I know Jon's been over this, but I had to say stuff about the changes for the better. Montane's addressed all the things that were annoying and my joy must be expressed.
I tried with the old Superfly, I made the best of it I really did. But I gave up, and now my dad wears it on his boat.
I was sceptical of this new one I really was, but after playing with a sample there are many points I must raise, particularly in respect to the dimensions.
The previous 06/07 version was a bit of a dog walkers cagoule to be honest, it worked very well last winter for me, but the fit was wide in the body, short on the arms, the shortness of the front is well known as well. This gets worse as when the hood is tightened right up, an upwards glance pulls the front right into your waist belt or harness. The tight elastic cuffs made gloves harder to successfuly dorn and seal than completing a Rubiks Cube under the covers with no torch. My cheeks were made raw many times by winter's evil, horizontal confetti in that hood of horror.
So, Stanley tape measure in hand what have we got on the 07/08 size large compared to the year old version?
The jacket is over and inch longer at the front and an inch shorter at the back. It sits well as it's still scooped and the genius short waist cinch cords mean it won't ride up at all. The chin guard is about an inch higher and actually protects your face.
The chest is about three inches narrower and doesn't give you the usual "Montane Mono Breast" that has always been a feature in the past. The arms are around an inch and a half longer and are slightly flared at the cuffs to allow bulky winter gloves to be easily sealed under the cuffs.
The pockets are now "bags" they have expansion inside the jacket, so when stuffed the jacket doesn't get as distorted.
The hood is really very good indeed. When tightened up the skip doen't flip up any more. It's much more protective and fits better than the older versions. The adjustments are good if a little fiddly with gloves.
Other wee things all over, but most importantly for me they've made less concessions to portly folk and aimed it more at the athletic type. The pockets and cut are now very much like a Rab shell, but keeping that more friendly smiley Montane aura about it.
It's a new jacket really and kicks the arse of the old one, extra grams or not. Alright!
But, I think those hand warmer pockets will let water in on occasion.
Nice to hear of products being improved year on year, doesn't sound like there's much to be done for next year.
