Hikers such as myself have been griping for years that there’s no such thing as a mountain-ready waterproof shell that’s really breathable, but Montane is getting close to proving us wrong with the Alta Lite Shell.
I’ve been hiking in the Montane Phase Lite jacket for the past three years, and I love it for straightforward walks in decent weather and in low-lying areas – it’s ultra-light, packable, and fends off the rain.
But it’s not a top-of-the-mountain shell, and when I’m heading for a summit, I usually throw on my Arc’teryx Beta AR Stormhood, which isn’t perfect, but it is protective, or my Mountain Equipment Makalu, which is heavier for winter conditions.
With the Alta Lite, Montane has taken a lot of the qualities that made the Phase Lite one of the best waterproof jackets, added its latest technologies plus a few more bells and whistles that any great storm jacket needs, and turned out a light alpine shell that’s capable of keeping you safe on a summit in a storm.
Weighing just 49g more than my Phase Lite, this shell harnesses the power of the new GORE-TEX PRO ePE technology, which is lighter and more breathable than ever, and involves no intentional use of PFAS chemicals in production. But as we know, even the best technology can't save a jacket if the design isn’t right.
So how does this one hold up against the worst of the weather? I’ve taken on three Scottish munros, gone out for a nippy trek in the Dolomites, and gone on a spring walking holiday in the Yorkshire Dales National Park to find out.
Montane Alta Lite Waterproof Jacket review
Price and availability
The Montane Alta Lite Waterproof Jacket is available from Montane in men’s sizes S-XXL and women’s sizes 8-16. With an MSRP of £500, this jacket is up there price-wise with the likes of the Arc’teryx Beta AR jacket, though it’s a little lighter and has a few of the details that I think are missing from the Beta.
It’s available in men’s sizes in Gingko Gold and Neptune Blue, which are great for visibility in a storm, as well as the more demure Eclipse Blue. In women’s sizes, there are only Tigerlily (bright orange) and Neptune Blue, which I tested in size 10. I’d personally like to see this jacket in larger sizes for women and in brighter colourways for safety.
Design and materials
This three-layer jacket is roomy enough to wear over a down jacket, but not loose and flappy. The fabric is surprisingly flexible and soft, even if it’s not as soft as the Phase Lite.
That’s due in part to the use of the next-generation Gore-Tex membrane, which is said to be lighter, stronger and more breathable than previous iterations. It’s sandwiched in between a nylon face (100% recycled) and backer textile, but is still thinner to the touch than similar shells.
To help keep moisture out, Montane uses what it calls Barrier Technology at all hems and other openings to prevent water ingress. It’s cut down on traditional taped seams with laminated cuffs, hems and peaked hood, which helps keep the weight down and also improves breathability. The bonded pockets, which are essentially laminated rather than stitched, are also there to improve breathability and reduce bulk.
When it’s time to batten down the hatches, the peaked hood is big enough to fit around a helmet on alpine expeditions and is easy to adjust when you’re just hiking in a beanie. You can secure the cuffs around your gloves with hook-and-loop fastenings and adjust the hem to seal out the wind.
If you want to access gear in your fleece pockets, the two-way front zipper makes life extremely easy, and there’s plenty of storage with two hand-warming pockets and an internal chest pocket, all zipped and watertight.
Performance
Spring came in like a lion here in Scotland, which was a little inconvenient as I had several munros to hike for an article. I wondered if this jacket, which weighs only 349g for a women’s size 10, might be too flimsy, but upon seeing that the Hydrostatoc Head rating was 28,000 mm, I decided to take a gamble – and I won.
I’ve worn this jacket for hikes lasting up to five hours in rain and snow and it’s never wetted out. It’s also impressively windproof, which I discovered at the top of Beinn Ime in a whiteout, where the only part of me that was cold were my hands, and that’s down to me being too lazy to switch out my gloves.
In freezing but sunny conditions at the top of Cairn Gorm, it provided the perfect blend of protection and breathability, and thanks to the pit zips, I’ve been able to keep it on during milder hikes such as a recent jaunt up Beinn Tulaichean, where it was wet but fairly warm.
On that hike, I got fairly sweaty, wearing it over a base layer with Columbia’s very effective Omni-Heat lining, but when I stopped to check, no moisture had built up on the inside of the jacket. Impressive.
The hood is big because it’s designed to work with a helmet, though I’ve been wearing it with a woollen hat, and unlike some helmet-compatible hoods, it actually cinches neatly around my head.
The collar comes up nice and high for a cocoon-like experience in a gale, and my only criticism here is that while the peaked hood does keep the rain off my face, it’s so big that it almost obscures my vision if I’m trying to look straight up a steep slope.
I’m thrilled that the Alta Lite has a two-way zipper, as it is missing from my Beta AR, and I think it’s so useful for hiking layers.
My only small gripe is that the chest pocket would be more functional if it were external. I get that the point of it being internal is so that it’s more protective for my phone, but if I end up unzipping in cold weather every time I want my phone, then it’s less protective for me.
Who is the Montane Alta Lite jacket for?
This jacket is for those who want to bag summits in all conditions. It is a true alpine shell and provides more protection than you need for gentle coastal strolls. If you went to get up to high altitudes, particularly outside of summer conditions, there’s no doubt that this jacket provides all the shelter you need.
As someone who’s tested a lot of the best waterproof jackets, I’d say this one really stands out – it’s technically better than the Arc’teryx Beta AR Stormhood and a little cheaper, and a lot lighter and more functional than The North Face Stolemberg 3L Dryvent.
However, it does come at a high price point, so if you want to save money, you’ll find similar performance in the Mountain Equipment Makalu, though that jacket is heavier.
Verdict
The Montane Alta Shell dazzles with its mastery of waterproofing and breathability all in a lightweight package. It’s a premium alpine shell that’s priced accordingly, but with the exception of the lack of an external chest pocket, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything to complain about. If it’s the best you seek, this is it.
