We are a little biased as we love Montane clothing, however, we spend so much time in the mountains that our mountain gear must be fit for purpose; keeping us warm and dry in the UK environment so we can enjoy the great outdoors. What we wear on the mountains must be functional and reliable; style is a bonus whereas safety is paramount.
We enjoy the lightweight and breathable fabrics of Montane clothing, and are comforted on our trails by their tailoring. But how do their jackets really fair when the weather goes a bit wild?
Hearing that Montane were to use Gore-tex Pro fabric on their new waterproof jackets excited us, so it was not long until we decided to purchase their new Alpine Pro Jacket to test in some harsh conditions.
A recent trip to Snowdonia National Park provided an ideal scenario for our test experience. Weather forecasts were reviewed and bags packed. We first decided to do a warm up trek up to Grib Goch and onto the summits of Garnedd Ugain and Mount Snowdon. The weather was incredible; a beautiful sunset as we approached Grib Goch provided us with stunning photographs, but we began to wonder if the forecast for the next day was going to be as harsh as predicted and what we needed for our test.
Our plan was to complete the Welsh 3000s, in less than ideal conditions, within 12 hours. Climbing 15 summits above 3,000 feet in a day was going to be a physical challenge whatever the weather, but would the Montane Alpine Pro Jacket provide us with the engineering and comfort to ensure we stayed warm and dry.
The weather on our challenge day was awful! Ideal. Once we started on the Glider range, and near the summit of Elidir Fawr, the wind had begun to make it difficult to keep upright. As we approached Y Garn and on to Glyder Fawr, the gale force gusts impeded walking so much that thoughts of abandoning the challenge were constantly in our minds.
As the rain began to be a further impedance on our challenge, we pulled up the zips to become as water tight as possible with our full waterproof layers, including hat, gloves, waterproof trousers and jacket. Combined with the Alpine Pro Pants, the Montane Alpine Pro Jacket made the battle with the weather more about a challenge of strength in staying on the path, than a mental one of keeping spirits high and emotions in check. As a result, our mental energy could focus on the essential map reading required in such poor visibility and in such an environment, on the food and drink we periodically needed to remain appropriately fuelled, and an eye on our surrounding conditions to maintain our safety. Without our physical self being cocooned within the premium Gore-tex Pro fabric of Montane’s Alpine Pro Jacket, then I know our mental capabilities in the mountains would have deteriorated as a result.
We experienced the full features of Montane’s Alpine Pro Jacket on this apocalyptic day, with the angled pit zips, the AquaGuard waterproof zips, and articulated armss. The jacket was incredibly breathable and waterproof, ideal for such a mixed day of extremes, with moisture management ensuring we did not sweat ourselves to coldness.
We appreciate that the jacket has only 40 Denier fabric and therefore no reinforced material on wear areas like shoulders and hips when carrying rucksacks, but then the jacket would not be so lightweight and versatile if having to utilise 70 or 80 Denier fabric. Gore-tex is a tough fabric in itself and I expect lots of uses if I treat this jacket well. If I ever wanted a more hard wearing jacket for climbing and alpine use, then the Endurance Pro Jacket from Montane, offering 70 Denier Gore-tex Pro for further protection, would be my preferred choice. The Alpine is a technically fine jacket; the helmet hood provides protection whether you’re wearing a helmet or not. Attention to detail, with neat cord-adjusters, make it a choice for us when heading out into the UK mountains, no mater what the forecast. Light to pack if forecast is favourable, and enjoyable to wear when everything closes in.
For our Welsh 3000s challenge, the wind died down by late afternoon, but early afternoon witnessed an increasing downpour; the heavens simply opened. After 12 hours out on the hills, and Foel-fras behind us as we defended off The Carneddau, we realised that such an epic day was possible only if wearing the right gear. We were very fortunate; the Montane Alpine Pro Jacket ensured our base layers and mid layers remained mostly dry from the experience, that we could remain calm in very difficulty situations, and we could tell our story of the incredibly day with friends on our return to our welcoming accommodation for the night, the delightful Conwy Valley Barn bunkhouse.
We know you cannot beat the weather, you merely endure and survive it, and enjoy what it can offer. Remaining safe on the mountains in such conditions is as much to do with careful planning and high levels of mountain skills and knowledge, as it is to do with having the right equipment and clothing and the presence of mind to make the right decisions when it matters. We had an epic day in Snowdonia, and we know Montane’s Alpine Pro Jacket played a big part.