I love mine to bits. The hoods not very well desined to be honest and the whole thing can get heavy if you are out in heavy rain for extended periods but if you are going to be really exherting yourself in the cold (if its more than +5 C you will probably find it too warm) and don't mind the draughts from the zips you will need to open to regulate your tempreture they are great bits of kit.
I much prefer it over their old pile shirt and the Buffalo shirts I have been using since the mid 80s. I've not used the Montane versions so can't comment on those.
From my experiance some folk just don't kick out enough heat to get the benefit from them and are better off layering up and you will still need something to put over it when you stop moving about for any extended stops, especially if its raining. When its just cold I use a Sleeka or simiilar and when its wet I have a huge Sierra Designs Isotope waterproof that packs down tiny and is just about breathable (by that I mean it can cope with light exercise and standing around but if you are sweating like a pig its breathability can't keep up with it. I believe they have since cured this problem
http://www.sierradesigns.com/p-22-isotope-nano-jacket-mens.aspx
In the old days I just used a poncho, which worked well enough but was heavy.
If you aint used to the whole Buffalo pertex and pile thing if you can borrow one to try out before you buy its worth it as some folk just can't get on with them.
ATB
Tom
