supposed to do, just don't get your hopes up thinking it is magical. By the way I do not suggest sizing up since the warmth will escape from the nonadjustable cuffs and waist, and keep in mind you will be told you look like a trashbag if you wear this around town with your friends. Despite the criticism I have owned this jacket in grey for three years now and still use it very often.

I have had this jacket for almost two years now and I can comfortably say it's the best jacket I've ever owned, and probably the best piece of gear you can buy for the money. I have traveled to five different countries, been on countless rock climbs, bike rides, and trails with this thing and it never fails. I wear it four seasons and it never hurts to have this thing thrown in the bottom of your pack. I love it, and just ordered a new one finally! I will keep buying these jackets every year no doubt. The only problem maybe, is that you need to be a little bit careful with fires and thorns on hikes. The material is bomb-proof until a spark lands on it or a rose catches it. A little epoxy fixes those holes nicely though.

Crazy light, super compressible; you can't get a better ultralight insulation layer. This and my Norrona paclite shell give me insulation and weather protection in less than 19oz, and in about 1L of volume. My next jacket will be the hooded version, gives a bit heavier insulation and a hood for only 4oz more. It's like magic, I just don't know how they can make such and awesome jacket.

Normal fit; I'm 5'8" 130lbs w/ a 35" chest and the small is great.

Buy it. You won't be disappointed.

I've been wanting this jacket for a while now and finally bought it. I think I will use it most as an A to B jacket in the winter and as a safety layer while touring. It fits great...not to bulky not to tight. I have the medium (5'11/155lb) Layers great under Arcteryx pac-lite and other jackets of similar fit.

Super light, super warm. It will get burned next to a poppin fire though. My all time favorite piece of gear.

Purchased this as an alternative to my heavy-weight TNF Windwall fleece. It is easily as warm, but is less bulky, weighs nothing and packs to the size of a tennis ball. I layer it over a lightweight shirt and under my soft shell. It has kept me comfortably warm sitting on summits at sub-zero temperatures in heavy wind. I'm 5'10" 165lbs and ordered a medium. Fit is a little baggier than I was expecting, but torso and sleeve length are both long enough to retain coverage during high reaches. As an "ultralight" garment, you have to accept the decreased durability. I'm cautious to wear it as my outer-most layer, and the collar lining is showing wear. That being said, I would highly recommend it.

69" tall. 41 inch chest. 30 'inch waist. 16 neck.
I wear a medium. Fits like the suits I bought in Hong Kong. Build is excellent. Chestnut color is really cool. Sets you apart, but not like an astronaut. You can wear it to work, or the coffee shop, or out on your adventures. I wanted dark navy but it was out of stock. Glad I got the brown.

This jacket is sort of shiny. Depends on the lighting. But it does not have the saran wrap look.

You will not wear this jacket to repair your car, or to a business meeting with a client. But for everything else it is wonderful.

This jacket, IF you are athletic build, IS the ultralight jacket to own.

The patagonia nan puff jacket is blocky just below the chest. Might as well try to carry a child with that thing or pack some very big heat, like a sawed off shotgun.

In the 30's I wear it with a thin smartwool underlayer. After a cold winter surf in Ventura it is easy to pull on and warms me up right away. Forget about putting anything heavy underneath it. This is either an outlayer on somewhat cold days, or a top layer in the mid 30's. It is windproof. I felt no leakage.

It is delicate, so be careful where you drag your elbows. I am 36" in the hips and this jacket hugs.

One more time. If you are a fit person, this jacket is THE ONE. As my mama said, clothes that FIT almost always look good.

For those who insist on zip pockets, there is no way you can put anything of any mass in the pockets of any ultralight jacket. It will feel like a brick in your back pocket.

Buy it, and if you do not like it, then I will buy a used medium from you. Make it dark navy.

Outlayer in mid 30's
Inner layer below that.
Looks a little edgy, and that is good IF you want to avoid the cookie cutter look that Patagonia is moving towards with their bulky styles.

This jacket does NOT have the techno arcteryx look.

I am a 2009 A.T. Thru-hiker and I was not really an ultra-lighter when I started my trip. I came to realize just how much clothing weighs sometime around mid-Virginia when I was still carrying all my winter clothes... This jacket solves the weight issue while still providing exceptional warmth. It is especially handy if traveling in an area that receives heavy rainfall because it will keep you warm even if it is wet, which a down jacket will not do. And at 8.8 ounces, it really can't be beat! There are no extra frills with this jacket, which is why it is so light and yet still so warm.

The weight to warmth ratio is unsurpassed for the price. Its fantastic for layering or alone for temperatures that are below freezing but in which you're generating heat through movement. I hope MontBell remains below the radar screen for popularity among the teenagers in the suburban malls, because the company seems committed to quality and performance; qualities that often suffer among brands that become mainstream.

I have had this jacket for several months. As the weather has become progressively colder, I have noticed that my jacket has always kept me warm. I think the coldest weather I have experienced with this jacket is 14 degrees F plus a wind chill. I stayed warm with just a long sleeve shirt underneath!

The best part is how incredibly lightweight it is. I haven't used it in the back-country, but I suspect it will do an excellent job.

I bought this jacket as a lightweight alternative to my old fleece jacket and have been very happy with it. Compared to fleece, I like the Therma-wrap for 3 reasons: it is much lighter, it is much more compact-able, and it blocks wind. Warmth wise, I have found my Therma-wrap jacket is roughly equivalent to my mid weight fleece jacket. The jacket is great for 3 seasons of warmth in the Pacific Northwest, and is perfect as a back up layer to toss in my pack for a weekend outing. I was afraid that the light weight material of the jacket would tear easily, however I have had no issues so far using the jacket for a variety of different outdoor and daily activities. I'm 6'2" and 175 lbs and the large fits me well.

I just returned from a three day trip backpacking through Pt. Reyes National Seashore. I had the need to wear my new Mont-bell Thermawrap jacket every day on this trip. It has become my new favorite piece of gear. Even though it being one of the lightest pieces of gear I own it is very warm and wind resistant. Our campsites were right on the coastline with strong winds and cold nights. It was comforting to put on the thermawrap and snuggle my chin into the soft collar liner. I would recommend this jacket to anyone

So Climing Mt Dickerman in the PNW and get to the summit and see this guy in this uber light jacket in its tinsy winsy stuff sack. I had to ask, then I had to get one! Works PEFECT under a Mammut Ultimate Hoodie with a smart wool top under that. Toasty warm and light. Can you say smart summiting. I knew you could. I was so light I thought I would need a string tied to my ankle!

I work at a high-end gear shop in AK, so I see a lot of technologies come through, but this is one of the best layers I have encountered. I carried one of these on my 2 week backpacking adventure through the Brooks range, and used this thing constantly. We get really mixed weather in the Brooks in the summer, everything from snow flurries to 70's and still. This jacket lived in the top pocket of my pack. I put it on for wind, light precip, snow, and rest stops on chilly summits. I use it as a major part of my winter layering system too. Excellent ice climbing belay jacket, backcountry skiing layer, and all-around insulating layer. It doesn't weigh anything, packs into the top pocket of my pack, blocks the wind, holds the body heat right next to you, and dries in minutes. pure magic!

I wanted a warm insulation layer that I could hike in and that would be nice and toasty in camp or during a lunch break. I find down too stressful to wear, I'm constantly worried about moisture from my sweat or an unexpected shower or what-have-you, so after some research I settled on this jacket.

As an ounce-counter, I find the weight of the jacket to be fantastic. It isn't as warm as I had hoped, but that is more a problem of my own expectations than the product itself. In the end, it works better as an ultralight fleece replacement than as a "puffy" for very cold situations.

If you need something really warm, look elsewhere. But if you want an insulation layer that's great on-trail, still useful wet, and lighter than any fleece, this is exactly what you're looking for.

I don't go out without it--It's so much lighter than my previous go-to fleece midlayer/light outer layer. It's definitely a no-frills jacket--it's obvious that MontBell made design choices based on WEIGHT and not FEATURES. The pockets don't zip and aren't lined, the elastic wrist openings are not adjustable, but I don't care. It's totally cozy and it's always available because I can't make any excuse not to carry it. I bet it would really get destroyed if you got too close to a campfire, though. I don't do fires when I backpack, so I'm not concerned with that, but you might factor that in.

I bought this jacket about a month ago before the snow fell here in MI and quickly fell in love with it! I needed a coat for bumming around town etc so the super specific mountaineering reviews didnt really apply and left me guessing. Bottom line - this coat is very light weight, athletically cut, and very well made. I tried on a TNF redpoint with similar insulation amount and left TNF store disappointed in the clunky feeling and very heavy jacket. So I figured Id blindly(couldnt find one in a store) try my luck with the montbell.

The first thing you will notice is how light this jacket is. Then you might wonder why you paid so much for so little (8ozs!!!!)? But dont worry it all works out. While the jacket is a little brisk in the wind while not moving, it is sufficiently warm when you're actually walking around(wearing at least one long sleeve top under it). Im usually quite cold-natured so I was surprised that this coat with a nike hoodie has kept me pretty warm in 20 degree temps. So this probably isnt your super cold go-to jacket but it seems versatile enough to wear from Fall through Winter and Spring.

The athletic cut on this coat will also be a nice surprise for athletic builds. Im 160 and 5'11", and the medium fits perfectly - sleeve length, waist and shoulders too! Instead of draw cords montbell uses elastic fabric wedges that actually work great and keep the cuffs and waist close to your body without having cords and velcro crap all over. Im also a huge fan of ballistic nylon so the fabric was a definite plus(also gives the lightweight properties not seen TNF redpoint). The brown color isnt too shiny either and looks really nice. So far friends and family have all commented on the jacket looking and fitting great. Overall the design is very sleek and minimalist in the best ways, you can tell it has incorporated the Japanese design elements hinted to on the Montbell site.

Bottom Line: Im very happy with the coat. Super light weight, reasonably warm, solid construction and aesthetics. Only negative is the price but this is well worth your pennies. Your buying quality here! One last ego booster is that nobody is wearing this brand and its not a played out yuppy soccer mom TNF jacket.

Warm, light and comfortable. Packs small and relofts quickly. Good jackt for end of the day lounging in the summer and all day use in fall, winter and spring. I only worry about the durablity of the fabric when its worn as an outer layer. It hasn't yet, but seems like it might rip easily, although knock on wood, after a month working in the field it is still holding up.

it`s lightweight - and therefore perfect for an jacket you want under your hardshell!!

Light, Check! Warm, Check! Stylish, Check!
So I tried this on and then slapped on a Mammut ultimate Hoodie. THE PERFECT combination for living in the PNW! Warm and dry!
The new design brings some much needed elasticity to the waist and the cuff. This is by far my favorite jacket! I love it so much I am going to get the vest!

I am 5-8, 133 lbs, and a size small fits me great. This is a slimmer fitting jacket but allows for good movement. I would say the coverage is a little small (waist and sleeve length) for climbing, but perfect fit for other activities.Warmth- This thing just feels warm, I would say easily warmer than a mid-weight fleece. The insulation seams instantly warm when you put the jacket on, but I am yet to have a problem with overheating.I think this will make a great winter layer, but I feel its best use will be backpacking: Super lightweight, packs into its pocket (or included stuff sack), wind/weather resistance. For technical wear, this easily replaces my fleece jackets,... and it looks good too.A little on the expensive side, but the weight savings and added weather resistance are worth every penny.

Add this to your must-have ultralight loadout. Stuffs tiny, super warm, quality construction. Everyone agrees, this jacket is the $h*t.

The performance, the fit, the quality and the feel are right here in this jacket. I really like it. Plus it stuffs down to nothing and is so light I keep it in the pack all the time.

"170#, 5'8" athletic: I got the medium, it was a little short and wore like a shirt, but the real problem was the arm pits fit very tight, too tight for adequate mobility. Will size up to a large and see what happens. Lost star for fit."

Sized up, and had perfect fit. No further complaints, great piece of gear.

This jacket is amazingly light and stops the wind cold! I love it. I find myself wearing it everyday instead of my sessions shell! You gotta try this!

I've only owned the jacket for a week or so, but I've found myself wearing it every day during this cold fall. Very comfortable and extreemly light weight. Nice replacement for a bulky sweatshirt. I've found it to be pretty windproof. It does fit tight. I'm 5'7" 150lbs and I got a small. It is very snug and fits like a shirt. The nice part about this is it will be great for an underlayer.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this product.

Gearing up for a pack in high country bow hunt instead of our usual base camp hunt. I was pleased to have the choice to purchase a women's jacket. So many times there isn't that option. Then I started second guessing ... men's vs women's. Opted to purchase a men's jacket hoping I would get extra shoulder room to be able to draw a bow and more layering possibilities. (Practicality wins over fashion in my book.) Very pleased with the cut and the pack size! Immediately ordered one for my hunting partner. This jacket has already earned a spot on the must have gear list.

The five star reviews are accurate. This is essentially the next iteration of the fleece, i.e. it is lighter and compacts much easier than the fleece. Keeps ya warm and will repel light rain (haven't been soaked in it yet). Definitely great to have in the arsenal.

My husband was looking for a lightweight warm jacket for those spring bike rides. This jacket has fit the need exactly. It's a good wind barrier with excellent warmth. He felt the cuffs needed elastic, but that was his only complaint. The fit was great.

Great Jacket- Light, stylish and fitted. Unfortunately, I couldn't justify the warmth v. cost. It's not super warm, and better suited to aerobic activity. It's about as warm as a fleece while only half the weight. If you can afford a light insulation layer, book it. If you're on the edge, consider the redpoint or some other primaloft jacket.

170#, 5'8" athletic: I got the medium, it was a little short and wore like a shirt, but the real problem was the arm pits fit very tight, too tight for adequate mobility. Will size up to a large and see what happens. Lost star for fit.

The center front length is too short. It is suitable for climbing where it's nice to have the hem above the harness, but it is really too short for any other use on me. Rest of jacket fit great though. I wear a Medium and am 6'0" with a very average torso length.

I bought this jacket but unfortunately got a size to small. Didn't have a Medium, so sadly I had to return it for a refund. I am 5'9" 150 with a small frame and I am usually between a Small and a Medium. Figured the small would fit but it didn't. So if you are between sizes, go with the bigger size. This jacket is so light it will float to the ground when you drop it. Didn't get to test the warmth, but it seems like it would do well. Packs down super small! The only thing I didn't like about this jacket is that is really shiny.

It is everything it says it is....light, packable, and a good layering piece. The fit is off for me, however. I went with the large and it is a tad too big...the medium way too small. I am 5'11" and 160 lbs. I also wish it had a waste cinch, that would solve my problem. It is perfect for under my ski jacket, but I was hoping to also be able to wear it around town...its looks a little too sloppy-joe for that.

This jacket is way too light,I can't believe how light it is. it looks cool and you will need to wear something underneath it to provide the full wormth.

Pockets lack zippers. Waist lacks draw cord. Too bad, this could be an ideal jacket but it lacks these two obvious (to me) assets.