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It's a great item that can be worn at all times, even when you're on a cold weather wear or during a break
Winter clothing is one of the most important items for outdoor activities in the winter, but now there are several options available depending on your preference and attachment: down, synthetic fiber insulation, and fleece. For example, down is sensitive to wetting so you have to take off your clothes before you act, fleece is bulky, and other synthetic fibers still have a long way to keep warm, so it is true that all of them have their advantages and disadvantages, making it difficult to choose cold weather clothing. However, the Montane Fireball Jacket is a dream-like winter clothing (middle layer insulation) that has solved these shortcomings in a good balance and kept the price within reach as much as possible. Recently, my equipment lineup has finally replaced the fleece that I hadn't been able to replace for about five years, and has become a regular in the gaps in my backpack. For me, this was a shocking item (exaggeration) that broke the stereotype of middle layer in the sense that it has simply achieved the characteristics that I had given up on in previous winter wear.
※I've written a featured insulation comparison test, including Fireball Jacket.
Breaking News Review
Item name (reference price)
Montane Fireball Jacket (23,760 yen)
Main Specifications
| item | Contents |
|---|---|
| weight | 328g (size M) It's inferior to down but lighter than fleece |
| Outer material | PERTEXⓇ Quantum Rip-stop The world's lightest-lightweight, tough, quick-drying, windproof and water-repellent with ultra-fine threads that combine durability |
| Padded | PRIMALOFTⓇ SILVER ECO (40g) Quick-drying, lightweight and compact, yet provides sufficient heat retention, and even when wet, there is little decrease in heat retention |
| lining | PEAQ Synthetic Liner Very supple on the skin, and excellent breathability and quick drying |
| Color variations | Electric blue, Black, Tangerine |
Front and back
Baffles are inevitably installed to eliminate uneven filling in down, but baffles are made as little as possible to improve heat retention. The tailoring is also designed to not interfere with body movement, making it easy to move and comfortable at all. There are also two pockets, including insulation, hand warmers and pockets that do not hit the backpack, climbing harness, and belt.
Lining and hem
Not only is it smooth to wear, but it's also breathable. There is a drawstring at the hem.
cuff
It is durable, loose and stretchy, and easy to roll up your arms.
Zipper Chin Guard
It uses a lightweight reverse coil zipper, and there is a flap inside for added windproofness. It is folded back from micro fleece fabric, making it comfortable to the touch.
Food
It's small, and on the other hand, it's too big to cover your eyes, and it's just the right size (wears under the helmet). However, it cannot be adjusted.
When storing
If you turn the right pocket inside out and store it as a staff bag, it can be packed into an envelope-like shape as shown in the photo.
This is amazing!
I tried it out as a mid-size outfit in Nasu and Hakone in the winter, and it was very lightweight and compact. The simple tailoring, which is carefully crafted with no unnecessary elements, is felt throughout the belief that Montane, the British hero, devotes everything to developing fast and light outdoor gear.
And what I liked most was the stable comfort, from action to breaks. I wore it somewhere between a wool base layer and a Gore-Tex outerwear, but it has a smooth texture, a form that doesn't look out of place at all when you move your body, and the breathable lining keeps moisture escaping even when you're moist with sweat, so I don't feel the need to take it off at all while I'm at work. Furthermore, during the break, the PRIMALOFT properly shuts out the outside air, and the PERTEX Quantum protects the wind, so there is no cold at all. In other words, you can just leave it on all day.
Other important considerations are also great, as the micro fleece chin guard and the right pocket become a staff bag Of course, unlike down, it's easy to maintain, as you can just wash it normally and dry it in the washing machine
This is not good
I'd have to say that, but I would like to have one more pocket for small items such as an inner pocket or a chest pocket without ventilation. This one piece does not have enough heat retention in the harsh winter (this is why it is so lightweight and compact).
Summary: What kind of people do they recommend?
The great thing is that it is recommended for everyone, basically regardless of the season, or for any type of activity (from hiking to stream climbing, backcountry skiing, climbing). This is especially recommended for those who like slim fit, simple, and lightweight goods like me. If you have a lightweight down jacket for the harsh cold, it would be enough to protect yourself from the cold in Japan.
