Montane Mens Podium Pull-On RRP £120

Product Information

One thing that you could say was a bit of a downside is that the material is a little bit swishy. When you’re running for a long time, it can get a bit annoying.

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. Small: Chest 97cm / 38" // Waist: 76cm / 30" // Inside Leg (Regular): 77.5cm / 30.5" // Inside Leg (Short): 72.5cm / 28.5" // Inside Leg (Long): 82.5cm / 32.5" 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.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"

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. 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. Functional waterproof clothing is not fashion clothing. Its price is dictated by the massive amount of science involved in keeping you dry in the pouring rain. It really is clothing as equipment and as with all specialist equipment you need to know a bit about how it works to get the best out of it.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. The Podium has been modelled around Montane’s Mountain Run fit, making for a close-fitting garment that has been primarily designed for mountain trail running use, so the fit is slim with little room for layering. The Podium is in a unisex fit from Montane. Thanks for the review Philip, always good to see if something somehow lives up to the billing- and it seems like this one does not (unsurprisingly.) I have come full circle on rain gear and until there’s some massive sea-change in material science, I simply don’t believe in waterproof/breathable gear. Or, to clarify- I don’t believe it’s worth taking into the woods. If your rain gear can wet out it’s not worth the weight, as it will fundamentally not do the number one job you’re carrying the weight to accomplish. Medium: Chest 102cm / 40" // Waist: 81cm / 32" // Inside Leg (Regular): 79cm / 31" // Inside Leg (Short): 74cm / 29" // Inside Leg (Long): 84cm / 33" 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.

THERMAREST & MSR: Sale! 30% Off all MSR Tents and Thermarest Sleeping Bags including the award-winning Parsec 0! Finally, there’s the innovative elastic inside the hood, designed to fit snugly on your head. Salomon call this “Skin Fit”, but we’re leaning towards “Hood Bra”, as it sort of makes sure your head is cupped securely by the overhead fabric. 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. 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"X Small: Chest 92cm / 36" // Waist: 71cm / 28" // Inside Leg (Regular): 76cm / 30" // Inside Leg (Short): 71cm / 28" // Inside Leg (Long): 81cm / 32" If you are planning on trying to keep dry in a hot and humid environment then an umbrella can be a worthy investment – it is the ultimate breathable waterproof!