New 2010 Montbell Catalogue

One thing I noticed (at least in the US) is the new Tachyon Anorak, a 2.3 oz hooded pullover windshirt. The Versalite is gone from the US (at least through the end of August) but the Outpace Parka which uses the Breeze Dry-Tec like the Peak is still there (it lacks pit zips). The US Versalite uses Dry Light Tec which is slightly less breathable than the Peak and Outpace.

Wow. 2.3oz for a hooded windshirt is awesome. I wonder if the 7D nylon could hold up to wearing a pack.

Miguel:

Is the new 'Mighty' Dome still a puny 80 or 82" in length — where even MontBell's own "regular" size sleeping bag will touch the ends?

Thermawrap parkas are still on the USA website Right now.

Hey Ben,

The single is 200 cm long (79 in) and the double is 210 cm (83 in) long, so no changes at all. And it's a dome, again! Absolutely no imagination here. And you really have to wonder about the designers, what generation they are from; Japanese men are much taller than thirty years ago so it's really kind of nonsensical to make such short tents. As of this season Montbell FINALLY acknowledged longer sizes in men's pants leg lengths. But the tents are not following. Ten years ago Montbell had much more innovative thinking in their shelters. I wonder what happened?

That's right, a puny 79"!! You might remember that I actually bought their single wall Mighty Dome at one time — but having the bag touch the ends was a show stopper right there. Sold it on Ebay to someone in Korea.

To me, MB' strength is in their insulation — bags and clothing. Tents and packs, not so much…

Actually there is one new pack by Montbell that people may want to take a look at, called the “Balance Light”. It is based on their older, minimalist pack, also the Balance Light, now called the Balance LIght Classic. It comes in three sizes, 20 l, 30 l, and 40 l. I tried it out the other day and the 30 l is just right for a very light hiking trip. They are not the lightest packs on the market, but they fit very well and have only the basics. Even the hip belt is a simple nylon strap and buckles. Have a look. (scroll down to the bottom to see the 20 and 30 l sizes)

Gee, thanks for making an awesome windshirt only for men, montbell.

Are the wind pants going to fit a 32 waist and 33 leg now? or do I need to buy a large or XL for that?

Angela, in all fairness in 33 years I have almost never seen Montbell make clothing only for men (and yet they make lots of clothing only for women!). If the Tachyon Anorak is the American name for the Ex-Light Wind Anorak, then it's a unisex version, because it is available in (Japanese size) extra small (which is xxs in the States). The description even calls attention to the fact that it is a very loose fitting garment. The Ex-Light JACKET on the other hand indeed has a women's version. Please rest easy. That is not even displayed on the American site yet.

Robert, unfortunately, Montbell's new offerings in longer pants lengths only go for a few of their most popular pants. The wind pants are not one of them.

"Montbell's new offerings in longer pants lengths only go for a few of their most popular pants"

Anything with a 36" leg?

Sorry Rog, it was 2:00 in the morning…

Size M-Long (waist 76 to 81) longest length is 85 (33 in)
Size L-Long (waist 81 to 97) longest length is 88 (35 in)
Size XL-Long (waist 87-93) longest length is 91 (36 in)

Only 10 of their pants have these longer and shorter sizes.

Sorry. Your unending quest continues…

Finding wind pants that are long enough without fitting like a bag is impossible. Mont bell still might get some of my money for that anorak and maybe an ex light

I just took a look at the fishing clothing section and some people might want to consider two of their offerings:

Bug-proof Anorak (unisex): a very light windbreaker (160 g) with an integral 45 denier mosquito headnet.

Dry Light Tec Light Wading Rain Jacket (includes a rod holder, a landing net holder on the back, and a thru-pocket to access your fishing vest underneath… not that these things would mean much to me!) 360 g. It comes in a more muted gray color.

And another item, not in the fishing section, a Micro Towel series that fits in the palm of your hand:

Micro Towel Band (25 cm x 25 cm) 10 g
Micro Towel Face (80 cm x 35 cm) 30 g
Micro Towel Sports (125 cm x 45 cm) 60 g

I'd like to know how the XL fit on someone like my size bc the last windshirt I tried from them was way too small, a Japanese XXL.

With American and European clothes I almost always wear size M, with very few exceptions. With Montbell I wear XL nearly all the time, though something between L and XL would fit me better. If XXL is too small for you (supposedly an American XL, but actually an American XXL), then you probably have little choice.

But then, I remember seeing an unusually large pair of pants at the Montbell Outlet store and when I asked about the sizing they told me they were from their American market. A Japanese traveling abroad had returned them here in Japan, saying they were too big.

Perhaps Montbell America has larger sizes?

Hmm. Good point Miguel.

Well, I hope to see an XS offered eventually! If it's a loose fitting unisex garment, I'll be swimming in a size small. I wish I could buy the Japanese sizing sometimes!

Robert I would definitely look at the European manufacturers for long windpants that fit trimly… Haglofs, Rab, and Montane are three companies that make very good versions.

Angela, yeah, I sometimes feel the reverse living in Japan where everything is too small for me or strangely proportioned. For some reason they only sell size large hats here… go figure.

I'll have to check out to see if sizing over here differs, bc my windshirt was from Japan. I'm an XL(U.S.) most of the time. I'm 6'3" 225, so I'll have to find somewhere to actually try one on before I pull the trigger.