MILLET Typhon Phantom Fast Jacket Review: This ultra-lightweight rainwear has finally evolved into a world-class "monster" in both lightness and strength, making it a must-have rainwear for any weather
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
It is no exaggeration to say that the new rain jacket series " Typhon Phantom " (two models to be exact) MILLET
Above all, everyone will be blown away by the specs, which pack exceptional protection and comfort into top-class lightness
TYPHON 50000 ST JKT, which serves as the base model for this jacket, was released, I wrote in a review that "I can hear the footsteps of the end of 'rain gear.'" That past innocence makes me want to dig a hole and bury myself, but despite such nonsense, rain gear continues to evolve vigorously today as rain gear, or even as "something more than rain gear."
Since its release in March, I've been using it for hiking in low mountains, trail running, and backcountry skiing, so I thought I'd share my review to see how its outstanding specs actually performed
table of contents
- Key Features of the Millet Typhon Phantom Fast Jacket
- Detailed review (worn for mountain climbing, trail running, and backcountry skiing)
- Comfort and ease of movement: It's so light and comfortable that it's a shame to only wear it on rainy days
- Weather resistance and breathability: Monster-class specs are true. Durability and comfort for peace of mind even in rainy weather
- Functionality: A lightweight and compact jacket with minimal functionality that includes only the bare essentials
- Summary: Monster-class performance as both rain gear and wind shell. The most "usable" ultra-light outerwear for hikers and runners who prioritize lightness
Key Features of the Millet Typhon Phantom Fast Jacket
The MILLET Typhon Phantom Fast Jacket is an ultra-lightweight, waterproof, and breathable jacket made with the company's unique three-layer "Typhon Phantom®" fabric, which combines water resistance far beyond what's available today with exceptional breathability. This incredibly lightweight jacket minimizes unnecessary materials and achieves incredible lightness. Despite its light weight of just 132 grams (size M), the three-layer fabric offers ample durability and a comfortable feel, providing protection for even the harshest of conditions while remaining so light and comfortable you'll forget you're even wearing it. Features include a balaclava-style hood that conforms to the shape of your head, airtight sleeves and hem, and a packable chest zip pocket that can be reversed for storage, providing all the essentials for runners and speed hikers seeking the ultimate in lightness and speed. The lineup also includes the " Typhon Phantom Trek Jacket ," a sister model with features more suited to trekking.
Favorite points
- Exceptionally waterproof and breathable
- Incredibly thin, lightweight and compact
- A slim and refined silhouette
- Skillful three-dimensional cutting and subtle stretchability ensure a comfortable fit that doesn't restrict movement
- Tight fitting hood
- Packable
Points of concern
- Rainwater easily seeps in through the brimless hood and loose cuffs (it's recommended to wear a cap when it rains)
- With a concept that prioritizes lightness, each part has only the minimum necessary functions suitable for lightweight, high-tempo activities
Main specifications and evaluation
| item | MILLET Typhon Phantom Fast Jacket |
|---|---|
| weight | 121g ※S (JPM) size actual measurement |
| color | SMOKED PEARL / ICON BLUE |
| size | XXS / XS / S / M / L / XL |
| Women's model | unisex |
| material | Typhon Phantom® 3L 100% nylon (water resistance 50,000mm, breathability 60,000g/m2/24h) |
| |
| Other features |
|
| Reference price (as of April 2025) | ￥42,900 (tax included) |
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Weather resistance (waterproof/windproof) | ★★★★★ |
| Breathable and non-stuffy | ★★★★★ |
| Comfort and ease of movement | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★★ |
| Functionality | ★★☆☆☆ |
| durability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★☆☆ |
Detailed review (worn for mountain climbing, trail running, and backcountry skiing)
Comfort and ease of movement: It's so light and comfortable that it's a shame to only wear it on rainy days
The Typhon Phantom Fast Jacket features a 3-layer fabric made of 100% nylon with a 7x12 denier plain weave outer fabric and a 7 denier circular knit lining sandwiched between a waterproof and breathable membrane.
When it comes to rainwear, even the thinnest fabric is typically several dozen deniers thick, so you can see that this jacket is made of extremely thin fabric on both the front and back. The official weight is 132g for the M size. I also weighed the S size (JPM size) I have on hand and it was a whopping 121g. Either way, it's so light you'll forget you're wearing it
However, the fabric is still firmer than I expected, and being a three-layer fabric, it's not too durable. It also has a subtle stretch, which is a nice touch compared to the thickness and stiffness that typically come with three layers. It's supple, smooth, and refreshingly comfortable
I'm 176cm tall, 64kg, and am wearing a size S. Please note that it may be slightly wrinkled as it has just been unpacked
When I put it on, despite the overall tight silhouette, it didn't feel too tight and was very natural and comfortable to wear, not restricting movement. I'm 176cm tall, 64kg, and slim, so the S size was just the right fit. For those with a larger build or who plan to wear a lot of layers underneath, the M size would be better, but since I get hot easily, I think the S size was just right, assuming I'll be wearing light clothing
The fine knit lining feels smooth against the skin, and is supple and stretchy, making it incredibly comfortable to wear. The three-dimensional cut, including the raglan sleeves around the shoulders, and the slight stretch mentioned above, allow for smooth bending and straightening of the arms and rotation of the shoulders (see photo below). We found that there was very little discomfort from the clothes being tight or the hem riding up. Furthermore, the length around the hips is longer, which prevents the hem from riding up too much with upper body movement
Weather resistance and breathability: Monster-class specs are true. Durability and comfort for peace of mind even in rainy weather
One of the most important aspects of mountain rainwear is its waterproof and breathable performance, and as you may know, this jacket boasts an astonishing water resistance of 50,000mm and breathability of 60,000g/m²/24h, both of which are unprecedentedly high figures
The waterproofing around the fabric is fine, but the hood, sleeves and hem have minimal protection
First of all, in terms of water resistance, standard rainwear has traditionally been in the 10,000 to 30,000mm range. That's why I couldn't help but doubt my eyes when I saw this "50,000" figure. The highest water resistance I knew of was "40,000" for the old GORE-TEX, but most models nowadays are around 20,000. Honestly, I have no idea what "50,000mm water resistance" means. I figured I wouldn't really know until I tried it on and experienced it for myself, so I decided to try walking for a few hours in the heavy rain of the Tanzawa Mountains
I wore it for about an hour while walking around in a pouring rain, and I could definitely feel its excellent waterproofing, as not only the fabric but also the areas that are prone to water seepage, such as the seam taping and the waterproof zipper with flap on the front, were well covered. The water repellency provided by the durable water repellent (DWR) treatment also didn't seem extremely low after wearing it for a few hours, and even after being hit by rain for several hours, water droplets still remained on the outer fabric (photo below). After returning to the lab, I tested it under a shower, and no water seepage was observed through the fabric or seams, and it certainly didn't feel like its water repellency was lacking compared to other past models
The left photo shows the water-repellent properties of the outer fabric immediately after wearing, and the right photo shows the properties about two hours after wearing. Although water had begun to soak into the outer fabric (of course, it wasn't completely soaked in), some water-repellent properties remained
On the other hand, the Typhon Phantom Fast offers near-perfect protection around the fabric and seams, but the construction of the hood and sleeves requires some caution.
This is the Typhon Phantom Fast are both made with simple elastic shirring, making them less resistant to water seepage than thicker rainwear.
The cuffs in particular are prone to water dripping from the upper arms (when the arms are raised, for example) getting inside
The hood does not have a protruding brim (visor) and the chin height is minimal, so it is not strong enough to protect against rain from the front
The hood also has no visor, so raindrops from the front hit your face and water easily seeps in from the edges. If you want to be more prepared for rain, we recommend adding a cap or other protection
However, rather than being a drawback of this jacket, it should be considered that this specification was chosen as a result of prioritizing lightness. This is because the Typhon Phantom Trek, which is in the same series and is intended for general mountaineering use, has semi-stretch cuffs that protect the instep and a hood with a sturdy visor, making it more waterproof, so users can choose either one to suit their needs.
In my case, I plan to always wear a cap while I'm out and about, so I was attracted to the appeal of the "Fast " , and I chose this one. Therefore, which is right for you will vary depending on your purpose and preferences, so it's a good idea to take these differences into consideration when you're unsure which to choose.
High breathability allows you to move around comfortably in rain or shine, hot or cold
The Typhon Phantom Trek , a performance that allows moisture to escape from inside the garment due to sweat and other factors . Generally speaking, a breathability of 20,000g would be considered satisfactory when selecting rainwear, so it goes without saying that this figure is in a league of its own.
When I actually wore it, I could definitely feel how well it let air out when I was sweating during intense exercise, even though honestly the jacket isn't particularly breathable. From my experience trying out a variety of rainwear, in most cases, when doing intense exercise during the day, the moisture that can't escape condenses inside the garment, making you feel wet, but this hardly happened in this test. The three-layer fabric means that the lining absorbs any slight moisture, reducing the feeling of wetness, which of course has a positive effect. Also, of course, I didn't test it in hot seasons, so I can't say for sure, but it was refreshing in a way to feel how well it let air out even without ventilation
Its lightness and ease of movement make you forget you're wearing it, its windproof properties keep out the wind and cold, and its outstanding breathability made it a great help on our Hakkoda expedition in March
I wore it over my base layer and mid-layer on the steep climb just before the peak, and it worked perfectly as an outer layer, shielding me from the chill of the strong wind and light snowfall while letting sweat vapor escape and keeping me comfortable inside. It's a small detail, but compared to a breathable windproof shell, it blocks out the wind better, so I actually liked the fact that I didn't feel the chill of drafts that can easily come with such a windproof shell (see photo below. Of course, it gets cold when I stop at the peak, so I put on a hard shell afterwards)
On the ridgeline above the tree line in Hakkoda in March
Functionality: A lightweight and compact jacket with minimal functionality that includes only the bare essentials
Balaclava-style hood that fits snugly over the head
the Typhon Phantom Fast is designed with a focus on lightweight construction, the hood has been designed to provide a minimalist yet efficient fit. It doesn't have the adjustment features of a standard hood. Instead, it has elastic shirring on the back of the head and the edges of the hood, allowing it to fit to the shape of your head to some extent just by putting it on.
The fitted hood follows the movement of your neck and is very comfortable to wear. However, as mentioned earlier, it's important to keep in mind that it only provides a minimum level of protection. If you anticipate needing to endure heavy rain for a long period of time, we recommend choosing another option, or using it in combination with a cap when wearing it in the rain
Reversible chest zip pocket
The jacket's only chest zip pocket, located on the right chest, is large enough to hold even a large smartphone, making it a very useful item
Furthermore, this pocket is pocketable, so you can pack the device without a storage bag by turning it inside out and rolling it up. After storage, it becomes compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand (see photo below), and it's so small that it won't hurt or itch even if you put it in a small backpack
Simple elastic shirring at the cuffs and hem
The jacket's minimalist concept is also carried through to the cuffs and hem. There is only elastic shirring on the bottom two-thirds of the cuffs and a few centimeters on the sides of the hem, and no adjustment mechanisms such as Velcro or drawcords are included. While it does provide a comfortable fit, the range of fit is limited, so those seeking greater comfort and convenience may find it lacking. However, if you are looking for something lighter and simpler, this is understandable and even a welcome choice
Summary: Monster-class performance as both rain gear and wind shell. The most "usable" ultra-light outerwear for hikers and runners who prioritize lightness
The Typhon Phantom Fast Jacket lives up to its reputation for exceptional fabric quality. It's perfectly suited to all high-intensity activities year-round, from trail running and fastpacking where lightness is paramount, to high-tempo mountain skiing in cold weather, and even regular hiking and trekking (as long as you don't require extreme durability or warmth). Its appeal lies in its ability to provide sufficient protection in any situation, weighing just 100g, whether it's a rain jacket when it rains or a windshell on sunny days. No other ultralight rain jacket offers the confidence to simply throw this jacket in your backpack, no matter the situation. As mentioned in the article, if you're looking for the lightest possible jacket, the Typhon Phantom Fast is the perfect choice. However, for those who value rain resistance and convenient pockets over a few dozen grams of weight savings, Typhon Phantom Trek Jacket offers a better balance, even for trail runners.
While this model's lightness and waterproof/breathable properties tend to grab attention, we shouldn't forget its exceptional quality as a garment, thanks to its excellent patterning, which combines comfort, ease of movement, and a flattering silhouette, cultivated over many years of experience in outdoor wear production. This model is a Japanese-designed product within Millet's lineup. While a French brand, this jacket is truly made in Japan, with fabric selection, design, patterning, and production all handled by Japanese technology and operations. From that perspective, it's no exaggeration to say that this jacket, with its unparalleled performance and quality, is a quintessential example of Japan's outstanding technology. The significance of this jacket's Japanese origins lies in the fact that, even in this globalized era, Japan's long-established apparel industry still boasts top-level capabilities
Japan was once one of the world's leading mountaineering companies, but how many mountaineering gear can it still claim to have? Embark on another exciting adventure with Typhon Phantom series
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