Montane Extreme Jacket

A well-designed winter jacket which works best with suitably breathable mid and base layers.

I couldn't resist buying this jacket in the 2023/4 spring sale. It was half price, and maybe a quarter of the price, of the locally stitched Buffalo Jacket from which it gets some of its major design elements.  I bought a slightly larger size than usual to allow for another garment of a similar type to fit underneath.  This has been an effective combination, in serious mountain snow, with a Buffalo Mountain Shirt next to the skin (see review: https://www.trailspace.com/gear/buffalo/mountain-shirt/#review41213)

Pertex outer and a pile lining: a combination proven to work reliably, in mixed alpine conditions, since the 1990s. This jacket has a map pocket and two cavernous hand warmer pockets, lined with pile. The hood has room for a helmet, plenty of adjustment, and a burly, baffle design, which really adds protection for your neck and face. There is cuff and hem adjustment, to keep out the snow. 

The jacket sits comfortably below the waist and doesn't ride up during strenuous work. This may, in part, be because I bought a size larger than usual and the sleeve/shoulder aperture is quite roomy, as a result. You may prefer something slimmer fitting and perhaps prefer to wear a thinner mid layer, so sizing may depend on your intended use and local weather expectations. The jacket has an extra layer of tougher fabric, from elbow to cuff, which makes a lot of sense.

Pertex is not totally waterproof in a monsoon, but will keep your bedraggled self warm, regardless. It's highly effective in colder conditions; snow just falls off the material and any buildup of moisture during exercise is expelled, if you wear suitable breathable layers beneath the jacket. Pertex and pile garments are a really great option if you find yourself getting over-heated and sweaty in your current snow clothing.

I notice that the fabric used to make this jacket is now 100% recycled, following a slight re-design for 2026. This can never be a bad thing.

The jacket is bulky if you are outside in mixed conditions and you want to store it in your pack. Most users would probably stow their mid layer instead. The hood baffle is one of my favourite design elements, but some folks might not like the face covering. The entire hood portion of the jacket is removable, which may solve this issue. The baffle is not removable on its own but can be clipped out of the way with press studs.

The map pocket is generous. The hand warmers even more so and well positioned, relative to pack straps. Zips are top quality and the main zip is a two-way, with a baffle and velcro, to keep the wind out.

It would be hard to seriously upgrade this product if the overall approach, pioneered by Buffalo is one that you have tried and found to be effective. If switching from Gore-tex shells, you may be initially disconcerted by the softer feel of the outer and the retro look of the pile lining. I notice that the recent design refresh didn't add any extra pit zips, which speaks to the functionality of this system, as is. I certainly never felt any lack of ventilation when working hard in sub-zero conditions. Again, your personal physiology, local climate, and intended uses for the product may differ.

I own a variety of fleece garments and Gore-tex products, of variable effectiveness. I never use any of them in winter mountain terrain because using a Pertex and pile mid layer is so effective, for me, in conjunction with this jacket. The Montane jacket feels reassuringly cosy on a sub-Arctic plateau and has stood up to snow holing, skiing, and other foolish alpine entertainments that an old man indulges himself with.

It works really well for its intended uses and seems durable, with no damage at all after two winters of occasional use. It also makes a fine dog walking shell, on a miserable day in the woods. Rather like a steel-framed bicycle, this is a mature technology which you may not have encountered but which may be eminently suitable for your outdoor obsessions. (I use a Buffalo shirt when cycling, for example.)

I recommend this product and I wish it had been sewn in England, rather than in the Far East. I would have given it five stars, but two years is merely the start of a relationship with this kind of product.

Background

Two winters in Scottish mountain terrain and some foul weather spring and autumn low level walks. I've been using the Pertex and Pile system since 1990.