It would just be plain lazy to say that the Koven Plus jacket from Cloudveil has too many features to list, but it nearly does. Cloudveil is a Jackson Wyoming based company that has been producing “focused and performance-oriented” outdoor clothing for about 15 years. The Koven Plus is no exception to that mantra.

When I slid this Cloudveil jacket from the box I was stricken by the quality straight-away. The sewn seams were tight and the taped seams had no raised edges. The second thing I noticed was the number of pockets and zips in proportion to the total weight. The jacket retains a lightweight approach while providing 7 pockets (3 interior/4 exterior). Long pit zips allow for breezy breathability and are easily reachable. Bungy-style pulls adjust the hood from within or outside the jacket. There is also a rear pull to decrease or increase the size of the hood allowing for helmet-wearing activities. Wrist cuffs are cinched down with velcro straps and there is even a pocket on the left forearm perfectly sized for a small cell phone or bar-shaped snack.

Field Test: It broke my heart to do this but I actually pulled on some of the seams as hard as I possibly could. I tried to tear this jacket apart with my bare hands. Why? Because it looked indestructible. Is it? Yep, pretty much! Not one seam made a noise when I attempted to pull them apart. The Koven Plus is obviously made with high standards and will fare better than your body would if it tumbled down a rock face. In very windy conditions with temps around 40 degrees the jacket was enough to stave off the elements with only a short sleeve shirt on underneath.

Nitpick: If there is one thing that may hold some back from purchasing the Koven Plus, it would be the price. At 400 bucks it is much pricier than the entry level shell. Then again, it is not an entry-level shell at all, it is the cream of the crop. Based on our test this is a  shell for the long haul. The technology is advanced enough to keep it modern for a decade and the style is sensible enough to keep you in fashion just as long.

MSRP: $400 at Cloudveil.com

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