montane flux jacket vs citadel jacket

Ive narrowed it down to these two synthetic insulation jacks and im wondering which is the better one for my situation. Id mainly use it for cold weather walking, wearing whilst camping (wild camping aswell) and for general use.

The two aren't really in the same class. The Prism is a nice jacket for UK conditions imo. I'd find it too hot for wearing when actually walking on anything but the coldest winter days, but great for rest stops and use in camp. Comparable to the Rab Generator and several other jackets and smocks from Haglofs, Berghaus and others -- there are a lot around because they're so useful.

The Citadel is much warmer and heavier. I can't think of many situations I'd actually use it. If it got cold enough to justify it then I'd wear a down jacket. Different if I was a climber expecting to be standing at windswept, icy and dripping belays for hours maybe.

As above, they're completely different jackets. Depends what you want: Citadel is heavier but has double the insulation and will also perform better in rain (PL1 vs eco as well as more water resistant fabric). I wouldn't use the citadel as when it's useful I use down (but then I don't get into the wet and very cold situations) but do use a flux type jacket. Also agree, neither is good for walking in, both far too warm.

If you haven't seen it, ratrace.com have really good prices on both of these at the moment.

Hi Oliver,

There has been some very good advice; they are two completely different types of jacket.  Speaking from experience fit is critical. I have a RAB Generator smock with 100g/m2 of insulation and an Arcteryx Atom LT pullover with 60g/m2. (I like smocks but both are available as jackets.)  I find the Atom to be much warmer although it only has 60% of the insulation of the RAB due to the fit.

Different manufactures tend to have differing philosophies regarding cut.  Montane tend to be cut very close and Mountain Equipment are more generous. I am 5’ 7 with a 39’’ chest but I have very broad back and shoulders.  I sit between a small and a medium regarding jacket size due to my shoulders.  Small tends to be perfect everywhere but the shoulders where restriction to movement becomes an issue.  If I go up to medium I the fit is looser than I would like.  The result of this is that you heat up the air trapped between your body and insulation and then it is squeezed out when you move. 

From your previous post regarding down jackets I am assuming you want something to throw on to keep warm when you are static.  I think the ME jacket was conceived as a "belay" jacket although not marketed as such; something that you can throw on over a wet hard-shell.

There is a lot of tasty gear out there that I would love to own,( La Sportiva boots for instance) but it just does not fit well enough to function as intended.   

Go for the Montane. The Citadel's an expedition weight synthetic jacket and was conceived as something to protect stationary cameramen when filming in disgusting conditions (eg. Scottish winter).

And it's exactly that which makes the citadel so good: it's far more useful for the "wearing whilst camping" part as will deal with much colder temps. But that's also it's down side making it less useful for "cold weather walking" where it'll be too warm/heavy unless it's a horrible day. You need to decide what feature you want most.