We also noticed a simplification in the coat's patterning. The first two pictures above demonstrate this - especially noticeable around the chest area.

The 2019 Monitor Down is featured on the left, with the 2024 version right behind it.

Gone are the notched sleeve cuffs, and the intricate paneling on the front and back has been pared down. The exterior pockets are no longer zippered or lined, and their more horizontal orientation makes them far less practical as hand warmers.

Another difference, noticeable only in person (for better or worse), is the face fabric—the outer nylon weave that shields the waterproof membrane beneath. It’s noticeably shinier and more plasticky compared to earlier versions. While its thickness remains 70d, like previous iterations, it looks and feels much thinner.

The photographs above showcases the face fabrics of the 2019 version and the 2024 respectively. Notice the coarseness of the first compared to the smooth surface of the latter.

Whether this is a result of the new ePE fabrication process is unclear, but it certainly lacks the premium appearance of its predecessors. We should note that the new face fabric is much less of a lint magnet compared to the previous version.

Let’s go over the coat, from top to bottom.

The insulated hood includes a stiffened brim to help keep your view unobstructed when worn. It features three adjustment points: one at the back and two Cohaesive cinches routed inside the neck. These allow you to tighten the brim and seal the hood around your face when conditions demand it. The back toggle features the only external branding to be found: a heat applied Veilance logo.

We could do without any branding, to be frank.

The Cohaesive cinches are now visible instead of fully inside the hood, making them easier to locate when tightening or loosening the hood. However, this change slightly detracts from the coat’s sleek aesthetic, nudging the design closer to mainstream performance wear.

Operating the cinches is straightforward: pull the cord using its tab with one hand while pressing the cinch to lock it in place. To release the tension, press the cinch again and gently pull or stretch the hood back to its default position.

With the trend toward relaxed and oversized designs, the hood follows suit.

As a result, these cinches are invaluable, as the generously sized neck opening and face hole can easily let in wind and rain without adjustment. The hood tends to stand up against your head when not worn, especially when the coat is fully zipped up.

This means a wet hood can occasionally brush against the back of your head, which can be annoying. However, the larger size provides a more comfortable and streamlined look, and we found it less restrictive around the neck compared to the previous version. Given its size, the hood easily accommodates a thick woolly hat.

Around the neck, on the inside, there is now an insulated draft collar. Soft and quite voluminous, it gently hugs the back of our neck. This is a welcome upgrade to the uninsulated piece of stretch nylon of older iterations.

At this point we noticed the first downgrade: the soft chin guard is gone, making clammy, cold Gore-Tex pressed against your face.

For a €1800 coat, it feels like an unmissable nod to cost-cutting.

Inside, the gusseted armpits are lined with a different material than the rest of the coat’s interior. We suspect this is a more air permeable fabric, designed to enhance overall comfort. This feature wasn’t included in the previous version, and we see it as a clear improvement.

Storage-wise, there are 5 pockets.

The side pockets have shifted from vertical to almost horizontal, positioned at navel height. Gone are the waterproof zippers beneath the signature flaps, replaced by a zippered security pocket tucked inside the outer right pocket. The pockets are generously sized—roomy enough to fit a paperback, should the occasion call for it.

We would have preferred the flapped pockets to have zippers as well for an extra layer of security.

As we slipped our hands into the pockets, we encountered a second disappointment. As mentioned earlier, the pockets are unlined. That’s right—Arc’teryx apparently decided that a winter coat doesn’t need insulated pockets. They’re not even positioned between the insulation layers for a bit of warmth.

With previous versions, leaving your gloves at home wasn’t a problem—the warm pockets had you covered.

Now, that comfort is gone. We improvised by tucking our hands into the sleeves and then sliding them cuff-deep into the pockets, but it’s hard to shake the sense that this is yet another corner quietly cut.

This brings us to an unfortunate design change: the notched cuffs—or rather, their absence. Previous iterations of the Monitor Down Coat, along with pieces like the Isogon MX and Lerus jacket, featured notched cuffs that protected the back of your hands while allowing for free movement of your thumbs and wrists.

While the bold, angular design wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, we always appreciated it as both a practical feature and a subtle showcase of construction expertise.

Instead, the cuffs are now wide and long, extending to knuckle-length. Inside, a soft synthetic elastic cuff helps block out the wind. While undeniably comfortable, the design feels less refined and gives off a cheaper impression than we’ve come to expect.

On the inside, the coat still features two chest pockets. While the left zippered pocket remains unchanged, the right one has been replaced by a dump pocket. For a winter parka, this makes sense—it’s a handy spot for stashing gloves or a hat.

However, we would have preferred it positioned lower and complemented by an additional internal security pocket for better practicality. This feels less like a thoughtful design choice and more like a move to simplify the construction in favor of the company’s bottom line. Sewing a pocket with a zipper inside a coat simply costs more than attaching a less secure, open piece of cloth.

It’s worth noting that the dump pocket features a laminated opening, giving it a clean, minimalist look that aligns well with the Veilance aesthetic and finish. While the design may lean toward simplification, this detail shows some consideration for maintaining the brand's signature refinement.

The remaining zippered pocket easily accommodates a wallet or a modern, oversized smartphone. It’s also tucked inside the lining—perfect for keeping your right hand warm when the coat is unzipped. (Or maybe that last part’s just wishful thinking.)

The coat now extends to knee-length or even slightly below, which we think is the proper length for a parka. A piece like this should have a large, elongated fit, echoing the classic silhouette of the fishtail parka. We’re especially pleased to see Veilance finally forgo the menswear trend of the early 2010s (when the Monitor and its derivatives were originally designed), which favored coats cut no longer than thigh-length, emphasizing a streamlined and contemporary silhouette at the expense of practicality and tradition.

Another welcome change is the addition of insulation that extends the full length of the coat, rather than stopping at the hips.

Judging by the look and feel of the this area of insulation, we suspect it’s fully synthetic—a practical choice, as the lower part of the coat tends to flap about and is more likely to get wet.

Closing the coat is the returning exposed, watertight zipper, featuring chunky teeth reminiscent of Arc’teryx’s iconic hardshells. While some parkas opt for a wind flap (as did earlier versions of this coat, which we felt was a visual downgrade), the exposed zipper remains a key part of its distinctive appeal.

You might be pleased to know it now features a double zip.

It operates smoothly, and while double zips can be a bit fiddly, the ability to open the coat from the bottom—for easier access to trouser pockets or added comfort while sitting—is a feature we greatly value. The zipper starts roughly at the hips, aiding in overall mobility and reachability. The lower zipper also features a subtle “V” for Veilance, a tacky second piece of branding.

Overall, the coat looks and feels like the natural, yet simplified, progression of the Monitor Down Coat’s design legacy. However, this brings us to a, quite literally, big flaw.