Montane Mens Podium Pull-On RRP £120

Product Information

THERMAREST & MSR: Sale! 30% Off all MSR Tents and Thermarest Sleeping Bags including the award-winning Parsec 0! Although only weighing in at 352g (size L - my measure), this feels a heavier weight fleece than that might suggest. Normally such light items would be almost in the base layer category but this has a much more substantial feel about it. You could use it as a base layer but you would probably boil.

Medium: Chest 102cm / 40" // Waist: 81cm / 32" // Inside Leg (Regular): 79cm / 31" // Inside Leg (Short): 74cm / 29" // Inside Leg (Long): 84cm / 33" Sizes S-XXL (men’s), 8-16 (women’s) / Proflex waterproof fabric / taped seams / stretch hood with stiffened peak / YKK AquaGuard water-resistant front zip / Velcro adjustment on hood and cuffs. The one main YKK AquaGuard zip is water resistant with a small storm flap behind the zip; this could be larger to prevent eventual rain ingress but again, we’re saving weight here.

X Large: Chest 112cm / 44" // Waist: 91cm / 36" // Inside Leg (Regular): 82cm / 32.25" // Inside Leg (Short): 77cm / 30.25" // Inside Leg (Long): 87cm / 34.25" No matter what your budget; when it comes to waterproofs any breathability is better than none. Walking in the rain while wearing a carrier bag with arms and a hood is definitely not a happy experience. This is a unisex model, available in sizes XS to XL. As mentioned above, the Podium Pull-On is designed to be close fitting. The good news is that this cuts down on excess material, hence saves weight, and also means that there isn't quite as much flapping when you're running on a windy day. The bad news is that it might not fit everyone, and is less easy to layer over insulation. My size Medium certainly feels at the snug end of the spectrum, but in spite of this the cut provides excellent freedom of movement, with little or no lift when raising your arms above your head. With that in mind, it's definitely worth trying the Podium on for size/fit before buying and if you're looking at it as a lightweight walking piece - or anticipate wearing a couple of layers underneath - potentially look at going up a size. The cuffs are elasticated and don’t have any adjustment. The hem does have adjustment though and this is via a toggled drawcord at the hem.

The first thing you notice about the Podium's fabric, and the first thing that anyone around you notices, is that it's pretty much transparent - so much so that you can basically see what you're wearing underneath! Whilst this doesn't necessarily add anything to its performance, it does go to show how light the material really is.

It will be a personal choice as to whether you want a larger size with the extra movement that offers, or a clinging tighter size that will allow that feels slightly more restrictive but may work better under other layers. We think the Protium Pull-On comes out on the small side for its stated size. I went for a size Large in preference to my more usual Medium and it seems about right. Large: Chest 107cm / 42" // Waist: 86cm / 34" // Inside Leg (Regular): 80.5cm / 31.5" // Inside Leg (Short): 75.5cm / 29.75" // Inside Leg (Long): 85.5cm / 33.75" It’s incredibly well thought out, with only the essential features present so you can be sure you’ll be warm and dry when that sudden rain shower hits. It uses Point Zero H2O two-layered waterproof fabric and slimline tape behind the seams to provide a 10,000 mm hydrostatic head, which works well for heavy rain. The hood, while not adjustable, fits very well with elasticated sides and a peaked front to keep the rain from your face. In high winds this can bend as it’s not reinforced, but that feature would add weight.