When Montane announced the discontinuation of their Extreme Jacket & Smock there was widespread disappointment and a rush to buy up any remaining stock, which is an indicator of their quality and popularity. Thankfully Montane acknowledged the loss and have released a limited run of this relatively unique offering and we are really happy to be one of the few retailers trusted to stock it.
There really aren’t many jackets quite like the Montane Extreme, the closest is Buffalo with their Special 6 and Mountain Shirts, but the Extreme offers more. Read on to find out what…
The Montane Extreme utilises a combination of a windproof Pertex Quantum outer and a warm, insulating pile lining. This combination isn’t new, but it works really well to provide excellent weather protection in the harshest environments and is the same system used by Buffalo jackets.
Despite not being fully waterproof, the Pertex Quantum is highly water resistant and although it may take a bit of belief that a non-waterproof, next to the skin Pertex/Pile is the right choice over layering up according to the temperature and finishing off with a waterproof hardshell, trust us it really does work for a large proportion of situations! No, it’s not as warm as a down jacket and it’s not as waterproof as a GTX hardshell, but the down jacket doesn’t keep you dry and the GTX jacket doesn’t keep you warm, the Montane Extreme does both extremely well. It’s a serious jacket to have in your kit collection for when the worst really does hit.
The real magic happens when you take a look at the Pile lining though. If you use the Montane Extreme as it’s intended i.e. worn next to the skin the pile not only provides insulation, it also wicks moisture away from the skin quickly and efficiently. It is this principle of keeping the wearer dry that epitomises the Extreme’s value in rapidly changing conditions. Being damp from sweat or rain ingress is a sure fire way to get a chill, so by wicking moisture away to the outer fabric via the pile, the wearer remains dry and if they stop at a summit or descend without much effort they remain warm and protected. Conversely, should they start to overheat the large venting zips allow cooling airflow to keep you at the perfect temperature.
So, the Montane Extreme does a great job of keeping you comfortable and safe from a climate perspective, and this is very similar to what Buffalo offers with the Special 6 and Mountain Shirts, but where the Extreme really shines is the practical, functional features it offers over the Buffalos.
First, the Extreme has a brilliant, removable hood, which in the environments the jacket is designed for is an absolute must to provide additional weather protection in the mountains. In contrast the Buffalo requires an additional purchase for the hood on top of the already more expensive jacket. It is also not as securely integrated with the jacket when attached and doesn’t off the “batten down the hatches” capabilities of the Extremes hood which features 3-points of adjustment and a stiffened peak to make this a really well fitting and functioning addition.
Additionally, the Montane Extreme just feels more durable. In part this is down to the addition of PolarDri Mini-Rip reinforcement to the elbows/underside of the sleeves an area that can typically take a beating in rocky mountain conditions. But overall the construction, zips and finish are just a bit more industrial than Buffalo and that can only be a good thing for longevity, we certainly know of customers who have had years of use (and abuse!) from their Montane Extremes and they are still going strong.
Further handy features include a large, zipped kangaroo chest pocket which can swallow a huge amount of gear including maps and other vital accessories. Two harness friendly hand warmer pockets are a welcome addition to keep your fingers warm and protected and a further sleeve pocket is a handy addition for valuables you need to keep safe and secure.
Fit wise the Montane Extreme has been tailored for active pursuits and that means the sleeve and shoulders are designed to allow full arm lift and forward reach for unrestricted freedom of movement, crucial when navigating tricky, technical terrain.
Then there are the little details; the Montane Extremes hood can be worn to provide virtually full-face coverage, very handy in exposed windy, rainy or snowy conditions, but if you don’t want or need this level of coverage two handy press studs hold the flaps back to keep it out the way and not flap around into your face. A simple idea, but very functional. The Extreme is a really warm jacket, it is designed to be, but it is also designed for active pursuits when you’ll naturally build your own heat, the side vents on both this and the Buffalo jackets do a great job at allowing cooling airflow around the body, but the Extreme goes on step further and includes extra venting through the chest pocket which really allows the air to get to fully circulated around your core. Finally, the Montane Extreme also features small D-Loops on the sleeves to attach gloves too so you don’t lose them if you need to take them off, a neat touch that finishes off a really well thought out and featured winter adventure jacket.
Overall, the Montane Extreme just feels like it has stepped up the game when it comes to Pertex and Pile winter mountain jackets compared to the classic Buffalo offerings. Both do a very good job at providing warmth and weather resistance, but the Extreme just has more features and a fresher, younger look. As well as the smock version of the Extreme discussed here, there is also a full zip jacket style, which doesn’t include the Kangaroo chest pocket, which you choose is mainly down to personal preference. Check out the full details on our website.
