Article by Jeff Valliere
Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down ($275) & Capa Hybrid Insulated Hooded Jackets ($180)
I have been aware of Cotopaxi (named after the 19,347 volcano in Ecuador), mostly because of their distinctive trademark multi-colored backpacks (Del Dia, using 100% repurposed scrap fabrics from other brands), as well as their stylish retro looking jackets.
Cotopaxi is dedicated to sustainability and doing good things to help make the world a better place by making durable gear (less likelihood of it wearing out and needing to be replaced) as ethically and sustainably as possible.
They focus on empowering communities in Latin America through health care, education, and livelihood and allocate 1% of their revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation, which supports nonprofits, including the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and United to Beat Malaria. In addition to making backpacks and jackets, they make a variety of clothing, accessories, travel bags, duffel bags, etc..
Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket
Sizing: XS - XXXL
$275
The Fuego Hooded Down Jacket has been on my radar for some time, seeing them around town with their wide assortment of retro color combinations.
Made with responsibly sourced 800 fill down and a DWR-finished ripstop nylon shell, the Fuego is water resistant, warm and comfortable, ideal for cold winter days or chilly summer evenings in the high mountains.
Cotopaxi states that all of the down insulation in the Fuego is Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified, which means it comes from ethically sourced down and feathers tracked through a transparent, audited supply chain. This ensures ducks and geese are not harmed in the making of their apparel. While the jacket is lightweight and streamlined, with minimal bulk, the 800 fill down has a lot of loft to it, providing a great weight to warmth ratio.
I normally wear medium jackets and the fit for me is true to size in medium as well, with enough room for layering underneath without feeling restrictive or tight and with very good freedom of movement.
The zippers have a very high quality positive feel and the zipper pulls are nice and grippy. There is also a zipper garage to help keep the zipper and tab contained.
The hood is good for keeping out minor drafts on calm days, however if I could make one suggestion for improvement, it would be to have an elastic cinch cord and tab to keep the hood snugged up on your head to better keep the wind out and keep in place.
As it is now, there is no way to keep the hood in place, so if it is windy (which it often is and usually the reason I pull up my hood), the wind flaps the hood around annoyingly, obstructing vision and when you turn your head, the hood does not move with your head, but instead you just get a view of the inside of your hood.
A minor complaint, but this key omission will limit the Fuego to more casual use vs. being a technical layering piece for me.
While the hood does not have a drawstring, the waist does, which helps keep the waist hem in place to keep out snow or any unwanted drafts
While I have not worn the Fuego in truly rainy conditions, I have worn it in moderate snow squalls and the DWR finish repelled the snowy moisture well.
Overall (aside from the concerns about the hood), I really like the Fuego for casual use on cold days, wearing around town, neighborhood walks, post run or around camp. I occasionally take it along in my pack for snowshoeing or ski touring for an emergency layer, as it is very light and compresses into a very tidy size into the internal zippered pocket. Quality is outstanding, as is comfort and style, so I highly recommend it.
The Fuego Hooded Down Jacket is available now for men and women
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Capa Hybrid Insulated Hooded Jacket
Sizes: SM - XXL
$180
The Capa is a versatile layering piece, ideal for high output activities such as running, biking, hiking, xc skiing/ski touring. It can be used as an insulated mid layer, or a stand alone outer layer in dry conditions.
The chest and back features a recycled nylon shell and a synthetic PrimaLoft Gold P.U.R.E. insulation to help regulate your temperature, while the arms have stretch paneling as do the stretchy knit side panels to allow for freedom of movement and breathability.
The Capa has become my go to for my chilly morning runs as an outer layer. It iis ideal for temperatures in the mid to high teens if it is dry when I am running hard, through the 45 degree range or even warmer. It is breathable, yet warm, especially keeping the core insulated yet having enough breathability with the more porous side panels and arms.
I am normally a size medium in all jackets and size medium fits me perfectly here with enough room for layering while not feeling tight or restrictive or baggy even if just wearing a tee underneath.
The sleeves have nice thumb holes to keep the sleeve in place when putting on an outer layer, or if you just happen to like keeping the sleeve snug.
The hood has enough elasticity to stay snug and secure when fully zipped up, even when windy.
There is an internal zippered pocket as in the Fuego, that doubles as a stuff sack.
Of course the styling is trademark Cotopaxi and the Capa easily can double as everyday wear which adds to the versatility, especially when traveling.
Overall, l I am quite impressed with the functionality, versatility, quality and style of the Capa Hybrid Insulated Hooded Jacket. The insulated synthetic paneling does a great job keeping your core warm and protected from the cold and wind, yet the stretch side panels and arms help keep the jacket well vented for high output activities. It’s the perfect choice for chilly runs, hikes, nordic skiing or everyday casual use.
The Capa Hybrid Insulated Jacket is available now
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The jackets were provided at no charge for review purposes.RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
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