WHW Kit Review
It’s an odd one this. Warm, but not as warm as say, a Rab Photon Hoody. Very weatherproof and very well featured for wearing on the hoof, rather than just around camp. Over a baselayer it would be a great winter softshell.
I wore it on the move at night for some of my WHW trip and was just right in my tired state and in the chilled air. The four pockets are well placed for hands and keeping bits and pieces accessible. The hood proved itself in the snow and wind with great protection and good adjustment. When not pulled right up, there’s a clever fleece lined collar section built into the hood that cuts out the draughts.
The arm movement is good and the cuffs are velcro adjustable. Body length is good and I like the cut, slimmer than some Montane insulation pieces of old. The water repellancy of the outer fabric is very good indeed. I sat in the heavy wet snowfall at Bridge of Orchy eating my lunch and stayed dry within.
It still leaves me with a dilemma though. Part of me would like it to be warmer, like a standard insulating jacket but I like it’s on-the-move handiness and with a heavier Primaloft fill it would mean that I couldn’t move in it most of the time. Montane seem to have found a wee gap in the market and stuck this fine bit of slightly quirky kit in there. So, it’s probably going to be up to the individual what they do with it.
I use the lighter Prism Jacket a lot, so this better spec jacket appeals a lot. The Prism is let down by the lack of venting on the sleeve cuffs (I don’t like elasticated cuffs much) and is not that warm in use. This jacket could be real useful I’m going to check it out.
Aye Martin, I think it’s better than the current version of the Prism. They’re updating the Prism for winter, but it won’t be any warmer.
The Flux feels robust as well.
As daft as it seems the Prism and the Flux would be a great match. One of the guys from Montane uses a size medium Prism and a size Large Prism to wear over trhe top as his clothing system for winter.