table of contents
The use of new materials brings it even closer to perfection as rain gear
The Storm Cruiser is a representative rainwear product from Montbell that has been a long-selling product and has enjoyed consistent popularity in Japan since 1982. I was a student and greatly cherished its reliable, conventional functionality and reasonable price. To be honest, I had lost interest in it for a while, but this year it suddenly appeared before our eyes in a new form. What has changed? Let's take a look at the review of the 2015 model
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Detailed Review
Item name (price)
Mont-bell Storm Cruiser Jacket (Reference price: 19,872 yen)
Front/back
Main specifications and evaluation
| evaluation | |
|---|---|
| waterproof | ★★★★☆ |
| Breathability | ★★★★☆ |
| Comfort (feel and feel) | ★★★★★ |
| Mobility (ease of movement) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| durability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Functionality (ease of use) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| design | ★★☆☆☆ |
| price | ★★★★☆ |
| Overall score | ★★★★☆ |
| Specifications | |
| material | GORE-TEX with GORE C-KNIT Backer Technology [Outer: 20-denier Ballistic® nylon ripstop] |
| Layer | 3 layers |
| Color variations | Dark Teal (DKTL), Flash Orange (FOG), Green (GN), Indigo (IND) , Mustard (MST), Primary Blue (PRBL), Signal Red (SIRD) |
| weight | 257g |
| 2 (left and right) | |
| pit zip | none |
| Food | Triaxle hood (helmet compatible) |
| Storage method | stuff sack |
This is amazing!
Highly waterproof and extremely comfortable and soft to the touch
As expected from GORE-TEX, its water repellency lasts longer than any other waterproof/breathable material! Even when hit by a heavy rain, it stays like this↓.
The biggest improvement in this latest renewal is the lining. As we've mentioned before, the secret lies in GORE C-KNIT Backer Technology, a circular knit fabric developed after four years of trial and error. The 3-layer construction, made with a circular knit fabric made from ultra-fine yarns, feels much softer and more flexible against the skin than a 2.5-layer fabric like Paclite, which is simply treated with a special processIt stays dry no matter how much you sweat or how much rain it rains and the humidity inside increases。
Comfortable cuffs and ample pockets
As is common with Montbell rainwear, the adjustable Velcro cuffs with tabs also have elastic, which not only prevents wind and rain from entering but also provides a more comfortable fit around the wrist .
The pockets are well placed so they won't be blocked by a hip belt or harness, and they're large enough .
Lightweight, compact and low-cost
To see just how light and compact the 2015 Storm Cruiser model has become, we will compare it the Mont-bell Torrent Flyer Jacket THE NORTH FACE Climb Very Light Jacket a product from another company that uses the same material .
| evaluation | Mont-Bell Storm Cruiser Jacket | Mont-Bell Torrent Flyer Jacket | THE NORTH FACE Climb Very Light Jacket |
|---|---|---|---|
| waterproof | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ |
| Breathability | ◎ | ◯ | ◎ |
| Comfort | ◎ | ◯ | ◎ |
| Ease of movement | ◯ | ◯ | ◎ |
| weight | 257g | 215g | 250g |
| durability | ◎ | △ | ◯ |
| price | 19,872 yen | 22,680 yen | 39,960 yen |
| material | GORE-TEX with GORE C-KNIT Backer Technology (20D) | GORE-TEX Paclite (12D) | GORE-TEX with GORE C-KNIT Backer Technology |
| pit zip | none | can be | none |
As you can see from this table, with the introduction of the 2015 version of the Storm Cruiser, the lightweight advantage that was a major feature of the Trent Flyer has been largely eliminated. On the other hand, the gap in breathability, comfort, and durability has widened significantly , so there is no longer any clear reason to choose the Trent Flyer. Montbell is surely aware of this, so the Trent Flyer will likely be redesigned in the near future. In any case, the evolution of the Storm Cruiser is incredible.
Also, compared to the TNF Climb Very Light Jacket (also an excellent product) made from the same material, it is inferior in weight, fit, and ease of movement, but is about twice the price. The Storm Cruiser is also more durable, with a thicker fabric for added reliability. Incidentally, as you can see in the photo below, the packed size of all three jackets is almost the same.
From the left: Storm Cruiser, Trent Flyer, and Climb Berry Light. They are almost the same size when stored
This is not so good
Fit and mobility
Although it claims to have a "sleeker, more streamlined silhouette" than previous models, the waist is still looser and the arms and hem are shorter , so it doesn't quite fit perfectly (though I'm open to disagreements). Regarding mobility, while the elbows are three-dimensionally cut, I was bothered by the tightness of other joints, such as the armpits when raising your arms and the hood when moving your neck .
Internal hem adjustment drawcord
It's Montbell's original "Lead-in Cord System," which allows you to adjust the hem from inside your pocket. This is the first time I've seen this system, and it's a bit of a hassle. It seems like it might get caught on some kind of sign, or it might break easily
Summary: Who is this recommended for?
If you don't go into too many details, this rainwear is incredibly comfortable and easy to use!
The power of this new material, developed through four years of hard work and Japanese technological expertise, is immense. From beginners to veterans, this is a great product that anyone will not regret using, regardless of the type of activity. However, it is not a reliable hard shell for the harsh winter
This is the only choice for Montbell rain gear for the 2015 season!
Rainwear that does not use Gore-Tex is not very reliable in terms of functionality, and even though the Torrent Flyer is light, the difference is now so small that it barely weighs more than a glass of water, so there is no reason not to choose this model
As always with Montbell, we are blown away by the "excellence in basic performance and high cost performance" and then the "usability and design of the finer details..." pattern continues, and this time too the basics remain the same. However, this time there is nothing to complain about in terms of the most important aspect of rain gear, "comfort in the rain", and it can be said that it more than makes up for any shortcomings. If you are Japanese, this is a recommended rainwear that every household should have!
We also recommend this article about rainwear
- Types of rainwear and how to choose them - things to check before you buy
- This season's must-have mountain climbing rainwear [for hiking and trekking]
- This season's must-have ultra-lightweight rainwear [for trail running and fastpacking]
- Comparison Review: What is the best rainwear to have when hiking?
- Comparison Review: Ultra-lightweight Rainwear for Mountain Climbing and Running [2016 Spring/Summer]
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