Arc'teryx Veilance Fall 2011

01 02

03 04

Images

—01. Insulated Shell Jacket.
—02. Field Jacket SV.
—03. Hooded Wool Jacket.
—04. Insulated Field Jacket.

Words

"Just as Arc’teryx redefined outerwear for extreme conditions with absolute dedication and technical innovation, their Veilance line channels that same groundbreaking spirit with added elegance for an urban environment to elevate expectations of what men’s apparel can be. For Fall 2011, warm but unobtrusive linings are present in a selection of outerwear designs. Silhouettes in the collection remain progressive, supported by advanced materials and intelligent fabrications."

It's rare to be able to stand behind a product unequivocally, but in my opinion, Veilance is that kind of product. It is expensive, but it's also the absolute pinnacle of modern technical outerwear, and once you've worn one of these pieces, particularly in adverse weather, it's difficult to consider anything else.

—Arc'teryx Veilance
—Available at Inventory Stockroom

Comments

[Cooly P]

Olive green looking mad nice, definitely can't justify owning the Field Jacket in two colours though...

[Sam]

Given my tastes, I really should like this. I mean, I am the demographic and everything. Or so I thought.

However I don't like it. I also think calling it "the absolute pinnacle of modern technical outerwear" is misguided, and simply incorrect. See innovations by Berghaus, Kalttermusen, Tilak, and even Patagonia for that.

Should also note, my dislike of it has nothing to do with its price, and everything to do with the design, and the material choices, and how they DON"T work together.

I have an M65 and a gore-tex pro shell. I don't need or want a gore-tex pro shell M65.

luckily for Arc'teryx, I imagine their is someone with a hefty disposable income who does.

[RC]

Quick comment on this line. Its beautifully minimal, and I appreciate the fusion of fashion into outerwear. Thinking about really using this jacket in the outdoors, I wonder why they don't include pitzips, an essential feature on any Goretex jacket. I have also noticed that the fashion brands who make very high end "outerwear" such as Aether, Outlier, AsaOra, tend to make their jackets only in black. Not the best color for actual use of these garments in foul weather conditions.

[Cooly P]

These jackets look and fit better than any of the brands you mentioned Sam. Also, these jackets were designed for wear in the city and function perfectly with that in mind. Also, I own a Gore-Tex jacket by a Japanese brand (whose name I wont mention) in a similar price range, and I must say the Arcteryx Jacket is a far more impressive piece of outerwear in person.

[T]

Best in the world

[C D Moorby]

My biggest issue with this is that their actual performance gear - the real stuff that is expected to perform from K2 to Everest - is almost half the price than most of this 'urban' clothing. Yet the conditions and the technical demands on the actual performance gear is far greater.

When are 'urban' demands greater than that of the great outdoors?

And if I'm paying for the 'tailoring' and 'design' then i could find a hundred jackets that all look cooler than these.

I think the price point reflects what suckers are willing to pay. When in comes to the true performance gear they know mountaineers and outdoors folk won't pay it, so they don't charge it.

It saddens me. Some brands are getting VERY greedy. I include the likes of Nigel Cabourn (which I still love, but won't ever pay full price for), t(s), and Visvim amongst them. The mark up is INSANE.

I don't buy it.

[Headless]

I'll say the brand, Cooly P: Nanamica. Am I right? I have their gore-tex mac and it's ace. It looks like a traditional Mackintosh mac, but it's properly waterproof (though perhaps not so much around the buttons!), the fabric has a nice crisp feel and structure about it and, most of all, it breathes well. Unlike a Mackintosh which, made from rubberised cotton, has all the breathability of a bin bag.

Personally I'm not into these by Asterisk Valance (what a bloody stupid name) except when they're in interesting colours as in previous seasons. That clay red and that unusual shade of yellow for instance were really nice. I also feel like they still have an air of MacBook-esque nerdiness about them. Jonathan Ive swag! I bet they're fantastic in real life though, and way better than Visvim in any case!

[Mel]

Details. Design. Function. These guys do a fantastic job. I remember the first time I saw one on someone and it was love at first sight for me with this brand. I like everything about them....although it would be nice if the price point was lower. Although there would be a risk of buying more than I actually need...

[Sam]

Cooly....Not even trying to stir controversy, but have you ever tried on or handled any of the brands I mentioned--barring the obvious Patagonia? (sidenote: in the case of Patagonia I was referring specifically to their new fall '11 pro-shell piece)

Obviously you are entitled to your opinion, but I would argue that at least Tilak and Klattermusen are far more interesting on LOOKS alone, never mind their innovative performance features. And I'm far from one of those "why buy this dumb 900 dollar jacket when the northface makes a great rain shell for 99 dollars" idiots either. I appreciate interesting and unorthodox applications of Tech-fabrics when they WORK well with the design.

In my opinion this stuff just doesn't. Unless you really need a gore-tex that doesn't clash with your briefcase. But I don't live that life.

[Sorrybut]

Making a high tech product that also looks good and understated in an urban environment is something hard to achieve. Considering the high level of technology and detailing and the canadian labour cost, plus the fact that they make rather small series of these jackets, the price is not surprising.

You can argue that it's too much for a gore tex, but I'm sure that Arc doesn't make a lot of money at all on these. It's more like something very specific that appeals to a certain niche of rich maniacs, kind of like the visvim fans.

[Cooly P]

Yeah adding to what sorrybut said, there will always be a niche market for garments made with considered fits, minimalist aesthetics, and premium construction and textiles. And if you compare the quality of Veilance to similarly priced gore jackets by Visvim and White Mountaineering the price seems pretty reasonable.

If most of your wardrobe consists of like Margaret Howell and Alden it's really easy to incorporate Arcteryx Veilance. This simply isn't the case with Tilak and Klattermusen. Also isn't the case with Acronym. This is in part due to offputting branding, but mainly due to the fits.

[Katsuji]

I like Veilance but I prefer wear other brands. New Storm King Parka from Outlier not just black. Blue so beautiful!