good but can be improved

By Ale2507833 Ranked #191 - Men's Windshirts and Jackets November 3, 2010

I've had this jacket for 1.5 years and use it year-round to commute on my bike. In Michigan winter, I wear it over a baselayer and a thicker wool layer and am toasty except on the coldest days. As long as there is no rain in the forecast, I take this instead of a hardshell on multipitch climbs in almost every type of weather (in mildly cold weather, with a mid-layer handy -- in winter, with a belay jacket to wear over everything).

This jacket excels at completely blocking wind and doing it with little weight. It dried quickly if you're moving and is great for snowy environments, but overall, does not deal well with wet weather (e.g., rain or ice climbing).

Lastly, I don't think it runs small -- in fact, it feels quite baggy in the mid sections and good to slightly loose everywhere else. I am 5'11 165lbs and own a medium.

Pros:
Excellent wind protection from a paper-thin jacket -- only a few ounces of weight.

Covers neck fairly well.

Nice and long length-wise.

Layers and breathes well.

Retains body heat well.

Multi-use (climbing, biking, hiking).

Material is abrasion resistant.

Napolean pocket is good for maps / light stuff.

Cons:
Hood isn't secured very well (3 dime-sized velcro tabs).

Fit is baggy around the mid-section.

Hood tightening elastic broke after normal use -- had to get it fixed at tailor.

No regular pockets.

Reflective dots have started to peel off after normal use for 1.5 years.

Napolean pocket is bad for small / heavy stuff like keys & wallet.

View Details: Montane Lite-Speed Jacket - Men's

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes