Aesthetics and hype aside, how can you tell if a particular outdoor or ski jacket suits your individual needs? Are you seeing all kinds of claims and technical lingo and wondering what the heck it all means to you? Having a high quality outdoor jacket really improves your outdoor experience so it’s important to understand what to look for in a jacket. For the purpose of this article we’re reviewing Cortazu, which was awarded the best jacket in its class during the ISPO Awards. They just released a new jacket so we’re excited to share the news. 

We reviewed the All Weather Hard Shell from Cortazu. The All Weather Hard Shell is priced at the mid-range in the world of premium Hard Shell jackets, it has over 14 features comprising an impressive 54 individual components. Perfect for skiing and hiking, the jacket is also a great fit for daily use.

Our review

I got my hands on a men’s Large from Cortazu and was lucky enough to take it to the Swiss Alps for reviewing. The conditions couldn’t have been better for a thorough test, as I experienced a mixture of weather ranging from warm sun to heavy rain. So, what did I find while reviewing the All Weather Hard Shell from Cortazu?

Features

The jacket boasts an impressive 14+ features, some of which you would expect from a premium hard shell jacket, such as the pit-zips, adjustable cuffs, and extra pockets (a whopping nine total pockets). The extra features that particularly caught our eye were; the fully taped seams, helmet compatible hood with Cohaesive™ adjustable cords.

Waterproofness

Assessing how the All Weather Hard Shell holds up to the conditions is really where I start to see its shine. Overall, the jacket withstood everything the weather threw at me during our trip. The first week, I encountered torrential rain at elevated altitudes, as well as snow and hail. At no point was my jacket compromised, and the taped seams gave me the security that none of my gear or items in my pockets would get wet. Some days, I faced over 6 hours of constant rain, but the jacket withstood it all with ease.

Breathability

The breathability was what stood out, whilst hiking and even scrambling it can often get very hot in 3-layer hard shells despite the weather, but this jacket has all the features and technical attributes to keep you at a comfortable temperature.

Final verdict

I’m a big fan of the new All Weather Hard Shell from Cortazu, and you’ll be amazed at just how many features have been crammed into this superb jacket. I’ve tested a lot of outerwear, and this hard shell is among the best price/quality ratios I have ever seen. Whether it’s for climbing the highest peaks, shredding down them, or even just for daily use, this jacket is an excellent choice. What more can I say?