Review: mont-bell torrent flyer jacket It's still extremely convenient, though
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
table of contents
Top class in terms of cost performance
Trent Flyer Jacket is a leading Japanese outdoor gear brand, and is ultra-lightweight rainwear provided by Montbell, which is said to be (and among me) that no manufacturer will appear on the right in terms of cost performance. This time, it is also a great student jacket that combines the three key points of "weight, performance, and price." Let's start with a review.
We also recommend this article about rainwear.
- Ultra-lightweight rainwear you won't miss this season 2017 [Recommended for trail running and fast packing]
- 2017 Rainwear for Mountaineering that You Can't Miss This Season [For Hiking and Trekking]
- Comparison test: We compared ultra-lightweight rainwear that is great for mountain climbing and running [2016SS]
- You need to know before you buy! How to choose the best mountain climbing rainwear
Detailed review
Item name (price)
mont-bell torrent flyer jacket
Front and back
Main Specifications and ratings
| evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Waterproof (20 points) | 18 |
| Breathability (20 points) | 16 |
| Comfort (20 points) | 16 |
| Weight (10 pieces) | 9 |
| Storage capacity (10 items) | 7 |
| Durability (5 points) | 2 |
| Ease of use (5 points) | 2 |
| Design (5 pieces) | 2 |
| Price (5 items) | 4 |
| Overall score | 76 |
| Specs | |
| material | GORE-TEX Paclite [Table: 12 denier ballistic air light nylon ripstop] |
| Layer | 2.5 layer |
| Color variations | Cerulean Blue (CEBL) Evergreen (EVGN) Golden Orange (GDOG) Graphite (GRPH) Red Brick (RDBR) |
| weight | 215g |
| 1 (Breast) | |
| Pit zip | can be |
| Food | It's small, but it's not that a helmet is impossible |
| Storage method | Staff sack |
This is amazing!
It is highly waterproof in this category and the pit zipper prevents stuffiness when active
The Torrent Flyer is extremely waterproof, unlike any other model. It once again teaches you how waterproof Gore-Tex products are . Ultra-lightweight rainwear, developed with the aim of being extremely thin (compact) and light in the material, is extremely light, and the waterproof performance is inevitably low compared to all-season rainwear, but the GORE-TEX Paclite, which is used in this model, is extremely waterproof, not inferior to regular rainwear. Jackets made of other materials can be seen to have less water repellent in a few minutes in heavy rain, while this model remains water repellent for quite a long time and prevents it from soaking into the fabric.
Furthermore , while achieving this lightness, the 2015 model has significantly improved breathability and is equipped with pit zippers, which are essential for more comfortable activities , allowing you to effectively control the moisture inside even in sunny and rainy weather.
The lightest and compact size of the ultra-lightweight rainwear made from Gore-Tex
Despite being Gore-Tex, it is incredibly light at 215g. However, it should be very compact, but the included staff bag has a bit of room to spare, which is a shame.
The standard GORE-TEX Paclite uses 20D (denier) nylon, but this model is made with a massive 12D, and the overall weight is surprisingly light at 215g ( as of January 2015, Gore-Tex rainwear ) . This lightness is achieved not only by the thickness of the thread, but also by making full use of the lightweight, flexible sewing technique called smart sewing. Nowadays, we can see even lighter and more compact waterproof jackets, but to be honest, it's amazing that we've been able to achieve these specs for a few years now.
Fits at the cuffs
Although the details are small, the tabbed Velcro adjustment cuffs also come with elastic, not only preventing the intrusion of wind and rain, but also fits the wrist more comfortably .
Chest pocket that can also hold the map
I managed to get a map in my only pocket . Of course, smartphones and other items can fit in more smoothly.
This is not good
Coloring
"Is this harassment?" I thought this when I saw the color variations of the 2015 model. The vivid colour and the intense contrast of the chest pocket may be that I like and dislike, but it's a bit hard to say.
Food
It was a feature that I thought was perfect, but I was more concerned about the hood than other competitors. The brim is short and the overall cover is slightly shallow. If the brim is small, rain from the front is more likely to enter your face, and even if the sides are shallow, it is easier for the rain to enter from the side. The adjustment is done using drawcords on the back of the head and both cheeks, but the jaw part in particular felt difficult to fit.
The feel of the lining
Everyone recognizes the excellent waterproof and breathable properties of the GORE-TEX Paclite, but I just can't really like the feel of the skin . Compared to other materials, it has a somewhat plastic-like feel, and when you sweat, the discomfort doubles . However, it is true that the lining of the torrent flyer is slightly uneven when compared to other brands of Paclite products, so it is true that you don't feel that uncomfortable.
Summary: What kind of activities do you recommend?
Developed from the most reliable waterproof and breathable material of the most popular brand for Japanese people, the torrent flyer jacket is a very solid option if you've just started climbing mountains and are still just enough to spend a day hike . It is lightweight, easy to carry, and has no problems with features and price, making it a great choice for many beginner hiking. Of course, you can also try doing active activities such as cycling or trail running, or sneaking into your bag around town. However, it is also true that we were unable to confidently recommend areas that differed from individuals in terms of design, texture and comfort. If you're interested in that, we recommend you try it out at the store in the end.
supplement
There is another problem that concerns me. This about the significance of this model, thanks to the significant improvements in functionality of the company's bestselling rainwear, the Storm Cruiser Jacket, which was completely renewed in 2015 . The 2015 Storm Cruiser has been transformed into a fairly lightweight (257g) compact gear thanks to the use of the GORE-Tex lightweight and comfortable GORE-Tex GORE-TEX GORE C-Knit Backer Technology. The price is just under 20,000 yen, and based on the specs, I think Montbell's rain gear would be fine with the Storm Cruiser. I will report back on the results of this verification at a later date. →I have reviewed the Storm Cruiser!
We also recommend this article about rainwear.
- Check out the types of rainwear and how to choose them before purchasing
- Rainwear for mountaineering that you can't miss this season [for hiking and trekking]
- Ultra-lightweight rainwear that you won't miss this season [for trail running and fast packing]
- Comparison review: Which rainwear you should have if you're going to climb? ?
- Comparison review: We compared ultra-lightweight rainwear that is great for mountain climbing and running [2016SS]
