Cortazu AR Hardshell 12M-SS Beige Review

The Cortazu AR Hardshell is part of Cortazu’s lightweight collection, made to keep you dry in the rain and comfortable while moving. With its 3-layers, it is waterproof with an incredible waterproofness rating of 20,000mm, without getting sweaty due to its breathability and armpit zippers. Ethically produced and made with 100% recycled fabrics warming you in the wind and rain. And honestly, due to its looks and slightly stiff material it looks perfectly neat walking around in the city, too.

Testing the Cortazu HR Hardshell

The Cortazu AR Hardshell is comfortable, yet very protective. No wind or water gets through, making it perfect for those exposed ocean cliff area’s. It has pockets in the right places, allowing you to store items while wearing hipbelted backpacks. Plus its lightweight design makes it an excellent choice when trying to keep the weight low. Combining it with a Cortazu fleece made it feel like a warm winter/autumn jacket that kept me sheltered and warm in tough weather conditions. For someone like me who’s easily cold when standing still or just starting to hike, these things are more than a luxury and keep my morale high!

The GR-SM01 runs around the Santa Maria island of the Azores, which means it can be very windy, with cold air during the day and evening. All year round, you have the possibility of a drizzle turning into a serious rain, stretching the importance of bringing a good hardshell. During the day, temperatures were just above 15 degrees, with cooler temperatures at night. And like I said before, I loved how this jacket kept me warm when adding a fleece. It was incredibly comfortable and without the added layer, it was still great for keeping the weather out and still allowing heat to escape during the many climbs.

About the Cortazu AR Hardshell

The Cortazu AR Hardshell is Cortazu’s most lightweight hardshell, as it is designed to be both a layer for outdoor adventures and everyday use. It is built with 3 layers, allowing you to be active in it due to the breathability (20.000 g/m2/24 hrs ) of the fabric. The shell is DWR-treated and free of PFAs & PFOs, providing complete protection in any weather. The adjustable cuffs and 3-way adjustable hood further help you watertight it when weather gets nasty. They truly created a warm and lightweight allrounder with this one!

Designed with practicality in mind, the jacket includes several functional details. It has waterproof front zips, including zippered hand pockets and a chest pocket for small essentials. The hood is adjustable in 3 places, creating a custom shape to keep you dry.

Conclusion

The Cortazu AR Hardshell is a great jacket and I was grateful to have it on our very windy and wet trail. While it may be heavier than needed for drier conditions, it was the perfect jacket to have for a trail where we knew we would be doused in a fair amount of rain showers. I highly recommend it for hikers who are looking for a heavy-duty yet lightweight option for their wetter trails (like the TA or similar). Plus, wearing a jacket that also directly helps cool and re-green the planet is a good feeling.