Montbell Tachyon Hooded Jacket Evaluation

Backside Line

From famend ultralight gear firm Montbell comes the whisper-light Tachyon windbreaker. With a powerful weight of two.5 ounces, it ranks as one of many lightest jackets in our lineup. This extraordinarily low weight, mixed with its wonderful breathability and packability, makes it one among our favourite windbreakers to take in your subsequent backpacking journey or path run.

Primarily used as a windbreaker on winter path runs, the Tachyon shortly turned our go-to layer for high-output outings. Aided by 4 finger-width vents in every armpit, the Tachyon is among the most breathable jackets we examined. Whereas others beaded perspiration on the inside with heavy sweat, the Montbell Tachyon let moisture shortly go by means of the material to evaporate. This shortly turned our favourite jacket to run in.

The Tachyon is extraordinarily packable. With an inside stuff pocket, it packs right down to in regards to the dimension of a tangerine and stows simply in a operating vest or coat pocket. Nonetheless, this ultralight material is comparatively fragile and never our best choice for mountain climbing by means of brush or climbing when scrapes and abrasions are widespread. Excellent for thru-hikers, extremely runners, or anybody who counts each gram of their pack, the Tachyon is a brilliant mild choice that provides nice wind resistance.

How We Examined

Over two months, we wore the Montbell Tachyon on hikes and runs in addition to backcountry and cross-country ski journeys to discipline check its efficiency in a number of circumstances. Our exams consisted of real-world publicity to the wind and parts. We additionally used a blow drier to check wind resistance and in addition accomplished a one-hour run whereas deliberately overdressed to check its breathability and moisture administration.

Wind & Climate Resistance

Examined on path runs above treeline on windy winter days – and with our blow drier – the Montbell Tachyon was impressively windproof. Its virtually see-through materials defied expectations and saved us utterly shielded from all wind. Nonetheless, it’s instantly evident that the Tachyon is just not designed to withstand any form of water or precipitation. It wets by means of virtually immediately. 

Though extraordinarily fast to dry, the Tachyon is best fitted to windy days with none probability of precipitation.

Breathability

The Tachyon Hooded Jacket shortly turned our best choice for path runs and sweaty uphill hikes as a consequence of its extraordinarily breathable building. We encountered no beading perspiration inside the jacket – all moisture handed by means of and shortly evaporated. The Tachyon dries extraordinarily shortly even when uncovered to rain and snow. 

To additional improve the breathability, the Tachyon comes with 4 underarm vents barely wider than a finger. This is a superb function present in no different windbreaker we examined. Rating close to the highest of our lineup, we had been impressed with the air flow and breathability of the Tachyon. We are going to hold reaching for it on many extra runs and hikes.

Weight & Packability

With a manufacturer-stated weight of two.5 ounces and a measured weight of two.7 ounces (males’s medium), the Montbell Tachyon is among the lightest jackets in our lineup – one among solely two jackets weighing lower than three ounces. 

Because of its ultra-thin, seven-denier material, the Tachyon packs down roughly to the scale of a tangerine. On the within of the left facet of the jacket, there’s a small stuff pouch with a velcro closure. Impressively, the Tachyon additionally has two zippered hand pockets, which many heavier jackets wouldn’t have. The Tachyon is ideal for throwing in a operating vest or backpack and forgetting about it till you want it. It’s even sufficiently small to slot in the pockets of most mountain climbing pants.

Consolation & Match

The reduce of the Tachyon can finest be described as efficiency match. It suits slimmer than different manufacturers examined. The hem, specifically, may be very trim and virtually feels tapered. This makes it splendid for extra slender our bodies or for layering with solely a base layer underneath it. Nonetheless, the Tachyon can really feel tight by means of the shoulders and arms, and the fabric lacks any noticeable stretch. 

The cuffs have an elastic opening however the hem doesn’t. A extra elastic hem could assist remove a few of the using up and bunch we skilled when sporting this jacket with a operating vest or mountain climbing pack. This will not be probably the most cellular or elastic jacket for mountain climbing or bouldering, however it’s nice for path operating or different actions the place a trim profile is extra snug.

Ought to You Purchase the Montbell Tachyon?

The Montbell Tachyon is the proper jacket for path runners, thru-hikers, or anybody who counts each gram that goes of their pack. With just one jacket lighter, it’s one among our prime selections for ultralight windbreakers. It’s impressively packable because of its velcro stow pocket that packs the jacket right down to the scale of a tangerine. We additionally just like the 4 small vents in every armpit and perspiration-permeable material. Decidedly technical and slim-fitting, the Tachyon could lack the flexibility for use off-trail. Nonetheless, it’s good for shoving right into a operating vest, tight area in a pack, and even your pants pockets.

What Different Windbreaker Ought to You Take into account?

Head to our gear information to see the complete lineup of finest windbreakers.

Enlightened Gear Copperfield Evaluation: The one jacket in our lineup that’s lighter, the Copperfield is a minimalist wind jacket eschewing most options in favor of its extraordinarily low weight.

Patagonia Airshed Professional Evaluation: Becoming extra like a shirt than a jacket, the Airshed Professional is extraordinarily breathable and excellent for runs or cardio outings.

Arc’teryx Squamish Evaluation: In case you’re searching for a jacket with extra climate resistance however nonetheless being packable, the Squamish is a superb selection.