I’ll start this blog post with a huge ‘thank you’ to Ordnance Survey and Montane who recently sent me Montane’s Women’s Spirit waterproof jacket as part of my role as Ordnance Survey Champion.
It’s a tough job but someone has to do it!
If like me, you love getting outdoors in all weathers but prefer not to carry too much weight, the Spirit could be the waterproof for you. I’ve already discovered its versatility. This jacket is great for walking, hiking, catching the bus, even going to the loo (camping only, we have an indoor loo at home).
There’s plenty to like. And all of it fits easily into a small rucksack.
And all of it will keep you dry.
The Montane Women’s Spirit waterproof jacket
STARS: **** (4)
What’s great?
- Lightweight
- Good hydrostatic head
- Small pack size
- Flattering cut
- Great detail
- Windproof
- Waterproof
- Breathable
Could do better?
- Only available up to a size 18
- Unclear eco-credentials
My favourite thing?
The colour. Which is interesting because I’m old enough to remember complaining about women’s outdoor gear only being available in purple.
I’ll leave you to decide whether or not Saskatoon Berry is purple (and find out what a Saskatoon is – I have one in my garden so I’m cheating).
Lightweight but still waterproof
It’s easy to forget, when you’re talking about zip pockets (two), colour and style (female flattering) that a waterproof jacket’s main job is to keep the rain out.
With a hydrostatic head of 28,000mm, it’s clear from the specs (Goretex 75 Denier fabric and impressively taped seams) that Montane have got the waterproofing right with the Spirit jacket.
Some of the best seam taping I’ve seen.
This jacket proved to be waterproof when I chucked a bottle of water over my head (our recent lack of rain has so far stopped usual testing). The three-point adjustable hood, cinching hem and YKK AQUAGUARD front and pocket zips give me confidence that this jacket is going to be able to keep even Dartmoor rain at bay. I’ll keep you posted.
And you get all of this for a weight of just 320g and the pack size of a 2-litre water bottle.
The Spirit isn’t the lightest waterproof jacket on the market but for a windy wet Dartmoor day, I wouldn’t want a thinner fabric.
Design and styling
We all like to think we buy a waterproof jacket for its credentials but that’s only half the truth. In outdoor fashion, looks matter as much function.
Luckily for me the Montane Spirit waterproof jacket has both built in.
As a glasses wearer I especially love this jacket’s hood. Not only does it have a decent sized peak and space for a hat, it also has three point adjustable cinching to keep the hood up on windy days. The two zip pockets are deep enough to keep hands warm and carry the usual essentials, they are also big enough to act as vents on warmer days.
I usually prefer a two-way zip but this jacket’s generous cut around the hips makes this less necessary.
The best women’s waterproof jacket for fit?
I’m a size 18 and 5’8″ tall and I have to say this is the best fitting women’s waterproof jacket I’ve owned. Sadly it’s not available in plus sizes.
(1 in 4 women in the UK might consider size 16 to be a plus size but I don’t).
Shorter in the body than my previous jackets, the Spirit fits neatly over the hips without being too loose around the waist and chest. In other words, it’s cut really well.
Those of you who, like me, started their outdoor careers in men’s jackets because women’s gear was so limited, will understand how lovely it is to be able to wear outdoor gear that makes me feel good.
Say what you mean Fi.
This jacket has a flattering cut, and I feel attractive in it.
I’m not sure I’ve ever said that about a waterproof jacket before.
I could be wrong, it might make me look like a giant aubergine but as long as I feel good, who cares.
(And yes, I do know what ‘aubergine’ sometimes means but I’m confident it doesn’t make me look like one of THOSE).
What about sustainability?
Outdoor gear manufacture has in parts fallen to the pressures of fast fashion but I don’t think this is the case with Montane. There are lots of different factors to outdoor gear sustainability and Montane’s approach (and this jacket) tick a lot of my eco-friendly boxes (but not all of them, for example no recycled materials are mentioned).
- Well made outdoor gear lasts longer and makes better use of the energy used to create it.
- Buying one versatile item that can be used everyday and in different conditions is better for the planet than buying multiple items.
- Repair services such as Montane’s demonstrate a manufacturer’s positive whole lifecycle approach.
- Montane aim to eliminate PFAS forever chemicals from their supply chain by 2026.
If anyone can give me any more information on the eco-credentials of the GORE-TEX PACLITE fabric used in this jacket, I would be grateful.
How would I improve this jacket?
It was hard to find fault with the Spirit waterproof jacket. I would usually prefer an additional inside pocket for my phone but without a lining, this isn’t possible.
So no problems with the jacket but I was disappointed to see it only came in sizes up to 18. In fact, out of 14 of Montane’s available women’s waterproof jackets, only three were available above a 16 and none in 20 plus sizes.
That said, the 18 gave perhaps the best fit I’ve ever had in a waterproof jacket.
Full marks Team Montane. But please remember that plus size outdoor gear matters.
Where are all the plus size outdoor clothing models?
Would you trust a tent review written by artificial intelligence?