Mont Bell Neige Jacket
NZ$430
blue rather than grey

Mont Bell Light Alpine Pants NZ$370

Mont Bell Neige jacket and Light Alpine pants

Mont 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:
Breeze Drytec: 15,000 g/m2.24hrs
Goretex: 13,500 g/m2.24hrs
Typical waterproof - breathable fabric: 7,000 g/m2.24hrs

The Neige jacket and Light Alpine pants are made of Breeze Drytec. Even ignoring the Breeze Drytec, the Neige jacket is my favourite in the Mont Bell range. Originally I was looking at getting different jackets for climbing and adventure racing but this 3-layer jacket just seems to win all categories. This is largely because the (outside) 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.

Features of the Neige are Aqua-tech (waterproof) zips and pitzips, internal pocket, two side pockets integrated into the pit zips, reinforced shoulders and outer arms. Available in a few colours but silver or royal blue is what we usually have in stock. The Light Alpine pants are Ballistic nylon, articulated at the knee, have internal snow gaitors, crampon scruff patches and full-length Aqua-tech zips.

Sorry, the Light Alpine pants have been out of stock for ages and we don't know when they'll be available again. We've been getting in the Bask Mont Blanc V3 pants (see below) for several customers and we have been very impressed with them.

Bask Mont Blanc v3
NZ$420

Bask Mont Blanc v3
Dermitaz MP (13,000g/m2.24hrs)
3D-profiled knees, reinforced stretch material for knees and seat, adjustable belt and optional suspenders, 2-way waterproof YKK side zips with inner storm flaps, 2 side pockets with waterproof YKK zips.

We all love our clothing to be light - it makes clothing easier to carry and easier to wear. The products on this page achieve their lightness while still comprising 3-layer materials; that is, the inner protective layer has not been sacrificed in contrast to products made with 2.5-layer materials such as Goretex Paclite and Marmot Precip, which are more prone to being worn out through rubbing against the wearer.