“Hey, is that that Montec stuff? How do you like it?” That question greeted me on just my second run out in the Montec Fawk kit, clad from head to toe in sleekly styled matching gear. Montec has created an enormous presence through massive social media campaigns highlighting their stylish gear, and this was the first time I had reviewed any of their products. So, it’s time to meet the Montec Fawk Ski Jacket and bib combo.
Montec’s gear is oriented at resort junkies looking for a stylish, functional, and reasonably priced kit that can keep up with them on a long day. As I’m reviewing these, I’m keeping a couple of things in mind: these are mid-priced offerings that are meant to be dependable, but are clearly set apart from both more affordable or more expensive technical options.
We’ll start with the jacket. The jacket is a high-coverage top that comes in both insulated and shell versions – I’m testing the insulated version. There are a huge abundance of pockets and features: there’s a media pocket on the front of the coat, a lift pass pocket on the left wrist, baggy mesh inner pockets, two chest pockets and two hand warmer pockets. You could stash enough gear and food in this jacket to survive for days without coming to the lodge.
Other features are notable, including the large, easy-pulling underarm vents; a helmet-compatible, single-adjust hood, cozy wrist gaiters, fleece chin guard and double-placket main zipper. Some of the other features, like oversized cuffs, elastic aged hem and a powder skirt, are more typical and a little less interesting. We’ll touch on how some of the more special features perform.
By far the stand-out feature here is the wrist gaiters. These soft sleeve-like extensions cover your wrist and stay in place with a thumb hole, preventing drafts or snow from blowing up your sleeves. They are incredible, and I’ve loved every jacket I’ve had with them. The underarm vents also deserve praise because they open and close so darn easily; it’s not a waterproof zipper and just has a placket covering it to keep snow out. The result is an easy-pulling zipper.
One or two features fall flat, though. The front zipper with double plackets is not a winner, in my book. When you’re fumbling around for the zipper pull with gloves on, there are just too many extra fabric folds to get in the way. Over time you get used to this, but early on I was forever pulling at the wrong bit of dangly fabric. This could be fixed by Montec just mounting a waterproof zipper on the main, which would lighten the jacket but possibly impact it stylistically.
There are some other issues with the foundation of the jacket, too. Consumers should be aware that ‘waterproof’ jackets like this one are really best left in cold and reasonably dry conditions. The reason is that the fabric Montec chose as its outer is fairly coarse and porous compared to what you’d find in a more technical shell. The perk is that it’s quite durable and can hold up to sharp ski edges, poles, or tree branches whipping past.
The problem is, that inherently porous fabric will only fend off moisture as long as the DWR lasts, and those can wear out sometimes within months. You can re-treat the fabric, but in the mean time it will absorb water and become saturated. Kudos to Montec that they used a PFC-free DWR treatment, which is way better for the environment. Expect to renew this DWR periodically, just like any other.
I’m was skeptical of Montec’s claim of 20,000mm waterproofing. Mostly, I’m skeptical because I could feel drafts coming through the seams – which are supposed to be taped. Montec uses a 2-layer laminated fabric for the shell; the inner layer is treated with a hydrophilic chemical which is supposed to wick your body’s moisture away and into the fabric, where it can be evaporated away. It’s also the technology that companies use in summer garments which are intended to cool the user down.
Anyway, to test my skepticism, I put my hand through the sleeve and placed a seam under a stream of hot water. Hot water gets past the DWR faster, and I rubbed the fabric to saturate it. Minutes went past, and nothing: good work Montec on a waterproof product with taped seams. This will translate to you staying much dryer on those wetter resort days, although fabric saturation will still be a problem as the DWR ages.
In terms of insulation, I was able to ski these with just my fleece underneath. Your mileage will vary, depending on conditions and your own preferences. I know I run warm. The pants and bibs both have 40gsm insulation all over, which is a mid weight insulation suitable for (in my opinion) days in the low 30’s up to the mid 40’s. But everyone’s comfort level is different, and I run warm.
Just like with the jacket, I tested the insulated version of the bibs. They’ve included just about every feature you could ask for, including vents, zippered gusseted hems, adjustable waist and suspenders, etc. Everything is there. I loved the fact that the vents are mesh-lined, so you won’t get powder dumped into your pants if you take a spill or ski something deep.
The fit is good, reasonably trim throughout the torso and that’s easily adjusted with snaps on each side. The legs flair out a bit, and it was easy to accommodate my bulky Scarpa touring boots in walk mode under the hems. The built-in suspenders are good, simple and easy to use: only one side adjusts, so the tension is carried through to the other side through a sort of pulley system. It’s nice because it evens out both sides, but I’m used to dual-adjust suspenders.
The bibs are very high coverage, with the front of the bib extending nearly to my collarbone. Montec built in a long front zipper, covered by a Velcro-secured placket, to make it easy to get in and out of the bibs. I like this, but I wish they’d included a two-way zipper so that it’s easier to answer nature’s call without zipping the whole thing down.
Otherwise, much of the tech is the same as the jacket in terms of waterproofing, seam taping, DWR and fabric. Just like the jacket, Montec built these with 40gsm insulation, which is a mid weight level which will be sufficient on mild days and will need more layers on colder, windier days.
The last comment I’ll add is that the build quality on these is good, but not top-level. I noticed several pulled threads throughout the top and bottom. There was nothing major and for the most part the stitching looks great – but, let’s just say it, this isn’t a $1000 Arc’teryx kit. Montec can’t quite afford the attention to detail in manufacturing, but the design basics are solid.
If you haven’t seen Montec in your instagram ads yet, you probably will now. I think their fame is well-deserved all things considered; they’re making stylish kit that’s reasonably priced and reasonably well designed and constructed. The abundance of features and extras is enough to dazzle most users (and enough to make this review too long), but people love that stuff and it’s mostly helpful, too. If you’re looking for gear that will last you the next decade, this isn’t it. But if you want to look cool and stay warm for four or five solid seasons, the Montec Fawk jacket and bib will be an excellent companion.
Buy now: Jacket and Bibs available from Montec
Kevin Glover lives, climbs and backpacks out of Spokane, WA. Originally from the Nevada high desert, he moved to the PNW ten years ago and has worked as a glacier and rock guide in the Washington Cascades. When not testing gear, he is a medical student at the University of Washington and will gladly check that rash out for you.
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