What is the Flux Jacket?
The Flux Jacket is one of Montane’s classic designs; it’s been around for years and has remained pretty much unchanged, proving that if it isn’t broken then don’t fix it. It was originally designed as a belay jacket to provide insulation and protection in cold and wet conditions. A belay jacket is designed to be pulled out of your pack when you stop and thrown over the top of your clothing system to provide insulation, like when you’re belaying in cold conditions.
However, the Flux Jacket is hugely versatile and can be used as a stand-alone jacket or as part of your layering system. Unlike natural down, the synthetic filling in this jacket retains excellent performance even when wet. It’s also windproof, weather-resistant, warm and breathable making it the perfect choice for virtually all UK winter mountaineering activities.
What is the Flux Jacket made from?
Fabrics: The outer of the Flux Jacket is made with Pertex Quantum ECO fabric. Pertex has, quite rightly, become the benchmark for performance fabrics in all quality outdoor gear and this Quantum ECO version is lightweight, durable, windproof, water-resistant and breathable. The smooth plain weave glides easily under layers and makes it less “shiny”. It’s also made from 100% recycled Polyamide, or Nylon to you and me, so it’s environmentally friendly and tough. The lining of the Flux Jacket is made using Montane’s own PEAQ recycled fabric — it’s supremely comfortable next to the skin, highly breathable and fast drying.
Insulation: Ok, let’s get into the stuff that keeps you warm, the insulation. Montane have used the ever-reliable Primaloft synthetic insulation. Primaloft has been around for years and has proven its credentials in some of the worst conditions. Primaloft Silver ECO is made from recycled polyester — in fact, about 28 recycled plastic bottles are used to make one Kilo of insulation, so the insulation in this particular jacket is made from around 6 recycled bottles. Each and every fibre of the Primaloft insulation is coated with a permanent water repellent which means the filling absorbs virtually no water and dries exceptionally quickly. The fibres are also very fine and soft enabling them to be compressed easily yet bounce back to provide the warmth you need.
Montane have used 100g/sqm in the body, 60g/sqm in the arms and another layer of 60g/sqm in front of the hand pockets. This combination provides essential warmth for the body core, freedom of movement for the arms and an extra cosy layer to keep your hands warm when they’re buried in the pockets.
The massive advantage of synthetic insulation over natural down, especially stuff as good as Primaloft, is that it just works better in the wet. This jacket will absorb very little water and will keep you warm even if it’s wet. Despite all this fantastic wet weather performance, the Flux Jacket is not 100% waterproof! So always carry a shell jacket to keep you fully protected... because it will rain!
What are the main features?
So, starting at the top let’s have a look at the main features of the Flux Jacket. There’s a fully insulated and well-fitting hood that will fit a climbing helmet underneath. The hood is fully adjustable using an elasticated drawcord loop at the back that effectively reduces the volume and snugs the hood around your head. There’s also a proper wire-reinforced peak to stop the hood flopping down over your eyes and drawcords at the front to pull it all down to seal out the nasty weather; the ends of which are hidden away inside to stop them whipping your face in windy conditions.
The main zip is an ever-reliable YKK Vislon and is two way to allow easy access to pockets, harness, hip belts etc. In fact, all the external zips are YKK Vislon to ensure consistent performance in icy conditions. The arms have an articulated cut to make movement easier and increase comfort and have been specifically designed to prevent hem lift when you’re reaching up.
Storage is taken care of with four external zipped pockets, two hand pockets and two chest pockets; and there’s a handy dump pocket on the inside to keep water in to stop it freezing or to stash your gloves. The whole jacket can be stuffed into the right-hand pocket which features a carabiner loop to hang it from your harness. The cuffs feature a part elasticated and part Velcro closure to ensure that they seal tightly around your wrists or over gloves etc. and the hem is finished off with dual cord pullers to make cinching it up, even with gloves, a doddle.
How does the Flux Jacket Fit?
The fit is athletic, and you may need to go up a size if the intended use was primarily as a belay jacket. Over a base layer, the size works, but over more layers it can be a little snug. So, as an insulating piece, it’s designed to fit pretty snug but has enough wiggle room under it for an extra layer on those really chilly days.
Where does the Flux Jacket fit in the layering system?
The Flux Jacket is a mid-weight, weather-resistant and packable Primaloft synthetic insulated jacket making it the perfect belay jacket. It also works as an insulating layer depending on your activity level and the weather conditions, to be honest, I’d only ever consider this as a mid-layer in extremely cold conditions. It probably works best as a stand-alone jacket for active mountaineering in changeable winter conditions. Layering is not a precise science and there is no one perfect system that will suit every person, situation or the weather conditions. Some of us feel the cold, others, get hot very quickly, but for more advice on using layers please check out this video
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Pertex Quantum Eco outer fabric
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Primaloft Silver insulation
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Two zipped chest pockets
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Two hand pockets
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Larger chest and bicep dimensions for layering
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Ideal for a wide range of activities
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Internal mesh pocket
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Right pocket doubles as stuffsack