Montec Moss Jacket Men

The Moss jacket is a new addition to the Montec lineup for the 2021/22 winter season, and all we have to say is… what took them so long? Montec is well known for their do-it-all Fawk jacket, and last year they launched their backcountry technical shell, the Fenix. But that still left some people wanting something in between — enter the Moss, a lined shell with big mountain aspirations and plenty of everyday convenience, too.

They say a rolling stone never gathers moss, but you’ll be glad you snatched up one of these before you rolled out to the resort. Bad dum tss… Lame puns aside, the Moss jacket is a welcome sign to many riders who are on the hunt for a specific type of jacket. But what is that specific type of jacket?

Let’s start with the tech specs and construction. The Moss champions Montec’s own ShieldTec 2-layer shell material, which sports 20,000mm of waterproofing and 20,00g/m2 of breathability, and is enhanced with the Huntsman Zelan R3 ECO PFC-free durable water repellent treatment, which just so happens to be the same as the Teflon EcoElite DWR used by some of the best brands around, in everything except name. 

On top of that, Montec have given this jacket a super tough woven polyester outer, which delivers a 300,000+ Martindale score, the value that describes the tear, abrasion, and cut resistance of a fabric. And if you didn’t guess, 300k is pretty damn high. And as if that wasn’t enough, you also get a full storm-guard adjustable hood, fully waterproofed zips, and fully taped seams. Just in case a single drop of water was getting any big ideas.

In terms of it’s design, the focus on protection continues. We have a baggier cut on the Moss than with other Montec jackets, a slightly longer drape, a dropped tail, and a powder skirt and lycra wrist gaiter combo to seal you up tighter than a duck’s you know what. The Moss runs a little larger than other jackets in the Montec lineup in order to give better freedom of movement. The removal of any insulation further lightens the load, so you can stay good and agile on the snow.

In terms of storage, you get four large waterproof outer pockets, a dedicated lift pass pocket, a body-heated internal media pocket with headphone outlet, and a goggle dump pocket, the last two of which are integrated into the Moss’s super comfortable and breathable polyester lining — which just so happens to be complete with a microfleece chinguard, too.

So when looking at Montec’s extensive range, who is the Moss for? While the Fawk would certainly not disappoint the intrepid rider (and also comes with a non-insulated variant for this season), the Moss occupies a slightly different space in both style and function. A minimalist, exposed zipped look combines with technical DNA, all-mountain design, and a roomier cut to deliver a laid back feel that’s happy to drop the steepest pow lines.

If the Fawk paves the way to total mountain domination, the Moss pays homage to its big brother and continues to innovate, perhaps improving, on what was already a perfect recipe. Will the Moss remain a staple in the Montec lineup in years to come? Our first impressions say yes, because it’s everything we ever wanted in a jacket. Even if we didn’t know it.

montecwear.com

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