La Sportiva Avok Hoody – The Golden Ticket of Effective Layers
La Sportiva Avok Hoody – The Golden Ticket of Effective Layers
Wil Rickards & Cai Rickards
Finding a simple layering system that deals with all conditions from -20º to 40ºF is the Golden Ticket of the winter warrior’s clothing. As temps warm, lighter layers are essential; on the colder end of this spectrum, a slightly bulkier jacket that you are unlikely to remove and put in your pack can be a winner.
La Sportiva Avok Hoody – Gear testing dirtbags getting ideas above their station because their jackets look so fancy.
Vail #wedontbelonghere photo by Michael Clemente
La Sportiva Avok Hoody Review
Enter the La Sportiva Avok Hoody $159. Marketed as “a premium heavyweight fleece that offers total wind protection as well as water resistance,” I find it is a whole lot more in Colorado’s dry climate. My reality is that it compares to a softshell in many circumstances and yet is more versatile. I have been finding that I wear it all day and thermo-regulate purely with the zip and hood.
Avok Hooded Jacket – Men’s regularly $159.00 on sale $111.30
Not changing my layers except to put on a puffy jacket when at the top of a run or stopping for an extended period is fantastic. Those little breaks all add up, so if you can set your clothing system at the beginning of the day and stick with it the whole time you are out, it is a lot less hassle and way more efficient.
La Sportiva Avok Hoody – High in the alpine, the Avok deals with everything thrown at it.
I select my underlayer depending on the forecast for the day. In the winter, it is likely an alpaca hoody; during the spring, an SPF one. If I think it will be warm enough to remove the Avok, I also wear a light wind shirt as a mid-layer.
Most days, when the temperatures remain below 40ºF, I do not take it off, and as I have hinted at, this is what I love about this layer. Finding a layering system that does not require a frequent change in the number of layers I wear is the Holy Grail. It requires a layer that both breathes well and prevents the wind from stripping heat away. It needs to protect from light precipitation. The Avok does all of this.
So what else about the jacket do I like? I am a fan of hoods; all my layers have them. It saves me from carrying hats; it is layering for my head, which is how I increase or ditch warmth. They also protect me from the sun.
The two large internal pockets have been incredible. I now do not need to take my pack off when ripping skins while skiing. Those bulky snow-covered uphill ski tools can be secreted in their own warm love nest.
Likewise, I have modified my winter hydration system since I now have interior pockets in a jacket that stays on at all times. I used to put water bottles in my backpack. As temperatures warm, I use bladders; Hydrolight, anyone?
Even during mid-winter, I now fill two 500ml soft flasks and put one in each of my inside pockets. Even in cold temperatures, my water stays warm enough to drink and is readily accessible on the go.
La Sportiva Avok Hoody – These internal pockets are SO useful.
The handwarmer pockets are spacious, and the Napoleon Pocket on the left chest is great for small items, snacks, maps, etc., that I need to keep accessible.
In summary, yes, the Avok is a slightly heavier jacket than I usually gravitate towards, yet the benefits are outstanding. It feels warm and snug on a cold day; I regulate temperature using the hood and zip. It can take care of all but the hardest-hitting Colorado precipitation. The pockets and hood are amazing. It looks great. And best of all, I am not constantly taking it off or putting it back on again. The La Sportiva Avok is a jacket to check out.
