This is more of a first glance than a first look, but we've just
got our paws on the new version of Montane's classic
Super-Fly lightweight eVENT waterproof jacket and we thought
you might like a detailed look through the changes on the
garment.
It feels like the jacket's been around for ever - it started as
what was a rguably the lightest waterproof jacket in the world at the
time and metamorphosed into the eVENT version we're familiar with,
slightly heavier, but very breathable and all all-time OM
favourite.
What surprised us, when we got the new model of the jacket, which
is due in the shops any week now, is that the weight's gone up again
to a real world 456 grammes on our digital scales. That's 57 grammes
more than our original, well-used version.
Okay, 57 grammes is hardly the end of the world, but we're so used
to things becoming lighter and sleeker, particularly from Montane,
that we were a bit surprised.
Detail Changes
So what do you get for your extra 60 grammes? Well, a fair few
detail improvements. For a start, the jacket is available with the
option of printed reinforcement on shoulders, hips and sleeve seams -
below - it should make the jacket more durable when used with a pack,
an occasional problem before with abrasive pack straps.
The the hood's been re-modelled in a much less minimalist way.
While the old version had a simple Velcro strap tensioner, the new
model gets a more complicated arrangement with a flap complete with
reflective patch covering a shockcord with cord-lock arrangement. The
peak is now both wired and stiffened and the minimalist beard guard
patch of the old version - it just covered the zip top - is joined by
two larger panels of microfleece for delicate chins.
The jacket still has three pockets - two handwarmers and an an
external chest pocket, but rather than water-resistant zips, they now
have a stiffened, laminated protective flap with more reflective
stuff on it.
Similarly the previously minimalist cuff adjuster cuffs are now
chunky plastic pulls. We're guessing that the odd ten grammes here
and there has added up to the extra 60 odd-grammes over the whole
jacket. It also, though we might be imagining it, seems to have a few
more seams overall, which means more seam tape, though the jacket
also has what Montane calls 'intelligent design' with no four-way
seam junctions for added toughness.
It's an interesting update of a classic design that was starting
to look a little dated, but the extra features do add a little weight
and compexity to what was always a minimalist jacket. Will they make
it functionally better? We'll use it over the next few weeks and let
you know. It may buck the lighter weight trend, but if the jacket
works better, maybe it's weight well spent.
And if you do want a lightweight Montane eVent shell without quite
so many badges and big reflective patches, the 320-gramme Quickfire
is still in the range and we'll be testing it shortly.
Oh, one last thing, the sleeves on our test jacket are slightly
shorter than we'd like and a little high on the wrist, so try before
buying once they're in the shops.
Price of the new Montane Super-Fly is £200 and we
expect the performance of the eVent fabric to be every bit as good as
usual. More information at www.montane.co.uk
ptc*
