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Millet Matterhorn Shield Jacket Review
March 28, 2014The Good
- Simple, no-frills design
- Vent-pockets and collar draw-cord extended comfort range
- Strong DWR treatment
- Designed for use under a pack or harness
The Bad
- Soft face fabric was not particularly durable
- Not very breathable
Simple yet stoic, Millet’s Matterhorn Shield Jacket serves up some serious performance at an entry-level price. Overall, this is a great windproof jacket for nearly any user.
Weather Protection
Truly windproof fabric and a tenacious DWR coating easily fought off foul weather in mild temps, but the Matterhorn Shield is really just a thin shell—we consistently added a long-sleeve layer for temps in the 40s.
Breathability
Mesh-backed handwarmer pockets helped to vent extra humidity from our core, but our arms and back usually had to suffer through some unwanted wetness when the going got steep. Our conclusion: Millet’s Element Shield textile seemed to be less breathable than Gore Windstopper.
Mobility
With good stretch throughout and a long-armed alpine fit, the Matterhorn Shield moved with us easily and garnered consistently high marks here.
Comfort
Little things can make a big difference when it comes to comfort—better breathability and more finished seams would have boosted the Matterhorn Shield’s comfort score considerably.
Attention to Detail
For a price-point piece, this Millet softy was remarkably dialed—its adjustments were nearly perfect and its finish was very good overall. That said, we wished for breathable underarm swatches and higher-performance seaming when the jacket was between us and the elements.
Value
While its breathability and toughness weren’t quite on par with top-shelf softshells, the Matterhorn Shield was offered at a list price 40-percent less than comparable pieces. It’ s an excellent value.