Mont Guide Hoodie Primaloft

I vividly recall my first synthetic jacket (a Montane sample and one of the first synthetic jackets to become available in Australia) a piece that was as much a fashion statement as it was practical gear. Its unique cut and garish navy / orange design set it apart in the climbing, walking, and canyoning circles of Sydney and the Blue Mountains at the time. Despite resulting in more than a few jokes, that jacket was a game-changer in terms of warmth and weight, and something I quickly fell in love with. A leap ahead of the heavy and bulky fleece we were all wearing at the time.

Fast forward to last year, when I received a Mont Guide Hoody from the Climbing School. It’s not often that a uniform piece doubles as a personal favourite, but this definately is. This hoody matches, if not surpasses, the innovative spirit of that first jacket, and is probably a step forward on the fashion front as well.

The more I’ve worn it, the more impressed I’ve become, and I’ve worn it a lot! The Primaloft Gold insulation isn’t just a nod to quality; it’s a functional choice, offering the warmth of 500 fill down while performing better in wet conditions. The YKK zips, especially the double-ended front zip, are practical for climbers and are generally only used on garments built to last. The internal Napoleon pocket, however, is a bit of a missed opportunity.

The Hydronaught XTR shell, a Mont specialty, does a decent job against the elements. It’s not fully waterproof, but its water-resistant capabilities, coupled with the DWR coating, have been effective in mountain drizzles. The fabric’s durable, though it has required some minor repairs from my regular and hard use. The combination of a hard-shell on an insulated jacket is unusual, but definitely a winner.

There’s a lot of little things that are nice too: the adjustment toggles on the elastic are position such that they dont get pinched between my harness or pack and my hip bone too often, the wrists have enough size to put on and move in easily but are also adjustable, the hood interacts well with a helmet which is something of a rarity.

Just want the numbers?

• 467 grams, including the 12g stuff sack (Medium)
• Expect to pay around $400
  • Because mine was issued as a uniform at BMCS mine was free for me (not BMCS).

What we love about it…

• The overall design and functionality
• The convenience of the double-ended front zip
• Ample pocket space
• The helmet-compatible hood
• The water-resistant shell

If we could change just one thing…

The Napoleon pocket is a missed opportunity. While it’s spacious enough for essentials like a smartphone, a double-sided zip (allowing the jacket to be stuffed into itself) and a loop for harness attachment would make it perfect. The provided stuff sack is handy but not ideal for harness attachment during climbs.

So how do you rate it?

Overall this jacket is a standout. It’s a solid 5 “warm and snug when wet and windy” stars out of 5.