Gear Review | Mons Royale Merino W Ascend Midi Full Zip Hood

It’s motto: First on, last off. Mons Royale also produces sustainably and in a socially responsible manner. The well-being of the sheep as well as the employees and suppliers are the top priority.

I'm already familiar with ski underwear and clothing made from merino. I would now like to take a closer look at the hoody from Mons Royale! I tested it in the colour Iron- Poppy- Rosewater.

First impression

The jacket is rather large or wide for a size S. However, depending on which base layer you wear, the width makes sense. I also find more freedom of movement during sports more comfortable than tight cuts. The length on the torso and arms is ideal. The zip and seams are very well made. Even the hood is seamless and also fits under a helmet without getting in the way. The jacket can be washed easily at 40 degrees and even an accidental trip to the tumble dryer has not affected the quality. The many wears and washes have not damaged the stylish item so far and the colour and shape are of consistent quality.

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Practical test

The lightweight mid-layer jacket accompanied me on the skis for over 15 days. It was mainly used on ski tours as an additional layer of warmth at the summit and on the descent. The jacket's small pack size makes it easy to stow away in a backpack and it doesn't weigh much either.

The jacket not only keeps you warm when touring, but also on the piste and looks good in the hut. If you stick to the layering or double-layer principle with one material, in this case merino, then the moisture transport works perfectly, even when it gets sweaty. The jacket also dries faster than conventional merino products.

Conclusion

I actually prefer simple designs, but this colourful, super cosy and breathable mid-layer jacket really won me over. At first, the jacket seemed a bit thin for a mid-layer, but when I wore it for the first time, I quickly realised that this thin, lightweight jacket is surprisingly warm. The full-length zip makes perfect sense, especially when you need to move quickly and don't want to take off your helmet or hat. The hood is thin but still practical if there's a draught on the summit.

The high price is justified, because the Mons Royale Merino W Ascend MIDI FULL ZIP HOOD will certainly accompany me on ski tours and on the piste for a long time to come!

Advantages & disadvantages

+Very comfortable to wear

+super light

+long sleeves and thumb holes

+Low odour

+Uncomplicated to wash

+Quick drying

-rather large cut

-rather thin as a midlayer despite amazing thermal insulation on very cold days

-High price

Details

RRP: 169.95 euros

Equipment:

Full-length zip
Drop-tail/seamless hood
Zip pocket on the left sleeve for a card, keys or money
Thumbholes

Material: 200 g/m2 Merino Corespun Un-Brushed Terry (88% merino wool, 9% nylon, 3% elastane)

General information on the properties of merino wool: Merino wool is a natural fibre. It does not smell, does not scratch, insulates very well and can absorb a lot of moisture without feeling wet. It also dries quickly and is odour-neutralising.

Here is the link to the Mons Royale website with further information.

This product was provided to PowderGuide by the manufacturer free of charge for testing. You can find out how we test it in our test statement.