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Cloudveil Zorro Jacket

Reviewed by Scott Richmond

Cloudveil Zorro Jacket. $140 retail. Available at many fly shops and online stores.

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here's a side pocket on my gear bag that holds a few emergency items: first aid kit, rainpants, and a small rain shell. I don't need those things very often, but when I want them I REALLY want them.

The jacket is one of the trickiest items to get right. It needs to be lightweight, breathable, compressible into a small space . . . and to keep the rain out.

That side pocket is currently occupied by Cloudveil's Zorro jacket.

The Details

This thin shell weighs only 14.6 ounces. It's made of Cloudburst 2.0 fabric, which is breathable and highly waterproof. Here's what Cloudveil says of this fabric: "Cloudburst 2.0 is an extremely durable ripstop nylon fabric with a 10,000mm hydrophilic coating that provides waterproof protection and exceptional breathability. A polymer textured interior finish dramatically improves durability and provides a dry-touch interior. An innovative 100 wash-rated Super DWR provides enhanced protection."

I think they're trying to say that the jacket is breathable, keeps the rain off, and doesn't feel clammy against bare skin.

There are pit zips to let out heat and help with air circulation. Other features include: deep, zippered hand pockets; adjustable hood; storm flap over the zipper; adjustable hem; adjustable cuffs; and articulated fit.

The pockets are between the inner and outer layers so they stay out of the way where they belong.

The jacket comes in two colors, "twilight" (light blue) and "fatigue" (yellow-green).

The Bottom Line

The Zorro jacket stuffs well into a small space, is stylish enough that I don't look dorky in it (or no more dorky than usual, my kids might say), and it seems to unwrinkle when taken out of the bag. Oh, and it keeps the rain out, which is more than can be said for the previous occupant of my gear bag.

It's not designed specifically for fly fishing, but it allows freedom of motion for all outdoor sports. Fly anglers will be happy with it.

One of the first places I took this jacket was to Florida when visiting my daughter last August. We landed at Ft. Myers about four hours before Tropical Storm Ernesto. Throughout our stay, there were frequent thunderstorms and downpours, combined with 90 degree temperatures and 90% humidity (or more). Short of having an air conditioning unit powered by two AA batteries, the Zorro jacket was as comfortable as could be expected. It let body moisture out, kept rain from getting in, and was easy to tote everywhere from the laundromat to the restaurant to the snook fishing waters near Sanibel Island (no luck, but thanks for asking).

If you're looking for a versatile, practical, lightweight shell jacket, you should seriously consider Cloudveil's Zorro. It's good for fishing--and any other outdoor activity.

Bottom Line: A great lightweight, breathable jacket 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 10/31/2006.

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