In addition to the elasticated hem, there’s a small press stub that’s handy if you’re trying to close the zip in high winds. The material the product is made from is often a sign of the quality for Breathable. Take a look at the product details over at Go Outdoors to get a feel for this. Many people switch from down to synthetic out of animal welfare concerns and cost reasons. While turning to synthetic does indeed negate the need for down, there are other challenges that loom large in its place. How comfortable is the garment, and are the features live up to the promise made by the manufacturers?

Montane Sale Clothing - LD Mountain Centre Montane Sale Clothing - LD Mountain Centre

Providing refuge from cold and damp winter belays and employing cutting-edge synthetic PrimaLoft® Silver ThermoPlume® with Cross Core™ technology. What I do like is that the montane Icarus is an incredibly windproof piece of gear. I’ve worn it on the hills in some very windy weather and did an awesome job of keeping me warm no matter how hard the wind hammered me. the Montane Icarus is a capable mid-layer that will protect you keep you warm in some pretty cold temperatures.Sustainability is an important consideration for us too, which is why we have our Tread Lightly award for contenders that do well in this space. With sustainability, it's not just about using recycled materials, it's about eliminating the use of PFC/PFAs and harmful chemicals, ethical labour standards, actively lowering emissions, and other important aspects such as repairability. It is primarily going to be used as an outer layer for belaying/general warmth, however thanks to the relatively trim fit, you're able to slip a shell over the top without an issue if the weather turns foul. It can also be used as an over-layer when stopping to have lunch, coffee etc.

Montane Mens Ground Control Jacket - Electric Blue Montane Mens Ground Control Jacket - Electric Blue

We want to find out how well the insulation performs in a mixture of conditions and how well it copes with moisture - both precipitation and perspiration. Another factor that can be a great indication of product quality is the brand. Brands like Montane are of course extremely well known, especially for Breathable. Breathability: This is strongly related to insulation type. Synthetic insulation that mimics down is less breathable than the thinner panel insulation. It's also important to consider shell and lining material too. Pure nylon fabrics are not as breathable as those that use stretch and fleece-type fabrics. There are however some methods that you can use to determine a product’s quality without needing to physically have it.The zippers have being fitted with fairly coarse zip which I really like as they helps to reduce that irritating cloggin and snagging caused by dirt and grit. A coarse zipper, little chance of clogging.