Rich O. from United States, CA Public Profile

I bought this pack on a smokin' deal here at Campsaver. Wait for a deal and you won't regret it. Its a great pack, well made and not cheap feeling. Its well thought out in how the storage is organized with areas for skis, snowboard or snowshoes, helmet, goggles, sunglasses, probe, etc. Orange fabric on the inside for signalling rescue. Its a small pack but that is what I wanted and there just enough room for a day trip and emergency overnight kit....but just barely. To make this pack a custom fit you should get rid of the plastic back insert it comes with (just zip open the pocket) and replace it with a $20 Aston insert from Hill People Gear. You can form their insert to match your back and the pack will then nest to your lumbar area (watch their video on their Ute pack on how to do this properly) which brings the pack tighter into your center of gravity and rests the pack weight correctly on your lumbar instead of your hips. The waist belt isn't very good but overall I am quite happy for the price I paid and the new insert makes it a custom fit.

I own two other Montane neoshell jackets and I bought the North Star Lite because of the quality of the others. Was not disappointed. Montane is one of the best companies out there in terms of attention to the smallest detail. Montane jackets are cut/tailored for activity and not boxy looking or baggy. I purchased it as a mid layer to go under my shell and it is perfect for this application. Jacket has a drawcord in the waist which not all jackets have. They use Allied (Titanium level) down which makes me happy. Bottom line this jacket is another keeper and I am going to keep on buying Montane because they do things right.

Prolitegear did a full review on this jacket on their YT channel and they raved about it which is why I bought it. Everything about it is built well and is well thought out. While there are a few neoshell jackets on the market with the Eddie Bauer getting all the attention I returned my EB neoshell after watching the Prolitegear review and got this one which is so much better constructed. You don't need the pit zips and the interior pockets and the snow skirt and all that. This is just built really well and you won't be disappointed. One note is that while these jackets have an athletic cut I don't think they are as slim as Arcteryx shells which is perfect for me as I am not a Euro track star. At least that is what I noticed. Overall the cut and fit is great and I couldn't be happier.