Review: Helikon-Tex Tramontane Jacket

Introduction

After some initial delays I was able to get my Helikon-Tex Tramontane jacket in summer.  Since then I have been using it on a regular basis and now it is time to give you my impression of this very lightweight piece of gear.

According to Helikon-Tex it is designed to be an outer layer for outdoor activities and as an in between of the Blizzard softshell and Windrunner jacket.

Overview and Specs

• Fabric: Windpack Nylon with a Dupont Teflon Coating, YKK Zippers
• Weight: 120g
• Color: Tiger stripe

The Tramontane Jacket

The Tramontane not only feels lightweight, but is in fact highly compressible like the Windrunner. One can make it as small as a 0,5l can. In order to do so, one only has to open the chest pocket and stow the jacket in it – yes it is selfpackaging.

It features a long zipper at the front to easily put the jacket on and not having to struggle with an anorak design. Shock cord at the bottom and elastic cuffs act as adjustments. The hood itself is elastic at the sides of the opening and the top features a minimal visor. On the backside of the hood there is another drawcord to bring the hood closer to the head. That way it stays firm on the skull and follows the head movement of the user.

The already mentioned chest pocket is the only pocket on the jacket and big enough to fit smaller items. It is zippered and opens/closes without issues.

Last but not least: The Tramontane features a small loop in the collar to hang it up. Small details matter!

Size and Fit

The cut of the Tramontane is a little bit larger to accommodate layering and freedom of movement. I am typically a European size 52 and the jacket pictured is a size Large and fits me comfortably, with enough room to wear it over a fleece or other jacket.

The sleeves are long enough and the overall cut has been improved in comparison to the Windrunner jacket. 

There is a drawcord at the bottom of the jacket to adjust it to the user. On the inside of the Windshirt you can find a loop of fabric, which keeps the drawcord from hanging loose.

Manufacture

The manufacture is as you would expect it from Helikon-Tex. It is worth the money and you can find the occasional loose thread and unclean stitches here and there, but overall there are no major flaws.

The seams on the inside are covered with either seam tape or are folded appropriately. This is a major improvement to the Windrunner. The fabrics and hardware used are of good quality.

Impressions of the Tramontane Jacket

The overall impression of the Tramontane is a very positive one. Just like the windrunner shirt it is an ideal layer over a T-Shirt when it is slightly cooler or a light rain is approaching. Since it is only DWR coated, one cannot expect a fully waterproof experience, however it withstands enough rain to get under the next cover.

Breathability is limited because of the DWR and Teflon coating. This will improve over time, while the rain and dirt protection will lessen. The Windrunner jacket had mesh vents under the armpits, but Helikon-Tex decided to not include these in the Tramontane. On the one hand this is a relief as the mesh tends to smell quickly, on the other hand one has to regulate temperature with the main zipper now.

Conclusion

The small packing size and the lightweight characteristics of the Helikon-Tex Tramontane jacket make it a practical and smart item to carry along. Offering limited water and full wind protection it is a very useful jacket when being outdoors. Especially when you are out for longer tours and needing something with you in case the weather changes, the Tramontane might be an option worth considering. Since it is that small, I have it with me most of the time in my bag or pack, and have used it on several occasions to layer.

With that being said I want to come to an end. Many thanks to Helikon-Tex for giving me the opportunity to show you this jacket.

Thank you for reading!

Take care!

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