Buy It For Life | Arc’teryx Veilance

In this Buy It For Life series, we’ll be exploring some of the more investment-worthy corners of the carry world. These brands may be more pricey, or harder to come by, but with good reason! Whether these brands are innovating the latest fabric technologies, using specialist craftsmanship, or have an ironclad warranty,  you can be sure that these products will last for a lifetime!

To start our Buy It For Life (#BIFL) series, we’re heading north of the border to our Canadian friends at Arc’teryx Veilance. Spend any time around the outdoor industry and you’ll know that Arc’teryx creates some of the most elite outdoor performance gear in the world. What you may not know is that their sister brand Veilance takes all that high-level performance and applies it to street-ready silhouettes that can function in your everyday life. Veilance is also a proving ground for many technologies, and it isn’t uncommon to see some of the innovative features from their Veilance line transfer into the mainstream Arc’teryx line. Below, we’ve picked out some of their most iconic pieces that highlight all that is good about Arc’teryx Veilance.

Align MX Pant (US$350)

Functionality meets adaptable style with the Align MX Pant, making this a great all-rounder for work days and weekend excursions alike. The slim, technical silhouette can be dressed up or down to suit different settings, with articulated patterning to keep you moving freely wherever the day leads. Made with Burly™ Double Weave with a DWR coating and taped seams, the pant provides water and wind resistance while remaining breathable. Additional features include two hand pockets and two zippered thigh pockets with interior organization. These are great candidates for anyone who travels regularly, as the fulfil multiple duties keeping that carry-on bag light.

Isogon MX (US$500) / Quartic Jacket (US$600)

A great softshell jacket adapts easily to changing weather conditions, while keeping you flexible on the go. They’re great for travel as they can protect from most weather while on the move, save for torrential downpours! Veilance dishes up two excellent options in their Isogon MX Jacket and Quartic Jacket. The Isogon MX Jacket features Burly™ Double Weave with DWR while the Quartic Jacket is made with Wee Burly™ Double Weave fabric. Both pieces are resistant to wind and water, with the Isogon MX offering an adjustable StormHood™ while the Quartic has a slightly roomier adjustable hood.

Articulated patterning and clean lines across both pieces keep you moving freely in understated style, making these versatile pieces for everyday as well as travel use.  The best way to differentiate the two is that the Isogon MX is a little more sporty and water resistant, while the Quartic is more urban with the extra hand pockets and more breathability. These are two of our favourite pieces and you may recognise them from our recent Mystery Ranch x Carryology Unicorn 2.0 collaboration!

Conduit Down Jacket (US$700)

When the cooler weather kicks in you’ll be reaching for the Conduit Down Jacket as a daily wardrobe staple. 850 fill-power European goose down delivers cozy warmth to keep the winter chill at bay, while a DWR coating offers resistance against light showers. This is the luxury puffer that completes any wardrobe. It’s featherweight, minimalist, and functional all in one svelte package. The jacket’s Down Contour Construction™ helps the down conform to the body, boosting thermal performance, and the articulated patterning and regular fit provide freedom of movement. Two hand pockets and two interior pockets also provide EDC storage for your smaller essentials. The tall collar provides exceptional warmth retention, and you’d be hard pressed to even notice the mercury dipping when donning the Conduit!

Field Jacket (US$800)

If you’re going to spend serious cash on one jacket, and one jacket only, this should be it. Equally at home in the city or on the move, Veilance’s modern take on the iconic field jacket combines the brand’s signature sleek styling with premium materials and construction, creating a sharp silhouette with dependable weather protection. The Veilance Field Jacket features taped seams and waterproof and windproof yet breathable 3L GORE-TEX fabric, paired with a microfleece backer for comfort and light warmth. I’ve worn this in the 20’s with an insulating layer and been perfectly toasty.

The StowHood™ provides welcome additional protection from inclement weather but also tucks away when not required, into the iconic tall collar. The articulated patterning offers freedom of movement during daily and travel excursions and the classic four-pocket storage on the front is complemented by an interior chest pocket, giving you plenty of options for storing quick-access items and valuables. This is a Swiss Army Knife of a jacket, and one that keeps surprising me just how good it is every time I use it. There’s a reason that all of the Carryology team own one!

Nomin Pack (US$800)

One of the most iconic pack silhouettes in the carry world, the Nomin Pack is known for its minimalist styling and high-quality technical construction. Having undergone various iterations over the years, the Nomin retains its uber-clean silhouette and durable, highly weatherproof taped-seam construction. There’s no denying the luxury price tag on this pack but the highly technical construction makes this one of Veilance’s most complicated pieces to make. While the shoulder straps appear minimal, they provide comfy carry over extended periods of time. Favoring a pared-back approach to organization, the pack provides quick-access storage for a laptop and small EDC or travel essentials and will appeal to those who prefer uncluttered main compartments or their own pouch organization setups. This is carry minimalism at its finest.

Monitor Coat (US$900)

If you want Veilance’s stealthy style and technical performance similar to the Field Jacket, but in a longer silhouette, look to the Monitor Coat. The 3L GORE-TEX fabric and taped seams keep you well protected from wind and water, with a microfleece backer providing next-to-skin comfort. The adjustable DropHood™ also provides welcome weather protection while the clean style and monitor fishtail hem look right at home in urban settings. The regular fit doesn’t restrict movement and is designed to allow room for an insulating mid-layer, making this a go-to choice for wetter and colder seasons. Add in dual zippered hand pockets and dual zippered interior pockets and you’re well covered for stashing small essentials close at hand too. This is the ultimate overcoat that’s smart enough to slide over a suit, but tough enough to get outdoors in too.

Arc’teryx Veilance has become an industry leader in both the fashion and outdoors worlds with their technical innovations, pared down aesthetics, and best in class performance. If you’re a keen minimalist, or a streetwear style aficionado, you can’t go wrong here. In the same breath, Veilance products are the epitome of the “buy it nice or buy it twice” philosophy and in our experience, the juice is most definitely worth the squeeze.