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Morning All,
For the life of me I can't find my Montane Featherlite so have taken this as a sign from the universe that it's time to get a replacement. Now the missing one, which is sure to reappear as smugly as a cat with wet paws on your freshly made bed, lasted for over 10 years of life in the bottom of a pack and was a solid bit of kit. So before I go and swap like for like, what alternatives are there? Mine was a basic zip up with no pockets or hood which isn't to say they would be undesirable on a replacement.
For what use?
I find my Featherlite's good for running if it's not too rainy, but it's a pretty rubbish biking jacket.
Have used mine for biking for as long as I've had it as an extra layer, to keep the wind off on stops, or get out of jail if the weather catches you out. Mine went everywhere in my pack as a real jack of all trades and personally found it was great. All that gushing gushed, I'm aware there most likely a number of viable alternatives available now so checking my options.
FWIW I tend to run hot, found it wicked this away fairly swiftly without crisp bagging, and love the small profile when stowed.
Just get another one. They have a great reputation for good reasons. Ideal for walking, running and on the bike when it's blowy (Featherlite owner for many, many years)
A Montane Featherlight is a down jacket? I'm surprised by some of the ways you are using it!
This has been my experience but was curious to see what else there was and if there was a better alternative before buying another.
A Montane Featherlight is a down jacket?
It's a thin pertex jacket.
Is it mostly to be kept in your bag in case of rain (or to put on when you get to the top of a mountain)?
Or to wear for most of the ride when it's cold-ish or damp but not tipping down?
If the former, I'd suggest a packable waterproof like the Endura MTR Shell.
If the latter, a suitable softshell jacket - they have pretty much taken over from pertex in cycling jackets now and are much more pleasant and useful IMO.
My issues with the Montane were that it was too flappy and wet out too easily. And the zip was too fiddly.
I found mine too flappy for biking and sod all use if it’s wet. I use a side vented gilet instead as an extra layer for when it’s cold and windy, or a proper Madison jacket if it’s winter or wet.
right, so the smock is a totally different product it seems....
They seem to have added a range of insulated jackets under the same name, which isn't very helpful.
😀
yes, I have the down version hence my questions 🙂
I'm a huge fan of windproofs. I use softshells every now and then but generally prefer to have multiple layers
the featherlite velo is ace but no longer made sadly. normal featherlite tops are more generically cut so perhaps not so good on the bike, most manufacturers make a thin windproof top. I prefer my bike specific ones on the bike because the longer arms and different cut is much more pleasant
Just did a tot up in my head, I have 8 windproof jackets (excl softshells and gilets!)
Mountain kit is the Montane Outlet store and has repairs/samples at cheaper prices.
sportsshoes.com always seems to have a lot of Montane stuff cheap too
Have a lightspeed and a featherlight windshell. Love the featherlight on the bike in the winter. It's vented, so more breathable than my ancient pertex one it replaced. Fabric is not pertex.
Tiny bit flappy, but that's not a prob on the MTB, bit annoying if i wear it on the road bike.
Would buy another without question
The litespeed i have is great but not for biking as the hood gets in the way, and catches the wind.
It mostly lives in my bag for as and when its needed. This could be a chilly start to a ride in the morning, hunkering down behind a rock to get out of the wind, trailside repairs, emergency layer, etc. I've always appreciated the small form factor and protection it affords within that capacity. Not really looking for a softshell as that would go beyond the remit of this sitting in my pack for the as and whens its needed.
The litespeed i have is great but not for biking as the hood gets in the way, and catches the wind.
Good to know as I'd seen this on their site and was curious as to its suitability.
Have a look at Galibier - I have their packable windproof and a waterproof packable.
Good value, adequate for breathability, a little snug round the middle unless you size up (according to "a friend")
I've got an old Litepseed (~8yrs old) and the hood folds away under a flap and it has a chest pocket too
It's great for hill walking
I tried a Rab Vital recently - bit too crispy/ non-stretchy. Rab Borealis was nice, but the hood was annoying, don't think it would work on bike. The Featherlite was the best around the price, in Go Outdoors anyway 🙂
So another one of the same is looking most likely at this point. The Patagonia Houdini is looking like an intriguing choice as I like them as a company and have been pleased with the previous items of theirs I have purchased. That said it's twice as much for a jacket that will effectively spend the majority of its life in the bottom of pack but then again if it works well...
Is anyone using one?
I have an ancient Howie's windproof shell. Folds into its breast pocket to be about the size of two braburn apples. Always in my bag and super useful.
Unfortunately they don't seem to do anything similar now, sorry.
My wife has a Patagonia Houdini as above, it seems to be exactly the same concept as the featherlite (light weight packable pertex jacket) Hers has a hood though, not sure I they make one without?
She’s very happy with it as a just in case jacket or for running/cycling (she runs hot).
Just bought a new Featherlight smock to replace my damaged 10 year old one. Exact same usage as you op. I wear a softshell in the colder months but the Montane is still useful over that if it comes in proper awful. Otherwise just handy to have along, weighs next to nothing, takes up very little space, breathes well enough for me, is windproof enough for me. You can roll the arms up and it works with pads and stuff. Just over 40 quid.