Providing warmth comparable to that of a lightweight down or synthetic jacket, but still giving you excellent breathability, the Caldus XT hooded fleece has made me reconsider my layering for cold winter hill days. Its furry high-loft pile traps warmth while preventing moisture buildup, and despite some fit issues, I've found it impressively warm and comfortable.
Pros: Lots of warmth for a fleece of this weight, and excellent breathability
Cons: Articulated cut could be improved, pile has flattened quickly on some high wear areas
In Use
The Caldus XT fleece shines in low temperatures as your main insulating layer for winter hill days. While soft, high-pile fleeces aren't usually my go-to, this one has impressed me with its fleece piled both inside and out providing excellent warmth, soft feel against the skin, and outstanding breathability, which greatly reduces clamminess. It strikes an ideal balance of warmth and moisture management by steadily wicking sweat while retaining heat. Comparable in warmth to lightweight synthetic or down jackets, it offers far better breathability, and as a result I've found it more enjoyable for winter hillwalking.
One minor downside is the high-pile fleece's tendency to absorb snow and ice, which can then freeze on the fabric. This is more noticeable compared to a smoother-faced fleece. I experienced this while brushing against snow during a day of mountaineering in pleasant conditions, wearing it as an outer layer.
Being quite close-fitting, it pairs well with a shell - and because it's not at all windproof you may end up wearing it with added shell a lot of the time. I don't think the air permeability is a disadvantage since this goes with its breathability, and in combination with a shell it helps give you a versatile layering system.
Although it's practical enough for year-round use - whether stopping for lunch on a summit in summer or hanging around the crag - it truly shines as an active insulation layer in the cold. But while I'd happily use the Caldus XT for a day of mountaineering, where I'm more continuously on the move, I wouldn't choose it for technical winter climbing. Its weight (501g on my home scales), less packable nature compared to synthetic or down layers, and a few fit issues (more on that later) make it less suited to this purpose.
In high-wear areas like my lower back, where my pack sits, the deep furry pile has started to flatten. While this may affect performance, the compression from my pack minimizes the impact here anyway. It's something I'll keep an eye on as it sees more use.
Fit
Montane unfortunately don't offer the XT hooded version in a women's fit, although a similar un-hooded version of the Caldus is available in both men's and women's.
While described as 'regular' I'd say the fit runs a little small, mostly in the arm and body length. I'm 6ft and opted for a medium. If I was any larger I'd want to size up, so bear that in mind and try before you buy if you can.
Though the fabric's stretch goes some way to allowing for free movement, the articulation could be improved; when my arms are above me I get quite a large amount of hem lift and my sleeves are pulled down my wrists a noticeable amount. Bending my arms, I get a bit of tightness around the elbows as well. This is one reason I'd probably not want to use this fleece for climbing, although it still works well hillwalking.
The hood fits snugly, with an elasticated rim that keeps it low-profile and securely hugs my face. It also allows for good freedom of movement.
The overall fit is slightly disappointing for me, which has surprised me since in the past I've generally found Montane products to fit me well. Others might have better luck, or find that sizing up resolves any issues.
Features
Two zipped handwarmer pockets work well and the fleece fabric makes these comfortable and warm if you're walking along hands-in-pockets. Another two zipped stretch pockets on the chest provide additional storage for when you have a pack waist belt around you and need regular access, and these are particularly handy for phone use (we all carry one these days, and in winter it's better on your person than in the pack). All YKK zips are easy to use with gloves and the full length front zip provides good temperature management if you are beginning to overheat.
Ethics and environment
The polyester fleece is 30% recycled.
Verdict
I've been really happy with the Caldus XT, as it provides great warmth and comfort without the clamminess I often experience with other insulating layers of similar weight. While there are some fit issues for me, they haven't been a major concern for general winter hill walking. However, for mountaineering and climbing, the fit may become more of an issue. Overall, it's a solid choice for winter walking.
Comments
I often see garments like this with the pile on the outside ? Why are they made like that ? I can't think what the advantages might be. My old HH pile jackets have the pile on the inside, don't block the wind, and give the same comfort as this new Montane product. Their exterior started out smooth, but are now a sea of bobbles.
The review didn't have photos of the inside of the garment - pile there too ?
Anyway, just curious as to why there's pile on the outside. (Unless, I suppose, it's to create a micro-climate, much like the fur edging on winter parkas.)
Fashion
Yes, it is piled on the inside and outside of the fleece, exactly as the close up shows but internally. From what I know there are a few reasons why piling is often on the outside (contrary to Ennerdaleblonde's comment):
better wicking of moisture from skin allows piling to loft easier if worn as a external layer it generally will wear less compared to rubbing against a base layerAlthough for the case of the Caldus XT piling both internally and externally I'm assuming it will be primarily to increase it's warmth.
Thanks John. Pondering on it further, I suppose that when a windproof layer is added, with this jacket, one would have two layers of pile - the inside, and now the outside which is now not losing heat cos wind kept at bay.
Thanks for the additional info.
Apart from better wicking, the intention might have been to protect or increase the insulating boundary layer of air next to it, like in fur. Whether that actually happens with most designs or is just wishful thinking I have no idea.
One downside for me is that furry fleece is a magnet for ice, freezing sleet and snow. Not a fan of wearing 2 kg of frozen "fur" myself :-)