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The Montane Podium is an ultralight rain smock designed for path working, fastpacking, and ultralight backpacking that’s greatest worn in hotter summer time climate. Weighing 4.1 oz (115 g) in a dimension giant, it’s sized fairly comfortable with no room for a mid-layer beneath. Nonetheless, it’s properly appointed with a well-fitting hood, a shapeable wire brim, a YKK Aquagard entrance zip for air flow, and elasticated cuffs and hem.
Specs at a Look
- Match: Athletic, as in skin-tight
- Weight: 4.1 oz (115 g) in dimension giant; 4.3 oz (122 g) in dimension XL
- Gender: Unisex
- Kind: 2.5 layer jacket
- Seam-taped: Sure
- Helmet-compatible. No
- Waterproofing: 15,000mm Hydrostatic head
- Breathability: 15,000g/m2/24hrs MVTR)
I used to be lately requested by a reader “What’s the lightest weight rain jacket out there?” Whereas I don’t know the definitive reply, my guess is that the Montane Podium is without doubt one of the lightest out there waterproof jackets out there that you could put on for rain safety. Whereas it’s not a rain shell that I might suggest for three-season mountain climbing, it’s ideally suited to be used in sizzling and humid summer time situations while you’ll get the occasional rain bathe or thunderstorm as a result of it’s so light-weight and so packable.
The Podium is made with a 2.5 layer waterproof/breathable cloth that Montane calls Aqua Professional Lite that’s practically see-thru. It has a 15,000/15,000 waterproof breathability ranking which is okay, however not unbelievable. Whereas the jacket is seam-taped, the material may be very skinny and ought to be dealt with with care. I wouldn’t suggest utilizing it with a heavy backpack since you’ll expertise speedy DWR deterioration and abrasion on the shoulders, however path vests or ultralight packs with sub-15 pound masses ought to put on significantly better.
The Podium has a half-length entrance zip for air flow with a YKK Aquaguard zipper, a zipper storage on the prime to maintain it out of your beard, all backed by an inside storm flap. There’s additionally a snap half-way up the zipper so you retain it absolutely unzipped and venting, however nonetheless maintain the edges collectively to stop flapping.
The hood is fitted small so it’s going to keep up despite the fact that it lacks any changes, like neck toggles or a rear quantity adjustment. I feel it really works nice, even when its windy. The hood additionally has a brim and a shapeable wire inside so you possibly can alter it how you want. The brim has sufficient protection to maintain rain off your glasses with out the necessity to put on a billed cap. Double plus, that!
Lastly, the cuffs are elasticated as is the jacket hem, consistent with the minimalist vibe. That’s it. There are not any pockets, no hem adjusters, no key fobs, no hold loops, or the power to hold it from a harness.
The match of the Podium jacket is tight; athletic they name it. I can solely put on it comfortably with a baselayer as a result of there’s not plenty of slack, despite the fact that I’m sporting the XL. In any other case the sleeve size is okay and so is the match of the arms, torso, shoulders, and head with good freedom of motion.
However this isn’t a garment that will be straightforward to make use of with a mid-layer fleece. That in my thoughts limits its utility to sizzling, summer time rainstorms the place there’s much less of an opportunity that you just’ll be chilled if the jacket moist outs when the DWR wears off or the temperature drops considerably. That is the right jacket to hold in your pack for when it’s much less more likely to rain as a result of it’s so light-weight and so compact. I at all times carry a rain jacket, since you by no means know while you’ll want it, particularly in mountainous terrain.
Personally, I’m keen to hold a number of extra ounces (and it’s solely 2-3 ounces) so I can match a mid-layer below a rain jacket that I do know will preserve me heat if the jacket wets out or the temperature drops and it’s nonetheless raining. However in case you are useless set on trimming each doable ounce of substances weight, the Montane Podium Rain Jacket ought to work effectively for you. Montane additionally makes the Podium Rain Pant which weighs in at 3.5 oz (100g) in a dimension medium.
Out there within the USA from CampSaver.com.
Disclosure: Montane donated a jacket for this evaluation.
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