Gear Review: Montane Bear Jacket Fleece

Montane Bear Jacket Fleece 9/10
What is it about heavy-duty fleeces that they end up with animal names? Maybe it's because they make you look like a furry animal? Anyway, this jacket certainly acts like a fur layer, constructed from Polartec Thermal Pro in long brushed fibres (outside and inside) to trap warm air throughout keeping you very snug and cosy.  It weighs in at 450g which is a whole 64g less than Mountain Hardwear's Monkey Man Fleece.  After wearing both I can safely say that they are both excellent fleeces. The Bear Jacket's warmth: weight ratio is better (though if you're going ultralight I'd skip it and go for something like the Crux Halo Down Jacket or a bit of Primaloft like the Montane Prism).  It wicks moisture impressively as well, in my opinion, but with the Monkey Man you get powerstretch in the underarm area which increases its breathablity. High void fabrics like the Bear Jacket are lightweight and compress well, and is a good piece of kit to have in the bottom of your pack to put on at basecamp (if you have the room!) for comfiness however I'd definitely pip for the Monkey Man, hands down. They both retail at exactly the same price (£100) so basically you're deciding on whether your priorities lie with weight (60g less- Bear) or breathability (powerstretched-Monkey Man).
SPEC:
Lightweight, high void POLARTEC® fleece jacket:  450g

The Bear Jacket is an extremely efficient way to trap warm air when insulation is required in a layering system. POLARTEC® Thermal Pro® fabric has long brushed fibres on both sides to trap air allowing the body to keep warm in much the same way as many wild animals that live in cold climates do. With minimal features, the Bear Jacket is designed purely for insulation, it works best when teamed with an eVent® hardshell for extreme winter conditions or with a PERTEX® windproof shell in spring and autumn. High void fabrics, are by their nature lightweight and compress to a very small size, this ensures the Bear Jacket is an ideal warm layer and is likely not to be noticed whether worn or packed away for emergency use.
Full length front zip with anti-snag baffle
Two zipped hand-warmer pockets

Thumb loops

Gear Review: Berghaus Smoulder Hoody Fleece

Gear Review: Berghaus Smoulder Hoody Fleece 10/10
If I had to note brands that had gone down in my estimation over the years, Berghaus would be on that list, maybe it's because they have aimed their products at the high street over the hills, but I have definitely noticed a drop in some of their product quality and design.  All that being said they do pull off some rare gems, and this hoody is one of them!  It's Polartec power dry so is pretty warm stuff for the weight (it's brushed on the outside to increase durability and weather resistancy whilst using a micro-grid technology on the inside to increase wicking power).  It's also odour-resistant treated so it doesn't pong on the hills unlike some synthetic fleeces.  The hood is in the same material and is designed to go under the helmet + is proper warm!  The zip is offset so it doesn't catch your chin, and it's a long 3/4 providing good venting without the zip becoming irritating (stuck) beneath a harness.  There's an external pocket (which I plonked my ski card in / gps depending on my location).  Sure, it's not the same high-grade Polartec like that used in Haglofs Treble hood or the insulation properties of say Arcteryx's Hercules Hoody but then they're on the market for  £110 and £120 respectfully: The Berghaus SRP is £70!! Which in my book is an absolute bargain.  It's a super super base layer or mid-layer on the hills, exactly perfect for British weather, an excellent investment.  I can't rave about Polartec Powerdry micro-grid technology too much (Patagonia cap 4 is pretty awesome too) someone will starting shouting that I work for them...(I don't)
SPEC: 

 technical stretch mid layer constructed using Polartec® Power Dry®. Great for use as a mid-layer or as an expedition weight base layer.

• The Polartec® Power Dry® fabric has a smooth face for good durability. The brushed grid structure on the inside delivers great compressibility, exceptional thermal insulation, good airflow and quick drying times.  The fabric is also treated with an odour resistant finish.
• The hood is perfect for cold weather use and is designed to be used underneath a helmet.
• The offset three-quarter front zip maximises venting during periods of high activity and a chest pocket is positioned alongside for easy to reach small essentials such sun creams and glasses.
• WEIGHT: 360g

SRP: £70.00 / €99.95

Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Monkey Jacket

Mountain Hardwear Monkey Jacket 9.5/10

This fleece has been around for years and anyone that has ever had this fleece won't want to wear anything else.  It's fluffy but not overly weighty (514g) due to technostretch paneling, so it provides a slim fit whilst requiring the 'casual' look rather than the uber technical.  The furriness (is that a word?) is high-pile 'Monkey-Phur' "ha!" (basically super-warm), it's ish wind-resistant too due to the intensity of the weaving but that does mean it's not super-breathable (especially around the tight-fitting arm areas).  It's not a piece for the super-active but ideal for cold British day on the hills, it certainly has backcountry appeal.  It's darn sexy really, very strokable, huggable and a real joy to wear (it honestly brought tears to my eyes when I put it on after a long day/night slog on the hills in Yorkshire to reach our camp, it's a bear hug in jacket form).  Sure, there are a LOT more wind resistant jackets about but this is a fleece, and it does that job SUPERBLY.

Under a GTX waterproof this jacket does enough to hold the wind at bay.  Thank goodness it's full-zip because I'm prone to overheating when in the tent with this thing on (but I don't want to take it off).  Minor points against it 1: the cuffs are elastic, it would keep you warmer if they were adjustable, but then it's a 'casual' piece.  2: It's poor in windy (okay for brisk) conditions so good for the hills and low level alpine but not for anything major. 

Good breast pocket too, and an excellent fit for me (men might struggle with big biceps, the arms are reasonably tight) oh and it also forms a fabulous pillow incidently!  Overall you can't get much better for warmth: weight ratio but you'll need some wind protection (I use the Haglofs Lizard top, or Mountain Equipment G2 soft shell) if on a breezy crag/edge.  Probably the best fleece on the market! Rediculously comfy, cosy and super-warm.

SPEC:

Extremely soft, extremely warm

Zip chest pocket to stash your stuff
Zip handwarmer pockets
MicroClimate Zoning construction for built-in warmth, breathability and stretch
Usage Backcountry / Climbing

Weight 1 lb. 2 oz. / 514 g.
Center Back Length 28"; 71 cm
Panel Polartec® Power Stretch®
Body Polartec® ThermalPro® Monkey Phur

Gear Review: Rab Powerstretch Zip Top

Rab Powerstretch Zip Top 9.5/10
If you have not made the change from your average fleece to powerstretch polartec, do it NOW.  It's fast wicking, quick-drying and warmth to weight ratio is better oh and it has a tad more wind protection too.  This is a sexy fleece, to be worn tight (not loose allowing all that warmth to escape) if you don't like tight-fitting fleeces but are active...deal with it, you'll be thankful (and warmer) if you wear something tighter fitting.  It's 'thin' because it's a technical bit of kit, the grid pattern means swear is wicked super-fast, don't be fooled into thinking heavier fleeces are warmer.  This breathes, allowing sweat to move but heat to stay rather than heavy weight fleeces which cool you down through sweat forming in the fabric.  100 weight microfleece is not as warm, wear this with a baselayer and it out-performs.  It has the added advantage of being able to be worn as a baselayer itself, so good for skiing and other winter excursions.  This isn't the best-performing powerstretch on the market (Haglofs Span Top £80 or Patagonia R1 Flash £80 Arc Teryx RHo AR £80) but I got this for £25 in the sale making it damn near the best purchase I've ever made!  Well worth the RAB £50 RRP though.
SPECS:

• Polartec ® Power Stretch ® fabric
• 1 chest pocket
• Long cut arms with thumb loop
• Scooped hem
• Flat seams for added comfort and easy layering