Waterproof Jackets

Montane Podium Pull On Jacket | Review

How does Montane’s unisex running jacket stack up against the competition? Quite well actually…

Why We Chose The Montane Podium Pull On:

At just 110g, Montane’s Podium Pull On jacket is an exceptionally lightweight waterproof jacket. It’s one of those options that’s designed to be barely noticeable in a pack (or when clipped onto your harness) while also being well capable of doing the job you need it to when it’s called upon.

Who Is The Montane Podium Pull On For?

As the name suggests, this thing has been made with mountain athletes in mind. If you’d signed up for something like The OMM, the Berghaus Dragon’s Back or Montane’s own event, the Lakeland 100, this is one of those jackets that’ll be light enough to give you a competitive edge and it’ll still be certain to pass muster in any health and safety kit checks made by the race organisers. In other words, because the fabric is waterproof and the seams are sealed by waterproof tape, it’s deemed as appropriate equipment… but don’t expect it to be decked out with features and tech.

The Podium weighs just 110g. Photo: Mike Brindley

Materials

The waterproof material Montane have opted for with the podium is a micro fabric called Aqua Pro Lite. It’s super, super thin. So thin it’s actually slightly transparent. Don’t worry, it’s not as fickle as it might sound. It actually feels slightly tougher than some similar jackets in its category. The face fabric is light ripstop nylon, then there’s the membrane and underneath that they’ve sprayed on a PU laminate to act as a backer. In other words it’s a 2.5 layer jacket.

On paper, the figures for waterproofness and breathability aren’t anything to write home about. The hydrostatic head measures 15,000mm and the moisture vapour transmission rate is 15,000g/m2/24hrs MVTR. For comparison, the Berghaus Hyper 100, a similar type of jacket, has a 20,000mm hydrostatic head and supposedly a 50,000 MVTR. Still, in testing, the Montane Podium did feel breathable, and with the tab on the sternum buttoned and the bottom half of the ½ length zip opened up, you can actually get a heck of a lot of airflow.

Features

As you’d expect with a jacket that weighs just 110g and that scrunches up to about the size of an apple, this thing is light on features. You get a hood that’s semi-elasticated around its rim, the hem is elasticated as well and so are the cuffs (slightly though). Then there’s that quarter-length zip which is made from water resistant YKK Aquaguard with a protective storm flap on the inside. There aren’t any pockets, which some might see as a little drawback, but then you don’t see many super lightweight jackets with them. A little mesh stuff sack comes with it.

The Podium Pull On is made from Aqua Pro Lite. Photo: Mike Brindley

Partially elasticated shaped cuffs. Photo: Mike Brindley

The Podium has a pre-elasticated trail hood with stiffened peak. Photo: Mike Brindley

Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, editor of Outdoors Magic

“I like this jacket. In fact, I’ve got a big multi-day mountain run planned and I might just take this with me.

“There are more breathable lightweight jackets out there but this one just fills me with a bit more confidence than they do. Take, The North Face Flight Futurelight for instance. That jacket is incredibly breathable, but then you really wouldn’t want to wear it with a backpack. The similar Berghaus Hyper 100 is more impressive than this in the breathability stakes, but the front zip is a tad flimsy and a potential flashpoint for water ingress.

“I like the fact Montane have made this a pullover and given it a short rather than a full zip. It just makes it that little bit more reliable in wet weather. The material, while very, very light and thin, does seem to be able to handle a loaded running pack as well.

“I like this jacket. In fact, I’ve got a big multi-day mountain run planned and I might just take this with me”

“I also like the fit. Montane haven’t made it too athletic or short at the hem, meaning there’s space for air flow and for a light layer underneath. The hem is quite tight so it kind-of clamps around the waist rather than hangs down. Fortunately, I didn’t find it scrunched up my back when wearing a bag. I’m a Medium normally and I tried this in that size but I would be half tempted to go for a large instead.

“The hood performs surprisingly well in strong winds. I thought the lack of a toggle on the back would be a problem but it hasn’t been. The cuffs hold OK – not tight and not loose – but like the hood, they are basic.

“One thing that you could say was a bit of a downside is that the material is a little bit swishy. When you’re running for a long time, it can get a bit annoying.

“We’ve also included the Rab Phantom Pull-On in this year’s Outdoor 100, which is almost identical to this jacket. At 90g that jacket is a fair bit lighter, but it will also set you back £40 more. Sorry Rab, but considering the performance is almost exactly the same, I’d probably reach for the Montane Podium instead.”