Mountain Hardwear Very Inaccurate Advertised Fleece Weight

Yep, typo!

The Montbell Chameece 100wt fleece jacket weighs 8.3 oz (235g… on my digital scale) and is one of the lightest (if not the lightest) in this class and costs only $55.

I have the MH Microchill Hoody. Yes, it is heavier than advertised…but I love it!

My MB Chameece is rather short in the torso and arms.  Might be one reason for the lower weight.

Maybe get the next size up?

I had considered the Montbell Chameece, but was lured away by the typo at Mountain Hardwear.

I also looked at a full-zip hoody by Haglöfs, which purports to be over an ounce lighter than the Montbell one, and has a hood.

There is the L.I.M. Power Dry hoody, which is discontinued, and its apparent successor (I think) the L.I.M. Mid hoody, which no longer uses Polartec Power Dry, but a different material called PonteTorto Technostretch.

Claimed weights:
Power Dry: 186g (6.6oz)
Technostretch: 7oz (198g)

I might order both (if I can find the Power Dry version anywhere) and assess the merits of each.

The marketing spin at PonteTorto sounds promising, but so does most marketing spin. http://pontetorto.it/en/sport-system/tecnostretch/

I do question whether breathability is preserved with a smoother outer surface on fleece in general, compared to the traditional “bumpy” fleece texture, because I would have thought the greater surface area of a bumpy exterior would aid in evaporation to the next layer. Anyone know, or have data/physics? Is the opposite true for insulation: lower surface area (smooth outer) == improved heat retention? What about temp of trapped air at surface of bumpy fleece? I fell like I am going down a rabbit hole…

If the material is more efficient at insulating than the Montbell’s Chameece fleece, then the lighter, thinner material could still make a decent light mid layer.

The short cut of the torso on the Montbell appeals to me for cycling because it will bunch less under my wind layer (leaning forward) in freezing temps. But the short arms are equally unappealing for the same activity.

Sizing up is not always best option because the chest/shoulders/etc may no longer be correct.

I have the earlier L.I.M, and I have a newer fleece with PonteTorto fleece panels (from Mountain Equipment). I much prefer the PonteTorto and I’ve pretty much lived in mine since I got it. It’s a great travel fleece as it never smells (god knows what they put it in to keep out the funk). I find them about the same for warmth and breathability.

While the outside of both fleeces is smooth, the inside has the bumpy microgrid and both are see-through if you hold them up to the sun, probably why they breath so well.

I’ve never seen the Montbell so I can’t compare it.

I suppose sizing info might be helpful so I’ll offer a data point… N=1!  :^)

I’m 5-9, 165, chest 41 waist 32, shirt size 15-1/2,32-33, backpack torso measure 19-1/2″ and the chameece M fits me perfectly.

Dries quickly enough for me, YMMV

My size XL Cap4 hoody (new micro-grid fabric) weighs 8.58 oz.  I think you could easily subtract 1-1.5 oz on the zip neck without the hood.  When used as a mid-layer it is every bit as warm as a 100 wt fleece, probably warmer.  The caveat is that without a layer over it, the wind will whistle right through it.  This is fine for my uses as it is a great piece to hike in when it is breezy and 50F or below…just throw a wind shirt on over it during breaks.  I vastly prefer this piece to my Microchill in every situation I have experienced.  Granted, it is expensive, even when found on sale, but I think it is worth it.