Chris Townsend gives the Montane Cetus Lite his Greener Choice and Best in Test awards after rigorous testing.

The Montane Cetus Lite is made from the brand’s new Petrichor Technology, which has a hydrophilic membrane that not only claims to be ‘extremely breathable’ but also to breathe better the harder you work. Big Claims! How do they stack up? Pretty well, in fact.

Chris Townsend’s Best in Test

I think this is a superb three-season hillwalking and backpacking jacket.
Pros
  • breathability
  • lightweight
  • soft fabric
  • recycled fabric
Cons
  • front drawcords inside jacket
  • no chest pocket
Quick specs
Price: £270
Weight: 335g (XL)
Materials: PFC – free recycled nylon, hydrophilic polyurethane membrane
Hood: front and rear adjustment, wired stiffened peak
Front Closure: YKK AquaGuard Zip, inner flap
Underarm/Side Zips: No
Pockets: 2 hand pockets
Hem: Drawcord adjustment
Cuffs: Velcro
Sizes: S – XXL
Women’s version: Yes
montane.com

I’ve worn the jacket in many hours of heavy rain in a wide range of temperatures and wind speeds and have stayed fairly dry inside. Not totally – there has been some condensation at times – but certainly drier than in many other waterproofs. In tests, Petrichor Technology has a Ret value of <5, which puts it in the ‘very good or extremely breathable’ category. I’d agree with ‘very good’. I don’t think any waterproof fabric suitable for the hills is ‘ extremely’ breathable.

The Cetus Lite is a lightweight jacket made from a soft fabric that doesn’t rustle the way many waterproof fabrics do. The comfort is excellent.

The design is minimalist, which keeps the weight down. The hood is excellent. It moves with the head and has a wired peak. I wish the front drawcords were outside the jacket though so they could be adjusted while walking without having to open the top of the front zip.

Montane Cetus Lite on the CWT
Montane Cetus Lite on the CWT. Credit: Chris Townsend

There are two big pockets. These are cut off by a pa ck hipbelt but the top part of them is still usable. There’s no chest pocket, which I miss.

I think this is a superb three-season hillwalking and backpacking jacket. It’s okay for mild winter days but a little light for severe winter weather. Montane makes a heavier Petrichor Technology jacket for those conditions, called the Torren.

Montane describes the fit as Regular. I find it a little small compared with other jackets and so went for a larger size than usual. This fits me well worn over a medium weight fleece top, which I think should be the case for any waterproof jacket for hillwalking.

Testing conditions

Chris tested his jackets on day walks and multi day trips in the Scottish Highlands from spring 2024 through to early 2025. He is short and mostly wears a size large. Conditions included heavy rain, soaking drizzle, blizzards, and ferocious winds. Weights were measured on Chris’s home digital scales.

This review was first published in the April 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.