Gear Review: Mountain Equipment Frontier Softshell

Mountain Equipment introduced us to their Frontier range around this time in 2015, a modest collection of simple, functional softshells which included a hooded jacket, a hood-less jacket, an armless jacket (a gilet or vest) and a pair of trousers - not at all a jacket. After not much deliberation, I spent some of my own cash on the hooded jacket and, a year down the line, it is one of my absolute favourite items. Let's have a quick look and see why.

The first thing you may notice is the cut of the jacket which is fairly slim fitting. This is Mountain Equipment's Alpine fit which removes excess fabric but retains a full range of motion. For me, a medium is perfect over just a base layer and it can layer over a light mid-layer (something like the gridded Rab Baseline) but you may need to size up if you intend to layer over thicker items like an insulated jacket.

The second thing you'll see is the jacket's simplicity. Two hand pockets and a napoleon pocket, a large hood (with all the adjusters you'd come to expect) make up the Frontier. It is made from Mountain Equipment's own Exolite fabric, a stretchy, double-weave fabric that has abrasion and weather resistance. Like a lot of softshells, the weather resistance is provided by the tightness of the weave rather than a membrane so the breathability of the jacket is excellent.

Features:
The Frontier jacket has the following features:

• EXOLITE 210 double weave fabric
• Mountain HC hood
• 2-way YKK front zip
• 2 hand pockets
• Napoleon chest pocket
• Internal zipped pocket
• Adjustable cuffs
• Dual tether drawcords
• Weight - 580g

The Hood
The hood is classed as Mountain Equipment's HC Hood, meaning that it will accommodate a helmet but adjusts down well over a bare head. A wired visor keeps things nicely in shape. It's perhaps not as impressive as the hood found on the Lhotse waterproof but still, perfectly adequate to keep a stiff breeze at bay. There is some shape to the brim but I would have liked a stiffer wire.

Details
The dual tether drawcords are a small work of art. Instead of one continuous piece of elastic running around the hem of the jacket, the Frontier has three. Two between the front zip and the hips (on either side) and one longer one around the back. I like this for two reasons - you can adjust the front and the back of the jacket independently and there are no loops of elastic to get caught on errant tree branches or rocks.

Dual tether drawcords

The Napolean pocket is pretty small and fairly useless in my opinion; I can't recall a time where I have used it in anger. The handwarmer pockets on the other hand are suitably large enough for hands (obviously) but also stashing gloves or hats on colder days. They are even large enough to accommodate the UK yardstick of pocket design - the OS map.

Napolean pocket

The adjusters and subtle part-elastication of the wrists allow you to pull the sleeves up to your elbows - perfect for those hard-working moments.

Part-elasticated cuffs are neat and tidy

In Action
I have worn this jacket right through the spring and autumn and even on some winter outings in the mountains, such is its flexibility. It's a great all-rounder - a jack of all trades which makes it an extremely useful item for the outdoors wardrobe. My only minor quibble would be the face fabric has started to bobble on high wear areas such as the shoulders and hips though it doesn't affect the overall performance.

The Frontier jacket on Scafell Pike

Gear Review: Mountain Equipment G2 Ultimate Mountain Pant

Ultimate
NOUN

1. (the ultimate)

   
   

   the best achievable or imaginable of its kind:

   "the ultimate in decorative luxury"

The name suggests that these are the best things going - time to delve in a little deeper to find out whether they match up to it.

Mountain Equipment G2 Ultimate Mountain Pant

I bought a pair of these a while ago from an eBay seller who consistently sells ME seconds and samples. I suspect they work for the company but, suspicions aside, these were a bargain at £75, given the fact that their RRP is £180. £180 is a lot for a pair of trousers that are not waterproof but there is a lot going on that does justify some of it.

Firstly, they are made entirely for Gore Windstopper fabric which is 100% windproof, a godsend in the winter, as they help to reduce the chill of a January northerly. That fabric is actually constructed in the same way as Gore-Tex with a waterproof membrane sandwiched between two fabric layers. The difference here is that the outer fabric is a softshell material and the seams aren't taped. What you are buying is a non-waterproof waterproof. If that makes sense. The trade here is vastly increased breathability.

Secondly, a lot of thought has gone into these trousers, as is the case with many of the pieces from ME in the last couple of years. The legs are shaped and articulated in a way that gives you unrestricted freedom, enabling you to easily make those high strides on many a Lakeland scramble. The seams that form the articulation in the knee panels are finished off with laminated plastic that maintains the trousers windproofness. There are other details that I like which I'll mention a bit further down.

Knee articulation and wind-proof seams

Here's the technical spec from Mountain Equipment:

• Windstopper soft shell fabric
• 2 zipped hand pockets and 2 thigh vents
• Removable and fully adjustable braces
• Integrated belt with double press-stud waist closure
• Reinforced kick strips and bonded hem for durability
• Internal gaiters
• Ankle zips with internal gusset panel to accommodate larger mountain boots

The Fit
I wear a large pair which equate to a 34" waist and they are very comfortable - not too tight and not too loose. A real Goldilocks pair of trousers.

The G2 Pants in the tame surroundings of our house

The Details
There are a few details that I really like on these trousers, the first being the zipped thigh vents. Despite their subtle differences to waterproof materials, an additional membrane will always decrease breathability and lead to heat build-up when you're working hard. The thigh vents go some way to help alleviate this and they work really well. The only criticism is they could be a bit longer - like the ones on the Montane Terra trousers.

Thigh vents with mesh-backers

These trousers are designed to stay in place all day thanks to the double snap closure, integrated belt and - if you are that way inclined - removable braces. I, personally, really like the braces as they prevent the trousers from slowly sliding down as the day passes. Despite initial appearances, the braces fit comfortably over a baselayer and underneath the rest of your gear.

Braces in-situ

Double snap closure and integrated belt

Down at the bottom of each leg are a couple of useful additions; the first of which is the ankle zip. This allows you to increase the volume of the lower leg to accommodate larger footwear, such as winter climbing boots. In addition to this are reinforced insteps to protect against crampon spikes and the internal gaiters which have lace hooks to seal out the elements; snow in particular. If you've ever stepped into a deep drift and felt a cold, snowy embrace at the top of your boot, you'll know why these are useful.

The adjustable lower legs

Conclusion:

There are a superb pair of trousers suited to the colder months of the year thanks to their windproof material. Over the last year, they've been my go-to trousers for any time the forecast is looking cold, windy or rainy which, in the UK, is most of the time. Pick them out on a warmer day and you may find your legs getting a bit sweaty. The thigh vents work to a point but they are fairly small.

The fit and freedom of movement are second to none thanks to some clever stitching and those articulated knees. They're pretty tough as well; a fair bit of use to date has yet to tarnish them in any shape or form. Word is that the seam tape on the knees has a tendency to peel off over time but I haven't experienced this yet. The current incarnation of these pants has done away with it altogether.

If you're reading this and considering buying a pair, I would say go for it - you won't be disappointed.

The G2's on their way up Pike O'Blisco

Gear Review: Mountain Equipment Lhotse Waterproof Jacket

I thought I'd start off my foray into reviewing gear by having a look at one of my favourite pieces for the great outdoors; the Mountain Equipment Lhotse jacket. I have to say, I do have a soft spot for the kit that appears from the Manchester-based brands HQ and this is no exception.

The Lhotse sits towards the top end of ME's jacket spectrum - a few rungs down the ladder from the 'hard as nails' Tupilak jacket. This makes it quite expensive (the RRP is around £300) though I did get mine for around £250 after a bit of shopping around. For that money you are getting some premium materials, attention to detail and a jacket that will serve you well, whether it's as an everyday waterproof that lives in your pack during spring and summer or for keeping the elements at bay during autumn and winter. This is courtesy of the Gore-Tex Pro fabric that is used throughout the jacket.

The Lhotse uses two flavours of the fabric, a 40 denier face fabric for the majority, with an 80 denier fabric for the shoulders and arms which provides extra abrasion resistance when wearing a pack. I would have liked to have seen some reinforcement around the hips as well but that starts to push the jacket into Tupilak territory (which is 80D throughout). The fabric is a bit noisy but this doesn't detract from its use.

Let's look at my particular one in a bit more detail:

Front and side view

Features
After parting with your hard-earned cash you get the following features:

• 3 Layer Gore-Tex Pro fabric
• A helmet-compatible hood
• Pre-shaped arms
• 3 large pockets
• Moulded YKK Aquaguard zips
• Two-way underarm pit zips with YKK Water Resistance zips
• Adjustable cuffs and hem
• ME's storm construction
• Weight - 530g

As you can see from the photo above, the fit is quite flattering (I'm wearing a medium over just a t-shirt). ME have spent a great deal of time refining the fit of their current range of jackets and long gone are the days of boxy and baggy waterproofs. This has a nice tailored fit with room underneath for mid-layers if required but doesn't feel overly roomy if put on over just a baselayer. The body is perhaps a touch longer than I would have liked but it does provide a greater overlap if you're wearing waterproof trousers as well. Adjustability is provided by a hem drawcord and sturdy cuff adjusters that allow you to seal out the elements.

The Hood
This is perhaps ME's pièce de résistance. The hood on this jacket is arguably the best I've come across in terms of fit and protectiveness. While designed to fit over a helmet it is unlikely that I will ever use it as such but it is adjustable to give a snug, protective fit over a helmetless head. The brim (or visor) is nice and solid and is un-phased by anything but the strongest of winds. It is 'grown on' and therefore offers the greatest protection against wind and rain.

The hood in action

Details
There are a few clever details that I like hidden within this jacket. The first are the dual tether drawcords. Instead, on one continuous piece of elastic running around the hem of the jacket, this actually has three. Two between the front zip and the hips (on either side) and one longer one around the back. I like this for two reasons - you can adjust the front and the back of the jacket independently and there are no loops of elastic to get caught on errant tree branches or rocks.

Those clever dual drawcords

The pockets are massive and can easily store gloves, hats and snacks with ease as well as the eponymous OS map if you so choose. I find the Aquaguard zips are a bit stiff but they are heavy duty and provide a weatherproof seal though strictly speaking, they are not waterproof. If you want waterproof zips you'll have to look at the Tupilak Ultra and forking out few extra pounds.

Those chunky YKK Aquaguard zips

The chest pocket easily fits an OS map

In Action
This is my go-to jacket if the forecast is looking questionable or downright foul and often comes along 'just in case'. While all modern jackets like to boast about breathability, they will always be overwhelmed if you're slogging up a mountainside and this jacket is no different though the pit zips help a lot. There are more breathable fabrics available but increased breathability often comes at the cost of durability. I'd rather have a tough jacket like this that will keep me warm and dry when the British weather turns nasty.

The combination of a great fit, an unrivalled hood and the tough Gore-Tex fabric make this a highly recommended jacket, despite its high price. It also comes in the startling Citronelle colourway that appeals to my sense of style - keep an eye out for a running theme.

The Lhotse in full protection mode on Bessyboot

An Icelandic trial for the Lhotse