 Mont Bell Neige Jacket  Mont Bell Rain Trekker Jacket NZ$285; 365 grams |
Mont Bell Neige jacket and Rain Trekker jacketMont Bell use two fabrics for their technical shells. Goretex and Breeze Drytec. Goretex you have no doubt heard of, but Breeze Drytec is the one to take note of because it is even more breathable. The numbers: The Neige jacket and Rain Trekker jacket are made of the waterproof and ultra-breathable Breeze Drytec fabric. Both jackets are made of 3-layer fabric, yet are as light as (or lighter than) less-durable 2.5-layer jackets. This is largely because the (outer) face fabric is a special nylon called Ballistic. Ballistic is 150% more abrasion resistant and 200% stronger (tear strength) because the nylon has been heated and stretched, aligning the molecules like tensiled steel. Hence Mont Bell shells can be made very light without sacrificing durability. The Neige and Rain Trekker jackets have pitzips for insulation and two side pockets. The Neige jacket also has an internal pocket. All zips are Aqua-tech (waterproof) zips. The major difference between the jackets is that the Neige has reinforced shoulders and outer arms for durability. This makes the Neige the better option for mountaineering and hiking with a heavy pack and the Rain Trekker the ideal choice for adventure racing, day hiking, or mountaineering with lighter packs. |
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Ultralight Inner Down jacket NZ$255
Thermawrap parka NZ$280 |
Mont Bell ultralight down and synthetic down jacketsWe have added a couple more Mont Bell jackets to our insulation range. The first is the Ultralight Inner Down jacket, a lighter jacket than the others we offer but constructed of the same materials. The down is 800-fill and the fabric Ballistic Airlight. The baffles that hold the down in place are stitch-through rather than box-walled, which suits a jacket with less down. Buttons are used instead of a zip to shed a few more grams. As the name suggests, the jacket will fit under your shell. However, you are most likely to wear the jacket as an outer layer for summer mountaineering in the Southern Alps or winter mountaineering on Ruapehu / Taranaki / Feathertop. Expect the jacket to provide as much warmth as a thick fleece but pack away into the palm of your hand (weighs 200g). The second jacket is the Thermawrap Parka, which is a synthetic down jacket that has warmth similar to that of the Ultralight Inner Down jacket. It is a bit heavier (290g) but handles the wet (synthetic insulation keeps you warm when wet and dries quickly). |
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 800-fill #3 Super Spiral |
Mont Bell #3 Spiral sleeping bagMont Bell sleeping bags are discussed in a lot of detail on the sleeping bag page. Here we simply introduce the Mont Bell #3 Spiral sleeping bag because it suits the needs of most trekkers and ultralight alpinists. It keeps most people happy to zero degrees; that means it is likely to suit your needs both above and below the bushline, whether in a tent or hut. Light-weight alpinists who are happy to wear some clothing to bed use the bag in tents and snowcaves, and are more than toasty in a high-altitude hut. So, if that has sparked your interest, head to the sleeping bag page and learn all about how the #3 Spiral has 800-fil down, Polkatex water repellancy, stretch fabric, and Ballistic nylon. |
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Ultralight Dome 2 NZ$620
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Mont Bell Ultralight Dome 2-person tentThe Ultralight Dome is a 2-person hiking tent weighing 865 grams, which is about the weight of my old bivy bag. The Ultralight Dome is a single-skin tent, meaning there is no inner tent. The tent is obviously designed to be light. That means no inner tent and no vestibule. If those are features that you would prefer to have then consider one of the other options on the tent page. The Ultralight Dome suits the solo trekker or two trekkers happy to cook and keep their packs outside. To protect the floor when on rough ground and to add further waterproofness when heading out in poor weather, the optional footprint is highly recommended. The tent is a 3-season hiking tent (which means it will withstand poor weather but not excessively strong mountain winds), yet despite its low weight, it is not a flimsy tent, having DAC Featherlite poles (see the tent page for a nerdy discussion on tents). The tent does not come with pegs (not required) but has attachments if you wish to use some. Specs are: |
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Light Zelt NZ$170
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Mont Bell Light Zelt 1–2-person tentThe Light Zelt is the minimalist's tent, weighing only 370 grams. We are now looking at a tent that you could use in a game of catch when packed. It is typically used without tent poles (trees, trekking poles, skis or anything handy are used instead), and the tent poles are an optional purchase (another 250 grams). Obviously the Light Zelt is a tent best suited to pitching out of the wind. It accommodates one person nicely, and two if you really have to. It is particularly suited to those who are into running 4-day tracks with a day pack. The tent does not come with pegs but has attachments if you wish to use some. Specs are: |
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Ultralight sleeping bag cover |
Mont Bell Ultralight Sleeping Bag CoverThe Ultralight Sleeping Bag Cover is an alternative to a full-on bivy bag. Not everyone wants or needs the full thing. This cover is for those who are simply concerned about a leaky tent, dripping snowcave or dew/light rain while sleeping in the open. It can also be used for bivying in worse weather if the head is under shelter (e.g., in a small snow cave or under a rock overhang) and the body is exposed to the elements. This waterproof/breathable cover weighs only 235 grams. Having a lightweight 'bivy bag' also means that the weight of the material isn't preventing your down sleeping bag from fully lofting. |
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