Gear Review: MontBell Highland
A warm, packable down sweater at an affordable price.
VERDICT
Who doesn’t want a warm, packable down sweater at an affordable price? The 650-fill Highland costs about the same as many other brands’ synthetic-filled offerings, making it one of the best down deals I’ve found. The hoodless jacket worked well as my cold-weather midlayer in the Tetons, and by itself the Highland is cozy as a nighttime camp coat when temps are close to freezing. Despite the price, the jacket has not been stripped of features: You get two zippered hand pockets, two interior pockets, elasticized wrist closures, and a burly-toothed main zip that never snags. Packs to 8 x 3 inches in its included sack
BEST FOR
Budget-minded hikers who want to add a packable, versatile down sweater to their layering system
TESTER DATA
> Kristin Hostetter (other tester: Dennis Lewon)
> Duration April to June
> Locales/conditions MA, VT, WY; 20℉ to 40℉
> “The 40-denier taffeta shell and lining material slides easily over and under other fabrics for cold-weather layering.”
THE SPECS
> Weight 10 oz.
> Price $129
> Sizes (w’s M); m’s S-XXL; w’s S-SL
> Infomontbell.us