There’s nothing controversial with the Montane Women’s Phase XT waterproof jacket no fancy features, just lots of solid reliability, which was confirmed on some very wet and windy days in the hills.
Price: $520 / £400 | Weight: 458g (size uk 12) | Materials: 70D Gore-Tex, 100% nylon face and backer with with ePTFE membrane | Hood: wired and laminated peak, rear and side adjusters | Front closure: two-way YKK Aquaguard zip with rear stormflap | Underarm/side zips: underarm | Pockets: two external and one internal | Hem: elastic drawcord | Cuffs: hook and loop fastening | Sizes: UK 8-16 | Mens Version: yes
The membrane of the Montane Women’s Phase XT, is standard Gore-Tex, which does the job as you would expect, and is protected by sturdy 70D face fabric and backer. The hood is excellent, easily swallowing a climbing helmet, whilst still offering good protection for the face.
I was worried that all that extra fabric would be flappy, but its easy to adjust and cinch down and I had no problems. All the necessary things you could want are there, big hand pockets that will take a map, an internal valuables pocket, and underarm zips for venting.
There are no bells and whistles, but that helps keep the weight down. I have one complaint- the cuffs are faffy to fit over insulated gloves with padded wrists. This is more than annoying, it could result in wet gloves and wrists in foul weather if you don’t take the time to ensure that there’s a good seal.
In all other aspects the Phase XT is everything I would want in a jacket for winter use, with special mention for the hood, which is near perfect.
Tested by Lucy Wallace
Lucy tested this jacket on day walks and multi day expeditions in the mountains during the wet and wild tail end of 2023. Conditions ranged from sideways rain, to snow, to gales, and sometimes all three at once. Weights were measured using her home digital scales.
