Spyder Captivate GTX Jacket: Color-blocking Done Right

 

Spyder Captivate GTX Jacket (MSRP $379) is my favorite Spyder jacket in a while. 

First, let’s talk about color blocking. As mentioned above, I usually steer clear of ski jackets that are bursting with bold prints or details (rose-colored metal hardware zippers, anyone?) that might date a jacket beyond more than one season. 

Also, at 5’0”, rarely can I  pull off a jacket with a bold print and a plethora of trendy details (i.e. fur hood, belt, and zippers) without looking like some sort of hot mess on skis. I tend to favor styles that are simple.

This season, I made a trend exception for Spyder (and let’s be honest, they offered a tasteful black/grey/white combo).

Spyder’s classically styled Captivate has thoughtfully done color blocking whose yoke detail and accentuating side paneling draws the eye down and gives the appearance of elongating my torso. The striped arms look good and did not give off the zebra-like vibes I had feared.

In addition, I appreciated the strategic placing of the front pockets along the black panels that helped to conceal the trademark bumps of skiing with a sandwich and soft bottle, while providing an optical slimming effect. 

A clever and stylish use of two kinds of fabric (stretch polyester plain weave and textured polyester herringbone) on different colorways offered depth without being visually overwhelming.

Apparently, the insulated Captivate is categorized as a bronze level product whose technical innovations make the Gore-tex jacket durably waterproof, breathable, and completely windproof. 

Other details include a fixed powder skirt with snapback feature, underarm ventilation system, taped seams, mesh goggle pocket with chamois lens wipe, drawcord adjustable hem and removable hood. The flattering and slightly longer length was perfect in helping to keep my buns warm.


Spyder Women's Captivate GTX Jacket - Moosejaw


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wore it on a bluebird day with a bit of wind. The jacket was so warm (it is filled with 80g of Primaloft Black Eco Insulation) that I removed one of my base layers before we left the parking lot to the ski bus.

Spyder emphasizes Captives’s ability to withstand rigid conditions. I have not yet tried it out on a cold day, but I have no doubt the technology that was poured into will live up to its cold weather claim.

I especially appreciated the adjustable cuff tabs, stretch cuffs, and thumbholes. These features are all commonplace on ski jackets, but this is the first jacket I’ve had where the stretch in the cuffs was just enough: not too loose, not too tight. In other words, it kept the wind and snow out and prevented my skin from being momentarily exposed. The velcro cuff tabs were perfect for my tiny wrists.

Is it possible to say a jacket can offer effortless stretch? The Captivate was flexible and stretchy; I didn’t feel restricted at all when I was doing turns. 

Finally, I received a ridiculous amount of compliments on how it looked. “This, I said to myself, “…his is some color-blocking that I can get behind on.”

In short? Spyder knocked it out of the ballpark on the Captivate ski jacket.


Captivate Gore-Tex Jacket - Women's regularly $379.00 on sale $264.99