Montbell Tachyon Hooded Jacket Evaluate

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 glorious breathability and packability, makes it one in all our favourite windbreakers to take in your subsequent backpacking journey or path run.

Primarily used as a windbreaker on winter path runs, the Tachyon rapidly turned our go-to layer for high-output outings. Aided by 4 finger-width vents in every armpit, the Tachyon is without doubt one of the most breathable jackets we examined. Whereas others beaded perspiration on the inside with heavy sweat, the Montbell Tachyon let moisture rapidly go via the material to evaporate. This rapidly turned our favourite jacket to run in.

The Tachyon is extraordinarily packable. With an inside stuff pocket, it packs all the way down to concerning the measurement of a tangerine and stows simply in a operating vest or coat pocket. Nevertheless, this ultralight material is comparatively fragile and never our best choice for mountain climbing via 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 an excellent gentle 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 area take a look at 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 stored us fully shielded from all wind. Nevertheless, it’s instantly evident that the Tachyon will not be designed to withstand any form of water or precipitation. It wets via virtually immediately. 

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

Breathability

The Tachyon Hooded Jacket rapidly turned our best choice for path runs and sweaty uphill hikes as a consequence of its extraordinarily breathable development. We encountered no beading perspiration throughout the jacket – all moisture handed via and rapidly evaporated. The Tachyon dries extraordinarily rapidly 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 have 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 without doubt one of the lightest jackets in our lineup – one in all solely two jackets weighing lower than three ounces. 

Due to its ultra-thin, seven-denier material, the Tachyon packs down roughly to the dimensions of a tangerine. On the within of the left aspect 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 shouldn’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 greatest be described as efficiency match. It suits slimmer than different manufacturers examined. The hem, specifically, could be very trim and virtually feels tapered. This makes it preferrred for extra slender our bodies or for layering with solely a base layer beneath it. Nevertheless, the Tachyon can really feel tight via 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 among the driving up and bunch we skilled when carrying this jacket with a operating vest or mountain climbing pack. This is probably not essentially the most cellular or elastic jacket for mountaineering 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 in all our prime decisions for ultralight windbreakers. It’s impressively packable because of its velcro stow pocket that packs the jacket all the way down to the dimensions 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. Nevertheless, it’s excellent for shoving right into a operating vest, tight area in a pack, and even your pants pockets.

What Different Windbreaker Ought to You Contemplate?

Head to our gear information to see the total lineup of greatest windbreakers.

Enlightened Tools Copperfield Evaluate: 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 Evaluate: Becoming extra like a shirt than a jacket, the Airshed Professional is extraordinarily breathable and excellent for runs or cardio outings.

Arc’teryx Squamish Evaluate: If you happen to’re on the lookout for a jacket with extra climate resistance however nonetheless being packable, the Squamish is a superb selection.