Another Montbell sizing question

I'm stocky at 5'6, 195 lb with a 17 1/2" neck and the large UL thermawrap fits me perfectly. I have to pull it a little to get the zipper started around my 34" waist. I think it will still fit fine when I lose the 10 lb I need to.

Here is a pic of me yesterday at big basin redwood state park outside san jose.

I own several Montbell garments, and 3 of them are the UL thermawrap garments (Pants, Jacket and Vest).

I wear a medium, and the vest and the jacket both fit differently. The vest is a little snug, but the jacket is great. The japanese version of the vest fit better than the US version. Strange.

I still love it though.

Robert,

Thanks for the info. What size jacket do you wear? What is your height / weight?

I am 5'11" and 185 lbs. I tried on a large Montbell Thermawrap and it fits nicely. I could easily layer a microweight wool base and a windshirt underneath and still have lots of mobility. The length in the arms is perfect and the torso length is perfect, as well.

I'm 6' 175 and the medium Thermawrap Jacket was much too tight for me too. The large I have gives me enough room to layer over a Puffball vest comfortably. The sleeves on the large are an inch or two too long and the torso length is long as well but I didn't buy it to wear around town so I don't mind the extra coverage. I wear a 40 regular in a jacket and buy shirts with 34" sleeves.

I just lost out on getting the '05 model vest for $60 on Backcountry Gear.com. Ordered it online, only to be told that it was already gone forever. Bummer.

So does anyone have a suggestion for whether I should get a S or M (in the Thermawrap Vest)? I'm 5'6", 150 lbs with a short torso, 38" chest, 15" neck.

Dredging up an old thread here rather than starting a new one…

I'm thinking of getting an UL inner jacket (or perhaps parka). I'm 6'1", 160-165 pounds, and pretty lean. According to Montbell's sizing chart (chest, waist) I should be a medium.

However, the OP is 6' and weighs less than me, and says the Thermawrap in medium is too snug under the arms and chest. Is this the same case with the inner jackets?

It seems I should perhaps go for a large, but the montbell sizing chart reckons a large chest size is 41-43 inches and I'm a 39. Perhaps Montbell jackets aren't cut for guys like me (slim, medium-tall)? I have a feeling the large might be pretty baggy on me (not good for an inner jacket!).

Thanks for any advice…

Ashley,
I've owned M and L. You need to decide; do you want arms and a torso length which are 2" too short (M), or a chest area which is too baggy (L). I'm 5'10" and went with the US 'M'. Be glad you're 6'1 and just go for the L.
Great jacket.

I'm 5'7", 155 lbs., 40" chest, 15.5" neck, 33" waist. Montbell Thermawrap Action jacket in Men's Medium fits snug in the chest (but ok, as I don't look to layer under this piece), a little loose in the waist. I don't know if the Action fits snugger than the standard Thermawrap, but there you have it for reference.

Thanks Brett and Josh. Sounds like I will have to go with the large. Short arms on a jacket are really annoying!

Just following up on this old thread.

I ended up getting a medium and am glad I didn't opt for the large. There is plenty of length in the arms (mine are pretty long, and the medium fits well). However, the fit around the torso is pretty poor. The jacket is kind of "boxy" in shape… short in length and wide in width. As many others have noted previously, these jackets could do with an extra inch or two of length. If you have a short torso this might not be an issue. Similarly for the width, I would prefer it to be more snug but if you're heavily built I guess it might fit well.

All in all, I'd have to say that these jackets are designed to fit someone who is reasonably stocky with a shorter torso. If you have a long-torso and are lean, the fit won't be ideal. Having said that, it's still a nice jacket and I won't be selling mine just yet.

I wonder whether the new version of the inner jackets might actually be slimmer and longer? Somehow I doubt it. Anyone know whether the WM flash jacket/parka is narrower in fit? Might have to cough up eventually for a custom nunatuk jacket.

I have a work around for the MontBell sizing issue for those that can handle a sewing machine. I got a size X-large and sewed the sides up and cut off the excess. This gave me good length and custom width, and was pretty quick and easy.

I am 6'1" and 150 lbs. I wear a Montbell size medium in the Alpine Light Down and the UL Down Inner. They are a little too short in the waist, good in the arms, and a little baggy. I never tried a small.

I tried on a small Thermawrap and it was too short and a little tight in the chest. I never tried a medium.

I've noticed that the lower hem part tends to be baggy without elsatic or a drawcord. I guess I need a beer belly or something. My Alpine Light has elastic here, so all is good.

As for Patagonia, almost all of their stuff is cut for shorter, thicker people. Just my opinion. I did notice that the last time I bought baslayers from them, they made them longer and slimmer, which is nice. Their R1 Hoody fits like a dream in medium. All of the other R garments were way too short and way too baggy.

I'm around 5'8 with a long torso for my height and find the medium fits fine. I could wear a small but it would be snugger than I like for an outer layer.

Ah crap, I should pay attention to post dates. I was just about to tell Ashley to get a medium instead. Glad she did! I'm a few pounds less and the medium has room for a few pounds more.

Finally got to see and fondle MontBell stuff in Seattle, very nice gear. If I am not mistaken they now have (in the US) a US size as well as a Japanese size on the label, IE US M is Japanese L.

Franco

Ooh, interesting idea Lynn!

I'm not handy with a sewing machine, but I have a girlfriend who is! Did you just sew along inside the length of each side seam? What kind of stitch did you use? I was of the impression that you'd be left with a messy seam that isn't held together very strongly. No?

Ha, by the way Jeff, Ashley is a he not a she!

I just used an ordinary stitch and finished the seam with some bias tape to tidy things up. It suits me perfectly because I left the sleeves the original length (technically too long) so I can use them as instant gloves…I just pull my hands inside when cold, and poke them out again when they warm up.

Thanks Lynn. What's bias tape?

Hmmm, ok I just googled it. So it isn't actually "tape". It's just a strip of fabric cut on the bias, that you sew over the top of the exposed seam??

From dear old Wikipedia:
"Bias tape or bias binding is a narrow strip of fabric, cut on the bias (UK cross-grain). The strip's fibers, being at 45 degrees to the length of the strip, makes it stretchier as well as more fluid and more drapeable compared to a strip that is cut on grain. Many strips can be pieced together into a long "tape." The tape's width varies from about 1/2" to about 3" depending on applications. Bias tape is used in making piping, binding seams, finishing raw edges, etc. It is often used on the edges of quilts, placemats, and bibs, around armhole and neckline edges instead of a facing, and as a simple strap or tie for casual bags or clothing.

Commercially available bias tape is available as a simple bias tape, single-fold bias tape, and double-fold bias tape. Single-fold bias tape is bias tape with each raw edge folded in toward the center, wrong sides together, and pressed. Double-fold bias tape is single-fold bias tape which has been folded in half and pressed, with the single folds to the inside. Devices are available commercially to aid the home sewer in making folded bias tape. The fabric strip is fed through the device, which folds the fabric. The folds are then pressed into place. The resulting folded tape will be 1/4 the width of the original fabric strip."

"It's just a strip of fabric cut on the bias, that you sew over the top of the exposed seam??"

That's a more succinct synopsis!

OK thanks, I guess my GF will know all about it. I'm going to add a drawcord at the bottom of the jacket too. Not sure whether I'll get it done before my next trip (in a couple of weeks). At some stage I'll try to remember to post some pics if I get it done.