Advnture Verdict
Light-as-a-feather but offering a hefty whack of warmth thanks to animal down, Montane’s Featherlite is delicious comfortable, smart and easy to travel with.
Pros
- +
Lightweight
- +
Delightfully comfortable
- +
Recycled outer material
Cons
- -
Would benefit from stretchy side panels
You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.
Montane Women’s Featherlite Down Gilet: first impressions
The first thing you notice about the Montane Women’s Featherlite Down Gilet is its weight – or lack thereof. Featherlite by name and by nature, Montane’s down gilet tips the scales at just 255g (9oz) one of the lightest vests on test in our best women’s gilets buying guide.
The silky outer material looks rather thin but is actually made of reasonably tough recycled nylon that should withstand nicks and scratches, and the soft inner lining feels lovely to wear, too; this is a great vest to pop on to stay cosy and comfy from dawn until dusk when you’re out-of-doors camping, hiking or working.
The light weight and packability of this body warmer make it ideal for travelling and backpacking, when its handy warmth and neutral looks will come in handy when you’ve got limited kit to hand.
• RRP: $177.50 (US) / £130 (UK)
• Fill: Duck down
• Sizes: S / M / L / XL
• Waterproofing: Water-resistant
• Colors: Black / Orion Blue
• Compatibility: Great comfort makes this vest ideal for long days exploring or working outdoors
Montane Women’s Featherlite Down Gilet: on the trail
If you don’t like to feel weighed down by heavy outdoor layers, this superlight hiking vest is a freeing choice that you will barely notice you have on – well, besides the fact that water-resistant down insulation is doing a great job of warming up your core.
We wore the Featherlite in light rain and found that it was water-resistant enough to stay warm and dry in light rainfall, but we don’t reckon it could withstand a deluge.
If we could change anything about this design, we make the side panels stretchy, so that this gilet moves with you when you’re picking up the pace, although the adjustable hem and elasticated arm holes go a long way to getting a comfortable fit that still traps in heat.
