The Montane Women’s Featherlite Down Jacket performed well in Judy Armstrong’s round-up of the best down jackets for 2020. Here’s her full review.
The Montane Women’s Featherlite Down Jacket is a classic down jacket with the contemporary twist of recycled fabric, and water resistance on both down fill and outer shell. The weight for warmth ratio is excellent: 120g of 750+ down fill gives generous insulation for a pack weight of just 377g. Micro baffle construction keeps down in the right places, with enough fill to prevent heat loss through seams. Length is cosy, just covering my backside and with space for base plus mid layer.
Size 12 women with more ample busts than my meagre 36A might find it a little snug across the chest but for me it’s all in correct proportion. I include sleeve length in that; elastane-bound cuffs come to my wrists, rather than dangling further to be a magnet for dampness or camp stoves. The two side pockets and a chest pocket use narrow coil zips, with a Pertex stuff sac anchored into a side pocket. The hood is beautifully warm, can fit over a helmet but also adjust down to head-size, with a really good peak. The front zip has soft chin and cheek guards so the inner face is comfortable even with condensing breath, and when zipped to the top with the hood lowered.
The down fill is traceable through both the Responsible Down Standard and Track my Down – and I love the burnt orange colourway. I agonised for weeks about whether to give the Montane Women’s Featherlite Down Jacket Best Buy. In every respect, particularly warmth for weight, it’s an outstanding jacket.
Read more: 10 of the best down jackets for 2022
