Arc'teryx Jackets?

crossada

crossada

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Anyone have any experience with this brand of clothing? I'm looking at getting a jacket for hiking purposes. I like the looks of this brand the best but I don't want to shell out that kind of money if it is going to fall apart in a few years time. Online review put this brand at the top but I would like people's opinion from around here too.

I've been using my Filson mackinaw cruiser which is great other than it weighs a ton and I can't stuff it in my pack very easy when not needed. I realize these modern jackets won't survive setting around a fire without spark holes but how do they hold up to abuse? Will they tear easy if snagged on branches or rocks? Will they even come close to the Filson in durability?

I'd really like to get something functional that makes me feel I could run up a mountain side without the extra weight.

Thanks
 
crossada said:
Anyone have any experience with this brand of clothing? I'm looking at getting a jacket for hiking purposes. I like the looks of this brand the best but I don't want to shell out that kind of money if it is going to fall apart in a few years time. Online review put this brand at the top but I would like people's opinion from around here too.

I've been using my Filson mackinaw cruiser which is great other than it weighs a ton and I can't stuff it in my pack very easy when not needed. I realize these modern jackets won't survive setting around a fire without spark holes but how do they hold up to abuse? Will they tear easy if snagged on branches or rocks? Will they even come close to the Filson in durability?

I'd really like to get something functional that makes me feel I could run up a mountain side without the extra weight.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Durability is dependent on which jacket you choose - the lightweight rigs are going to be less durable than the heavier jackets. Construction quality is top notch but you're paying extra for finishing details that may not make a huge difference in the field - you're paying for the brand.

I personally know some of the lead designers at the company and they are great people.

That said, I've really been impressed with what Outdoor Research has been producing in the last few years. In many cases the same level of function but at a better price.
 
Arcteryx is a very high end brand, but I agree with gmoneyluv that you are paying a lot of the brand name.
I also agree with him that Outdoor Research makes great stuff. I personally wear OR gear, and like the fact that they are owned and operated right here in Seattle Washington. Of course most of their stuff (just like everybody else) is made overseas. But as far as quality of materials and workmanship, I believe OR is second to none. They also have a fantastic warranty.
Check them out, and you won't be disappointed.
 
I've been wearing Arcteryx for about 15 years. I don't think you can buy a better made jacket in the realm of Gore Tex or technical fleece. People say you're paying for the name, but the name is synonymous with quality; in my opinion, you get what you pay for. I've got several, and none have ever fallen apart, even after a decade of use. Their attention to detail is top notch, as is use of material.

Remember, however, that they come in various weights. Their lightweight stuff is great when shaving ounces and compressibility are paramount concerns, but the sacrifice is durability. Their heavier stuff is tough as nails, but not as light. I believe their SV stuff stands for "severe use" and is their most durable; its designed for ice climbing and severe rain/weather. AR stands for "all-around"; it's lighter and easier to wear than the SV stuff. Finally, the SL (super light ) and LT (light) are their lightest, but least durable.

Also remember that Arcteryx and Filson don't really overlap, even though they're both outdoor clothing companies. Filson is more oriented toward hunting and working, while Arcteryx is geared towards mountaineering and climbing. Comparing the two is like comparing a Porsche Carrera to a turbo diesel F250 Super Duty. They're both great, but designed for totally different applications.

When I climb, backpack or cross-country ski, I always have an Arcteryx shell on or in my pack. I've got a Beta AR and I couldn't be happier. Also picked up a Theta LT for backpacking. Both have served me well.

When I take the Pointers out for some quail hunting however, I grab my Filson hunting jacket. An Arteryx shell isn't going to rip if you snag it on the errant branch, but it isn't designed to withstand the sustained abuse of bush whacking through briars the way a Filson piece will.

If you're looking to replace your Filson with something better suited for hiking, you won't be disappointed with Arcteryx.
 
Thanks for all the info so far.

That helps a lot to know what the SV, AR, etc stands for Eginder.

One more question. Are these jackets going to be as warm as my Filson?
 
I have a pair of Arcteryx pants that have proven to be good quality, though I wouldn't have looked twice at them if they weren't 50% off. That's just how I buy my clothing.

It think it's pretty impossible to say whether they will be as warm as your Filson. Warmth is a function of loft, wind repellency, fit, etc.. A shell without insulation under it is generally not very warm.

Rather than fixate on one brand, I'd recommend going to a quality mountaineering store, telling them what you want a jacket to do, and see what they suggest. Arcteryx, Patagonia, Royal Robins, Helly Hansen, North Face, yadayadayada...they all have different interpretations and innovations, but for the most part it's all pretty interchangeable. Every brand has some items that are more fashion than function, so look at the garment, not the name. Hell, it's all made in China anyway.
 
crossada said:
One more question. Are these jackets going to be as warm as my Filson?
Click to expand...

If your staying in the realm of their Gore Tex shells, probably not. Those Mackinaw Cruisers are, if I'm recalling correctly, big, cozy, warm and made of wool. With a Gore Tex shell, you get a lot of wind resistance, and fair breath-ability, but very little actual insulation.

If you're moving briskly, and building up heat, you probably don't want a tremendous amount of insulation and the breath-ability will keep you dry, to a certain extent. But when you stop moving, you'll need something with insulating properties, like down or fleece, to keep you warm, assuming it's cold outside, which it probably is, or you wouldn't be wearing a jacket...

Anyway, that's the downside of the high end Gore Tex shell. You pay a lot for the jacket, and then you still need to buy something to wear underneath for insulation. But, once you actually pull the trigger and get both pieces, you'll have a really versatile combo that is light, compressible, warm and will keep you dry on the inside and outside.

By the way, some of Arcteryx's stuff is still made in Canada. I bought a Beta AR last year and it was Canadian-made. The lightweight stuff is Chinese, but the SV and AR was still Canadian as of a couple of months ago.

If you have the luxury of time, wait to make your purchase, or try to find some of last season's stuff at a deep discount. All of the outdoor clothing manufacturers are releasing their Fall lines right now, so you won't see any great deals until after the Holidays for the current line. Last year, when I decided on an AR, I waited patiently until Spring and got about 40% off. It took some on-line detective work, but it definitely was worth the wait.
 
I've got the Beta SL and love it. Arc'teryx is as high quality as you can buy, but you can buy the same quality for a little less in other brands.
Pay attention to which gore tex fabric they use when you compare their jackets to other brands. A lot of people get confused by all the different versions of goretex.

Another brand to consider is Eddie Bauer's First Ascent line.
You should also open your mind up to other fabrics like eVent which are just as waterproof but breathe better.

Whatever you buy, check out the reviews at backcountry.com. That's a great site with reviews from mostly very experienced users.
 
I used to go nutso for Patagonia gear, but Arc'teryx definitely makes the best outerwear on earth these days. Yes, their prices are ludicrous, but a lot of the most expensive stuff is made in Canada, not overseas, which maybe accounts for some of that. The innovation, materials, and details make for a truly superior product. I have a lot of Arc'teryx gear including packs and climbing harnesses, and it's without equal. Occasionally, there will be a detail that bugs me, but generally, Arc'teryx gear is beautifully cut/tailored, exceptionally made, and they choose top notch materials. I live 10 minutes away from the Arc'teryx HQ and they're having a monster seconds/factory sale this weekend should you find yourself in Vancouver! I wouldn't worry about an Arc'teryx shell falling apart - and if it did for some reason, they'd replace it ASAP. I have an Alpha LT Gore Tex shell and it's brilliant: fantastic cut, Gore Tex ProShell, H20-resist zippers, crazy light - it's the perfect backcountry bad weather fortress. If you're really tough on things, you could step-up to the Alpha SV, basically the same jacket, but with a heavier face fabric.
 
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