Cotopaxi Pacaya Insulated Jacket Review
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Cotopaxi Pacaya Insulated Jacket
Cotopaxi is a “public benefit” outdoor company that integrates humanitarian contributions into their business. I had heard about this startup company and was excited to try one of their products. The Cotopaxi Pacaya Insulated Jacket arrived just in time for Colorado’s typical bipolar fall weather. I tried the jacket out for a few fall hikes, some outdoor workouts, and walks around the neighborhood.
Cotopaxi Pacaya Insulated Jacket Fit
Out of the box, it is very lightweight and appears well-made. It has a regular fit and the length fell just below my hips (great for folks with a long torso like me). I tested out a small, which was true to size. This Pacaya has a feminine cut and is stylish as well. I received many compliments from coworkers and even some strangers when I was out and about. The jacket zips smoothly and comes up to completely cover my neck, over the chin.
Great neck protection
Flattering, feminine fit is true to size
The bottom of the jacket can be cinched for a custom fit.
Cotopaxi Pacaya Insulated Jacket Features
For how light this jacket is, it is very warm and breathable. The Polartec Powerstretch side panels are designed to let out moisture (sweat) without losing warmth. The side pockets are fleece-lined and were nice and toasty.
The Polartec Powerstretch side panels keep the heat in and the sweat out
The Cotopaxi Pacaya Insulated jacket had good range of motion. There was no bunching, restriction, or riding up while using a day pack, and enabled fluid arm movement when I went out for a run. This jacket was able to adapt to the changing weather conditions of the day. After going for a few miles, I stayed warm without overheating. Nylon wrist cuffs kept drafts out. And the durable water repellent coating was effective at keeping me dry when a foggy mist rolled in.
Nylon wrist cuffs
I went for a walk on a 30-degree morning and comfortably layered a small fleece below the jacket. The hood is insulated like the rest of the jacket, and kept my ears warm and the wind out when it got chilly. Though not adjustable, the edges of the hood stretched for a secure and comfortable fit.
Insulated hood
After a few month of testing, a couple small snags have appeared in the stitching on the woven face of the jacket. It doesn’t affect the integrity or performance of the jacket in any way. This could definitely be user error as I’m pretty rough on outerwear, but just in case, I contacted Cotopaxi. They stated this is a unique issue and are reviewing it with manufacturing. They seemed genuinely concerned with my feedback and are working on resolving this. Many times, this can be just an anomaly, but their customer service was fantastic in handling my issue. I am handy enough with a needle that I stopped this from going any further. Bring on the winter elements!
Feel-Good Bonus
In its mission to help eradicate worldwide poverty, Cotopaxi gives back to a humanitarian cause for every product it sells. Each purchase of the Pacaya Jacket benefits CHOICE Humanitarian. They provide training for midwives in impoverished Guatemalan communities to help reduce maternal and child mortality. I love this idea of making a purchase for a purpose.
The Cotopaxi Pacaya Verdict
The Cotopaxi Pacaya Insulated Jacket is ideal for someone looking for a versatile, lightweight jacket with breathable warmth. It performs well in fluctuating conditions for fall and into winter. Functional enough to perform in varied weather, and stylish enough to wear around town.
MSRP:$199. I tested the Terracotta Khaki color and it also comes in black (“Raven”).
For more info on the Pacaya and other Cotopaxi products, visit www.cotopaxi.com.
