This is the jacket to buy if your style is light and fast and you need an insulated layer. Its thinness makes it a great mid layer or a quick and easy outer layer on a long and cold climb. Since it stuffs into a sack, you can pack it small and bring it with you easily. For $34 more you could get the Patagonia Nano Puff, which weighs three ounces more but zips into an interior pocket and has a carabiner loop to clip to a harness, which is slightly more handy. If you need a thick and warm jacket, you would be happier with the Arc'Teryx Atom SV or the Mountain Hardwear Compressor. If you are looking for an insulated jacket that breathe well, go with the Mountain Hardwear Zonal Jacket.
How does this compare to other jackets? See The Best Insulated Jacket Review
Hands-on Gear Review |
Street Price:
Varies from $87 - $101 | Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros: Lightest jacket reviewed, thin and easy to wear as a layer or bring along packed into stuff sack. Cons: No zippered pockets, stuff sack not connected to jacket so easy to lose. Best Uses: Alpine climbing, ice climbing, back-country skiing.
Overview
OutdoorGearLab Editors' Hands-on Review
Likes
The Montbell U.L. (Ultra-Light) Thermawrap jacket is in fact the lightest jacket in this review by at least three ounces. It is also on the inexpensive side with only the Sherpa Vajra jacket being cheaper. For the price you get a really basic but light and functional insulated layer. If you are headed on a light and fast climbing expedition, this the jacket to take. It is surprisingly warm for being so thin and light, and fits well under any kind of shell. Dislikes This jacket has no zippered pockets, which ultimately makes it lighter, which is this jacket's best feature. However I find that the things I usually keep in the pockets of my jackets such as chap stick, car keys, etc, have no secure place. Most of the time this isn't a big deal since this jacket works so well as a mid-layer, and my shell usually has zippered pockets, but I did miss the zippers. This jacket packs into a stuff sack, which is an awesome feature, but the stuff sack is not connected to the jacket and really easy to lose, especially since there is no zippered pocket to keep the sack in for easy access. Also, even though this is a very thin insulated layer, it does not breathe very well. If I wear this jacket while hiking I get sweaty pretty quickly. Best Application This is the ultimate jacket to use for the light and fast climber or hiker. If weight is a major concern, then this jacket is the warmest layer you could bring for only 7.5 ounces. Value As one of the most inexpensive jackets in this review, the Thermawrap jacket is a great deal. It is durable, functional, and very high quality for the price. This jacket does skimp on some of the more luxurious features such as zippered pockets, interior pockets, and soft handwarmer material around the chin, but the basic design keeps the price and the weight down, which are both plusses. Other Versions Montbell U.L. Thermawrap Parka - Women's Montbell U.L. Thermawrap Vest - Women's Montbell U.L. Thermawrap Pants - Women's — McKenzie Long
OutdoorGearLab Member Reviews of Montbell UL Thermawrap Jacket - Women'sMost recent review: March 7, 2011
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 Montbell U.L. Thermawrap Jacket Credit: Montbell
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