i love a good 1/2 zip in the cooler months. it's one of the most versatile pieces of clothing i have. my old moonstone (rip) windpro fleece was starting to look a little tattered, and seeing as i now have a dog, i was looking for a replacement that was comparable in weight, had a chest pocket, and wouldn't collect a lot of hair from a constantly shedding labrador.

i was looking at the marmot powerstretch 1/2 zip, the arc'teryx rho ar zip top, and the cloudveil run don't walk. after returning the arc'teryx for a weird skirt-like fit, i stopped by my local shop where they sold the marmot. the fit in the body was snug, but the collar was way too loose. plus the zipper stuck when using it, and the zipper track ended about an inch short of where the top of the collar ends, leaving a gap.

i ended up ordering the cloudveil site-unseen. i usually wear a large in most brands. when it arrived it was a bit too large, and as a base layer, i like the snugger fit. so i exchanged it for a medium which worked out. the fit is great, not too tight. the flat seams are also a bonus when layering on top of this .the deep zipper helps dump heat when inside. if you are considering any of the other two, i would definitely recommend the cloudveil over the others.

i'm very happy with this top and will probably live in it most of the winter and fall. it's a great weight to wear over a tshirt when it's in the upper 40's. and because of the smooth-face powerstretch fleece, you can layer it under another fleece when it gets chilly and it will not hinder mobility. also, i am now dog hair free. or my top is anyway.

i was looking for a nice mid-weight powerstretch top to wear alone on chilly days and as a layer on colder ones. i thought this was exactly what i wanted, but looks can be deceiving.

for one, the sizing is different than all other arc'teryx gear i've used; it runs a bit smaller. not a problem as i could have easily swapped sizes.

the deal breaker for me was the hem, or mainly how it blouses out. i'm all for a drop tail to give some more coverage in the rear, but the bottom-back seam juts out in a skirt-like fashion. it looked like i was wearing a dress from the back. needless to say i returned this top.

unlike hercules, who was renowned for his godlike strength and not much else, this jacket is pretty comfortable in a variety of different conditions and climates, yet fails to really shine at doing one thing exceptionally. it sheds light rain, yet becomes soaked in a downpour. it will keep you warm above 40º, but needs some additional help insulating when the mercury plummets. after using this piece almost daily for over two years now, and i hate to say it, the hercules hoody is basically a glorified $350 sweatshirt.

if you plan to use it standalone, it is at its best in a misty cool climate, where the light rain will bead on its surface and the plush fleece interior will keep you pretty warm, but restrict your mobility if you are layering anything that is not smooth faced underneath. this jacket is very breathable, but at the expense of wind-proofing as anything more than a gust will cut right through this jacket.

usually arc'teryx gear is pretty well constructed and thought out. however, i've had some problems with this jacket as far as durability and design features. for one the drawcords to cinch the hood and the hem are terribly placed and a real bitch to pull and adjust. the hem drawcords are situated in the pockets, making operation with any glove heavier than a liner a real chore. likewise, the hood pulls are located inside the hood making adjusting the hood when it is up, almost impossible. did i mention the tension? i had to pull so hard one of the plastic retaining caps came off the hood drawcord.

another problem is the zipper, which lack a garage at the top, and would chafe, but this zipper fails to stay all the way zipped and is always open about a half an inch or so.

if i had to do it over again, i would have saved up for a super water resistant shell to combine with a nice insulating fleece layer, or something with more insulation like the kappa sv that can truly standalone on chillier days. my advice to potential buyers would be to consider your uses as you can get more versatility with your money elsewhere.

as pointed out, this vest has strange sizing (go a size smaller). fairly warm with a lightweight fill. good for brisk days but i doubt it's effectiveness as a base layer when it gets colder. the embroidery on the black vest is not as shown in the picture. it's more of a brown color. also the liner is a deep brown color with a sublimated print.
with all the zippers you'd think they would have taped the seams to eliminate the bulk and prevent the zippers from catching and becoming stuck. it's these minor details throughout that keep this piece from getting an enthusiastic recommendation from me.