Montane Anti-Freeze: A cut above the rest? 

Wales to Whilster is a great combination of places to go!!

Agreed, too many hoods can definitely get in the way - especially if every layer you’re wearing has got one!!

That’s a good shout about the hood, especially if you’re looking to wear it as a part of a layering system. It’s all too easy to have a hood on each layer, which soon becomes unmanageable if you’ve got a few!!

I've not reviewed the Fireball XT, so can't really cast comment, although what I would say is that synthetic jackets don't usually compress as small as down does, so if it's compressibility you're after - you're better off looking at a down jacket.

This is definitely more generous a fit than the Icarus, which fitted a little more like a mid layer. This fits much more like an outer layer in comparison.

It’s the Anti Freeze Hooded Jacket, which is probably the ‘regular’ model with the range. Height-wise I’m around 178cm and a size Medium. Let me know if you’ve got any other questions - always happy to help!

@@ukclimbingofficial brilliant, thanks for the quick response!

Depending on the scale you're using I'm either 180cm or 5'11. Size-wise I'm a medium in most brands. Hope that helps!!

@@ukclimbingofficial Thanks mate.

I’ve forgotten the exact name of this model, but I really like them - they’re like a technical legging. The new version is the Montane Dynamic Nano, which I haven’t had a chance to use yet, but look very similar.

@@ukclimbingofficial cheers, just started with Further Faster in NZ and learning the products via your posts. Keep up the good work...

They're both good, but very, very different - almost incomparable. Price-wise the Fitzroy comes in at £330, whereas the Anti-Freeze comes in at £200, but I wouldn't draw too many conclusions for that - it's simply just that they really are two very different jackets!

The Fitzroy is about 50% more expensive and about 80% heavier… excellent jacket for some extended belays in poor conditions, but the Earthrise is the closer model. Will keep my Mammut Meron for the belay stations.

Exactly that, the Fitzroy is exactly what you want for belaying in the absolute worst conditions. Maybe I could have laboured more on the Anti-Freeze's UK application, because I don't see this as being ideally suited towards Scottish Winter climbing, because whilst the hydrophobic down does repel water, the frequently mixed nature of Scottish weather means that it's more likely to be warm and wet than it is cold and dry - and for that environment I'd always choose synthetic over down. That said, for other uses - down is hands down the one that I'd choose, simply because it's lighter, warmer, longer lasting and infinitely more packable.