Cloudveil Enclosure Insulated Jacket - Men's - 2009 BCS

This is my go to jacket for November through March along the coast of NorCal. It sheds water well, keeps me warm and fits fantastic. Im a 44 inch chest and wear the large. I wore it for a 4 hour hike in a downpour and it kept me bone dry. It comes with me on my summer back packing trips and packs small. I have the '08 model and its been a year now and this jacket is holding up really well despite the thin and lightweight material. The black color is more of a midnight blue than a true black.

I hate to give this jacket a mediocre review because I have the older one and I love it, but.... this one didn't really impress me. I liked the color, I got the green one. I liked the weight and sizing for the most part, but it is more restrictive that previous models. I liked the cuffs, but they did let in the wind a bit. My main problem was that the pockets aren't fleece lined and there is no barrier to the cold like my old one. I seem to be finding small things to complain about, but the devil is in the details and having an older model to compare it to, the new one doesn't stand up.

I am sure the jacket works great with the right body type and fit as the insulation material is decent. I had difficulty seeing the value in it simply because it did not fit me well. It was fine through chest and shoulders, but a pretty boxy fit around the lower torso for a piece that I want to keep me warm in the field. Tried on a smaller size as well and it is still boxy and seems it would let body warmth escape into sizable gaps instead of providing a snug, insulating fit that moves as the body moves.

The Enclosure has mucho style and versatility. It is a great around town jacket that looks sleek, is lightweight and fairly warm. In the backcountry, it packs away into it's own pocket for a extra synthetic layer. Also a great jacket for mild ski days or to put on after skiing when your other gear is damp or wet from the elements. However, only time will tell whether the lightweight exterior will withstand any abuse.

The Cloudveil Enclosure jacket is a super piece if you are looking for a lightweight, packable, insulator. I got one of these, not knowing how much I would wear it, and I find myself wearing more often than not. The cut of the jacket is perfect for layering under your shell. I wear it most often as a stand alone winter piece, and have been known to use it as a camp pillow as well. The variable insulation package (60g in body and 40 in sleeve if I remember correctly) is just enough. Primaloft is an amazing material. I highly recommend this if you are looking for something a very versatile that is synthetic opposed to down. There is also a hooded option if you prefer. I find the Cloudveil fit pretty true to size.