Arc’teryx Veilance Monitor Down Coat Review
Hi-level
Top-of-the line, mountain-ready materials in a bombproof parka
Very warm yet stylish and sleek. The version reviewed here (2019) is more of a regular fit that the 2024 “relaxed” cut.
Construction is top-tier
Introduction
At the time of writing, fall has begun and we start swapping out our light jackets for more hefty weather protection. Just in time, Arc’teryx has re-released their Monitor Down Coat in a revised version: more relaxed with an updated Gore-Tex fabric. We felt we should revisit our legacy 2019 coat, as it still embodies what the parka is about save for differences in fit and material package.
The Arc'teryx Veilance Monitor Down Coat has become a successful mainstay since its introduction, with small updates changing through the years. A waterproof, down-insulated fishtail parka, the Monitor Down Coat shows off Arc'teryx technical prowess in a sleek understated package. There have been different revisions throughout the years. We’ll be looking at our years of experience with the 2019 Gore-Tex Pro version.
The coat reviewed here comes in understated black.
Key visual cues include an open fishtail hem and aggressive notches at the sleeves, covering the back of the wearers hands. A generous hood finishes off the weather protective offering, with enough cinches to cover your whole head except for the nose and eyes. Not unlike other Veilance designs, the coat doesn't turn heads immediately upon first glance yet reveals intricate design patterns once being inspected more closely.
Design & construction
The cut and mobility are immediately noticeable when putting on the coat.
Ergonomics are key here, as the sleeves are pre-curved, the underarms feature gussets providing arm-lifting freedom of movement and the fit stays sleek while still feeling very non-restrictive, warm and protective. While other coats of this size and level of isolation might feel hefty the Monitor Down is surprisingly - yet relatively - lightweight and moves well with the wearer. At no point did we feel like the coat was restricting our movement. We sized for our true-to-size Medium. Currently, we feel that the more relaxed fit of the 2024 version is more suited for layering than the 2019 edition reviewed here.
Upon closer inspection, seeing how the coat is constructed from different panels of Gore-Tex Pro and how cleanly these panels come together is a sight to behold: complex yet low-key. If you’ve read our other Arc’teryx Veilance reviews, you’ll know this is a constant throughout their output.
As with all Arc'teryx waterproof shells (and most of what Veilance is offering), the coat is seam-taped. This feature is crucial to prevent water from seeping through needle holes, ensuring complete waterproofing.
Insulation
Underneath the shell is the sewn in insulator: roughly 150 grams of 850 fill power goose down, with synthetic insulation at the hood, shoulders, chin, cuffs and underneath the arm pits.
The lofty down provides very lightweight and efficient insulation, protected by a silky DWR-coated ripstop nylon on the inside. The nylon inner is soft and smooth (no bunching sleeves!) and the DWR coating helps fend off any rain or snow that might enter when the coat is being worn open or with the hood down.
The synthetic insulation mapping are technologies Arc'teryx has branded Down Composite Mapping and Down Contour Technology.
The company states that these features provide a more evenly and resilient distribution of down, with synthetic insulation in lieu of down in places where moisture, transpiration or rain ingress might occur. Down loses its insulation properties quickly when wet, so this makes sense. All of this makes for putting on the coat feeling like being enveloped by a very cosy sleeping bag, one that's basically bombproof during rain, snow or even full fledged storms.
Temperature ratings are quite personal and dependent on many factors, so we can't provide a one-size-fits-all cold range. However, wearing just a shirt and crew-neck, we have found this coat to be comfortably warm in temperatures ranging from -10° C to 0°C.
Take note that the insulation of the 2019 and earlier versions stops at hip level: the shell continues until mid-thigh length but offers only weather protection there.
Waterproofing
The overall shell is made from 3L Gore-Tex Pro with a 70d face fabric. (For the latest revision as of 2024 Arc’teryx has switched to a PFAS-free GORE-TEX ePE fabric, which as Gore claims should be better for the environment. In terms of waterproofing and breathability we don’t reckon this makes any difference in this specific coat. Ed.)
This translates to the coat being basically overbuilt for the targeted city environment. Three layers, consisting of a protective backer facing the wearer, the actual membrane and the face fabric on the outside are laminated together to form the shell. It would take too much article estate to summarize all the (ever-changing) specifics of what Gore is offering in their Gore-Tex catalogue, but the key takeaway is that the Gore-Tex Pro used in this Monitor Down is very waterproof, relatively breathable and uses a face fabric commonly seen in rock climbing garments.
This does not mean it's indestructible but accidental scrapes against concrete or brick are unlikely to scathe the coat.
Whatever winter throws at it, the coat can take it and does so in style. The DWR coating makes water pearl off and even if that wears out (which can be restored or re-applied using a spray), the Gore-Tex membrane will not let water through.
The 2019 Monitor Down Coat feels a bit outdated with its slightly trim, shorter design - a little conservative and more in spirit of classic menswear.
However, the Monitor Down still looks good which speaks volumes about the initial design.
Overall features & construction
Other notable features include a stretchy neck insert at collar height, sealing off the coat around your neck, elastic internal cuff gaskets and a fully adjustable so-called Storm Hood with no less than three (!) hidden cinches.
When completely cinched, the hood covers everything but your nose and eyes thanks to the toggles for taking in the crown and brim of the hood. Your chin is protected from the stiff Gore-Tex - or vice-versa - thanks to a small patch of synthetic micro-suede, another refined touch.
The hood, when not fully zipped up, tends to scratch our chin due to not wanting to lay flat caused by the stiffness of the fabric. A tiny detail that oftentimes finds us fumbling with the hood to lay just right.
The angular cuffs at the sleeves extend to cover the back of your hand, providing additional weather protection while still maintaining full dexterity; your thumb remains free to move, a benefit of the thoughtful design. However, these cuffs can become cumbersome when putting your hands in pockets, often bunching up in the process. A small yet noticeable irk of ours. (The 2024 versions omits these cuffs. We’re not sure if it is to fix the bunching or an effort to cut costs as it seems to be a complex part of the coat, Ed.)
Storage come courtesy of two generous fleece-lined pockets at stomach level - hidden behind stiff, sharply designed flaps.
Underneath these flaps the pockets are protected from rain by another set of watertight zippers. Due to the nature of these zippers, operation isn't as smooth as we'd like but that's a small price to pay for knowing whatever is inside is quite unlikely to get wet. Inside the coat we find two internal chest security pockets on opposite sides, roomy enough to fit an oversized phone each.
We always felt there was more opportunity for extra storage in this coat. We’re excited to see that the 2024 version includes a fifth pocket: an open stow pocket on the inside.
As one would expect from Veilance, construction is nec plus ultra.
The seams are tightly sewn and taped, the panels are neatly aligned and angled (the weft and weave of the face fabric are mirrored on each side, a detail that speaks volumes about the attention to detail of the people who sew these coats together) and the overall finish breathes premium craftsmanship. It's almost like wearing a fighter jet, if that makes sense. The version we're reviewing here features no outside branding whatsoever - a murdered-out yet fully equipped cold weather fortress.
Taking care of a waterproof down jacket can be cumbersome. Arc’teryx offers decent how-to videos but if you’re unsure about doing this yourself we’d advise you taking it to a professional. As most of the shell is separated from your skins oils and sweat the risk of delamination is minimal but we urge you to wash the coat after prolonged wear, especially if it is visibly dirty or stained. A low-maintenance garment this is not.
Verdict
While the Monitor Down Coat might, at first glance, look like any other thick winter coat, what you're actually getting is a portable furnace meticulously crafted from mountaineering-ready materials.
Top-shelf waterproofing courtesy of heavy duty Gore-Tex, lofty 850 fill power European goose down and features commonly found in premium outdoor shells, all constructed with exceptional precision. This meticulous attention to detail makes the coat a joy to wear. For winter, it is a true set-and-forget type of coat. We can see why it returns each year: it’s a great piece of gear. We subtracted two points due to the bunching cuffs; the insulation stopping at the hips and the hood refusing to lay flat when not in use. Small irks, but worth mentioning for an item at this price-point.
Very warm, storm-proof and stylish at the same time. Make sure you try it before buying because there is a noticeable difference in fit in between revisions.
8/10
The Monitor Down Coat reviewed here was available for €1500 in 2019 at Veilance.com. It has since increased in price.
Curious for more? Find other Veilance & related reviews here.
Disclaimer: we acknowledge the lack of pictures of a model wearing the items reviewed here. We're exploring our options here.