Braving the harsh conditions of Iceland, Amy from our Exeter store had the incredible opportunity to put the all-new Montane Cetus Lite Jacket to the ultimate test – before it even hits the shelves! With its innovative Petrichor membrane, she set out to see if this jacket lives up to the hype.
If I have learnt anything this year, the UK will provide you with plenty of opportunities to test and review waterproof gear, even during the summer.
Having owned my trusted, reliable and near-bomb-proof Montane Goretex Pro jacket for a number of years now, the chance to try out something lighter, more breathable and less crunchy was welcomed, and the new Montane Cetus Lite didn’t disappoint.
Designed for high-output activities, I’ve tried my hardest to push this jacket to its limits. Using it for fast-paced day hikes across Dartmoor in the driving summer rain, during tough interval training runs around Exeter Quayside, to arduous (but totally EPIC) multiday trekking in the ever-changing weather of the Icelandic Highlands. The Cetus Lite hasn’t let me down. Not even once.
The Montane Women’s Cetus Lite waterproof jacket is built around Montane’s new PETRICHOR TECHNOLOGY™ and is new to Taunton Leisure for Autumn/Winter 2024.
The Petrichor membrane is PFC/PFAS free and is sandwiched between two other layers to make it very durable for a garment that is so light that I forgot I was wearing it half of the time.
At only 295g, its lightweight and small pack size was a welcome change to my usual jacket, especially on a recent trip to the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland, where space in my backpack was limited and I needed my essential kit to be as light as possible to save my old knees.
The jacket was so light and comfortable that I even wore it when it wasn’t raining just to protect myself from the insane wind. I definitely would have been reluctant to do the same with my heavier jacket for fear of getting too clammy as we climbed endless, but beautiful ridgelines.
The jacket kept me well protected, allowing me to enjoy the glacial river crossings and steep accents without interruption.
The membrane is 100% waterproof and has a 20,000 hydrostatic head rating which is fairly standard for a jacket of this spec across many brands.
A feature worth shouting about is its breathability. With a breathability rating (RET) of less than 5, (the lower the better), the Cetus Lite was exceptionally comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when working hard, especially during the summer when the weather was warm, but the rain was still pouring down.
There are loads of accessible technical specs, graphs and videos detailing the abilities of the Petrichor membrane on Montane’s website for those who want to get really nerdy, but to keep things nice and simple, I have so far found the Cetus Lite jacket to be waterproof, comfortable and very breathable, especially when the going gets tough.
The outer layer of the jacket is made of 21D recycled ripstop nylon with a PFC-free durable water water-repellent coating and the lining is a softer-feeling nylon for next-to-skin comfort. This was particularly noticeable when I wore that jacket over a t-shirt during a cold, wet and windy 10k run back in May. It didn’t feel clingy against the bare skin of my arms even though I was sweating.
During the third day of our Icelandic adventure, the weather was much cooler, but the jacket was easily pulled on over my mid-layer. The combination of a merino wool long-sleeved t-shirt, a Montane Protium XT hoodie, and Cetus Lite jacket worked perfectly for me.
On first receiving the jacket I was initially sceptical about its durability because it was so much lighter than what I’m used to wearing. I always carry a backpack and I was worried about how fabric over the shoulders and around the waist might cope with continual abrasion from shoulder straps and hip belts, especially in Iceland where my pack would be heavier than usual and the days would be long, but the jacket held its own.
It’s also survived a few scraped elbows on soggy Dartmoor day hikes in the early summer. As someone who’s not famed for being very gentle with their kit, it’s reassuring to know that I’m stepping out the door with something that’s going to perform well under pressure.
The hook-and-loop fastenings on the cuffs felt strong and secure, even when used over my gloves. The hood was easy to adjust across the back of my head and around my face for a snug fit, allowing good visibility even when I was wearing it over a beanie and the hood of my base layer in driving rain.
I like that the chords to adjust the fit around my face sit inside the jacket so that the ends can’t be blown into my face in inclement weather (which is dangerous, as well as super annoying) and they can be locked in place with small easy-to-use toggles, again hidden away in the rim of the hood.
The hood can be rolled down and secured using the adjustment chord on the back when not being used, but I haven’t felt the need to use this as yet.
Montane describes the fit of this jacket as “Regular – Standard fit for core outdoor activities” which I would suggest is fair. I’ve been wearing a size ten (which is usually the size that works for me in other brands we stock), but it still allows room for layering underneath.
Caring for the jacket has been simple. So far during the six months I’ve had it I have washed and treated it once in the washing machine with NikWax Tech Wash, followed by NikWax TX Direct to keep the jacket performing at its best. Given how much I’ve used it recently I’d suggest it’ll probably have another trip to the laundry room before winter sets in.
All in all, my experience with the Montane Cetus Lite jacket has been a positive one so far. Perfect for wet and windy days when I’m moving a bit faster and need my kit to be that bit lighter and more breathable. It’s a welcome addition to my gear and I look forward to stuffing it in my pack on my next outing. (Though I am also happy for the weather to just be a bit nicer on occasion).
