As I prepare (mentally and physically) for the Snowman Trek in Bhutan next year, one of the things I’ve been doing is keeping an eye open for clothes and jackets that will layer well. I’m expecting that our mornings will start out below freezing and that on the best of days when there’s sun, we’ll have temps in the low 70’s. But there will also be lots of rain and possibly snow.
With that in mind, I spied the Icebreaker Viento Jacket as one that I think might work well under these changing conditions.
The Viento is made of an outer shell that’s water resistant with a merino wool lining for a bit of warmth and comfort. The outer shell is just a tad stiff for my liking but because of this, it’s also very durable (i.e. it won’t rip easily).
The two front pockets are extra large. I really like this feature because when at home I tend to carry a lot of things in my pockets rather than carrying a purse. As for wearing this on the trail, those large pockets have plenty of room for a small camera and snacks. They’ll also hold a pair of gloves.
The jacket’s fared well in the light Seattle rains we’ve had so far this year. With me wrapped up in a hat and gloves, the jacket does well to keep rain off but it’s not necessarily a warm layer. For that, I need some warm layers underneath.
The sleeves have Velcro so I can tighten them around my wrists. Given that my hands are prone to getting colder well before anything else, I like this because I can wear my gloves and keep the sleeves tight around them without wind zipping up in there.
There are also a couple of pull strings around the waist so you can tighten them up for additional warmth and style.
As with all Icebreaker clothes, the Viento is really well made. The front zipper is sturdy and the stitching is spot on. It’s a pricey jacket but you can be sure it will last for years.
The Viento also comes in a hooded version.
What I Love
- Feminine cut at the waist means this doesn’t simply hang straight down
- This is one of if not the most stylish water-resistant jacket I own
Not So Much
- Size small is good for wearing a base layer and shirt underneath but anything else means this would be too tight for me – but I think the medium would be too large
- It’s unclear as to whether these are meant to be pockets but the interior material of the outside pockets are fashioned in such a way that there are two large pockets inside. Unfortunately, these are really too deep to practically carry anything in them. Interior pockets are really the only thing missing from the Viento.
Available on Amazon for about $300.
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
Fjallraven Lukhha Jacket
Canada Goose HyBridge Lite Jacket
Disclosure: Icebreaker sent this jacket to me for review. Regardless, everything I have said in the post reflects my honest opinions.
The jacket looks great.