Brand Spotlight: Arc'teryx

Arc’teryx is known for its superior quality gear across the outdoor industry. From ski apparel to climbing harnesses to backpacks and trail running shoes. Born in Vancouver at the base on Canada’s iconic Coast Mountain Range; their products show they can withstand the rigors of their home range and bring that level of quality to anywhere your adventures may take you. With most things in life, you get what you pay for, and Arc’teryx is no exception. Arc’teryx has a reputation for being one of the more expensive brands, but quality comes at a cost. Lucky for you we’ve teamed up with Moosejaw and Arc’teryx to get you the best deals on best gear in the business. Our testers took these 5 pieces into Colorado’s remote Gore Range to see if they lived up to the hype. 

Arc’teryx Women's Beta SL Hybrid Jacket

Arc’teryx Women's Beta SL Hybrid Jacket - Women's Starting at: $405.88 The Beta line from Arc’teryx equals versatility, designed to be used for a variety of activities in any conditions mother nature might throw at you. Our tester took to Colorado’s rugged wilderness to give the Beta SL a run for its money. Our tester raved about the fit and style of the Beta SL. The fit is athletic but loose enough to fit a thin layer underneath for additional warmth. Testers especially appreciated the length of the jacket; commenting, “Perfect length. It’s hard to find a rain jacket that isn’t too long or too short.” Utilizing both superlight N40r GORE-TEX and GORE C-KNIT creates a supple lightweight and waterproof shell that sheds water like a champ. Testers only gripe with the Beta SL was after a rain and a little exertion the inside of the jacket tends to get a bit sticky next to skin as is common with many rain jackets. Big underarm vents are the best defense against the sticky syndrome and to dump heat quickly when things start to heat up. With Arc’teryx’s smart design and use of versatile lightweight materials, you’ll have no excuse to leave the Beta SL at home.

Arc’teryx Creston 11 Inch Short 

Arc'teryx Men's Creston 11 Inch Short Starting at: $104.10 If you find yourself overheating on summer hikes you may want to consider the Creston Short from Arc’teryx. Made of extremely breathable materials and utilizing Arc’teryx’s Abron™ weave fabric means durability and breathability are equally weighted in these shorts. Sporting 5 pockets, the Creston shorts have room for all the accessories you could want on the trail. A trim athletic fit and plenty of stretch are all with classic styling means these shorts are ready for any adventure and can make the transition from trail to town seamlessly.

Arc’teryx Women's Gamma SL Hoody

Arc’teryx Women's Gamma SL Hoody Starting at: $214.88 This super-light softshell is the perfect companion for when you are only expecting light precipitation or just need a little extra wind protection. Being a softshell jacket the Gamma breathes incredibly well, meaning you don’t have to take it on and off as the weather changes. Wind and water resistance keep you protected through most light thunderstorms you may encounter while romping around the mountains. Our testers loved how minimalistic the Gamma is, the Fortius™ fabric is durable yet you’ll barely notice it in your pack. One feature missing from the Gamma is the lack of chest pockets, but we do understand the omission in favor of lightness and minimalism. 

Arc’teryx Men's Palisade Pant

Arc’teryx Men's Palisade Pant Starting at: $167.13 The Palisade Pant is built for adventure. Made from lightweight, quick-drying, TerraTex nylon the pants provide additional coverage for protection from bugs or brush without overheating. Our tester was comfortable in these pants at temperatures upwards of 75 degrees. Testers commented on the ultra-lightweight and extremely packable nature of the pants, making them a perfect companion for your summer backpacking trips. We even found these pants comfortable enough to sleep in for a little added warmth on those cold nights. Despite the lightweight materials testers predicted the pants are quite durable and will hold up to years of mountain abuse. The only fault our team found was they might not be quite warm enough once temps drop below 50 degrees, but on the other hand, these pants were designed for summer hiking, and if needed you can always pair with a baselayer to boost the cold weather capability.

Arc’teryx Alpha AR 35 Pack

Arc’teryx Alpha AR 35 Pack Starting at: $209.15 This pack features Arc’teryx’s proprietary fabric that is built to stand up to the rigorous durability requirements of alpine and rock climbing. The nylon ripstop is coated for extra durability and weather resistance. Testers loved the adjustable top opening to the pack leading to room for a full days worth of gear in the mountains. Sporting multiple attachment points on the outside of the pack for ropes, ice axes, etc., the Alpha AR is ready to carry all of your alpine or ice climbing gear efficiently. We packed this pack down to max capacity, well maybe over the weight limits intended for this pack. Consequently, we found the waist strap a bit lacking for extremely heavy loads; however, if you keep your loads light you shouldn’t have a problem as the shoulder straps are more than adequate.