I bid on a Montane Light-Speed jacket from this seller for $35.00 plus some reasonable UPS shipping: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZdrggriffithsQQhtZ-1

He does have a bunch of sizes, colors and models.

He will accept PayPal *if* you "voluntarily" add 2.9% to cover the fees. This is mildly out of policy, but acutally costs the same as a money order, not to mention the time fiddling with mailing it and adding to the weight.

I haven't recived mine yet, so I can't vouch for the seller and, as always, caveat emptor!

Edited by dwambaugh on 03/28/2006 13:44:33 MST.

Dale,

Do you or anyone else know if this kind of jacket would keep one reasonably dry in a pro-longed rain? I would prefer this type of jacket over the Drop Stoppers jacket...since it would seem to be far more durable and packs much smaller as well.

Scott,
There's alot of other comments on this, but my experience is definitely that the lightspeed does not keep you dry in prolonged rain, nor was it designed to. It shouldn't be confused w/ WP/B, it's quantum w/ a good DWR. The item listing was a little confusing...

John Witt wrote: "The item listing was a little confusing..."

I agree-- I went for the model name only. I was looking for an UL windshirt with good DWR properties and I had done my homework.

I surf Ebay with a couple other browser windows open, checking for current models, full product info and other areas of confusion. Many sellers have no idea what they are selling, but are doing liquidations and so forth-- not dealers or specialists at all.

Many times I have found a more current model or the same item for less in a retail web store. The Nite Eyes LED conversion kits for the AA Maglites is one that comes to mind. I could walk into REI and buy it for less, with no shipping and an iron-clad warranty.

Unless the savings are significant, it doesn't offset the risk, shipping fees, time lag, etc. By and large my Ebay experience has been positive. I wouldn't be done in by a $35 loss (I would be throrougly ticked off), but those $1,000 deals would make me squirm-- I would be reading a lot of feedbacks!

Do watch the Asian sources for North Face and other high-end clothing-- the counterfeits and knock-offs are rampant.

it's actually Pertex® Microlight, which in my opinion is slightly less breathable than quantum and doesn't wet out as fast. which is why it is considered "shower proof." not to be confused with a prolonged downpour. if they had another large i would have probably added one to my gear closet. but there was only one XL left.

Make sure you email him, as he had more than what was on the auctions. I upped the size on the one I bid on as I had read the Montane's run small compared to US sizes (hope that's right). He's slow on the emails.

I'm thinking about getting one - I normally wear a large but was wondering if I needed to size up for this one. If I wear the normal large could I fit a light weight pullover underneath (like a micro puff)?

I bought my Litespeed true to chest size, and its fine over a base layer and a fleece vest. Nice athletic cut. A thin pullover might be okay under it instead of a vest, but if you want to layer it over anything like a micropuff or cocoon, I'd recommend sizing up.

And yes, don't expect to stay dry in a prolonged downpour. In steady drizzle its perfect when on the move.

Athetic cut being the operative words. I'm cut more like a bowling pin than an Oscar :)

I do want some layering ability too and I find that a little more room helps breathability a lot.

I get a kick out of all the windshirt thang. We all wore the marsupial style nylon windbreakers in the 1960's and we didn't know how techy we were being. Funny, but I never saw them on a Scout hike. :)

I'm not looking for rain protection as I use a poncho/cape, but having that skinny wind blocking layer sure keeps the heat from being sucked out of you. The DWR is as much help with wet brush as it is precipitation.

Last summer, I walked out of one steep-walled valley (Boulder River) with the back half of the trail being very overgrown and covered in dew and I might as well been in a car wash. I was holding my poles out in front of me to help push the big leaves aside. In a half mile I was dripping from the elbows down. I had on some polyester running pants whith some fair DWR, keeping it bearable.

I'm a fan of polyester running-style pants for summer hiking. They are easy to find used and not so bad new. New Balance makes some great ones with good ankle zips and other details. I just found a pair made by Lowe that I like a lot. They aren't as light as some of the high end stuff, but definately in the ultralight ballpark. Pants really take a beating and it's a lot easier to swallow if I rip a pair of $3 thrift store pants than $70 ones!

>Athetic cut being the operative words. I'm cut more like a bowling pin than an Oscar :)
For some reason that cracked me up Dale. Yeah I should have been more specific. I prefer to pretend I look like an Oscar.

I'd strongly second the nylon running pants for summer hiking. I've tried Adidas, Nike, etc. Cheap, quick drying, ... elastic waist. :^) Seriously tho, now I save those pricey wind/softshell pants for long or cold trips.

Jason, he say :"I'd strongly second the nylon running pants for summer hiking....

Polyester is much better. Actually the ProSpirit stuff that Target has can be very good-- it does vary. Some of the best shorts I've seen are JC Penney's-- good fabrics and well made. Some are as nice as any of the big mountaineering outfits.

Pants and shorts get chewed up, covered in pitch and fire pit ashes, caught on brush, muddied, holes in the butt and knees -- you name it.

I am glad that you specified "holes"! I, too, am a fellow bowling pin. I like to think of it as "gravitationally enhanced" with an enlarged center of, er, "mass"...

I know I've already asked, but just wanted to get more feedback. Are the larges true to size or is it worth sizing up?

Edited by drewnc2005 on 04/21/2006 13:45:55 MDT.

>Are the larges true to size or is it worth sizing up?


I almost always wear an XL, but my Montane Aero is an XXL. I sized up based on recommendations here, and I'm glad I did.

"I almost always wear an XL, but my Montane Aero is an XXL. I sized up based on recommendations here, and I'm glad I did."

DITTO. I sized up from XL to XXL and it is just right.

Edited by dwambaugh on 04/21/2006 22:15:36 MDT.

I had to size up (M to L) on my Montane Aero windshirt. I got it over a year ago.

I've had the same experience with the Montane Featherlite: you need to size up one full size. However, the Litespeed appears to have normal US sizing. A Large Litespeed has exactly the same sleeve length as an X-Large Featherlite (34"). I know because I bought a Litespeed for my wife and sized up to Large based on generic advice about Montane...only to have to exchange for her normal size Medium. Before I sent it back I laid the Large Litespeed over my X-Large Featherlite and they were exactly the same.