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Super Speedy Summary Review
There are a lot of reasons to love the Cortazu Mid Layer All Season Jacket. Its lightweight (very very light) and yet somehow warm when it needs to be. Its breathable and has a water repellent coating as well as being able to pack up easily into a small bundle to store away. It has large zip pockets and an internal pocket for your keys and phone and comes with a stylish hood that is hidden away inside the collar. Cortazu only sell direct from their website and avoid the costs to consumer that comes with selling through stores so as a result you get a jacket of absolute top notch quality for half the price you would expect.
Combine the Cortazu value ethos with the excellent tailoring that actually manages to make even me look good in it and you get a jacket that’s as effective on a hike or trail run as it is with jeans on a Saturday evening. The Cortazu Mid Layer All Season Jacket gives you a superb mid layer in winter under a warmer jacket or waterproof, a summer jacket to throw on as the evening cools and everything inbetween. If this jacket is a sign of the whole Cortazu range then it should have North Face and Arcteryx in a tailspin of panic.
oh.. and there is a link at the bottom of the review to get yourself a free Water Bottle from Cortazu as well !
PURCHASE $183In Depth Review
If you are ‘outdoorsy’ you’ll understand me when I use the phrase ‘ I spent the whole day consistently with one layer too many or too few’. The change in seasons can often leave you hiking or trail running with that ‘inbetween’ feeling, a bit too hot when going up hills and then slightly too cold when exposed to the wind or standing around.
My solution to this has always been a mid-layer with a good zip on it so you can regulate your body heat easily but this jacket from Cortazu shows a very well thought out solution to that ‘jacket on/jacket off’ struggle we all face.
Materials
The jacket is made from a material with the wonderful name ‘Airtastic‘ from the hi tec fabric company Toray. This fabric is lightweight and has a DWR water repellent outer coating to keep light rain showers beading off it and a grey quilted looking inner breathable lining that wicks moisture and sweat away from your body to keep you comfortable and dry.
Style and Fit
I test a lot of jackets and this is the first time my wife has ever commented how good I look in a jacket. Usually I find outdoor gear to be function over form and so I end up looking boxy but warm and dry. This jacket has been tailored with a more ‘european’ fit that actually makes it as popular with me at the weekends in jeans in a bar as it is when I’m outdoors. The build quality is high end and the tailoring has a slightly lower back to protect your pants more as well as a drawstring to keep the wind out if necessary.
All Good in the Hood
The collar has a water repellent hood rolled neatly inside it incase you get caught out in a rain shower and the sleeves have a subtle rounded extension on the upper side to provide slightly more protection from the wind and rain for you hands which I really like.
Pocketyness
The jacket comes with two large external zip pockets that you can keep gear in or put your hands to keep them warm and the inside of the jacket has a large zip pocket to keep your phone,keys and wallet safe.
Its the little details I love
There are some little details I love about this jacket. The contrast grey interior somehow makes this jacket feel much more classy and luxurious and if you turn it inside out you get a sense of just how much thought went in to this jacket, you’ll notice for example that the inside of the arms has a waffle texture to help wick sweat from the upper side of your arms whilst the lower side is geared more for insulation and wind resistance. Look further and you’ll see that the elbows are articulated and cut in such a way as to be more comfortable for people that move a lot.
Packs up small
The jacket easily packs up small if you don’t want to wear it and I found you can basically turn it inside out and stuff it into its own internal pocket.
Gripes
I normally have a grumble about most gear I test and yet I’m hard pushed to find any fault with this jacket. It says a lot that I’ve worn it A LOT since getting it. As well as a range of colors I’m also pleased to see that there is a female version tailored just right for women too.
More bang for your buck TWICE
Cortazu only sell direct to customers and so avoid the huge markup we pay when we buy from an outdoor gear store. As a result this jacket is about half the price I would expect it to be, and because I find I’m wearing it both outdoors running and hiking AND when I’m out socializing in the city I’m getting a lot of bang for $183
Verdict
There are a lot of reasons to love this jacket. Its lightweight (very very light) and yet somehow warm when it needs to be. Its breathable and has a water repellent coating as well as being able to pack up easily into a small bundle to store away. It has large zip pockets and an internal pocket for your keys and phone and comes with a stylish hood that is hidden away inside the collar. Cortazu only sell direct from their website and avoid the costs to consumer that comes with selling through stores so as a result you get a jacket of absolute top notch quality for half the price you would expect.
Combine the Cortazu value ethos with the excellent tailoring that actually manages to make even me look good in it and you get a jacket that’s as effective on a hike or trail run as it is with jeans on a Saturday evening. The Cortazu Mid Layer All Season Jacket gives you a superb mid layer in winter under a warmer jacket or waterproof, a summer jacket to throw on as the evening cools and everything inbetween. If this jacket is a sign of the whole Cortazu range then it should have North Face and Arcteryx in a tailspin of panic.
PURCHASE $183Fancy A Free Water Bottle ?! click below
About Cortazu
They’re passionate skiers with an extensive background in clothing production, fashion and entrepreneurship.
As the founders of Sqetch Wiebe and Wouter have helped hundreds of fashion brands and clothing suppliers to grow their business. Herman has been working in the field of clothing production for 40+ years.
Cortazu got selected by a jury panel of 43 judges and received an ISPO Gold Award in 2019.
This means they are the best product in our category. ISPO is the World’s largest Trad Fair for the outdoor business.
