reviews

Cloudveil 8X Jacket

Reviewed by Scott Richmond

Cloudveil 8X Jacket. $395 retail. Available at many fly shops and online stores.

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estfly continues its reviews of Cloudveil's entries in the fly fishing technical clothing market with a look at the 8X jacket.

This is premium item, with a price tag of $395. It competes directly with the Simms G3 Guide and Patagonia SST jackets, both of which are comparably priced at $400 and $325, respectively.

Product Features

Cloudveil's 8X jacket features:

1. Gore-Tex XCR fabric to keep rain out while remaining breathable.
2. Pit-zips for additional ventilation.
3. Waterproof zippered handwarmer pockets.
4. Neoprene inner cuffs.
5. Velcro-ed outer cuffs.
6. Hood with a bill. There are adjustments for the hood.
7. Chest pockets large enough for a good-sized fly box on each side. Other pocket features are a Velcro closure and an inside D-ring for clipping a lanyard or other item.
8. Small "Naploean" pockets for smaller items, such as tippet spools. These are zippered and on the outside of the large chest pockets.
9. Zippered side pockets where you'd expect them.
10. Horizontal-closure pocket on the upper back that's big enough for a lunch sack (depending on how much you like to eat . . . )
11. Drawcord closure at waist (inside).
12. Inside seams sealed with one-inch tape.
13. Light gray color that matches Cloudveil 8X waders.

Conclusions

I have to hand it to Cloudveil. They think things through and come up with sensible, practical clothing. For example, the back pocket is high enough that it doesn't go underwater when you're wading; because who wants a soggy sandwhich? The fit is good and allows freedom of action. There are lots of pockets for storing things (although the Simms G3 has two more pockets). Ventilation is excellent. And the Gore-Tex XCR is state-of-the-art breathable waterproofing. These are all things you want in a high-performance fly fishing jacket.

A couple of other things you want: something that keeps the wind and rain out when you're on one of those steelheading-all-day in-the-cold-pouring-rain trips. This jacket does those things well too. Except . . . I found the neoprene cuffs a little loose. Yes, you can tighten the outer cuffs down on them, but they still let a little rain in. This is a major-league problem for a fly angler. You raise your arm to cast, and the rain trickles down your hand, past the cuff, and onto your polar fleece, which then wicks the moisture and spreads it over your entire body. That's not good.

On the other hand, this is a problem, to some degree, for every rain jacket I've used. I've yet to discover a perfect solution. If I had thicker wrists, it wouldn't be a problem; I probably need to spend more time rowing a driftboat. Hmmm.

The Gore-Tex XCR fabric seems to be good stuff, but it's a little stiff and crinkly. With use, it may losen up and quiet down. In the meantime, you're not going to sneak up on anybody.

Bottom Line: An excellent jacket for the premium market, but you're going to pay a lot for it. Reviewer Rating: 5

Scott Richmond is Westfly's creator and Executive Director. He is the author of eight books on Oregon fly fishing, including Fishing Oregon's Deschutes River (second edition).

Uploaded 01/21/2007.

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Cloudveil 8X Jacket. $395