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Morning all,
Now the weather has decidedly changed its tune, I could do with getting a decent breathable, lightweight waterproof jacket and have been looking at the Montane Minimus Lite. I've always been very pleased with Montane kit, in particular the Featherlite jackets which breathe really nicely and the Minimus sits nicely in my £150 budget.
Given the plethora of options available, how do people find this jacket or what alternatives would you suggest?
In my experience Pertex Shield (and most other WP fabrics) don't breathe well enough for high exertion activities. Coupled with the fact that the Minimus doesn't have pit zips and Montane's DWR doesn't even last 5 mins when the jacketa are new (I'm a big fan of their clothing though!) means I think you would boil alive. Generally when I'm running I'm always warm, so a windproof is enough for me, I just accept that I'm going to get wet.
I'd love to see a company like Montane or Rab start to make hybrid jackets - WP hood, chest, front of arms and shoulder and more breathable sofshell everywhere else, I had an Arcteryx like that some years ago and it was a great all round jacket for running and biking.
Otherwise a Gore Shakedry could be a good option, but probably higher than your £150 budget.
Steezy, there are showerproof gilet options out there, which for me covers a LOT of the time out running. Admittedly my preferred option is from OnRunning which was an absurd amount to spend on not very much and not recommended at that price point (although I liked the gilet so much I bought another in a sale, for still an absurd amount of money)
What sort of running are you doing?
I've had a couple of montane minimus jackets for running, and happily replaced the first one with another one when the time came. The first one was bought as it met the requirements for ultra marathon events although I don't think I've ever done more than half marathon distance wearing it. If you are after a lightweight rain jacket for occasional use it's great as it stashes into its own pocket. It also has a couple of poppers behind the zip meaning you can wear it with the front zip fully open without it blowing in the wind, giving great ventilation.
I wouldn't wear it for the full duration of a run unless it was really heavy rain, and when I've done that it has got warm and clammy, so those runs have remained on the easy side. In the winter I prefer a wind proof gilet for protection against wind chill and light rain, but the minimus is nice to have in the pack on a long run
I have a cheap basic one from decathlon.
Its fine, more importantly its cheap. Breathability isn't really a thing when running is it? Wicking layer and a windproof does me for general duties, i am more likely to have the wp tucked ina pocket for after than actually trying to run in it
I just came on to recommend the Minimus Lite. I lost one recently and had no hesitation in ordering another. Wore it last night for the first time actually.
If it's raining, I usually wear a thin softshell - and accept I'll get damp, won't get cold enough for it to bother me.
Have got the ole runner's nip once or twice though, oof!
If it's absolutely sheeting it down, I'll leave it until it's not.
In light or intermittent rail I'll often just wear a windshell over my top (also a Montane FWIW) but I'll not stray far off-road without a full waterproof, either worn or in my pack.
Thanks for the replies all.
In part the jacket will be to fulfil minimum requirements for events but also to have when I'm out on my own for longer, typically trail runs.
I have a mesh back Berghaus gilet that is an awesome piece of kit that they sadly stopped making a while back. This time of year I'll often run in my Featherlite which keeps the wind and cold off nicely without becoming a crisp packet. Have to say I'm curious about a windproof top but that's a post for another day.
The option to pack small and have just in case or wear at the start and shove in a pocket later is a big drawer. I get that no one thing will hit the Goldilocks spot, more covering a number of options.
Those with the Minimus, how would you compare the material and feel to the Featherlite?
Wondering what black Friday bargains there might be
I have a mesh back Berghaus gilet that is an awesome piece of kit that they sadly stopped making a while back.
La Sportiva do one: https://www.lasportiva.com/en/vest-trail-running-blizzard-windbreaker-vest-m-man-zarv014
(not particularly cheap, though...)
I used the Minimus for a while, I've still got my third, but found them to suffer badly with delamination after a winter season. They're broadly okay, but they'll delaminate in certain areas where stuff's in contact with them - armpits, across the shoulders, lower back where a pack contacts - and then water will seep through in those areas as the laminate layer punctures.
I've gone onto the OMM Kamleikas - the full jacket and/or the KammLite smock depending on what I'm doing - and find them better than the Minimus.
I've got a jacket by higher state and it's been great
https://www.sportsshoes.com/products/higher-state/clothing/jackets
I was at an event at the weekend where I picked up a Ron Hill Tech Fortify jacket for a steal at £80!
While it hasn't been worn for its intended purpose yet, its nice and light to just wear and its breathability rating is very too so fingers crossed for that. It also packs away into its chest pocket so is pretty compact.
Now all I need is some atrocious weather to go for a run in....
I had a Frank Shorter Goretex running jacket and pants in about 1987 when I worked part time in a running shop whilst at Uni. Since then tried a great many wonder, breathable fabrics and have concluded as per @steezysix above. None of them work for high (or even medium) exertion activities. Some sweat more than others but as a runner you will always be soaking wet at the end of a run. A thermal top and maybe another top as well if it's cold then do you run, strip off quickly and use a waterproof if you are standing around.
I bought this Rab one as mandatory kit for an Ultra Marathon (in July, in West Sussex!):
It's the only jacket that I've ever actually run in, rather than just putting on when stopped as a windbreak and it's really great (and I very quickly overheat when running in most layers). The only downside is being a pull-over with a short zip it's a bit of a faff to get on and off when wet as it's fairly well fitted.