Monday, 26 August 2024 11:07

Montane Men's Fireball Lite Insulated Hooded Jacket reviewed

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Montane's Fireball Lite is designed for active use with stretch and flexibility key to its freedom of movement.

As with many of Montane's latest designs sustainability is a key selling point; in the case of the Fireball its using recycled insulation throughout. Dynamic Insulation features four way stretch which allows it to move with the body, making the jacket ideal as a multi-functional mid or outer layer depending on the level of precipitation. The Featherlite Air outer fabric allows breathability and moisture management, which is essential in an insulated garment.

Montane Fireball jacket full front

What Montane say:

The men’s Fireball Lite Hooded Jacket provides lightweight, core body warmth for active use in the mountains. Made with recycled insulation means this jacket is not only good at protecting you from the cold, it’s better for the planet too. Stretch Thermo Grid side and underarm panels provides ease of movement, whilst your temperature is regulated via an air permeable outer shell. This men’s synthetic jacket makes an ideal mid to outer layer and is able to handle a variety of conditions on different activities, from walking and hiking in the hills, to ski touring and climbing. An insulated hood provides additional thermal protection for your head, whilst on the move.

Features:

  • Under helmet hood
  • YKK zips
  • Maximum breathability
  • 4 way stretch

Fireball Lite Insulated Hooded Jacket on test:

 Summer isn't generally the best time to test an insulated jacket, but fortunately the early part of this summer saw temperatures well below average which allowed us to get out to North Wales and the Lake District with temperatures in single figures. The first property we noticed, however, was not the insulation, but the fit. It's a nice close fit that's true to its size but has the stretch to hug the body when moving. While the arms have a loose fit the body is somewhat closer fitting, with the stretch panels to either side giving a close fit.

Montane Fireball jacket stretch

There's a DWR coating on the Fireball to take care of light rain, but the jacket is not about keeping you dry as much as keeping you comfortable when moving. Breathability is key to comfort and while the Fireball feels as though it's going to cause overheating pretty quickly the reality is that it assumes the ambient temperature pretty quickly thanks to good movement of air.

The breathability is assisted by keeping adjusment down to a simple hem adjuster and no velcro cuff fastening to restrict air flow. The hood, while fitting under a helmet isn't peaked and doesn't have adjusters. 

Montane Fireball jacket side view

Montane Fireball jacket cuffs

The twin hand warmer pockets are a little on the small side and are secured with narrow YKK zips that took a bit of time to get used to, with an initial tendency to snagwhen trying to close them quickly. YKK also provide the main zip, a Vislon that moves somewhat more freely and  is backed by an internal storm flap. 

Montane Fireball jacket pocket 

The Fireball Insulated Hooded Jacket is a simple jacket with a single purpose, to keep you comfortable in colder weather without overheating when you're active. It doesn't pretend to be an out-and-out waterproof with no membrane to supplement its DWR coating, but it does what it's meant to do well. Without using pit zips it still manages to control temperature and breathability even when the temperature rises. The limited feature set allows Montane to concentrate on making a comfortable and flexible mid layer jacket for the mountains that takes the environment into consideration without pushing the price tag too high.

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