Engearment

Last winter, my partner purchased a Cotopaxi Capa Hybrid Insulated Jacket that happened to be on sale at Devil’s Thumb Ranch where we were nordic skiing. With its colorful insulated core and knitted side panels and sleeves, it had immediately caught his eye.

Fast forward several months later, and he has worn the Cotopaxi Capa Hybrid Insulated Jacket nearly every week since he purchased it.

Not only has he worn it for spring nordic skiing, he wears it hiking, around town, and indoors at home if he feels cold. Basically, he wears it everywhere.

So when the opportunity arose for me to try the Cotopaxi Capa Insulated Jacket, I jumped at the chance. I wanted to find out for myself why it is his favorite jacket.

The final word? Cotopaxi’s Capa Insulated Jacket is the perfect shoulder season jacket for life in the mountains.

Just The Right Fit

I got this in a size small. I was pleasantly surprised how well it fit because it wasn’t overly tight, nor was it too spacious. It fit snugly, but was not figure-hugging.

Although I’m petite, the sleeve length wasn’t horrendously long and the shoulders and underarms fit well, with no extraneous gaps or material.

I like the length of the Cotopaxi Capa Hybrid Insulated Jacket, because it provides extra coverage on chilly mountain mornings when I’m out walking the dogs and it’s not quite cold enough to wear a full puffy down jacket.

In the past, I would have worn a mid layer with a puffy vest on top, but the 40g PrimaLoft Gold P.U.R.E. insulation on the front and back of the Cotopaxi Capa Hybrid Insulated Jacket removed the need to layer up in that way.

The knit side panels and sleeves were stretchy and didn’t restrict movement. The way the side panels and sleeves are positioned in the design of the jacket also provided a much welcomed slimming effect.

Useful Features

How many times have you found apparel that would be great, except it is missing an important feature (i.e. hand pockets), that you end up doing a hard pass? It’s maddening, isn’t it?

Fortunately, the Cotopaxi Capa Hybrid Insulated Jacket does not fall under that category. I was delighted to discover that feature-wise, the Cotopaxi Capa Hybrid Insulated Jacket is perfect. It has every useful feature that I need and none that I don’t.

Features include:

• PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) finish

• Scuba Hood

• Thumbholes

• Packable interior chest pocket

• Zippered hand pockets

• Elastic binding at hood, cuffs and hem

My favorite features are the spacious zippered hand pockets to stash valuables and the elastic binding to contain warmth.

I can wear the hood as is, or over a trucker cap and it fits nicely and keeps my ears and head warm.

It is extremely packable, easy to wash and provides the perfect amount of warmth for shoulder season activities.

Flattering Design

The Cotopaxi Capa Hybrid Insulated Jacket looks flattering; especially thanks to the triple colored insulated panels.

I’m typically wary of wearing an assortment of colors and like to just stick to one. But somehow, Cotopaxi makes it work.

One of the biggest problems I have with similar jackets is that they are too tight along my midsection (which typically results in unflattering photos). Fortunately, this was not the case with the Cotopaxi Capa Hybrid Insulated Jacket.

Pair it with joggers or leggings, and voila! You have the typical mountain town shoulder season uniform.

I like it so much that I purchased a second one in black. Now I know why my partner is always wearing his!

Available in five colors, the Cotopaxi Capa Hybrid Insulated Jacket is a shoulder season wardrobe staple.

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Sansa.

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing. Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers.

 

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.