A few watchful readers have seen already that I was sporting a
Montane Fireball Smock
here and
there, and have requested further information. I shall not disappoint, and here's a first look at this fine insulation garment.
It is 262 g in Size M, which will be of interest to the weight conscious hiker and trailrunner. Filled with Primaloft Eco and covered in Pertex Quantum, it is warm, soft to the skin and keeps wind, snow and water out. I used it in
Siikaneva and
Repovesi as well as on trail runs, and it does not fail to fulfill my expectations. It is roomy enough to wear it over my shell layer, and it is so warm that I didn't need to wear the down pullover I brought on those trips. On my next trips I will leave the down at home and just take the Fireball, it's that warm.
A look on the double zipper and the soft chin covers in the collar.
Filled with Primaloft Eco (50% recycled fibers) makes me a happy and warm man.
It has no pockets, which is fine for me. The reflective details are great for the dark months of winter when you wear it in the city, ensuring your safety. It has a stuff sack and can be compressed to the size of an orange, thus won't take much space in your pack - though I usually have it on the outside for quick access. The double zipper allows you to vent with the top closed around the neck, and venting you'll need if you decide to wear it while hiking, it is pretty damn hot. Available in the autumn from a dealer near you, or from the
Ultralight Outdoor Gear Montane Pro Store.
Venting.
A few watchful readers have seen already that I was sporting a
Montane Fireball Smock
here and
there, and have requested further information. I shall not disappoint, and here's a first look at this fine insulation garment.
It is 262 g in Size M, which will be of interest to the weight conscious hiker and trailrunner. Filled with Primaloft Eco and covered in Pertex Quantum, it is warm, soft to the skin and keeps wind, snow and water out. I used it in
Siikaneva and
Repovesi as well as on trail runs, and it does not fail to fulfill my expectations. It is roomy enough to wear it over my shell layer, and it is so warm that I didn't need to wear the down pullover I brought on those trips. On my next trips I will leave the down at home and just take the Fireball, it's that warm.
A look on the double zipper and the soft chin covers in the collar.
Filled with Primaloft Eco (50% recycled fibers) makes me a happy and warm man.
It has no pockets, which is fine for me. The reflective details are great for the dark months of winter when you wear it in the city, ensuring your safety. It has a stuff sack and can be compressed to the size of an orange, thus won't take much space in your pack - though I usually have it on the outside for quick access. The double zipper allows you to vent with the top closed around the neck, and venting you'll need if you decide to wear it while hiking, it is pretty damn hot. Available in the autumn from a dealer near you, or from the
Ultralight Outdoor Gear Montane Pro Store.
Venting.
First Look: Montane Fireball Smock
It's an awesome looking piece of kit Hendrik, I'm really interested. So light. Hats off to Montane for using the Eco insulation. I like the idea of pairing down and synthetic insulation (sleeping bag and jacket) for 3-season backpacking, an element of insurance in case things get wet! I just wished it had a hood for the quilt/hoodless bag users amongst us, an overkill for summer but a nice addition in Spring/Autumn. There's a Rab version (the Bugaboo?) coming soon that has a hood...
ReplyDelete>Available in the autumn
ReplyDeleteWhat?! You mean next autumn? That's a long time to wait :-(
Interesting, veeery interesting. How insulating is the Primaloft used in Fireball? Grams/square or clo-values?
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for some light insulating camp wear for the not-so-snowy-seasons. That would be light but it's a long wait before autumn... =S
Lightening up, it is 40 g Primaloft ECO fill power throughout the garment. Veeeery warm =)
ReplyDeleteJoe, its a great piece of kit, even at -12°C it is completely sufficient to keep me warm when resting in the wind. I'd rather wear a Merino Buff or a balaclava for the night in my quilt, so am fine without the hood, but I know what you mean.
Litekayaker, yes, next autumn.... Good things come to those who wait!
Damn! I might have been overestimating my need of insulation. I was thinking about 100g insulation atleast for the torso area. And that would have been down to -10C at camp. I have been using my quite light Halti down jacvket (around 600g in XL without the hood) but that is usually too warm and doesn't handle the rainy seasons.
ReplyDeleteGood news because now I can start looking at lighter options. =)
I got my Montane Prism 2.0 jacket (with hood, pockets etc) a couple of weeks ago and I absolutely love it so far! It seems to have the same 40g Primaloft ECO insulation and Pertex Microlight fabric (don't know the difference between Microlight and Quantum). Very comfortable and so far warm enough. However, it hasn't been colder than, say, -4C lately.
ReplyDeleteI wanted something synthetic for 3-season trips (often wet) and to be combined with my down sleeping bag. I reckon this would also be great for activities like downhill skiing etc.
Thank you for your findings.
ReplyDeleteI'll be buying one.
Best wishes, Neil
In a bid to avoid yet another piece of Montane kit - I'd look like I was sponsored by them - I've gone for the Patagonia Nano Puff if only for the ridiculous name. Same principle - 60g primaloft within a DWR shell. As with many of Patagonia's kit, much of it made of recycled materials. The DWR is good - used it in light rain recently - and it's really warm. Will be using it this weekend...
ReplyDeleteMaz, my fiancée uses a Patagonia W's Nano Puff and loves it as well. Light, comfortable and oh so warm!
ReplyDeleteA little late to post here, I know, but I'm thinking about getting on of these online as a summer backup insulation and am just wondering about the size - seems that it's a very close fit.
ReplyDeleteAre you fine with the M? I'm 184cm and 80kg, rather slim but with a little tummy though, but usually get off fine with M (e.g. Montane Venture jacket). But you are smaller than I am, so what would you recommend? I should still have the possibility to layer a thin fleece or alike under the fireball. Webshops claim thet it is a VERY close fit.
Sebastian, I hope Hendrik doesn't mind me joining in here :)
ReplyDeleteI'm the same size as you, a Medium will not be big enough. Montane seem to have adjusted their sizing in the last couple of years and are now significantly smaller. Using the Fireball as a 'summer' insulation jacket (maybe over just a base-layer) I would say you need a Large.
Hope that helps.
Hi Joe,
ReplyDeletethank you very much, that helps a lot. Unfortunately I have no possibility here to try it anywhere.
'Summer' insulation, well, that is to say, insulation for summer/autumn in higher Alpine / glacier regions in case it gets tough. I.e. Fireball over a base layer and under a shell. So I was looking for a very light garment that gives some warmth just in case.
Anyway, being a Smock I reckoned that putting in on while it's a very close fit could maybe rip some seams.
> Joe, its a great piece of kit, even at -12°C it is completely sufficient to keep me warm when resting in the wind.
ReplyDeleteMust be your Scandinavian fortitude. For me, 40 g Primaloft is a 5°C garment at best. I think a 40 g Primaloft sleeping bag would be rated around 15°C.
Hmmm, fortitude. Maybe. I find -12°C not cold - heck, I ski at over -30°C with only a 200 Merino Baselayer and a shell layer and find that fine as long as I am moving. It always depends on a persons metabolism, fat reserves, et al. - and as I usually say, what works for me does not need to work for others.
ReplyDelete