Materials at Montec: Providing advanced technical performance
When it comes to Montec, our focus has always been producing high-quality snow gear. We aim for industry-leading performance in everything we make. And that means a minimum of 20k/20k across all our outerwear, the most rigorous quality control and testing, and a commitment to make our processes and products as green as possible. But don’t take our word for it. Read on to learn more about our technical performance in Montec materials.
At Montec, the foundation of every jacket and pair of pants is the fabric itself. Technical outerwear needs to handle a lot. And the only way to make sure our outerwear withstands the mountain is to focus on quality.
From durable recycled polyester shells and breathable waterproof membranes to PFAS-free DWR treatments and rigorous lab testing, every element of our outerwear is engineered to keep you warm, dry, and moving comfortably. So, feeling ready to see what makes Montec different? Let’s drop in!
Our outerwear building blocks
Technical outerwear always starts with the fabric. Most snow jacket shells are made from polyester or nylon because these materials are naturally durable, tightly woven, and moisture-resistant. This shell forms the first line of defence in Montec’s system:
- On top, a PFAS-free DWR coating helps water bead and roll off before it can soak in
- Beneath the fabric sits a bonded waterproof membrane. This barrier blocks rain and snow while still letting sweat escape
- Together, these layers keep you dry, warm, and comfortable across changing mountain conditions
This system is essential as ski outerwear faces far tougher demands than regular waterproof jackets. With temperature swings, sweat, snow, and long days in the elements, the fabric needs to stay waterproof and breathable while dealing with constant abrasion and heavy stress from movement. Add in features like zippers, vents, and multiple pockets, and every stitch becomes a potential weak point. That’s why both a durable outer shell and a high-performance membrane are so important for overcoming these challenges and meeting the demands of the mountain.
Fabric innovation at Montec
Our fabrics have evolved year after year to hit the performance levels riders want. Our benchmark has always been a massive 20,000 mm waterproofing and 20,000 g breathability, combined with a highly effective PFAS-free DWR treatment. To reach that level, we refined every part of the construction. High-filament, high-twist yarns (150D/144F) provide the foundation for strength and long-term durability. These fibers are woven into a dense 192T plain weave, which gives the shell excellent abrasion resistance and boosts natural water repellency before the DWR coating even comes into play.
Weight matters too. At 182 grams per square meter, Montec fabrics stay tough without feeling bulky. Materials are also treated with HeiQ EcoDry, a PFC-free DWR finish. This coating means water can’t grip on and soak in.
But the real engine of waterproofing is the 20-micron TPU membrane laminated behind the shell. This membrane keeps water out but allows sweat to escape, and still performs after repeated machine washes. The lamination is done by a bluesign® Partner to ensure environmental and quality standards are met. The result is an ultra-durable, fully waterproof fabric system that lasts season after season.
Quality control and responsibility
Montec’s approach to responsibility starts with materials. The polyester shell is recycled, the DWR finish is PFAS-free, and all jackets and pants are bluesign® Approved. Even the packaging has been reworked to eliminate plastic. But responsibility also means building gear that lasts, which is why, here at Montec, we introduced our own durability standards for the 2025 winter season.
Instead of following the industry norm strength, we developed a shell fabric that reaches 32.5N x 36.0N. This is nearly triple the baseline and ensures the jackets and pants can withstand years of heavy use. Every batch must stay within 10% of that number before it is approved for production.
To support these standards, we expanded quality testing. Every fabric, in every color, from every production batch is lab tested. This process generates over 25,000 data points per season, and every report is manually checked before fabric is allowed into manufacturing. Snappers, zippers, membranes, and trims are tested in the same way to ensure there are no weak links anywhere in the garment. The goal is simple: build gear that performs exactly as promised – from the first day of the season to the last, and beyond.
Looking ahead
Montec’s fabric development focuses on long-lasting waterproofing, dependable breathability, and environmentally responsible materials. By raising durability standards, switching to cleaner DWR treatments, and refining fabric performance with every season, we’re building outerwear that riders can rely on for years.
And the work is ongoing. Our plans include wider use of recycled materials, further improvements to membrane performance, and continued collaboration with bluesign® Partners to reduce environmental impact. The aim is to keep pushing the standard for technical riding gear while making each new collection cleaner, tougher, and more innovative than the last.
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