Cloudveil Zero-G Jacket

Filled with Primaloft One, this insulated softshell is fantastic in really cold weather. I have never been cold in this jacket, even in sedentary mode down in the teens.

Mine is the 2009 model, with all of the features a snowsporter could want: zip out powder skirt with belt-loop attachments (genius!), inner media pocket, inner mesh pocket, chest pocket, hand-warmer pockets, arm-mounted pass pocket with hidden lanyard, great pit-zips, the works. The cinch up on the collar is a nice toch as well. Plenty of length in the sleeves and hem.

The design style is understated, so I can wear this to dinner without offending the snow-burnt eyes of other patrons. Also works well in the rain. The cut is not trim, but ski-active. I don't want an insulating layer pressed tight on my body so that the material's loft is gone. Cloudveil gets it. The cut is close enough that I can still layer it underneath my active cut Gore-tex Pro Shell and still move around.

I cannot find fault with this jacket. Some might gripe about the lack of a hood, but my soft shell balaclava fits over the collar and seals out the elements and is easier to cram in a pocket then a removable hood.

I live in Minnesota where going outdoors in the winter with just some fleece and a shell doesn't cut it. Same with skiing in Minnesota. Temps are -20 to 40 on any given winter day. I'd say the comfort range is 0-35. If it had a hood I'd say it's good for anything.

This super light jacket has the nearly the warmth of down with half the bulk. Primaloft is the secret weapon in this jacket in addition to a great combination of Schoeller (soft shell) fabrics. Breathability is foremost with this fabric as is silence. No crunching, crinkly fabric whatsoever. The size is generous but not ridiculous in sleeve length some other manufacturers (Patagonia, Ark-whatever it's called).

Mine has s sparse on pockets which the new ones have remedied. I have 3 exterior pockets and zero interior pockets. Kinda lame in this age of electronics. After 3 years the only thing I covet in other jackets is a hood.