Montane Venture Waterproof Shell Review

The Montane Venture is an Event waterproof that I picked up in 2009-2010 for around £75 in an end of season sale.

Now discontinued, current Montane waterproofs carry on in a similar vein, hence the review (well, plus I have a few pics of it too)

Grinning inanely at the top of Striding Edge

So the Venture is an eVent 3-layer fabric with extra reinforced areas around the shoulder and the rear 'tail' of the jacket - basically the heavy wear areas of any item of clothing.

Fit as with most Montane items is athletic. I'm normally a medium in clothing but bought a large for the Venture which was the right choice (slightly tight around the shoulder areas on the medium).

The waterproof has a water resistant zip and a storm flap on the outside of the jacket. There are two waterproof pockets which aren't big enough to carry a map. The pockets are placed so as to be climbing harness compatible, although they are a little difficult to open despite the toggles. I know Montane have since addressed this issue.

The jacket also has reflective areas which is very helpful - front and back.

The Venture in action looking across a murky Buttermere to Fleetwith Pike

The hood is worthy of mention as this is pretty useless in some ways. I know this was a one-off as Montane have long since fixed this issue on their hoods. Basically it needed a volume adjuster toggle but has a flap and velcro combo. Not good and fixed thankfully!

Another thing you want in winter is a hood and adjusters around the tail of jackets that are easy to use in the cold conditions with gloves on. Many more modern jackets have single adjuster toggles. The Venture doesn't and so isn't as good in this way.

Seams are sealed around the jacket meaning I've never had any leakage. However, eVent does require an increased level of care and this jacket has been no exception. I have found eEvent extremely breathable and waaaaaay beyond my old Goretex Paclite jacket, which is akin to a plastic bag! I've had no leakage from the jacket, even in these typical British conditions...

Grimacing in a damp and very cold Lakeland

So that's the Montane Venture. I love Montane as a company and would recommend the new incarnation (and way better) jacket that's "replaced" this which is the Direct Ascent jacket.