Article by Dominique Winebaum
Ultimate Direction Women’s Aerolight Wind Jacket ($170) & Velum Skirt ($70)
Ultimate Direction Women’s Aerolight Wind Jacket ($170)
A new addition to UD’s apparel collection, the Aerolight Wind Jacket is designed to provide protection from the wind and an occasional rain shower. Made with windproof, tearproof polyamide material that has been treated with CO DWR (durable water repellent), the material of the jacket is lightweight, soft, and quiet. The jacket weighs 4.60 oz/130 g and packs in its own pocket. I feel good running in it and I like the look too!
Notably, it is very breathable as the upper body is lined with a mesh that provides “ 360° micro-ventilation” allowing for plenty of airflow to circulate. Breathability is indeed excellent for a jacket that is both windproof and somewhat water resistant.
The fit is roomy to optimize ease of movements with great coverage around the hips. In contrast to a tight-fitting jacket. I like the length of the jacket and sleeves along with having a bit of extra room. Extremely comfortable and protective, all elements - fit, design, construction, and material - conducive to a reliable jacket with a durable outlook yet soft appeal.
It is packable in its own pocket and squishes down further than shown (see below as it fits in Skirt mesh waistband pockets) which makes it easier to stow away and retrieve when needed.
Logo details in the center back, left top front, and bottom of the right sleeve, have the dual function as they are also reflective.
The hood is well constructed and close-fitted despite the lack of an adjustable cord in the back. The elastic binding around the edges of the hood keep it securely in place with no swishing sound and no flapping.
The zippered pocket on the left top front is big enough for my regular size iPhone just to indicate the size of the pocket, However, a phone is too heavy to carry in the pocket while running given that the jacket is lightweight. I am also wearing my UD Vellum skirt with its 360° power stretch waistband with 4 pockets which is ideal to store my i-phone - and then some!
The Aerolight Wind Jacket is available in 3 different colors: Clay, Onyx, and White. Made with high performance materials, it is well constructed, extremely comfortable, and protective. A high quality product from UD, the jacket is priced at $170, which is a bit on the high side. However, given the reliability and versatility of the jacket it should be a good investment.
Ultimate Direction Vellum Skirt ($70)
Last year I tested the UD Vellum short . The Skirt is a new updated version with a deeper stretch waistband that has an extra inside layer of stretch mesh pocketing all the way around. I absolutely loved my Vellum short (below) and I was excited to get a chance to test the skirt version.
I was happy with the 360° power stretch waistband with 4 pockets from last year’s Vellum short model (shown above). Understandably, I wear my Vellum short/skirt for moderate runs so I don’t rely on the waistband to maximize storage.
The Vellum skirt is flowy with a built in short type liner (made of 87% nylon/13% spandex) that is extremely comfortable and intended to keep you cool and chafe-free.
The length of the skirt from the waistband down is 13”/33 cm with a 4 inch inseam for the built in short liner. It is on the short side yet the built in short liner will keep you covered. It is lightweight (4.16 oz./118g), but slightly heavier than last year’s Vellum short at 3.63 oz/103 g. The wider waistband and pocket divider within each pocket (front, back, and both sides), adds a bit of fabric and weight.
Just to test the capacity of the pockets and because I was getting warm, I stored my Aerolight Wind Jacket in the back packet.
It bulged a bit but I was able to run with my jacket stored in the back pocket. Of course my phone stored in any compartment is bounce free yet easy to reach.
The Velum skirt features a long almost full length side split which affords a full range of motion.
It’s a great skirt for running trails especially if you need plenty of storage. I appreciate having a bit more coverage wearing the Vellum skirt versus last year’s short, yet I plan to alternate wearing both.
Dominique has run for over 40 years, consistently about 25 miles per week at paces between 10 and 11 minute miles and once a week down in the mid 9 minute miles. She races rarely, but always surprises more hard core runners in her age group when she does. She has a 1985 marathon PR of 3:16 in her second marathon which at the time put her on the top 10 Swiss women’s lists. She is the mother of two grown children, both runners post college, and also enjoys nordic and alpine skiing, tennis, hiking and trekking, and gardening.
The Aerolight Jacket, Velum Skirt and all of UD's women’s apparel is available at
Ultimate Direction SHOP HERE
Samples 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 and RoadTrailRun and its contributors received no other compensation for this article. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
EUROPE Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
- 10% Savings Every Day* 5% Back in Rewards Cash
- Test Run Shoes 90 Days Worry Free
- Crazy Fast, FREE Shipping
- NONSTOP PERKS
AMAZON
2 comments:
Hi, thank you for review the Velum skirt. Really helpfull. I have question, how about the space on the back pocket and will it bounce to hold 330ml softflask water? Thanks
@anoynmous, Sorry for the delay. Dominique tried a Salomon 500ml Soft Flask with about 400ml in the skirt today and no bounce and plenty of room for it. Sam, Editor
Post a Comment