Arc’teryx Veilance Gabrel Jacket Review

Introduction

The Gabrel Jacket was first introduced in the Spring/Summer season of 2016 and was Veilance’s take on the classic moto jacket, a cropped and slim jacket with a high collar and crossed lapels. The Gabrel incorporated several minimalist design cues that we had come to expect from Veilance such as a hidden front zipper and side-pockets combined with low profile slanted chest pockets that the brand had utilized in many of their designs previously.

Initially the jacket came out in Black and a “Neptune” colorway (a teal hue). The jacket was subsequently also available for the SS17 season where it also came in Black again as well as a light grey colorway named “Lithos”.

Design & construction

The Gabrel is a composite construction composed of a 3-layer GTX Windstopper fabric with Fortius 1.0 panels on the sides of the jacket as well as the underarms and part of the sleeve. This form of construction has been utilized in many Veilance designs over the years, usually with the goal of offering higher breathability than a garment constructed with a single material. It also accomplishes the feat of showing off Arc’teryx’s construction prowess, with the use of intricate patterns and multiple fabric panels.

In true Veilance fashion the jacket is immaculately constructed with taped seams, articulated spiral sleeves, gusseted underarms, and an intricate shoulder pattern that allows the jacket to move with the wearer. There are no loose threads or crooked seams of any kind to be found, and even though this jacket was made a decade ago at the time of writing there’s no indication that it won’t be around for another one with proper care.

The side pockets are neatly integrated at the seams connecting the Windstopper fabric at the front with the Fortius panels on the side, which is a staple in Veilance’s construction techniques. Another piece which utilizes the same pocket construction is the Blazer LT, among others. This gives the impression of almost invisible pockets, unless the wearer put something bulky in them of course.

Material analysis

The 3L Windstopper package that the main part of the jacket is constructed with was also used in the “Spere” coat that was available in the same seasons as the Gabrel. The fabric is not crinkly per se, but compared to a GTX Pro jacket like the Alpha SV it’s almost entirely quiet. The face fabric is a 100% nylon one, however we don’t know the exact denier.

The fabric itself is not very rigid and has a very nice drape to it, whilst being able to hold its shape. The jacket does not crease whatsoever, even if the wearer is hunched over for a prolonged time or sitting on public transport for instance. In visual terms it is not as matte looking as other Veilance fabric packages, it has a certain sheen to it in brighter conditions.

Features

As mentioned before the Gabrel is a fairly straightforward jacket with two side pockets without zippers, as well as an internal zipped pocket. The two chest pockets offer some utility for smaller (and flatter) items but anything too bulky will ruin the aesthetic of the jacket. We are content that these pockets are mainly for looks than anything else.

The jacket also offers a Cobrax snap closure hidden under the left lapel which connects to a pin hidden under the right one. The wearer can fold up the lapels and connect these, creating a mandarin collar look. The collar itself can be worn down or up, depending on the weather conditions. This makes the Gabrel have 3 different configurations on how the jacket can be worn depending on the conditions. This Cobrax lapel design is also present on the Indisce blazer, 2018 Haedn Blazer and more recently the Lenan Coat.

Fit & wearability

Since the Gabrel pays homage to the classic moto jacket it has as mentioned a very slim and cropped design. It can be directly compared to the original Arris jacket which was released in the same season, however the Arris offers more weather protection in the front and back than the Gabrel does. The Arris fits very similar to the Gabrel overall, with a slightly wider body and tighter sleeves.

Due to the cropped design the Gabrel can be incompatible for tall and slim individuals, as the jacket will most likely come up too short in their true size. This is a personal choice of course, many wear cropped denim jackets that end just below the waist, but potential buyers should take a note of this before any potential purchase.

For reference, the author is 6” on the dot and the Gabrel featured here is a size XL and the length is comfortable enough to not ride up when arms are raised. The jacket falls approximately 3-4 inches below the waist which is perfect for an urban bike commuter as the jacket tends to not bunch up as much in that area.

Compared to other Veilance items like the Arris, which as we mentioned before is the most apt comparison in the line-up, the sleeves on the Gabrel does not have any natural taper towards the wrist, in line with the design cues taken from a moto jacket. The sleeves, in true Veilance fashion, are also a bit longer than on traditional brands.

Due to the construction of them they can be very tricky to shorten, even for a competent tailor. The inner lining of the cuffs are also laminated on the Gabrel, which adds an extra layer of complexity if one chooses to go that route.

All in all, the wearer has been thoroughly enjoying this jacket on and off the bike for years. Due to the many configurations of the collar one does not need to worry about having ample neck coverage if caught in a downpour. Combined with the unique design this is a jacket that is guaranteed to turn heads, which can of course be a pro or con depending on the individual.

Care & durability

This jacket is quite easy to care for. It follows the same procedure as other GTX jackets which includes a cold cycle with a technical detergent, an extra rinse is optional. DWR can then be reapplied and the jacket should be put in the dryer on medium heat until dry to the touch.

In terms of durability the YKK and Cobrax hardware is still as reliable as they were when the jacket was first worn and there’s no discernible degradation of these components. The only visible wear on the jacket is some small stains on the inside of the sleeve, likely from an oil-based source or perhaps some chemical

The outside fabric shows no level of delamination, which is always a concern with 3-layer constructions but this fabric seems to have held up exceptionally well.

Verdict

The Gabrel was and remains a truly unique design in Veilance’s history. It was most likely not produced in large quantities as many Veilance garments from this era, and is therefore very hard to find on the second hand market. It is especially rare in the non-black options, but if the reader sees one available we can recommend it for the unique look it provides as well as the function of being a highly water resistant and breathable city shell.

Due to the lack of hood, zipped pockets and a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane this is far from a “do-it-all” jacket, it is however surprisingly weather resistant and provides far more breathability than a regular Gore-Tex jacket due to the Fortius panels. The cropped length and the slightly longer sleeves also lends itself useful for bike commuters.

8/10

A unique take on a cropped moto jacket, showcasing what Arc’teryx is technically capable of. The mapped fabric composition works remarkably well. If you happen to find one on the second hand market: don’t think twice.

Thanks to Ultramort for providing additional information on the item.

Don’t miss our review of the Spere Jacket, featuring a more breathable yet slightly warmer fabric.