Gear

I'm looking for a very lightweight hooded jacket where the primary requirements is for wind protection and breathability while active. If it can take a light shower as well that would also be nice.

I've got my eye on the Montaine Lite-Speed and the Rab Cirrus. From what I can see they are comparable products,  so I'm looking for feedback from someone who knows or has tried both of them.

Not either of the jackets you want info on but the Patagonia Houdini may check all the boxes you mentioned (122g/4.3oz)---not quite windproof but I believe the wind resistance is about the same as Pertex Equilibrium---I own the Houdini and a Rab Mountain Pull-On and think the protection is about the same---good luck

Dan S.

Had exactly the same dilema as you.

From what I can tell microlight and quantum are very similar materials. Quantum is basically just a finer thread and hence finer weave leading to a thinner, lighter fabric. However it is going to be significantly more fragile because of this. I don't know how it affects breathability/water resistance (would think they stay similar) but wind resistance which is what you stated you wanted them for stays the same. Quantum GL (I think North Face make a similar jacket in this) would be taking it even further than quantum (but adds translucency it's so thin!!!)

For me, in the end it's down to what you want it for: Do you want a hood (I cycle in mine and so don't like hoods), do you want pockets, do you want it to pack into an internal pocket or extra stuff bag and most importantly do you want to wear a heavy pack over it (don't buy quantum for pack usage). However, more importantly than all of this is fit: I don't fit montane jackets and so however technical or well made etc. I can't buy them (I have and returned them before).

I ended up buying another similar jacket: Outdoor Research Vigor. Another same same but different jacket because it had what I wanted: No hood, better reflectiveness, microlight so can carry rucksacs and most importantly it fits me. Hope that helps you answer your dilema.

As above, basically a straight weight vs durability trade off.

I've got a hoodless cirrus and think its very nice indeed, but thats in the context of several windshirts with heavier ones for when weight not critical. If getting just one I'd get a light speed as it'll likely see a lot of wear and microlight does seem to be notably tougher.

In fact I'm fractionally unconvinced by the idea of a full zip/hooded/pocketed quantum wind shirt for that reason.

Fit does of course also genuinely  matter (the hooded cirrus is in fact notably different fitwise to the pullover.).

The Montane LIght Speed is a great piece of kit.  I'm really happy with mine. 

Just a thought though: 

The "light shower" you mention is often the start of a full-on downpour in the UK which quickly negates the breathability/weight advantage from this type of kit IMO, and as a result, I don't get as much quality use out of this as I thought I would.  That is not to criticise the Lightspeed - its totally fit for use.  Its just the use is really quite niche in this country. 

Thanks for inputs.  I've got some Rab kit which I fit ok but don't have any Montane so the point about fit has me worried.  I think maybe I need to wait until I can get to a stockist and try their stuff. 

Always worth doing if possible Or if hard and you normally don't have much trouble with fit some stockist might be able to give enough info if you ask them.

RABs stuff actually varies quite notably in terms of the fit within the range - I'm stick insect style and the Cirrus pullover is a great fit for me but the hooded jacket version in the same size comes up very short in the arms.

(so probably fine for most people!)