Valandre Split S – Women’s Review

The makers of the Valandre Split S put plenty of thought into its construction, which results in a satisfying, well-made piece that is appropriately technical. It uses down of an exceptional quality that is thoughtfully harvested at a particular time in the geese’s lives. Then it is built with particular detail to ensure the jacket reaches optimum loft at all the right places, from around the elbows to above the shoulders and around the neck. However some aspects just miss the mark. The specially articulated arms keep down in place underneath the arms, where it typically gets squished, but the sleeves are too short for most women, which leaves your arms and wrists cold. The collar closely encases the neck keeping warm air locked in to the jacket, but the bottom hem lacks a draw cord, so heat can escape and wind can get in the gaps around the bottom of the jacket. The box-baffle construction eliminates valleys in the down’s loft around the stitching, but the lack of an insulated wind flap behind the zipper allows cool air to filter in through a full length valley. If you are in the market for a very warm and burly jacket, this one is excellent, but he have a hard time recommending it for its typical retail price of $470.
REASONS TO BUY