Mountain Equipment Firefly Jacket

Essential for the weight conscious minimalist mountain user the Firefly provides superb protection and comfort in demanding conditions. Lightweight waterproof and highly breathable GORE-TEX Paclite fabric Fully-featured roll-down mountain hood Two large chest pockets with water-resistant zips External map pocket with water-resistant zip Superb cut allows excellent freedom of movement

Site	Price	Postage	Total
	£99.99	£4.95	£104.93999767303
	£119.00	£8.23	£127.22999954224
	£126.00	£5.95	£131.94999980927
	£162.00	£1.95	£163.95000004768
	£180.00	£2.90	£182.90000009537
	£180.00	£5.00	£185

   User submitted photos

   User Reviews

General comments: Had this jacket about two years now and it has exceeded my expectations . Originally bought as a lightweight jacket to throw in my sac it has been used and abused in all weathers in the Highlands including a week long downpour doing ML training in the Cairngorms . It has kept me dry throughout and the cut is generous enough to fit more layers underneath making it good for winter. It doesn't feel as hardwearing as heavier weight jackets but I can say that it has stood up well to a moonlit abseil where it got badly scraped on the rocks. This jacket has some of the best pockets I've come across - the chest pocket is perfect for on OS map and the waterproof zips appear to work as they should. The hip pockets are also huge but the zip can be partially obscured by the rucksac waist belt but that will vary between people and between packs. The main zip flap looks flimsy as it is only held shut at the top and bottom but it seems to stay in place well and I haven't encountered any problems with it leaking. Overall I've found this an excellent jacket for year round use and it certainly seems to be a lot tougher than it looks. 120 is a good price and is what I paid for mine when it was selling elsewhere for 180. If you can get it for this kind of price I would have to recommend it.

Pros: A light ,hardwearing waterproof that you don't mind throwing in your sac just in case.

Cons: Hip pockets aren't ideally placed in my case

General comments: Good lightweight jacket that 's ideal for for summer. If you want something that packs up small, doesn't weigh much and won't bulk up your rucksack, then this is the jacket for you. The Mountain Equipment Firefly uses a pretty minimalist design, but that helps to keep the weight down. The hood has a stiffened peak, which is better than a floppy one, but not quite as good as a wired one. However, the design of the hood and the adjustments that you can make to the volume mean that in real life the hood actually does its job well. The chest pocket is just large enough to take an OS map and the two other pockets are pretty big as well. The main zip only has a stiffened windflap, rather than a velcro one, but it seems to do it's job adequately, so no complaints there. The arms are a good long length and don't ride up when you're reaching over your head. As for performance, it's coped with plenty of wind and rain in the Scottish summer, and being Paclite is as breathable as you'll get using Goretex. I'd have preferred it to be longer at the front, but that would have added more weight and probably kept it out of the magic sub-400gr range.

Pros: Weight, pack size

Cons: Can't think of any.

General comments: I have used this jacket for two seasons now and it is perfect for those days when you want the protection of a gore-tex but don’t want to carry a full on jacket. I have used this jacket walking in North Wales, biking in seven stains and also for winter running. The weight of the jacket allows you to carry it with ease and not even notice it in your rucksack; it weights 340grammes, which is extremely light and it comes with its own stuffsac for ease of packing The cut of the jacket is known as alpine which may not suit some people as it is quite close fitting. I can manage a base layer and softshell under it but that’s it. I do use this jacket for mountain biking and running and find it not too restrictive or overly hot. There are three good pockets on the front of the jacket and it also comes with the famed Mountain Equipment stealth Hood which I must admit it probably the best fitting hood on the market, I also have a Berghaus Trango who hood is nowhere near as good. The fabric is very lightweight but be careful, I have taken a tumble on the mountain bike and punctured the jacket in two places.

Pros: A very light weight jacket that is great as a back up coat or summer jacket. Also good for other outdoor pursuite.

Cons: The fabric is very thin and prone to tearing

General comments: I picked up one of these for £90 recently in a sale, a real bargain! At first look, the material appears extremely flimsy and thin, however it's worn well so far, kept me dry, and I haven't noticed any problems yet. The zips on the pockets are uncovered but seem to keep the water out as claimed. Sizing is generous, a medium is larger widthways than a 'large' size ME Drilite Plus Alpine Jacket. I've found plenty of room to wear base layers and a fleece underneath without restriction. The sleeves are a good length so don't ride up your arms when reaching. Overall length is longer than many light weight jackets but still short compared to 'full on' waterproofs. Hood is the usual excellent ME design, with a stiffened peak. The hood draw cords are one hand operation with the cord grips neatly hidden away inside and the cords retained so they don't hit you in the eye when it's windy. I tend to run warm and would have prefered mesh lined pockets, rather than goretex, to use as ventilation when the weather's not too bad. Overall a good leightweight jacket. If weight is important get one of these. However, if cost is a consideration then get a ME Drilite Plus AIpine Jacket You get an extra 100g weight but save up to £90 and get a harder wearing jacket into the bargain.

Pros: Light! Good length sleeves.

Cons: Pockets are a little low and the zips are partly covered by a rucsac hipbelt or climbing harness.

General comments: This is the all Paclite offering from Mountain Equipment. It's a fairly attractive jacket, and Mountain Equipment has a very good reputation for quality kit (used by many mountain rescue teams). On paper this jacket looks very good. It has a large hood, with stiffened visor, waterproof zip pockets and an active cut. Older ones don't feature a fleece chin guard, but the newer ones do. I find a fleece chin guard really comfortable and reassuring when it's really raining hard. I would rate the performance of this jacket at average to good. It uses a good fabric, and has good features, but it's let down by a couple of annoying niggles. Firstly is the 'active cut' of this jacket. I'm normally a Medium size in most brands I use. This jacket was the right length on my body and arms, but it had so much empty space inside I could have been twice my weight and still comfortably fitted inside. Because of this vast room, the front billowed out with the help of the stiff waterproof main zip. I actually looked quite comical, like the Michelin man.... The other flaw in my opinion was the waterproof pockets. Instead of using mesh, they used Paclite. This made the jacket feel very hot and there wasn't much you could do to improve ventilation. And finally you have to question whether this jacket is right for you. It has been designed with strong mountain features, but the fabric is only made of Paclite and probably wouldn't last too long with continual pack use. Something like the Matrix with XCR reinforcements might be better

Pros: Decent hood Waterproof zips Nice styling

Cons: Feels very hot with lack of ventilation Fit is very roomy to say the least Mountain features but not so tough fabric, thought required

General comments: I brought this jacket about a year ago in a field and trek sale getting it for £90. Overall, I'm pleased with the jacket as it is very lighweight and has a fairly small pack size in the mesh bag provided. As for the waterproofness, it does stop the rain getting through in heavy downpours but I found that there is usually alot of condensation left on the inside, even after short periods of wear. I have found the jacket is quite breathable and can be used for mountain biking and other sports. The worst thing about the jacket is the size, although it is a good length on the arms and waist I find it very baggy on the arms and torso.

Pros: Very lightweight, Waterproof for a very thin material, Good adjustment on cuffs, waist and hood, ME badge.

Cons: Not the active cut I expected, Expensive if brought for RRP.

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