Arc'teryx Men's Theta AR Jacket (Fall 06)

pickinjim - 2007-07-28

Sharp Dress For The Trail
Well. I just got this jacket two weeks ago so I don't yet have much to say except that the design and materials are the best i've ever seen. Altrec got it to the door right timely I might add. Ordinarily I would have waited a while do to a full performance review but I get a 10% discount on my next purchase if I do my review within 14 days so I'm doing one now. So get the jacket It's great!!!

Was this Arcteryx Theta AR Jacket (Fall 06) Review Helpful? - Yes - No (0 of 2 liked this review)

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LEE JONG WHA - 2007-07-22

Theta AR Jacket
Kudos to Arc'teryx for making the best waterproof/breathable shell in the market! The Theta AR is another witness to the quality and integrity of the Arc'teryx brand. If you know quality outdoor brands, then you know Arc'cteryx. This is by far the best shell ever. Superb fit, comfortable design and tough fabrics. It makes The North Face look like a marketing joke.

Is this Handy? - Yes - No (2 of 2 liked this review)

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Anonymous - 2007-02-16

This theta
Great coat,surprisingly thin yet very warm.

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> Read All 62 Reviews

pickinjim - 2007-07-28

Sharp Dress For The Trail
Well. I just got this jacket two weeks ago so I don't yet have much to say except that the design and materials are the best i've ever seen. Altrec got it to the door right timely I might add. Ordinarily I would have waited a while do to a full performance review but I get a 10% discount on my next purchase if I do my review within 14 days so I'm doing one now. So get the jacket It's great!!!

Was this Arcteryx Theta AR Jacket (Fall 06) Review Helpful? - Yes - No (0 of 2 liked this review)

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LEE JONG WHA - 2007-07-22

Theta AR Jacket
Kudos to Arc'teryx for making the best waterproof/breathable shell in the market! The Theta AR is another witness to the quality and integrity of the Arc'teryx brand. If you know quality outdoor brands, then you know Arc'cteryx. This is by far the best shell ever. Superb fit, comfortable design and tough fabrics. It makes The North Face look like a marketing joke.

Is this Handy? - Yes - No (2 of 2 liked this review)

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Anonymous - 2007-02-16

This theta
Great coat,surprisingly thin yet very warm.

Is this Useful? - Yes - No (1 of 1 liked this review)

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Jeff Young - 2007-01-15

A great jacket for everything!
I like this jacket alot! I am 5'10" 205 lbs. I bought the XL and the L and the XL fits much better. The L didn't have much room for layering. I do wish the XL sleeve lenght was about 1" shorter, o well I cant have it all. I love the chin and the hood, they fit great. The rain just shakes right off this thing, and I stay very cool and dry in it. The price is not cheap but ALTREC gave me a great price, well worth it. I returned the L after trying them both on and the return was as easy and simple as the site says it would be. I'll shop here again. Great service!

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S.K. LEE - 2007-01-05

Warm ,comfort
SIMPLY THE BEST during the Korean winter season Don't worry about extreme weather while wearing this jacket.

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ZAK RAML - 2006-07-31

GREAT!
Theta AR is the only Jacket I will ever need. Best of the line all the protection comfort and fits perfectly. A perfect match my my Beta AR Pant! Zipers and hood construction like no others. A bit pricey but worth every dollar. The BEST!

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pradeep narotam - 2006-05-27

fully waterproof!
I was surprised when it came in . light weight. thin. toured in europe. totally water and wind proof, including hood. expensive but worth it. No need for umbrella or raincoat. great styling.

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Anonymous - 2006-03-24

Great shell as advertised....
Lightweight, windproof, warm as long as you layer underneath - looks good too. Vents zippers, pulls in all the right places.

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Anonymous - 2006-03-21

Best Shell on the Market - Period !
I have had the Theta AR for about a year now and can say with confidence that this is the best shell out there on the market. I won't repeat all the virtues that others have listed. I have climbed in the Himalayas (India/Nepal/Bhutan), and this tank survived without a scratch.It is completely waterproof/windproof/bomb-proof. The previous poster noted that the jacket is stiff, but that is to be expected of a 3 ply material. If you want a softer shell, you might like to try the cheap(er), heavier 2 ply shells with mesh lining which are adequate for everyday use. The extra bum-covering length is great, allowing one to sit on snow or ice. I'm 6' 165 lb and the Large fit is roomy - for eg. on summit day I had the Theta AR over a Large MH Sub Zero SL Down Jacket as there was a lot of wet snow about. The hood is seperate from the collar, so you don't have to unzip the collar to remove or put on the hood. All in all a rare top quality jacket still made in Canada. Buy one before they all bear the "Made in China" label with corresponding quality. Things to improve: 1.put a garage on the sleeve zipper. 2.Make the front zipper two way. 3.Make hood stowable/removable.4.Remove the elastic from the cuffs. 5.Improve customer service/responsiveness (Take the excellent Altrec a goal to strive for)

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nathan mills - 2006-02-12

THE EARL OF JACKETS
BEST JACKET HANDS DOWN.BOUGHT THE JACKET MAINLY FOR SKIING AND DO NOT REGRET THE CHOICE ONE BIT.REPELS THE WIND LIKE HIGH KARATE REPELS THE LADIES,ONE SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET JACKET.

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Anonymous - 2006-02-02

It's all in the fit
The greatest thing about this jacket is the fit! It's sized to fit an athletic person without extra fabric to bulk up and get in your way. I'm a skier and also really like the helmet compatible hood. In windy snowy conditions it is great to be able to pull the hood over your helmet and keep the weather from going down your back. Hands down, if your are looking for the best of waterproof/breathable fabric, the Gore Tex XCR is the only way to god. North Face's HyVent, and Mountain Hardware's Conduit don't compare. The jacket is pricey, but as I put it to my wife, "it is all I wanted for Christmas". I did tons of research to see if the jacket was really worth the money. I went to all the local outdoor stores to try on the competing jackets....and they don't even come close. One of the imediate immediate reactions was that all the other jackets were heavey unless you went with the Gore Tex Packlight. Only problem with the Packlight is it just doesn't have the durability. The last thing you want to do is spend a small fortune on a jacket for it to rip on the first outing. Another key feature for me is the hood is seperate from the caller. It drives me nuts (with most other similar jackets) to have to pull the front zip down so you can put on the hood (most intergrate the hood with the caller). Only con I can think of right now is the layout of the front zips. The are too high to really be hand warming pockets. I'm also confused why they omitted the zipper garage on the arm zip. All in all, this really is the best shell you can buy.

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Dallas Powderhound - 2006-01-30

Quality Product
Incredibly lightweight, waterproof, and protective. Good looking, too. I was initially disappointed that the main zip is one-way(at least the pit zips are two way), no powder skirt, and that there is no hood stowage. After some use, though, I am so pleased with it's other excellent aspects that I consider this the best hardshell I've owned. Then again, it should be for the price. I think the sizing is pretty accurate - I'm hard to fit at 5'11", 180# and 46" chest, but the XL fits great over a mid-layer. A size smaller may have worked, given the looser tailoring of this coat. The true hip length cut may not be for everybody, but it is great for keeping your butt warm and dry on the slope, lift, and bicycle. The construction and attention to detail is impeccable.

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Lake Samm Man - 2006-01-23

Worth the Money
I recently bought the Theta Jacket and it can't be beat. The quality of the construction is great and the design's functionality matches the quality. The only thing I would could have asked for was more choices in color.

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James Stock - 2006-01-23

Perfect!!!!!!!!!
This is absolutely the best jacket I have ever owned. I've been stopped by strangers on several occasions asking me about the coat and where it was purchased. What else can I say? The Theta AR Jacket has nearly perfect construction, it is totally waterproof with excellent breathability. I can't say enough about this jacket....it's the best!

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jung hye kim - 2006-01-22

Master piece of Jacket!
Really Coold and Great Jacket!

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Chuck - 2006-01-17

Worth the price
Comparing this to my North Face Mountain Light shell, there are tremendous differences with regard to stitching, and the liberal use of taping makes it impervious to rainwater. Haven't had a chance to use it on any trips yet, but paired with a fleece jacket makes the combination unbeatable! Very high quality piece of equipment. The pit zips are a bit stiff, and so may feel a bit uncomfortable until the jacket gets worn a little while, but other than that minor bit, I have no complaints. Excellent product!

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Michael - 2006-01-07

Outstanding Quqality
After being extremely happy with my Arc'teryx soft shell i took the plunge and got the Theta. Debated between the Theta and Sidewinder, but liked the versatility of the Theta. Not at all disappointed - used it almost immediately after receiving it for a ski trip to Lake Louise - worked like a champ at the top of the mountain with the wind and cold - a perfect weather barrier. Plus it's extremely light and the hood fits perfectly over a helmet. The protected zippers definitely work, but make zipping up and down two-hand jobs - a small price to pay for the benefit.

Is this Handy? - Yes - No

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JKB - 2006-01-04

Top of the Line Protection & Comfort
I tried this jacket on at REI and was impressed with the feel and fit at once. The lining in this jacket is like satin. The sizing of the large fits me perfectly (I'm 6'2, 185lbs). The the articulated sleeves fit great not too long - about 2" past the wrist. The fit tip describes the fit - loose but not baggy. The pockets are roomy and in the right places. The length of this jacket is longer than other shells I have tried (NF and MHW) covers the hips, which is what I want. Wore the jacket hiking during recent heavy rain storms, no leaks no condensation inside. DWR finish didn't get that wet look/feel. Water shakes right off this jacket like it was a Duck. The Spruce color I ordered is very attractive, darker green with less blue tones than swatch. Altrec service is super - shipped the same day of order. This jacket is pricey but worth it. Saved over $100 by buying it from Altrec.

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JR - 2005-12-28

awesome!!!
Great hardshell by Arc'Teryx. I love it!!!

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DJ - 2005-11-30

Best shell I have ever owned
Fits great, pockets where you need them, never leaks. High quality but still very pricey. I got it on sale. Great shell for skiing or even everyday use.

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Anonymous - 2005-06-25

excelent
excelent jacket for skiing

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Anonymous - 2005-04-28

Great
New length only adds to the utility of this high end water proof shell. Best on the market!!!

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Anonymous - 2005-04-26

Light Shell
Very light shell and also very good fit and finish.

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Anonymous - 2005-04-18

Subtly sweet
I've had mine for 4 months, no real big rainstorms, but I've used it enough to form opinions. Breathability is chief asset-amazing capability. Pockets are a lot easier to access w/ those zippers. Looks streamlined, fits well, true to size. Much roomier fit than MHW stuff. Pretty long-it's a 4season parka, nota summer rain jacket. Still its light enough for backpacking. DWR is only OK. But yeah, it is the best technology we've invented to date to keep dry. Period.

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Anonymous - 2005-03-09

Best shell jacket!
This jacket looks very stylish and the fit is excellent (with some layering). Wore it during the recent east coast blizzard and this jacket has been holding up great. Completely wind proof and waterproof. The quality is top notch. Definitely worth every penny.

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Anonymous - 2005-03-09

Great!!!
Best jacket ever

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Anonymous - 2005-03-08

Great Jacket!
This is the lightest jacket that I have ever had. The material and finishes are of top quality. The only down side I can see is the lack of a two-way zipper system.

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- 2005-03-07

Coolest Shell ever!
I have been looking for a shell that can do it all, and I found it here. ARC'Teryx makes a great shell that one can use for evrything that one can think of. It is sized to fit over layering, though I would still get the biggest size that you can. Look for sales, because this shell is not cheap, but it is worth it. I took it on a trip to the Patagonia, and I would rate it 10 plus!

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Anonymous - 2005-03-06

You're missing out on the perfect jacket!
Awesome jacket. I made the mistake of waiting to buy this jacket, and regret it! Don't let the high price dissuade you, this jacket will live up to all expectations. Superb cut, that's slightly longer in the back protects your butt from wet benches/ski lifts, and the hood encompasses a huge amount of space, for those of us, who get to be a bit 'big-headed' at times. Extremely versatile, perfect for skiing, climbing, or sailing. 3 nice front pocket & a sleeve pocket hold all of the neccessities, and the pit-zips work very well. All of the zippers are well constructed/waterproof so the jacket doesn't need to include all sorts of silly zipper flaps and such. I recommend this jacket to anyone who's any one.

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Anonymous - 2005-02-23

IT IS GREAT!
IT IS GREAT!

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Anonymous - 2005-02-22

super
A perfect shell. I owned a Patagonia shell for many years and replaced it with this. It is far superior. Zippers are great and wind tight. Zips high enough to block out neck and the fabric there is soft against your chin and neck. Very light weight and totally breathable. The best outer layer I have owned.

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Anonymous - 2005-02-20

great 3 ply gortex shell--VERY lightweight
worn during the great rain meltdown of whistler jan 15-22....jacket kept me dry!

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PARK - 2005-02-18

excellent
very good thank you

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Anonymous - 2005-02-15

Solid jacket built for rough out door activities
Great outdoors jacket for being on the mountain all year around. Good fit which gives a nice feeling when going down hill. Good and reliable features when going cross country skiing. In total the jacket feels solid and built for rough out door activities.

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Greg Namin - 2005-02-06

Two words: waterproof zippers
One major innovation that attracted me to Arc'teryx jackets was the use of waterproof zippers. I had long been a The North Face fan, but got turned off by the fact that it started becoming a status symbol, hence, the price went up. I found myself buying a TNF jacket and seemingly paying more for the brand than the quality and innovation involved with making the jacket. My first Arc'teryx was a Theta LT. After using it for two years, I chanced upon a picture of the Theta AR. The previous version had a storm flap covering the main zipper. This one now had an uncovered waterproof zip. I didn't like the fact that the zipper would keep snagging on the storm flap of my old Theta LT, so I purchased an AR. I've had it for 3 years now and have been very happy with it. It has protected me through numerous rainy and snowy days and nights from work in the big city to snowboarding and backpacking trips. I wish the inside wear points were a little more protected from abrasion. Within two years of service, I had to send my jacket to a repair outfit to have them patch a small hole that was caused by abrasion from my inner clothing. Second wish would be that the company keep their more popular colors for more than just one production year. The Theta AR is, indeed, an All-Round jacket. You know you're not paying for the brand name when you purchase one. There's a lot of cutting edge innovation that goes into the making of this jacket. Heck, I've purchased a second one already! :D

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Anonymous - 2005-01-30

Best Winter Shell
I love this parka. I have tried a number of parkas from a variety of manufacturers, and this is the best -- hands down. It has a large fit so it works well over a bulky fleece or a down jacket, and it has phenomenal ventilation ability. A serious shell.

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Anonymous - 2004-12-27

Best
I wear this jacket skiing. Alpine, backcountry, heli. It is the best. Has been exposed to it all. The lightest, best protecting shell on the market!

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Lou - 2004-12-11

Best ever
Have to agree with priors. This is by far the best shell ever. Makes North Face look like a marketing joke.

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Anonymous - 2004-12-04

Great year-round jacket
I've only had this jacket for a couple of weeks and it's great. I've worn it through some windy thunderstorms and the hood stays in place and has kept my upper body dry. It's a very good year-round jacket.

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Anonymous - 2004-12-01

Yes please.
I have not had the time to use the jacket that much yet but it is great this far. I use it mostly for bicycling in the city but also some hiking. The weather has been various, from -10C and snowstorm to +5C and rain. The jacket is spacious but is easily being tightened with the draw cords so it is good both with insulation and just as it is. It leaves very good mobility and enough of pocket etc. Since the jacket is an AR it’s a bit longer and goes over the bum, perfect for example bicycling and ice-skating. All in all I recommend the jacket if you look for an all round-jacket or if your just want buy something that makes you happy.

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Anonymous - 2004-09-01

Straight up!
Same here man! By far the best all around extreme jacket there is! Never hot nor cold! I've even bounced off rocks in the back country and not even a scratch. This jacket is swell!

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Anonymous - 2004-08-12

it rocks!
It´s the best jacket, i´ve ever worn!

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Anonymous - 2004-08-09

one of the best Gore-tex jacket
perfect in all conditions!

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Anonymous - 2004-06-27

Awesome Jacket
This jacket is incredible. It is highly breathable consisting of Gore-Tex XCR fabric backed up by huge pitzips. Arc'Teryx makes highly functional and lightweight products and this is no exception. I have used this jacket from backpacking to climbing and everything in between, and I highly recommend it if you can stand the price.

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Anonymous - 2004-04-23

Best all-round shell
This is the best all-round shell, period. I've used many shells from Marmot, Mountain Hardware, The North Face and Helly Hansen, and nothing comes close to this one. The Theta AR is very light yet very tough. Its build is quality and fit are way above the other brands. The cool waterproof zippers really work. I wear it in rain and snow and it always keeps me warm and dry. It does keep moisture a bit after heavy activity, but then the pit zips solve that problem. It's a great piece from Arc'Teryx.

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Anonymous - 2004-02-15

Best Multi-Purpose Shell
The Theta AR jacket is a great shell for all kinds of activities. Great for skiing, as well as a long walk to campus with blistering winds. Super warm stand alone jacket, traps heat wonderfully and has excellent venting system when you need to cool off. Not only ideal in snowy conditions, rain will bead up immediately and shed right off. My favorite shell yet!

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Anonymous - 2004-01-30

Great jacket
If you like to have One shell jacket for all your outdoor activities,then make this yours.It`s equally good at the slope as in a winter hiking trip.

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Ciprian - 2004-01-29

excellent buy
The toughest test on my jacket was a full day out fishing in Northwest winter rain! It kept me dry and warm. The adjustable hood is awesome. Two thumbs up for the ThetaAR!

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Anonymous - 2004-01-28

Price = Value
I did a lot of shopping around to get comfortable with the seemingly outrageous price of this jacket. I haven't felt the slightest bit of buyer's remorse. So far, it's kept out Portland, OR rain and Mt. Hood snow with no problems at all. I hope to get years of wear out of this piece. The quality shows in the attention to details.

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Anonymous - 2004-01-11

Theta AR rocks
I called several online companies and they all said Theta AR is the best jacket in the market, even better than the North Face. At first, i didn't believe it, but after purchasing it, i was astounded. I own several North Face jackets (they're awesome too), but Theta AR exceeds them all. This is truly the best on the market.

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Anonymous - 2003-11-14

Great Jacket
The "Best" jacket on the market, Period. No real wear in hiking, Kayaking, or in Snow in three years.

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Zoran - 2003-05-26

Cadillac of all jackets!
I got it last fall. Theta AR is piece of art. Very expensive but I manage to buy it. Since then I used AR only twice and both times I was more than happy. I felt little guilty to wear this jacket because it is absolute overkill for weather conditions we encounter. It was cold and a little windy but far from situation my Arcteryx jacket can handle. I sometimes wear it in my apartment and driv my wife crazy. She is not mountain climber and she doesn't understand. She can't accept reality that I bought Cadillac of all jackets. P.S. (I have one Navarro Sympatex shell and I am using it frequently.)

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Warren Parker - 2003-01-02

For the love of god buy this NOW.
The BEST jacket I have ever worn. I read plenty of positive reviews before I bought the Theta AR and now I understand why this jacket came so highly recommended. I also understand why people are fiercely loyal to Arc'Teryx - anything they put their name on is guaranteed to be incredible quality, case closed.

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Patrick - 2002-08-27

Great Product
This is my first real shell jacket. I had a North Face Mountain Guide, but that was far too bulky and heavy. I love this jacket and take it everywhere, it is so light that it is barely noticable, and yet it provides all the weather protection needed for any climate or storm. Another excelent invention bye the ArcTeryx Team.

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2cam88 - 1999-12-21

The best you can buy. Quality is #1
Hell yes its expensive! Worth every penny in my humble opinion. Want a coat that's going to last and out perform all other coats? Very light and doesn't feel bulky. Just wished Arc'teryx would put a place to stow the hood...

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Anonymous - 2006-03-18

Very well made
I've had this jacket for most of a winter now and I think it's really well constructed. The pockets kind of bother me however. For some reason, the front pocket was made slanted, and placed over the left hand pocket. This makes it a little uncomfortable for your left hand when you want to keep your hands in your pocket if you're using this front pocket to hold something. If I could, I'd suggest to Arc'teryx to slide this front pocket higher and towards the center. This would be more ergonomically correct - something that Arc'teryx usually does a wonderful job of paying attention to. Other than that, I'd wish that the Gore-tex material just wasn't so noisy when you moved around, but that's the trade off you get for using Gore-tex of course. Besides those two things however, the jacket is great, and much better than anything I've tried from North Face.

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Eric c. - 2006-01-24

Excellent product
I never tried it yet, but the seam & sewing looks excellent. This is Goretex XCR, so there would be no doubt of high preformance. But price is a little bit high comparing to other brand.

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Andrew Cooke - 2006-01-05

True quality.
Excellent quality jacket, no water is getting through this. A little pricey though it must be said, but I guess you get what you pays for.

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Anonymous - 2005-02-24

actually...
everybody seems to really love this jacket. it has gotten great reviews, is arc'teryx's best selling jacket... however, i'm not sure if i really like this jacket. i have a couple arc'teryx products, and so far have loved the brand. this jacket looks very nice, seems to be built very well, however i have some complaints about the fit and the functionality. to begin with, the arm pits are too high and so they are uncomfortable at times and even hurt sometimes. i've been thinking that the pit-zippers are just stiff because they're new, but i've been waiting, and working at the zippers, but the armpits continue be uncomfortable. (BTW i have a very average build and am in good health. I'm 5'8", and weigh 160lbs.) next, the design of the pockets don't make much sense to me. why is the front pocket (not the hand warmer pockets) slanted? it's deep and awkward so that it's difficult for me to get things in and out of it. i guess it makes sure that things don't fall out easily. the rest of the jacket is made from great materials. the hood is great. the long arms are great. the laminate (versus stiching) is great and makes the jacket feel very stream lined which i like (i don't like to be encumbered). the draw cords are good for making the jacket fit tighter if you're wearing something lighter underneath. and the jacket breathes well, and so far feels completely water proof. i just don't know if i can get over those armpits. i'll give it a try for a while longer, but if they don't losen up anytime soon, i may have to return this. (altrec BTW boasts a great return policy. I've never tried to return anything yet, but I may have to now.)

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Trevor - 2003-03-07

Awesome Jacket for All-round Use
Bought this jacket around Christmas, and tend to wear it for hiking, snowshoeing, cycling, rainy days, and to the grocery store. The jacket keeps the rain and damp Northwest weather out. Althought, it tends to keep the moisture in when working hard. The pit zips help improve ventilation to remove this moisture problem. The jacket is is form fitting compared to other hard shells I tried. Complaint/comments so far are that the hood does not store away, and that the waterproof zippers are very stiff until broken in. Other than that, top notch jacket, well worth the price.

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Ronan Tagsip - 2006-09-22

Nice Jacket
Its a good jacket its just that the sizes come big.

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Mike B. - 2000-01-23

Best all round shell
I bought this jacket one year ago after trading in my Marmot Alpinist. Best move I ever made. Lightweight, breathable, and absolutely waterproof. I use it often on Mt. Washington and wouldn't want to use anything else. The higher cut than the LT in the front is great while using a harness. The construction it unbeaten. Gore-Taped all around, and the waterproof zippers are the best feature since pit-zips. If you need a jacket that you never have to worry about, this is the one.

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