I want to know why MONTURA clothing is the choice of mountain guides and rescue teams
MONTURA is an outdoor manufacturer born in Rovereto, northern Italy, at the heart of the European Alps. Though a relatively new brand, founded in 2000, it's an up-and-coming brand that continues to grow, offering a wide range of products for outdoor and action sports, including mountaineering, climbing, ice climbing, snow sports, running, and cycling, not only in Europe but also in North America and Asia. It's sold in large mountaineering specialty stores in Japan, so many people have likely seen it at least once. MONTURA 's recommended trekking pants, the VERTIGO series, with the condition that I could use them freely and write with them.
I was aware of this brand, of course, but this was actually my first time trying it out in the field. I had heard rumors that it was a reliable brand that was highly supported by professionals such as mountain guides and rescue teams, and every time I went to the store, I would pick up their clothes, but the bright fluorescent colors, bold cut-out designs, and extremely tight silhouette that caught my eye always made me feel intimidated, thinking, "It would be intimidating for a 'casual hiker' like me to wear this," and so I ended up not buying it.
Actually, I'm probably not the only one who has that impression. So, this time I've chosen a pair of "trekking pants" that are relatively easy to get into even for those who have never tried Montura, and that will help you get a feel for their concept and quality. I'd like to review them right away
table of contents
Key Features of the MONTURA Vertigo Pants
Montura's brand philosophy is to pursue the uncompromising "absolute comfort" sought by world-class alpinists and professionals, and to continue to carefully craft products with reliable functionality. The Vertigo Pants are a long-selling mountaineering (trekking) pant that has remained a favorite of mountain enthusiasts around the world since the brand's early days
The ergonomically designed three-dimensional cut and four-way stretch fabric minimize stress on movement, providing a stylish, snug silhouette with minimal flapping, ensuring a comfortable fit . The outer fabric is treated with a durable water-repellent finish, and various materials with different strengths, such as stretch, breathability, and abrasion resistance, are balanced to withstand harsh field conditions while maintaining a high level of functionality at a minimal weight. Other features include pockets, waistbands, and hems, all designed for ease of use. The series includes three lines: the heaviest "Vertigo" (hereafter "Vertigo"), the medium-weight "Vertigo Light 2" (hereafter "Light"), and the thinnest and lightest "Vertigo Techno" (hereafter "Techno"), along with a short length version for a total of six models.
Favorite points
- Slim and stylish silhouette
- Stress-free movement thanks to the excellent three-dimensional cut and stretch
- Techno-bonded seams are eliminated in pressure-sensitive areas to prevent roughness
- Reinforcements at the knees, hips and hem are strategically placed for comfort
- Offset rear pocket for a less intrusive fit
- Elasticated hem for a natural fit around the ankles without compromising the silhouette
- It has a balanced and high level of necessary functionality while being lighter than average
Points of concern
- The waist is tightened by a flat band with a thin round elastic cord, so it can feel tight if you tighten it too much (Vertigo and Vertigo Techno only)
- A bit overkill for those who often walk on wide, gently sloping trails
Specifications and ratings
| Item Name | Vertigo Techno -5cm | Vertigo Light 2-5 cm | Vertigo -7 cm |
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| Actual weight (g) | 275 (M size) | 365 (medium size) | 449 (M size) |
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| Waist | Adjustable waist cord | Adjustable waist cord | Waist with belt loops |
| hem | Zippered hem (with gusset) | Zippered hem (with gusset) | Zippered hem (with gusset) |
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |||
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| mobility | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Heat retention | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Breathable and quick-drying | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| durability | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
★★★★★ Excellent / ★★★★ Good / ★★★ Not bad / ★★ Not good / ★ A bit harsh
Detailed Review
Appearance and comfort: The surprising "sleek silhouette x stress-free ease of movement" will make your brain go haywire
When talking about the appeal of Monturawear, one thing that cannot be left out is its ease of movement. However, it is not just ease of movement, but also the silhouette, comfort, and all the other elements necessary for comfortable use are at an amazingly high level, making these pants highly complete as action pants for mountain environments
When you're in steep mountainous areas like the Japanese or European Alps, you don't just walk; you're also constantly lifting your legs up to waist height to scale walls or throwing your legs under uneven rocks. For this reason, the most important prerequisite for mountaineering (trekking) pants is that they are easy to move in and can accommodate large movements of the lower body .
However, that doesn't mean that a loose fit is good because it's easy to move around in. On the other hand, pants should be as tight as possible in the field, as they can easily flap in the wind or you could trip over the hem and fall. In other words, what's needed is a slim, easy-to-move-in, and beautiful silhouette . The solution to this complex problem isn't simply to glue two pieces of fabric together, but to use ergonomically designed three-dimensional cuts and stretch fabrics . Of course, this isn't as simple as just incorporating these features and you're good to go. It requires a combination of well-thought-out, complex cutting patterns and advanced sewing techniques, and most highly functional trekking pants incorporate all of these at a high level.
Three-dimensional cut and stretch fabric are almost essential features for comfortable trekking pants
"Dramatic cutting x 4-way stretch fabric" provides overwhelming ease of movement
With that in mind, these Montura trekking pants were incredibly well made
The refined, clean silhouette conveys elegance just by standing. (Photo: Vertigo pants)
The elegant straight cut, which hugs the entire lower body and shows off the lines of the legs beautifully, exudes the quality of the tailoring just by standing. Normally, when striving for such a perfect silhouette, it's only natural that there would be a trade-off with ease of movement
Despite this, the Vertigo Pants surprisingly do not cause any stress when moving the joints of the lower body. This can be felt immediately from the moment you put them on in the fitting room, and anyone who has worn these pants will surely empathize with the momentary feeling of confusion that makes you wonder, "Is it really possible for a pair of pants this slim to be this easy to move in?"
By the way, the three models I tried out this time were basically similar in slimness and ease of movement, but there were slight differences in fit depending on the season and purpose
The "Techno" has a skinny fit that clings to the skin, while the winter "Vertigo" is wider than the former and allows you to wear inner tights underneath, and the "Light" has a feel that is somewhere in between (photo below)
Also, since these are overseas models, the lengths are made quite long, but for me, who is 176cm tall and weighs 65kg (and prefers slightly shorter lengths), the short length models all fit just right. Although they are short, they are based on overseas standards, so as you can see in the photo below, they fit almost perfectly
From the left: Techno, Light, and Vertigo. While the silhouette is generally slim, it gets more relaxed as you move to the right
All models maintain this clean silhouette while featuring complex, three-dimensional cutting that takes ergonomics into consideration to ensure unrestricted movement
For example, as shown in the photo below, darts are added in front and behind the knee as needed, and each model has its own unique design with intricate patterns and cuts that may not be obvious at first glance, minimizing any tightness when bending and straightening
The joints, shaped by complex three-dimensional cutting, distribute the stress applied when bending the knee evenly across the entire foot. (Photo: Techno)
What's more, the latest model, "Techno," eliminates seams in areas that are particularly subject to pressure when bending and stretching, and instead uses a new bonding method called "ULTRA SONIC," which uses ultrasonic welding and sealing from the back (see photo below). Despite the fact that the fabric seams run freely in all directions thanks to the complex cutting, there is no roughness from the seams even when bending the foot, resulting in outstanding ease of movement and comfort coexisting
The complex three-dimensional cut takes into consideration not only the joints but also the ergonomic form and movement of the entire lower body. (Photo shows Techno's lining.)
This carefully designed draping is complemented by a lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying synthetic blend that stretches in four directions, supporting freedom of movement. The lining is smooth and dry to the touch. In the summer, bending your knees can be extremely uncomfortable and stressful when sweaty fabric catches on your skin, but even then, there's no unnecessary tightness
All fabrics, including the reinforced areas, stretch well
Whether you bend your knees or squat down, the lack of resistance or discomfort felt by your body is actually quite pleasurable
There's no need to be hesitant to move your feet
This is extremely helpful when climbing dangerous rocky areas or chain sections. Even in tense situations, you hardly feel any difficulty lifting your legs or any stiffness. Being able to concentrate on your own movements in any situation is a simple but very important thing
Even when passing through tense rocky areas, trekking pants that naturally follow the movements of your body allow you to concentrate more on your activities and increase safety
Highly breathable, quick-drying softshell fabric, optimized for different seasons
The fabric types also differ slightly among the three models depending on the target season. The lightest Techno is the thinnest and coolest fabric, while the Light has a thin double-weave lining with a slightly brushed texture (see photo below)
Turn the hem inside out to compare the linings. The lightweight Techno (left) has a smooth, refreshing feel, while the Light (right) is smooth yet softer, with a subtle warmth to it
The Vertigo has a lightweight, quick-drying yet thickest and warmest main fabric, and the back is lined with a lightweight and warm Thermolite fleece (see photo below)
The back of the Vertigo Pants when turned inside out. The entire pants are lined with fleece using Thermolite, an insulating and quick-drying material, so they are warm enough on their own even in cold weather
The outer fabric is also treated with DWR (durable water repellent), so you don't have to worry about small drops of water or dirt. I didn't get wet even when I pushed my way through trees covered in morning dew right after I set off on the trail (see photo below)
The outer material is treated with a durable water-repellent coating, so it can repel light raindrops
Durability: High-strength, stretch reinforcement strategically placed in essential areas
The reason why I would say that the Vertigo Pants are exceptionally well-made as mountaineering pants is not only because of their outstanding ease of movement, but also because they do not compromise at all on the comfort and durability required for mountain wear
One example that supports this is the reinforcement with "high-durability x stretch" fabric used in areas from the knees to the thighs, which are prone to rubbing against rocks, and on the inside of the hems, which are prone to getting caught on heels or crampons.By mapping the fabric in the right areas, we have achieved sufficient durability and comfort with the minimum necessary weight, by blending a high-strength, high-durability material with high tear strength and abrasion resistance with a fiber that has just the right amount of stretch to provide a comfortable fit and ease of movement
From left to right: Techno, Light, and Vertigo. The thickness of the reinforced fabric is adjusted to suit the model
Reinforcement on the inside of the hem (known as crampon guard) is installed on two models other than the Techno (from left: Techno, Light, and Vertigo)
The "Light" model also has reinforcement in the hips, providing thorough coverage in areas prone to wear
It's not just comfortable to wear, easy to move in, and of course not just durable. What makes it special is that all the elements necessary for heavy activities in harsh fields are integrated at a high level without interfering with each other. I think I can get a glimpse of why it is supported by guides and rescuers all over the world
Functionality: Practicality and design are combined in every detail
The brand's philosophy of pursuing functionality in every aspect is naturally reflected in details such as pockets and waistbands
Highly practical pockets
First of all, the left and right hand pockets (photo below), which are common to all three models, are all zippered pockets, which has been carefully considered to ensure safety so that items inside do not fall out while you are on the move
So far, all of this is to be expected for trekking pants, but what I personally like most about them is the back pocket. The back pockets of the Vertigo series are not located directly at the back, but are slightly offset to the side (see photo below)
The back pockets are positioned slightly to the side (photo shows Techno)
A typical back pocket placed directly behind the bag can be difficult to use when standing up or sitting down, but by offsetting the pocket, your buttocks and the pocket do not interfere with each other when you sit down, making it a practical and convenient pocket. It's also large enough to fit a large smartphone (see photo below)
It is easy to use as it does not interfere when you sit down (photo shows Techno)
Leg opening compatible with a wide range of hiking boot styles
Another thing I like about the hem is that the back of the hem is made of stretchy elastic, so it fits snugly around the ankle, not only making it less likely to get caught, but also acting like a gaiter to keep out pebbles and sand (see photo below)
The stretch material at the hem seals the ankles tightly, making it useful as a simple gaiter to prevent pebbles and other debris from getting in
All models also have a zipper that allows you to widen the leg opening to accommodate high-top boots. However, when I tried this to see if I could put them on and take them off while still wearing my shoes, it was impossible, and I couldn't widen them that much
In case the hem becomes too tight with high-cut or mid-cut pants, you can unzip the hem to widen it
Comfortable and adjustable waistband
The "Light" model excelled in terms of the waist and front area. The entire waistband has a loose elastic band and belt holes, but the front zipper is an inconspicuous concealed zipper, and the top has a Velcro closure with a flap that won't get caught (see photo below). The lack of buttons prevents the garment from becoming thick, so it's designed to be less likely to be compressed by the belt or harness of a backpack. This is a design detail that only those who actually use the garment would ever notice or think about, and just the attention to detail like this increases your confidence in the product
The front of the light is flat and fastened with Velcro so that it does not get compressed by a belt or harness
On the other hand, the Techno Vertigo model is more geared towards climbing pants, with an adjustment system that uses a loose flat elastic band and a round elastic adjuster cord (see photo below). The cord lock used in the latest Techno model is particularly thin and easy to operate, making it an extremely easy-to-use part. However, while it's convenient because it doesn't require a belt, the thin round elastic band can feel a little uncomfortable against the skin when tightened, which is something I personally didn't like. I prefer flat elastic bands or an adjuster with a built-in belt (buckle)
The waist of the Techno (left) and Vertigo (right) can be adjusted using the included adjuster cord. I prefer the Techno, which is thinner and easier to use, as it looks smarter
Summary: These are the perfect trekking pants. What kind of people and situations are each of the three models recommended for?
the MONTURA Vertigo Pants lives up to its reputation: they offer incredible ease of movement and comfort, a beautiful silhouette, and practicality rooted in the field, making them the ultimate high-performance trekking pants for activities in harsh conditions. From the selection of materials to the patterning and detailed specifications, the slogan "the culmination of the many specialized and selfish requests of adventurers and athletes" rings true with enough persuasive force, given their flawless level of perfection.
These pants are best suited to trekking and climbing in steep, high mountains, including traversing rocky ridges, as in the case of a traverse of the Alps, but lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying models such as the "Light" and "Techno" should also perform well in low-mountain hiking, fastpacking, and stream climbing
The only difference is that if you only plan to wear them on long trails in warm weather, where you walk long distances on gentle trails, you might want to look for other suitable options. In any case, there is no doubt that they are perfect for outdoor activities in areas like Japan, where you go above and below the tree line, sometimes in the forest, sometimes along ridges, and there are many areas with a lot of ups and downs
If you understand the strengths of each model and wear them accordingly, you will be able to handle any mountain activity, regardless of the season or purpose. Finally, I have summarized the strengths and weaknesses of each model, as well as the recommended situations, based on my impressions after wearing each one, so I hope you will find this information useful when making your purchase
| Item Name | Vertigo Techno | Vertigo Light 2 | Vertigo Pants |
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| In a nutshell | Lightweight and refreshing summer pants for active people | These are all-around pants that you can wear all year round | Authentic pants for high mountains, rocky ridges, and alpine activities |
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| Suitable season | Summer (including before and after) | Spring, summer, autumn, winter (no snow) | Spring (snow remaining/altitude), Autumn, Winter |
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Details and purchase of the "MONTURA Vertigo Pants Series"
For information on the latest model arrivals and product details, please visit the MONTURA official website or each product page in the Vertigo Pants series
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