I hiked in Montane’s Cetus Lite Waterproof Jacket, and it's more practical than it looks

Montane’s Cetus Lite Jacket is the first garment the brand has created with its all-new Petrichor technology, which is designed to deliver high levels of waterproofing and breathability without weighing you down, as well as being crated from sustainable materials – a welcome step forward in the world of outdoor apparel.

I was excited to try out the Cetus Lite for myself, and it’s accompanied me on many local trails and for a long hike in the Welsh Black Mountains. I’ve been highly impressed by its performance, despite its lightweight construction. It’s proven to be a great waterproof jacket, offering very good breathability, waterproof protection, and denying access to the wind. It’s definitely the waterproof jacket I now regularly reach for when venturing outdoors. Does its new tech make it one of the best waterproof jackets out there? Let’s see, shall we.

Montane Cetus Lite Waterproof Jacket review

Price and availability

The Cetus Lite Waterproof Jacket is now available to buy directly from Montane UK and Montane US for a recommended price of £270/$325. It comes in four earthy colourways for men, and three for women.

Price-wise, the Cetus Lite falls into the mid-range category; it’s not as expensive as the Peak Performance Vislight Gore-Tex C-Knit 3L Shell Jacket, but equally, it’s not as cheap and cheerful as the Jack Wolfskin Eagle Peak Jacket. Price often falls down to quality, the activity output the jacket is intended for, and the tech that’s gone into it, and the Cetus Lite includes Montane’s new Petrichor membrane (more on that below).

Specifications

• Type: shell
• Fit: regular
• Waterproofing (HH): 20,000mm
• Breathability: RET <5
• Pockets: two zippered hand pockets
• Pit zips: no

Design and materials

The Cetus Lite feature’s Montane’s brand new cutting-edge Petrichor technology – a three-layer fabric that promises unparalleled breathability and weather protection. At the heart of it is the hydrophilic membrane that transports moisture away from the body during vigorous outdoor activity. According to Montane, it’s “an effect that increases in strength as you work harder”. Essentially, the harder you work. and work up a sweat, the harder the jacket will work to keep you dry.

Either side of the membrane is a 21D Ripstop outer fabric made from 100% recycled nylon, which has been treated with a PFC-free DWR for water resistance and a tough Tricot lining. Montane also says the jacket has been “created with no intentional use of PFAS”.

In terms of design, the Cetus Lite is simple, with features you’d expect to find on any decent waterproof jacket: an adjustable hem and sleeve cuffs, a high zip for lower face protection, large hand pockets, and an adjustable hood with a stiffened peak. Speaking of pockets, there are only two, albeit these are extremely roomy, and there also aren’t any pit zips, which initially made me sad, but thanks to Petrichor tech, they weren’t needed.

The jacket is also extremely lightweight, making it easy to scrunch up and stuff in your hiking backpack when not in use. This is because Montane constructed the jacket with offset seams, which reduces the number of seams used when making the jacket, lowering its weight while increasing its durability. The zips are also waterproof.

Performance

The Cetus Lite Jacket accompanied me on lots of canal walks and local trails, but I put it through its paces in the Black Mountains on one of my favourite hike routes, the Cat’s Back. I actually also ended up wearing my Terra Stretch Trousers from Montane – incredibly comfortable, easy to wear over leggings for extra warmth, and brilliant if you’re in between sizes as it comes with a handy adjustable belt – and my 16 litre Trailblazer backpack, the perfect size for day hikes.

I wore the Cetus Lite in a size 8. I usually always go up a size in jackets just for an extra bit of room for additional layers, but I was able to wear it quite comfortably over my t-shirt and fleece. I noticed the sleeves were quite long for my short arms, going well past my knuckles, but the Velcro sleeve tabs meant I could easily adjust this. I also liked how the back of the jacket is slightly longer than the front, giving your behind a little more protection from the elements.

Speaking of elements, there weren’t any that day, the sun was shining, yet there was still a chill in the air as I was quite high up and the route is very open, so I actually ended up wearing the Cetus Lite with just a t-shirt underneath. It wouldn’t feel nice doing this with all waterproof jackets, but the inner almost has a silky feel to it, so it felt very comfortable against my bare skin.

The Cetus Lite did an excellent job of keeping the wind off me and, when I did catch myself feeling a little chilly, tightening the hem or sleeve cuffs sealed it off completely. At times, when the wind died down and the sun was blazing down, I’d catch myself getting rather warm. But, before I had a chance to take the jacket off, I’d find myself feeling ok again. I guess this was down to the petrichor tech. It’s hard to gauge how well such tech works, but I’m happy I never felt I was overheating. That said, I did miss having pit-zips for a quick airflow boost when needed.

Although I never tested the Cetus Lite in downpours, it did keep me dry during light spells while on walks – a good sign, always. The hood secures very well around the face, although I may have preferred the storm peak to be ever so slightly longer. Despite there only being two pockets, they’re a very decent size – I could easily fit a pack of wipes, my phone, purse and a bag of Random sweets in one – but I easily could’ve also fitted in a small handtorch and map.

Verdict

I think the Cetus Lite is an excellent waterproof jacket; it kept me dry from the rain, protected from the wind, and cool when tackling more challenging terrain or spells in the sun. It’s a very comfortable jacket, with plenty of practical features, and the fact that it’s also (partly) crafted from recycled materials is another big tick, so kudos Montane.

With all this in mind, and the tech that’s gone into the jacket, I think the price is very reasonable, making it more accessible to outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re doing a casual weekend walk or tackling more technical terrain, I think the Cetus Lite is a solid choice. It doesn’t just work, but it works with you. I’m very much looking forward to using it throughout the rest of the year and beyond.