Montane Featherlite
[MFL]

First thing to say is that RVOps delivered this Montane Featherlite shirt very rapidly. Spoke to them on a Tuesday, confirmed address and had shirt in hand by lunchtime Wednesday. Not bad for a delivery to the Highlands of Scotland. The shirt definitely lives up to its name in that it is featherlite. The entire thing fits into its own little mesh stuff sack. Fine as long as you don’t lose the stuff sack! Unlike some items which are easy enough to remove from their original package this one goes right back in, extremely easily.

The shirt has been worn for nearly every day for a couple of weeks to give it a good try up here in the North of Scotland. I suspect it may not have been the best time to try it as the weather did turn quite chilly which required the wearing of a couple of layers under the shirt. The shirt is not advertised as waterproof but I did find it was shower proof. I got by working outside in temperatures of 6 degrees in a base layer and a t-Shirt under the Featherlite and found myself warm enough. Due to its lightweight nature it was great for out running with the dogs on the beach but I don’t go too far these days so couldn’t comment on how it would be for longs runs when a bit of breathability might be useful

Though the material feels a little cold and clammy when it’s initially put on, you quite quickly get used to it. And there can definitely be a whiffle noise if you walk and swing your arms! However as an outer windproof layer it certainly did everything it was meant to. One thing it is not though, is thick enough to withstand pine needles as I discovered in local woods. It generally seemed quite robust, I was putting up wire fencing and cutting firewood, neither of which seemed to have damaged it in anyway but I wouldn’t want to do those too many times as it gives the suspicion of not being hard wearing but after only two weeks it’s a bit hard to tell.

The fit of the Featherlite was comfy, the wrists seemed to be at just the right tension, not too tight nor too loose. I never used the chest vent, though I suspect if it had been summer I may have done. The front is cut slightly higher at the hem than the rear which allowed for better movement. The neck is nice and high definitely keeps the wind off there.

It was “borrowed” by my son on a few occasions as he wanted to give it a try. He also thought it a very worthwhile piece of kit and I suspect I’ll have to keep it hidden from him. The Featherlite now sits in a pocket of my Bergan for when I’m out and about and within easy reach if I’m just working around the house.

For use in the military the blurb says that it would be great for “short stops, under bivis or in the back four tonners after a wet day out” and no doubt it would be. For civi use, it’s great for lightweight windproof for summer on the hills! In essence, it is exactly as advertised, it keeps out the wind and is extremely lightweight and compact.

Value, 4 out of 5, It’s not going to break the bank

Function, 4 out of 5, definitely windproof but not overly warm in itself though by stopping the wind that prevents heat loss.

Quality, 5 out of 5, it is very light weight, it is easy to remove and return to its stuff sack.
Robustness, 2 out of 5, but then again it’s not designed for robustness.

Appearance, 3 out of 5, it does look a little plasticky!

Date Added: 09/11/2010 by Arrse Reviews