Prism App Review

[Llanque Mazurek]

ThePrism Cole Trotta is in my opinion, an era-defining board. Its template is reflective of what is needed in downhill skateboarding (mostly freeriding tbh) today. Find out more about the Cole Trotta Cop Caller board in my review below.

But the short of it is that they are a skater run brand (with their CEO featuring in most videos), with good value for money decks, and incredible media; their catalog of Youtube videos gives an excellent account of who they are and what they do.

Cole: My favorite feature about my board is the routered rails. Not only does it provide that extra confidence boost going into big early grabs or grabbing rail on a slide, it also makes the board more lightweight.

Cole: Im currently riding the Trotta Pro equipped with 44 degree 9 inch Caliber 3 Raked trucks and 70mm Blood Orange Morgans. I ride a split bushing setup (85a barrel in front/ 87a barrel in back) on symmetrical base plates and Blood Orange grip.

I believe this board is good for all skill levels and will excel in all environments downhill skateboarding takes place. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, or whether you want to go from beginner or pro, or whether you want to skate slower or super fast hills, this board will serve you well.

Downhill254 is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

At UKC/UKH we are all experienced internet users and as such we understand why some people want to use Ad Block to remove annoying and distracting advertising that proliferates on some web sites. We don't feel that UKC/UKH should be considered as such a site.

We have developed a site that has subtle and appropriate advertising; we don't use pop-ups, we don't force you to read adverts before you can see content, we don't plaster content with adverts, and we don't use third party ad servers dishing up totally inappropriate advertising. We have worked incredibly hard over the years to make sure that we keep a good balance between advertising and editorial content.

The updated Prism Jacket is a versatile light-to-midweight synthetic insulating layer that's suited to a wide range of uses and conditions, whether worn as a midlayer or on top. While the feature set is aimed very much at climbers, I've been using it equally this summer for mountain rock days, scrambling, camping, bivvying and general hillwalking. As an all-rounder, I think it's a great jacket at a very decent price.

So what's changed from the previous version of the Prism? There's nothing major, Montane tell me, but among the tweaks are: a closer, more athletic fit; zoned baffling around the chest; better zips; a new 'Featherlite' Mini Rip-Stop 20D lining; and use of 100% recycled PrimaLoft Silver Eco (same performance as the standard stuff, but better for the environment). I think all the little upgrades add up to an excellent jacket.

The new Prism has what the industry would call an 'active' cut, but not an extreme one, so while it feels slim and fitted enough to wear as a midlayer over just a T-shirt there's still room for a couple of bulkier layers underneath - I've worn it a lot over a long sleeve baselayer and thin fleece, for instance.

Jackets that are cut too short in the body are a bugbear of mine (perhaps I just have a long body) but the Prism is around mid-length in the hem, sitting just below my waist at the front and dropping lower at the rear to offer at least partial bum coverage. Thanks to its length there are no cold spots around the midriff, which I think helps the Prism feel relatively warm for its modest weight. The hem sits snugly under a harness, and a really effective articulated cut in the sleeves means that I've got practically no hem lift when raising my arms to climb. It is surprising how often hem lift is a problem in jackets that are nominally designed for climbing, but Montane have done a proper job with the tailoring here. There's room in the sleeves for a climber's forearms, and the cuffs can fit either over or under a glove (and can be pulled up to dump heat). Altogether it's a big tick on the fit.

I make the Prism 428g in a size Large, which puts it towards the light end of the midweight category, or perhaps the heavier end of lightweight. These lighter-middle-weight pieces are great on versatility, doing service either as your main jacket in spring/summer or as a winter midlayer. At that weight you can carry it just in case, even in high summer.

Inside you get 40g/m2 PrimaLoft Silver, a 100% recycled synthetic insulation that's good on warmth for weight and reasonably compressible when packing. It may not be PrimaLoft's class-leading Gold insulation, but for a jacket like the Prism I'm sure Silver is a perfectly decent choice, and no doubt helps keep things affordable. Having worn it a lot when on the move I'd say the Silver seems pretty breathable, and I've yet to get uncomfortably sweaty in the Prism. Its role as an active layer is also helped by the fact that 40g/m2 is simply a lot less insulation than you'll find in many midweight synthetic jackets.

It may be a cliche, but it's a cliche because it's true - decent synthetic insulation is going to be warmer than down when wet. It also takes more abuse. For wearing all day on rainy Munros, dank scrambles and soggy summer bivvies I'd choose the Prism over a similar weight of down jacket every time. Likewise, if you're picking a jacket to repeatedly stuff in the bottom of a crag pack or scrunch into a ball to hang off your harness, the Prism and its PrimaLoft fill are made to cope. I suspect it might be quite good as a winter climbing mid layer too, something I'll no doubt try this coming season.

Montane have used a 30D Pertex Quantum outer, which is tough for its weight. The fabric certainly seems breathable enough to me, and having worn it on a lot of breezy summits I'd say very windproof too. With a DWR treatment it shrugs off light moisture, but you will of course need to add a shell if it starts properly raining. After a few weeks of use, including climbing and scrambling days, the outer fabric still looks good as new.

The lining, meanwhile, is a lighter 20D nylon. This feels comfortably non-clammy on a bare arm, and its shiny finish slips easily over other layers. I only have one criticism of the fabric: the 'arbor green' colour scheme of my review jacket is an acquired taste (and one that I haven't acquired). Rest assured it also comes in a range of more tasteful and photo-friendly colours.

A climbing-oriented jacket lives or dies on the quality of its hood, and this one easily accommodates a bulky foam helmet. With the front zip undone head movement is not much restricted, but do the zip right up and it becomes difficult to look straight upwards. For climbing in the cold I might be more inclined to wear the hood under my helmet, which permits better mobility.

Of course even climbers aren't always going to be climbing, to say nothing of walkers, so it's vital that a hood also works on a helmet-free head. The Prism's is great in that regard, with three points of adjustment to bring the fit in close onto a bare head. Its fleece-lined collar feels snug against the skin and comes high enough to provide some chin protection. You also get a decent stiffened brim, which allows the hood to hold its shape without flapping in the wind.

The Prism has three zipped pockets, a decent-sized pair for the hands and a single smaller chest pocket (good for a smartphone). The hand pockets are positioned high enough to access when wearing a harness or rucksack hip belt, and one of them doubles as a storage pouch with a clip tab so you can hang the jacket off a gear loop.

In the interests of durability there's a chunky YKK Vislon main zip. If you were using the Prism as a belay jacket its single zipper might seem a small niggle; but as you'll probably be wearing this jacket under your harness more often than over it, I don't think it's a big issue. Hem drawcords and simple elasticated cuffs complete a very functional list of features.

With its excellent active cut and well-considered set of features, the Prism is a superb jacket at a price it's hard to argue with. If you're after a light synthetic insulated layer for climbing, walking or just general outdoor use, it really ticks all the boxes. I'm a big fan.

Using weather resistant PERTEX QUANTUM, 100% recycled 40g/m2 PrimaLoft Silver insulation and upgraded with a lightweight nylon lining; the Prism Jacket has a climbing helmet hood and good pocket options. Stuffing inside its hand pocket means it packs down small so it can be kept in your pack for a warm, windproof and weather resistant layer in almost any mountain weather.

And since synthetic fill usually tends to loose insulating power faster than down (though for an "active" jacket, down is out of the question here), I wonder if the 40g would be a bit on the low side after few outings and stuffings, making it effectively just 25g or so (perhaps exagerrating a bit, but hopefuly you get my meaning)?

40g vs 60g+ ... To state the obvious, it's not as warm when you're stood about but on the other hand you aren't going to overheat as quickly when you're on the go. It's probably best regarded as a lightweight jacket, not a midweight. It's not an exact science since we all run differently, but I'd use it as a belay jacket in spring/autumn sort of weather, but definitely not in winter.

It seems a sensible amount of fill for active use - I've only worn it on summer hills so far, and not found it too hot when climbing in cool/breezy conditions although of course if you're steaming up a hill then most insulated jackets are going to be too hot, and this is no exception. I can see it being a good active layer for winter mountains though I'd be bringing a warm belay jacket too (would it be odd, taking two weights of synthetic jacket? jury's out)

3a8082e126