Montane Mens Dyno XT Softshell Jacket RRP £140

Product Information

The YKK Vislon main zip is one of the chunkier and more durable on test (albeit not quite as big as the Squall's). The two way zip also allows easy access to climbing or rucksack harnesses adding to the versatility of the jacket. Using a tough, stretchy, weather resistant outer fabric with a warm brushed lining, the Dyno XT is perfect for cold weather mountaineering, climbing, walking and trekking; truly one of the most versatile winter jackets available.

Many of the features have already been covered in Fit and Fabric, with the only remaining feature being the whopping zipped chest pockets, which are placed well up out of harness range and can swallow even the most sizable of guidebooks or maps whole. Functional articulation is built into the hood and sleeves, and gusseted underarms extend range of motion. The idea is that the Windstopper keeps the worst of the weather from the most exposed parts of you while your sweat escapes more easily through the woven M2 fabric. Classic Mountain Fit: Designed for mountain walking, mountaineering and more general use, these garments have a versatile, relaxed fit. Aside from that the rest of the jacket fits him perfectly, with barely any hem lift, a good hood, and two of the best pockets we've come across.As such, we've used it as a midlayer in winter conditions, and as a light over-layer in bridge-season weather; it's very versatile in that regard. Its mapped mix of light and more durable fabrics and its techy feature set are clearly aimed at climbers and mountaineers, but it's just as suited to hillwalking too. Meanwhile on a helmet-less head the fit can be brought in effectively with the rear volume adjuster. It is also a little large size-wise, which gives it the feel of an outer layer rather than a mid layer, though it could easily be used as either. Reinforcement by way of large Kevlar patches on the forearms boosts the Fast Climb's durability, but is this overkill?

Primarily used in Montane's range of legwear, Granite Stretch, as the name implies, is a super stretchy yet ultra tough and comfortable softshell fabric with a durable water repellent coating. Well bearing in mind the abuse that this sort of jacket will get over the years, we have come down in favour of it. INSIDE LEG: Measure from the top of your inner leg, along the inside seam to the bottom of your leg. Easily swallowing a climbing helmet, but also cinching down via front and rear toggle adjustment to give a close fit on a helmet-free head, the Fast Climb boasts a really effective mountain hood.The brief: Light softshell jackets with an active cut for climbing and hillwalking in less extreme conditions.