Montane Alpine Equaliser

£160 Men’s S-XXL Women’s 8-16 Weight 478g (size L) Material Wind Barrier Dynamic (100% nylon) outer with Thermo Plexus microfleece (100% polyester) lining

A relatively lightweight soft shell with a nylon shell for wind and water resistance and a microfleece lining for insulation. There is a small amount of stretch in the fabric and more breathability than some styles, with the close fit being slightly longer in the back. The hood fitted neatly and turned effortlessly, while its wired peak ensured clear vision in the wind. Two main chest pockets can

be accessed above a rucksack hipbelt, with the third chest pocket able to take a GPS receiver or small guidebook. Overall it feels good for hillwalking and backpacking as an alternative to a fleece.

Compared to others the fit was overly snug and the sleeve cuffs tended to ride up when scrambling. The main pockets were irritating as I couldn’t stuff an OS map in them as easily as others. It’s not as warm as a standard fleece so you may want to wear a thinner fleece or thick base underneath. While not as waterresistant as some soft shell

materials it does fend off water better than a fleece or windshirt. The price seems a little steep for the drawbacks you get here.

Good wind and water resistance for walking and backpacking but some niggles in the design make it a considered purchase at this price tag.