Montbell Tachyon Hooded Jacket Assessment

Backside Line

From famend ultralight gear firm Montbell comes the whisper-light Tachyon windbreaker. With a formidable 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 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 shortly grew to become 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 move by way of the material to evaporate. This shortly grew to become our favourite jacket to run in.

The Tachyon is extraordinarily packable. With an inside stuff pocket, it packs all the way down to in regards to the measurement 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 mountaineering by way 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 gentle possibility that gives 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 situations. Our assessments consisted of real-world publicity to the wind and components. We additionally used a blow drier to check wind resistance and likewise 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 nearly see-through materials defied expectations and stored us fully shielded from all wind. Nonetheless, it’s instantly evident that the Tachyon isn’t designed to withstand any sort of water or precipitation. It wets by way of nearly immediately. 

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

Breathability

The Tachyon Hooded Jacket shortly grew to become our best choice for path runs and sweaty uphill hikes as a result of its extraordinarily breathable development. We encountered no beading perspiration inside the jacket – all moisture handed by way 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 characteristic 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’ll preserve 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 in all 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 would not 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 mountaineering 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, may be very trim and nearly feels tapered. This makes it very best for extra slender our bodies or for layering with solely a base layer underneath it. Nonetheless, the Tachyon can really feel tight by way 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 eradicate among the driving up and bunch we skilled when sporting this jacket with a operating vest or mountaineering pack. This might not be probably 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 comfy.

Ought to You Purchase the Montbell Tachyon?

The Montbell Tachyon is the right 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 selections for ultralight windbreakers. It’s impressively packable because of its velcro stow pocket that packs the jacket all the way 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 excellent for shoving right into a operating vest, tight area in a pack, and even your pants pockets.

What Different Windbreaker Ought to You Think about?

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

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

Arc’teryx Squamish Assessment: For those who’re on the lookout for a jacket with extra climate resistance however nonetheless being packable, the Squamish is a superb selection.