ProView – BlackYak Women’s Nelore Jacket
Do you ever get a new piece of gear that suddenly replaces everything you had before it, leaving past gear staples to collect dust in a closet or garage? The BlackYak Nelore Jacket has done just that for me. Now without a second thought, I grab it for in-resort and backcountry skiing as well as hiking, and it easily transitions from mountain to après.
BlackYak Women's Nelore Jacket
Product Description: The BLACKYAK Nelore Jacket is made using CORDURA® lightweight Ripstop and CORDURA® Fleece. This jacket has been filled using 700 cuin, traceable goose down treated to be water repellent. The jacket has a great range of use as it is lightweight and has a very small packing volume. You can wear it as a warmer underneath your 3L Jacket or as a warming item. The innovative design and coloration make the Nelore Jacket a real statement.
Offer price: $300 MSRP
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Quality
(4.5)
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Fit
(4.5)
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Versatility
(4.8)
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Style
(4)
Summary
Do you ever get a new piece of gear that suddenly replaces everything you had before it, leaving past gear staples to collect dust in a closet or garage? The BlackYak Nelore Jacket has done just that for me. Now without a second thought, I grab it for in-resort and backcountry skiing as well as hiking, and it easily transitions from mountain to après.
Overall
4.5Pros
- Comfortable
- Moves with you
- Durable
Cons
- Doesn’t have an internal, zippered pocket
Features/Performance
- 700 fill water repelling goose down
- Cordura heavyweight fleece
- Cordura reinforcement at the cuffs
- Lightweight (12.6oz)
- Low packing volume
In between my shell and baselayer, the 700 down fill kept me toasty and wasn’t too bulky. I found that when skinning in chilly conditions, this warmed me up instantly when re-layering at the top of an ascent. I helped teach ‘immediate search’ in an avalanche class with this layered under my shell and over a couple of thin base layers and stayed warm all day, even with variable conditions, 25 mph gusting winds, decreasing temperatures in the 20s, snow, and a lot of relatively inactive time while observing students.
I particularly appreciated the Cordura fleece side panels while teaching the class because it gives the coat an added element of flexibility not usually found in down jackets. I was able to twist, bend, kneel, and shovel without feeling any restricted movement. The added stretch also makes layering more comfortable so you can pull the jacket over the top of pants if you already have a few layers tucked in. In addition to the side panels, the collar is also equipped with the fleece on the inside that is soft on the skin and maintains warmth where it matters.
Durability
One of the most unique features of the jacket is the Cordura ripstop reinforcement at the cuffs. They left me worry-free while handling ski edges and I was comfortable scrambling over rocks while hiking. The material hugs my wrist more than the rest of the sleeve, so they easily slip under the cuffs of gloves or mittens and even without thumb loops, the sleeves stay in place.
Weight
In terms of weight and packing volume, I didn’t notice a big difference in weight compared to other down and synthetic mid-layers that I own, but I did notice it’s packability and durability when stuffing it into my ski pack – especially during the avalanche class when my pack was already chocked-full of food, gear, and other layers.
Look/Style
Finally, thanks to the comfort and style of this jacket, I’ve been finding myself pulling it out of the closet without a second thought for everyday use because of it’s comfortable and flattering fit and fun color.
Room for Improvement
Despite all the love I have for this jacket, there’s one area for improvement that could make something great even better: an internal, zippered pocket. I constantly found myself trying to put my phone, snacks, or lip balm in a chest pocket in this jacket, but it doesn’t have one.
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About the Gear Tester
Kelly Greene
Originally from the mountains of Maine, Kelly has been a ski patroller since she was 16 years old. Her love of the outdoors drove her to a degree in Outdoor Recreation Business Administration followed by an M.A. in Exercise Physiology from Columbia University. Since graduating Kelly moved to Colorado and still patrols, manages a fitness & cycling program for a large climbing gym and works full-time in corporate wellness. When she isn’t helping improve the fitness of others or teaching the next generation of patrollers, you can usually find her on or near rocks – jumping off of them on her skis, avoiding them while guiding friends through whitewater, biking over them, or climbing to the tops of them. Connect with her on Instagram @Kelly_ventures.
