First Impressions

Cloudveil until recently was headquartered in Jackson Hole and embraces a mountain ethos focused on skiing and other outdoor sports.  They were one of the first companies to adopt softshell fabrics and use them in many products, including jackets and pants.

Cloudveil RPK

Out of the box, the RPK is a totally quality product, exactly what I would expect  from Cloudveil.  The Gore-Tex fabric is sturdy and a soft brushed finish.  It’s a moderate weight that’s appropriate for alpine skiing in all but the harshest conditions.  The jacket is a completely monochromatic affair with no accents whatsoever.  I chose the yellow/gold (the color has been brightened for the most current season.)

Features

When looking for a ski jacket, I have a set of criteria: ample pockets since I’m often carrying gear for myself and my children, hood (preferably one that zips off), and pit zips for ventilation.  Not all jackets deliver this combination of features. The RPK does, along with a few  surprises.

The RPK has plenty of pockets, both exterior and interior, including lined handwarmers, napoleon, and a mesh goggle pocket  on the interior.  The hood zips off and is helmet compatible.  The pit zips adjust from either direction for exceptional control of cooling.  There’s also a powder skirt which doesn’t zip out.  On the upper sleeve is a cool little pocket with a built in bungy for holding your ski pass.  Surprise!

Fit

Good.  There’s plenty of room underneath for layering – including a puffy should you need it – without feeling bulky.   The RPK is lined with a micro fleece so it does tend to grab hold of certain fabrics causing them to bind up when putting the jacket on.

Final Verdict

Great jacket for the slopes, cool weather hiking and camping.  It’s got all the features you need and a few more.  Highly recommended.

One note: Cloudveil was sold last year to a private equity firm and moved their headquarters from Jackson Hole to Boston.  In talking with the folks at Cloudveil it sounds like things are tracking in the right direction for the company. I look forward to more good things from Cloudveil in the future.

Available at Altrec, and KL Sport Shop.

First Impressions:
[Rating:4.5/5] Features:
[Rating:4.5/5] Fit:
[Rating:5/5] Final Verdict:
[Rating:5/5]

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