Sponsorships | Equipment Reviews | Events and Expeditions
MONT - Under the spotlight
Real Life Gear Survey
By Jay Reilly (April 2004)
Mont Adventure Equipment is a family run company that manufactures high quality outdoor soft wear (clothing, packs, tents and sleeping bags).
They are a long-standing and integral part of the Australian Outdoor Industry, and have been for over 20 years. Outdoor enthusiasts will be more than familiar with their range of products.
As Mont’s new Sponsored Climber, I was asked to sample a range of clothing and equipment as I guided a climbing expedition to 7200m Mt Pumori in Nepal in March.
This was no dinky backyard under the hose test – this was a real expedition. I was in the gear for 4 straight weeks in extreme conditions. By “extreme”, I talking about temperatures down to –40 degrees C, winds to 80kph, freezing fog, snow storms and high altitude.
The items I trialed are as follows –
- High Altitude Down Jacket (which David Edwards – owner of MONT - lovingly cut out himself to get it to me on time!)
- High Altitude Down Pants
- Glacier Jacket
- Beanie
- Slynx Polo and El Gringo Pants
- Duo Pants
- Mainrange Sleeping Bag
- Adventure Light Shorts
- Adventure Light Pants
Unfortunately, I didn’t have any new MONT shell wear or backpacks to test, as the new season release was just after my departure to Nepal.
Following is my survey of the gear I used. I’ve prepared it in a unique way – comparing what Mont say in their catalogue to what I thought, having depended on this gear for my very survival for a month!
| Item | What MONT say | What I thought |
| High Altitude Down Jacket | This is the jacket to take you to the top! Every design detail has been crafted to achieve the delicate balance between warmth and weight | Well – it certainly got me to the top! A fantastic bit of gear. Love the fabrics! My best friend on the mountain. It needs a chest pocket though. |
| High Altitude Down Pants | A totally refined technical down pant that completes our high altitude ensemble | Love the cut. Probably the most "wearable" down pants I’ve used. |
| Glacier Jacket | It’s warm and cosy, maintains a dry internal state and has a high wind resistance | A beautiful fleece, cut technically enough to make climbing in a breeze. Handy chest pocket. Perfect for use lower on the mountain. |
| Beanie | No description | This was without a doubt my favourite item! Funny how little things count… Warm, comfortable, and the edge even rolls down to cover your eyes when you sleep! |
| Slynx Polo | This versatile mid weight insulator has many uses. A popular garment for a multitude of outdoor activities | I lived in this shirt. Very warm. Very comfortable. Perfect expedition weight thermal garment. It did “ride up” a little though. |
| El Gringo Pants | Compact with high warmth to weight ratio, they have limitless multisport applications | I lived in these too. From trekking into Base Camp, to climbing high on the mountain. The perfect expedition thermal. Waist elastic was a little weak and stretched. |
| Duo Pants | A pair of fleece pants with real utility. The Duo pants provide warmth and a high level of wind resistance | My Base Camp pants. Lovely and warm. Soft and comfortable. Could do with some leg zips to make getting on and off a little easier. |
| Mainrange Sleeping Bag | The best of the best. These bags will keep you warm in the most severe alpine conditions anywhere on earth. | Great bag! Super warm and I love the fabrics. Hydronaute remained dry even covered in ice! Would love to see a microfleece collar. |
| Adventure Light Shorts | These shorts are ideal for any adventure activity. Lightweight, fast drying and tough. | Yet another garment that I couldn’t bear to take off. Love the pockets – all 4 of them! And tough! Not even a mark as I slid downhill on my bum trying to escape a yak. |
| Adventure Light Pants | A lightweight hard wearing pant ideal for bushwalking or adventure travel. | I can’t argue. These pants are all they say and more! |