I’ve been using this for: 18 months, and it’s had a good testing. Probably 50+ days in the summer, and 20+ this winter.
Where?: Summer alpine mountaineering and spring ski touring in the Alps
Official website: Arcteryx Website
A lightweight windproof softshell jacket, un-insulated.
Features: Helmet compatible hood, two chest pockets, one “phone pocket”.
Good Stuff:
This is a great fair weather softshell jacket, lightweight and windproof, it’s perfect for summer alpine climbing and spring ski touring.
Very breathable, because it’s not designed to be waterproof. I use it a lot in the summer with a T-shirt underneath on snow to stop sunburn as I find it more flexible than a long sleeve thermal.
It’s comfortable enough when wearing a T-shirt, no scratching of seams on bare arms.
The hood also fits easily over my helmet, useful for windy ridges and summits.
Arcteryx use a little foam ridge at the bottom of their jackets to stop them riding above a harness, and this really does work! A genius little invention that solves an annoying little problem.
Not so good bits:
This really is a light jacket, and as such it will withstand a few drops of rain but not much more than that. It’s more about keeping the cold wind off. I always carry a little lightweight waterproof in the bottom of my sack as a backup.
The general fit is possibly slightly baggy, but that I guess that means you could get a few warm layers underneath.
Conclusion:
A really great summer softshell jacket, lightweight, breathable and versatile. Carry a lightweight waterproof in your sack as a backup.
Keeping the wind off on a bright, but chilly Matterhorn summit, 2013.
Cosmiques Arete in Chamonix, another fine softshell day.
