Read up on Oli’s thoughts as he takes Montane’s ultra-cosy insulated jacket for a spin over Dartmoor and beyond.
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Cold seasons are rolling in, the evenings are getting more than a little chilly and the wind and rain are certainly typical of Autumn and the oncoming Winter. Though many of us are dreading the incoming cold, it undoubtedly has its positives. The wondrous cold season stews and crumbles, the lack of mosquitos, and of course the donning of our winter gear. I have been lucky enough to have a spin in Montane’s Flux jacket, a synthetic insulated jacket with a nice generous hood and plenty of pockets (essential for the carrying of snacks, map, compass, gloves, spare bits of climbing gear, and more snacks). Made to keep you warm with the hills of Scotland specifically in mind, I took it over to the closest thing Devon had to offer, my beloved Dartmoor. I was very impressed.
Here are some labelled details offered by the Flux:
Montane has made the flux for belaying and more. It is easy to see how they’ve approached this, the fit is loose at the chest and arms, this allows for good layering during the winter and is easy to throw on in a hurry when caught out in the cold. The jacket packs snuggly up into its right-hand pocket using a double-sided zip, once packed away it has a carabiner loop perfect for attaching to your harness when climbing. It is double zipped to allow unzipping from the bottom, this allows very easy use with a harness and belay device. There is also a popper fastening at the bottom of the zip to keep everything neat and tidy whilst unzipped for maximum ventilation if you need it. These details that optimise versatility which go hand in hand with many of Montane’s products. This jacket has features to optimise performance whether you’re getting cold or hot.
The jacket itself is made using a windproof Pertex Quantum Eco Outer. This is made using recycled nylon sourced from post-industrial waste. This material is undoubtedly better for the planet when compared to virgin nylon but also performs every bit as well. Being a belayers jacket, it can certainly be able to stand up to harsh scrapes on rough granite and feels solid. The material is ripstop so if you do manage to snag it, it can only rip so far before the woven-in pattern puts a stop to it. Any wounds to the jacket are easily fixed with garment tape, any good climber wears their snagged garments with pride. Mine however has remained snag-free. The jacket has been treated with an excellent DWR finish and has so far remained incredibly water-resistant. This is a jacket you feel very secure in. I should also note that despite its recycled origins, this jacket looks and feels great. The high quality of the jacket is very apparent, especially when on.
Insulation-wise, the Flux is filled with synthetic Primaloft Silver. Made using plastic bottles, you can find the equivalent of 6 used within the jacket, though it certainly doesn’t resemble them anymore. This is a jacket made to keep you warm in some pretty chilly environments, what you’d expect from a climber’s jacket made for Scottish hills. The fill is also treated with a DWR meaning that even when a little soggy the jacket is still capable of keeping you warm. After hiking my way around windy, cold hills, I came to love this jacket when stopping and taking breaks. Once the jacket is on, it simply will not allow you to get cold.
It is clear that despite initial inspiration, Montane has gone further than making a simple belaying jacket. Though, because of its warmth, you wouldn’t want to take vigorous long hikes in it, the jacket does breath relatively well. It should be noted however that this jacket is made to keep you warm while you take part in one of my personal favourite activities outdoors, staying relatively still and enjoying the scenery. This is why I think it is a great addition, stuffed into your pack on any cold hike because when you stop and check it on to keep warm, this jacket will not let you down.
Montane as a brand has perfected the art of putting in the necessary features and quality materials to make a garment that performs superbly, is ultra-comfortable, and is undoubtedly easy to use when flustered by the weather and terrain around you. This jacket is no exception to this and when compared to similar jackets from other brands, you cannot go wrong with the Flux.
You can take a closer look and shop for the Montane Flux Jacket HERE
or
Shop all Montane gear and garments HERE
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This review was written by Oli who is the caretaker for the Taunton Leisure Blog and Social Media. Oli is a big fan of Unspoilt wilderness, starry nights, and roaring campfires. He is happiest out on the hill or in the woods, wild camping with his two awesome doggos.
