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What is the Cetus Lite Jacket?
It's a highly breathable and packable waterproof shell jacket with a concise feature set to keep weight and pack size to a minimum. Built to breathe, it utilises Montane's innovative PFC-Free Petrichor waterproof technology for high-performance weather protection with supercharged breathability, making it ideal for various high-aerobic, fast-paced activities in wet weather.
What is it made from?
The Cetus Lite Jacket debuts Montane's innovative Petrichor 3L waterproof technology. Petrichor delivers exceptional breathability and waterproof protection for fast-paced mountain missions and all manner of wet-weather adventures. It scores a waterproof hydrostatic head rating of 20,000mm and a breathability rating of RET 5, meaning it excels in high-output activities in adverse conditions, where it will remain breathable to keep you dry inside and out, even if your base layer is slightly wet and you need to move fast through the mountains.
Montane's Petrichor uses 100% recycled nylon fabrics in a 3-layer sandwich construction to deliver a lightweight and comfortable shell jacket that's noticeably quieter to wear. The 21-denier mini-ripstop face fabric provides lightweight durability whilst still being highly packable. The ultralight 10-denier nylon tricot backer offers efficient moisture transportation and next-to-skin comfort. Sandwiched in the middle of these lightweight fabrics is the super-thin Petrichor membrane, which is both waterproof and windproof. All fabrics used to construct the Cetus Lite are free from harmful PFC/PFAS chemicals and are also Oeko-Tex® and Bluesign® approved for extra reassurance that the jacket was created responsibly.
Montane's Petrichor membrane does things a little differently from traditional waterproof jackets. For those unfamiliar with waterproof clothing technology, conventional waterproofs rely on hydrophobic membranes with thousands of tiny, microscopic holes in them and a difference in either temperature or pressure inside the jacket to pull water vapour through the membrane to allow it to escape. Though widely used, this technology can be hindered if the DWR on the face fabric of your jacket fails and ‘wets out’ or the tiny holes become blocked over time by dirt and skin oils from sweat, resulting in a very clammy, gross-feeling waterproof jacket that might feel as if it's leaking.
Petrichor, in contrast, is a completely solid non-porous hydrophilic membrane that actively breathes to physically transport moisture away from the body and damp layers, pulling it out into the air where it can escape. It utilises channels within the material to pull moisture through the membrane to continuously manage your microclimate, keeping you comfortably dry all day long, an effect that increases in strength as you work harder - the tougher the trail gets, the more breathable the jacket becomes. This innovative design delivers supercharged breathability and allows this super-thin solid membrane to be not only waterproof but windproof too. Neat right?
The jacket is finished with a PFC-free DWR (durable water repellent) to encourage water, dirt and snow to bead off the material, further enhancing the jacket's protective capabilities.
For those of you who are wondering, PFAS/PFC's are also known as 'forever chemicals' because they stay permanently in the environment, bioaccumulate in animals and cause lasting damage to our ecosystems. Due to their harmful nature, many companies are working to eliminate their use in products and manufacturing processes. Montane's Petrichor technology is at the forefront of responsible, highly breathable waterproof clothing and is helping pave the way towards a PFC/PFAS chemical-free future.
What are its features?
The Cetus Lite is constructed for maximum performance with minimal weight. It boasts a concise feature set that includes all the essential features you'd require from a versatile, high-performance, waterproof shell jacket.
A fully adjustable hood delivers protection from the elements, while a laminated peak helps keep rain and snow away from the face. The hood can be cinched right in close to the face for maximum protection in adverse weather without hindering your line of vision.
The jacket features a simple, minimal front zip fastening and two zippered hand pockets that offer space for storing trail snacks, energy gels and a mobile phone. YKK Aquaguard zippers are used throughout the jacket to help stop water ingress through the zips for further protection from the elements.
The Cetus Lite features Montane's regular fit, which offers a small amount of wiggle room for light layers underneath whilst still sitting close enough to the body to keep excess material to a minimum for moving fast. Articulated sleeves offer a natural range of movement for various activities, whilst grown-on adjustable cuffs allow you to achieve a snug fit, even around gloves.
A fully adjustable bottom hem helps stop cold wind and rain from blowing up inside the jacket on exposed routes. Montane has used a clever offset seam construction throughout the jacket to enhance comfort levels and provide added durability across the seams.
Finishing details such as a laminated peak, hems and cuff tabs add durability to key areas whilst still keeping the jacket's overall weight and pack size to a minimum.
Features
- Offset seam intersections improve construction, durability and comfort
- Laminated peak, hems and cuff tabs reduce seams, weight and improve durability
- Fully adjustable hood offers precision full adjustment and unhindered vision
- Articulated sleeves with grown on hook and loop adjustment
- Fully adjustable hem
- YKK Aquaguard centre front zip and hand pockets
- Regular fit