Deerhunter Montana suit

Some gear never seems to go out of style and one such example is Deerhunter’s Montana suit. Hardly a new product these days, but one that has been on their books for a good few years with no likelihood of it being withdrawn. I have here the latest version in Bill Jordan’s Realtree APG (All Purpose Green) which along with their AP (All Purpose) pattern does seem to be one of the best modern camos around.

The jacket is described as a 5 in 1 build, as due to the modular nature of its construction can be set up to suit the seasons etc. The outer shell is made of a peach-finished, micro suede cloth, which is soft and quite in use, integral is a mesh liner. Inside is a removable, Deer-Tex membrane, which provides protection from wind and water, while ensuring that your skin can breathe. Inside of this is a good quality removable (zip-out) fleece jacket. So here’s how you can mix and match:

1 – All liners + outer
2 – Outer alone
3 – Outer + membrane
4 – Outer + fleece
5 – Fleece alone

The trousers though using the same materials only have the removable Deer-Tex liner, so are technically 2 in 1, which to my way of thinking is better, as I prefer more movement and less bulk in this area.

The Build

Closure is by a 2-way, full-length zip with studded storm flap, all the press stud buttons are made of silicone and frost proof. There are draw cords at waist, hem and neck, the last being useful for when it’s really cold outside. As ever Deerhunter provides a properly built hood of the same material, with a mesh liner it has a short peak and twin cords so you can cinch it down tight. At the front is a deep chin flap that’s closed by Velcro tabs, typically it’s detachable and zips into position.

Stowage consists of eight pockets – two lower bellows/box (flap/stud), with pass-throughs behind, two hand warmer slots (upper sides), a Napoleon on the left and an outer left/breast, these two being zip closed. At the rear (lower/back) is a double entry (zips either side) poacher’s pouch with a D-ring above on the left. The fleece has two side pockets too.

The sleeves are long with zip-open, ventilation slots vents under the arms, which is a useful feature as with all that protection in 5/5 rig you will get hot when walking even on a cold day. Cuffs are Velcro-adjustable and neoprene-lined inside, but this material is covered in cloth to make it more comfortable.

Down Below

The trousers follow the generic 6-pocket build with two rear flap & stud, two slots at the front and two cargos on the legs (flap & stud). The ankles can be closed off by Velcro straps and the Deer-Tex liner is removable but there’s no integral mesh liner like the jacket.

Closure is by press stud, hook & eye with a zip fly. The waist is elasticated at the side for a comfort fit and there are belt loops and a high back to protect the kidneys. The knees are re-enforced and like the jacket all buttons are silicone/anti-frost types. One final item is the Chameleon peaked cap, which like the bush hat is a brilliant design for the colder weather. With a fold-down ear/neck flap it’s made from Polyester/Micro suede with a Deer-Tex® membrane. It gets its name from the fact the crown is reversible and shows a signal orange inside which is good for driven hunts where you do need to be wearing this sort of colour to show other hunters where you are…

In Use

In use this is a great suit as it’s comfortable, well built, quite and really offers the protection for the colder weather. The ability to adjust the layers makes it a good bet for the milder times too; though to be honest and even with the fleece and membrane removed it’s a bit too hot for the summer time. The fleece on it’s own is good as it give that bit of comfort when driving or when you don’t need the full monty. I only have two niggles – first I’d like to see the Velcro tabs replaced with press studs and second to make it perfect (in my opinion) it could do with two proper exterior breast pockets like the ones at the base. However, on performance alone, I can live with it as is.

There are a number of camo/colour options available in this design; Green 31, AP 54, APG 49 and Hardwoods Blaze 68. If you’re looking for a good quality and practical camo suit I don’t think you can do much better than the Deerhunter Montana. Prices vary as a trawl through a few gun shop web sites shows fluctuations of between £5 and £25, what I have quoted here is from the Sportsman Gun Centre, which is about average.

We reckon:
• Hard to beat for the money
• Multi-season build
• Big thumbs up all round

PRICES:
Jacket - #566-930 £136.03
Trousers -  #366-930 £68.51
Chameleon Cap - # 6116 £22.02