Montane jackets use the same pertex/fleece combo as Buffalo and other jackets, this is not the same as the Paramo system there are no chemicals and magic membranes involved. There are not, and don't claim to be waterproof. What the do do is shed water faster than it can penetrate through the fleece, so that the outer layers get wet but the inside stays dry. This works well and as there are no chemicals to wash out or membranes to damage they are durable garments. They do have two big drawbacks, first they rely on the fleece to work hence they provide insulation in even their lightest form, second they rely on body heat to drive the water out, fine if you are slogging up a hill but if you are sitting out in the rain doing nothing but waiting for birds they will loose there ability to resist the ingress of water.
They are a great hill garment and are widely used but all the folk I know who use one will still pack a hardshell Goretex type waterproof to provide barrier if they have to hang around in the rain.
Plus neither Buffalo nor Montane make a camo one, you can get an olive green one which is widely used in the British Army.
They are a great hill garment and are widely used but all the folk I know who use one will still pack a hardshell Goretex type waterproof to provide barrier if they have to hang around in the rain.
Plus neither Buffalo nor Montane make a camo one, you can get an olive green one which is widely used in the British Army.