What the Independent Reviewers Say
Four independent UK and European ski publications have tested Montec gear on the mountain. None are partner sites. All reached the same conclusion.
Fall Line, the UK’s dedicated ski magazine, conducted a full “Tried and Tested” review of the Montec Arch jacket and bib pants at £201 each. Their tester, based in Morzine, reported receiving compliments and questions from other skiers on the first day, something that “genuinely rarely happens in gear triple the price.” They found the stitching at the powder skirt, a reliable indicator of overall construction quality, was as durable as any they had seen. The 20k/20k waterproofing and breathability numbers were described as not to be sniffed at, with their personal opinion being that for very active skiing, anything over 15k/15k is going to be great. Their verdict: “Impressive. The cut of the suit, the long list of features, the performance, durability and colourways, are all on point. And this is before even checking the price tag.”
Snow Magazine reviewed the Montec Fawk jacket at £175 and found no cons worth reporting. They described it as delivering high-end protection and design at an exceptional price point compared to premium competitors costing £600+.
Snow Magazine also reviewed the Montec Morpheus women’s jacket at £218 and called it “an easy jacket to recommend.” They praised the full-opening underarm vents, comfortable wrist gaiters, and impressive waterproof performance. Their criticisms: the own-brand membrane is not Gore-Tex (true, and also not priced like Gore-Tex), and the exterior hand pockets zip counterintuitively.
WeLove2Ski tested the Montec Fawk women’s ski pants during a cold spell in the Alps. Their reviewer was thoroughly impressed with the performance: 20k waterproof shell with 20k breathability, fully taped seams, well-considered articulation, and broad stretchy braces with a front-adjusting buckle rather than shoulder-mounted (avoiding pressure points under backpack straps). After a week of use, the pants still looked virtually new. Their conclusion: “a solid choice for most holiday skiers and for anyone on the occasional backcountry adventure.”
The Brand
Montec launched in 2016 as the technical, freeride-focused sister brand to Dope Snow. Both are owned by Ridestore, the Swedish e-commerce company founded in 2006 by brothers Linus and Emil Hellberg. The brothers started as online distributors for other brands and saw firsthand that apparel companies were missing a trick by not listening to customers and not passing on the cost savings of selling direct.
Fall Line described the founding insight: Emil and Linus knew from their years as middlemen that brands could offer far better value by selling directly to the customer via a website. They developed their own modern designs, launched an easy-to-use site, and passed the cost-saving benefits onto the customer.
Ridestore now employs over 200 people, is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, and serves Europe, North America, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. As of 2023, annual net sales reached approximately SEK 1.16 billion (roughly €100 million).
Where Dope Snow targets the recreational, style-conscious rider, Montec is aimed at slightly more technical skiers who might be hiking for lines or exploring the backcountry, as WeLove2Ski describes it.
The SHIELD-TEC Membrane: 20k/20k
Every Montec outerwear product uses the SHIELD-TEC membrane, rated at 20,000mm waterproofing and 20,000g breathability. This is the single most important number in understanding why Montec exists at this price point.
Most jackets under £250 from traditional brands use 10k to 15k membranes. To get 20k waterproofing from Patagonia, Helly Hansen, or The North Face, you are looking at £400+. Gore-Tex Pro starts at £700+.
Montec delivers 20k/20k for £175 to £218. The membrane is proprietary, not Gore-Tex. Independent reviewers acknowledge the difference. Fall Line noted the 2-layer construction is slightly heavier than premium 3-layer shells and the seam taping is not quite as refined up close. Snow Magazine noted the membrane is not as effective as Gore-Tex. These are fair observations.
But Fall Line also said the 2-layer performance is 100% adequate for all resort and most off-piste riding. At only a couple hundred grams difference, you would only notice it on long touring days. For the vast majority of skiing, the practical gap between SHIELD-TEC at £218 and Gore-Tex at £700 is far narrower than the price gap.
The Athlete: Max Hitzig
Max Hitzig is a German freeride skier who competes on the Freeride World Tour. He is an FWT champion and was the current tour leader when Fall Line published their review. Hitzig wears Montec in competition, in filmed segments, and in the backcountry.
Fall Line specifically mentioned seeing Montec on TV through Hitzig’s FWT appearances. Having an FWT champion in your outerwear is the kind of validation that no marketing budget can manufacture. The gear either works at that level or it does not. Hitzig trusts it on competition faces.
The Product Range
Montec’s formula, as Fall Line observed, is consistent across the range: 20k/20k waterproof and breathable material, available in insulated or shell versions, with a choice of styles and colourways.
Oracle Jacket (£218): New for 25/26. 2-way stretch ripstop shell, 60/40gsm Comfortemp insulation, snow skirt, power-mesh inner pockets, gusseted sleeves. We published a full review of the Oracle on Gravity.
Morpheus Jacket (£218): New for 25/26. 2-way stretch ripstop with abrasion zonal panels reinforcing high-wear areas. Comfortemp insulation (95% recycled polyester). Snow Magazine reviewed the women’s version and called it “an easy jacket to recommend.”
Fawk Jacket (£175): The established flagship. Available in insulated (body-mapped Sorona Eco synthetic) and shell versions. Snow Magazine found no cons. This is the jacket that built Montec’s reputation.
Arch Jacket and Bib (£201 each): The all-mountain and off-piste option. Fall Line’s choice for review, with the full-zip design they consider more practical for off-piste use than the anorak styles. The bib features inner-thigh ventilation, mesh-lined vents, and a single-buckle front-adjusting brace system.
Doom Jacket: The original Montec design, refined over multiple seasons. Snow Magazine reviewed the women’s Doom as striking a good balance between style, functionality, and affordability.
Dozer Bib Pants: New for 25/26. 2-way stretch ripstop with an oversized, roomy cut and 3-point bib design for freeride and all-mountain riding.
Fawk Ski Pants: Tested by WeLove2Ski during a cold spell in the Alps. 20k waterproof, fully taped seams, narrow leg with wide zipped cuff, five pockets, and kick pads that held up against ski edges with no damage.
Sustainability: Verified by Third Parties
The sustainability credentials are independently verifiable and specifically noted by reviewers.
bluesign certification: WeLove2Ski highlighted that products are certified by bluesign. Fall Line noted that the Arch uses PFAS-free DWR, solution dyeing, and recycled polyester throughout all shell and insulation.
Fall Line made a specific point: “One thing Montec probably doesn’t make enough noise about is their commitment to more sustainable practices.” They highlighted the PFAS-free DWR, solution dyeing, and recycled polyester as stats consumers need to be looking for.
Recycled materials: The Morpheus uses 95% recycled polyester insulation. Across all Ridestore brands, 90% of polyester used in 2023 was recycled.
PFAS-free DWR: HeiQ EcoDry across all products. No forever chemicals.
Ridestore Renewed: Over 20,000 garments given a second life through the refurbishment programme.
Construction Quality: What the Testers Found
Fall Line conducted the most detailed construction assessment. Key findings:
The powder skirt stitching and buttons felt as durable as any seen. The velcro patches for sleeve adjustment at the wrists were described as excellent. The wrist gaiters were comfortable enough for all-day use. All zips functioned well. The kick patches on the bib were adequate for multiple seasons of use.
Their one observation: the seam taping is not quite as neat as the smartly taped seams of the highest-end kit, meaning close-up it does not look quite as refined. This is the honest gap between a £200 jacket and a £600 jacket. The waterproofing works. The durability is there. The finishing is 90% of the way to premium but not 100%.
WeLove2Ski reported that after a week of use, the Fawk pants still looked virtually new. The kick pads held up with no damage from ski edges. The snow gaiters were basic but effective.
Who Montec Is For
Montec is for the rider who wants 20k-level technical performance in a well-designed, well-built package at a DTC price. It is for skiers and snowboarders who have seen the specs on premium jackets and noticed that Montec matches the numbers at less than half the cost.
Fall Line said it best: the cut, the features, the performance, the durability, and the colourways are all on point. And this is before even checking the price tag.
The honest limitations, confirmed by independent testers: the proprietary membrane is not Gore-Tex. The 2-layer construction is slightly heavier than premium 3-layer shells. The seam finishing is not quite as refined close-up. Sizing runs slightly large (WeLove2Ski and Fall Line both noted fit observations).
If those details matter to you, premium brands exist for a reason. If 20k waterproofing, bluesign certification, recycled materials, and an FWT champion’s endorsement matter more than the name on the sleeve, Montec delivers.