Length of Montbell Peak Jacket compared with Length of OR Celestial Jacket

I've had my Montbell Peak for several months. The pit zips are very long (I never zip them), and the jacket itself is longer than the Marmot Precip I was using (both are size small – I'm 5'3"). I don't have them in front of me to give you exact measurement differences. It isn't long enough to cover my seat, however, if that's what you're hoping for. I suppose you could go for a larger size to get more length. The Peak is a vast improvement over the Precip. Breathability and waterproofness are excellent. Because I'm usually wearing a pack when I'm wearing the jacket, I'm not too concerned about the style, although the Peak has accessible pockets, and the hood works well. The Montbell people I emailed said the Peak fabric was more rainproof and breathable than their other older style rainjackets. Since they were responsive to my email, you might have good luck emailing them and asking for back length measurements. Mail order is a great resource, but it does lack the touchy-feely element!

Hi Kathleen,
Regarding breathability, that's exactly what I heard from friends and what I read in this forum. I just spoke with a retailer who has both jackets in stock and he's measuring them. When I called Montbell, they didn't have an exact measurement and spoke only in general terms and that's difficult as most people have a different size torso even in the same size range. Thanks for your comments, definitely think I'm on the right track for a jacket that will work well for me.

Maybe this will help:

I have a size medium MB Peak Shell jacket. My torso length is 18". Standing straight with the jacket on, the jacket extends 8 inches below my waist. BTW, the actual weight of my jacket is 10.4 oz.

Similar to eVENT, the proprietary wp/b laminate is also air permeable — meaning much higher breathability than traditional wp/b's like Goretex that rely on a PU layer to provide the waterproofness — at the expense of breathability. I am very happy with this jacket and I highly recommend it.

Hi Benjamin,

It was your post on this jacket that got me very interested in it. It would be perfect for me if it were long enough. I got very different measurements when I called Montbell, and the Montbell rep described it as waist length and not extending beyond this. I have a 21-22 in torso and wear a size Large – there's no way I'll find out unless I order it. Thanks again for helping me narrow the list.

I have 2 options – cut pit zips into the OR Celestial I have, which is the right length for me, or, if the Montbell Peak is not long enough ask Montbell for a piece of extra material big enough to sew on and add some length. For anyone that has hiked in the rain for hours without rain pants, keeping your privates drier really makes for a much more comfortable walk.

Another reason I hope the Peak works out is that the Celestial I have is very dark dull blue – the Peak is available in a very bright blue – not loud but much brighter – I prefer brighter colors for all around outdoor use for safety – our winter softshell jackets are "don't shoot me" and "please find me if I get knocked down" super bright orange.

EJ:

I was pretty careful with my measurements. There's no way that a jacket would reach down only to the waist — heck, that would be a formal dinner vest, not a shell jacket!

Focusing on Medium for now — everything else being the same, the fact that your torso length is 3 inches longer means that the jacket will extend below your waist by 5 inches. If you fit into a size L or XL, then the jacket should extend below your waist by even more. You can find out exactly how much more by asking MontBell the difference in length between the M and the L or XL.

You might try using a "Rain Kilt" made out of a trash bag or if your handy with the ole thread and needle out of sil.

Hi John,
I've made a kilt on the fly out of a plastic garbage bag and it really works (I only wish the garbage bag were a renewable resource). I like the idea of making one (or asking a seamstress friend) to make one out of silnylon. Is silnylon totally waterproof even in sustained rain?

Hi Benjamin,
I didn't mean for a second that you were sloppy with the measurements. You've written many great posts and provided excellent information that I've learned from. I'm only saying that the information I got from 2 retailers and Montbell was all over the map. And all were claiming it was shorter than I thought. I also read a posting by a BPL member in Japan who pointed out that the Montbell shells in Japan were often shorter and also had straight not drop backs. I've ordered one and very much hope that you are right, because from what you've and several others have shared about the material, it would be a very welcome replacement for my heavier (not breathable) Patagonia hardshell.

Hi E J:

I forgot to comment that the jacket features a straight back — not drop back. I hope you weren't specifically looking for a drop back!

I hope the jacket works for you size and length wise — I really like its features and performance. Please post your initial impression when you receive it and your experience with it once you've had a chance to try it out.

Hi Benjamin,
If it's long enough, even if the back is straight, it will work. I realize I'm asking for a lot in a shell – very high breathability, generous pit zips, light weight (would like to keep to 12 ounces), at least one good pocket, a highly functional hood and a long cut. I really hope it works for me. While I like the length of the OR Celestial, if I keep it (I haven't worn it outside yet and won't until I try on the Peak) I'll cut pit zips into it. I'm also not a fan of the dark color of the OR Celestial (picked up my "mojo blue" large at a super low one time sale price). In addition, I think the Peak will be more breathable than Paclite and will maintain its breathability better over time, from what I've read of the Peak's material, which is supposed to be similar to eVent.

I like the idea of cutting a kilt just long enough to shield crotch and butt with a velcro belt out of a very lightweight waterproof material. I've done this with a garbage bag before and it's very comfortable – would be nice to have one that lasts.