Arc’teryx Fission SV Jacket review | Waterproof, insulated and near perfect

Last updated: January 19, 2025

Arc'teryx Fission SV Jacket

The Arc'teryx Fission SV Jacket (Men's - Women's) is a great option for low-output use in quite cold, wet and windy conditions.

The Arc'teryx Fission SV Jacket was long a favorite of many skiers and snowboarders - even despite its notable absence of any snowsport-specific features. But as if often the case with Arc'teryx products, the Fission SV Jacket was discontinued a couple years ago and has since been replaced with a growing number of synthetic insulated jackets. 

If you're set on purchasing an insulated, weatherproof jacket for skiing or snowboarding, your Winter 2024-2025 choices are the brand new Fissile SV Down Jacket (yes, Fissile sounds a lot like Fission, but they're not the same), the Rush Insulated Jacket, the Sabre Insulated Jacket, or the Macai Jacket.  

If you want a waterproof and windproof insulated jacket but don't care about skiing or riding, you have some other great Arc'teryx options, including the Beta Insulated Jacket (read our review), the Beta Down Insulated Jacket, the Ralle Insulated Jacket, and the Therme SV Parka (read our review). Here's how Arc'teryx compares these four jackets: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/compare/X000007371/X000008885/X000007315/X000006581

Check out our Best Arc'teryx Jackets for Skiing overview for a breakdown on each of these jackets. Or, for nostalgia sake, our old Arc'teryx Fission SV Jacket review remains below. 

Summary

Despite its minor flaws (loose collar configuration and rough zipper flow), the Arc'teryx Fission SV Jacket is still worth getting. Why? Because no other Arc'teryx ski and snowboard jacket is nearly as warm, windproof and waterproof. In other words, it's without equal within the Arc'teryx product line. 

Yes, these flaws can be annoying. But I don't think they're a deal-breaker (at least not for me). 

Warmth

In Arc'teryx's lineup, the Fission SV Jacket is the warmest synthetic insulated jacket

  • Temperature ratings of Arc'teryx jackets

NameEst. Temp (F/C)Best pick forReviewFit
Arc'teryx Alpha Parka (Men's - Women's)-18/-28Warmest Arc'teryx jacket. ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Alpha Lightweight (Men's - Women's)5/-15Regular
Arc'teryx Atom (aka LT) ( Men's - Women's)43/6High output activities. ReviewTrim
Arc'teryx Atom Heavyweight (aka AR) (Men's - Women's)18/-8ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Atom Lightweight (aka SL) (Men's - Women's)52/11ReviewTrim
Arc'teryx Beta Down Insulated (Men's)0/-18Regular
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated (Men's)21/-6ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated Coat (Women's)16/-9ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Cerium (aka LT) (Men's - Women's)26/-3Light down jacket. ReviewTrim
Arc'teryx Cerium Hybrid (Women's)44/7Trim
Arc'teryx Coelle (Women's)14/-10Regular
Arc'teryx Liatris (Women's)5/-15Regular
Arc'teryx Liatris Parka (Women's)2/-17Regular
Arc'teryx Nuclei (aka FL) ( Men's - Women's)32/0ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Nuclei SV (Women's)5/-15Warmest belay jacket. ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Patera (Women's)21/-6ReviewTrim
Arc'teryx Patera Long (Women's)0/-18Women's warmest parka. Regular
Arc'teryx Proton Lightweight (aka FL) (Men's - Women's)48/9Chilly summer mornings.ReviewTrim
Arc'teryx Therme Parka (Men's)5/-15ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Therme SV (Men's)-11/-24Men's warmest parka. ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Thorium ( Men's - Women's)12/-11Warm down jacket.ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Thorium Parka (Women's)-2/-19ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Thorium SV (Men's)3/-16Gore-Tex down jacket.Regular
Arc'teryx Thorium SV Parka (Men's)0/-18Regular
Black Diamond Access Down (Men's - Women's)7/-14Regular
Feathered Friends Eos(Men's - Women's)8/-13Regular
Feathered Friends Khumbu (Men's)-17/-27Regular
Mountain Equipment Exo (Men's)-10/-23Regular
Mountain Equipment K7 (Men's)-13/-25Regular
Mountain Hardwear GW/2 (Men's - Women's)28/-2Trim
Outdoor Research Sup. Alp. (Men's - Women's)3/-16Regular
Patagonia AlpLight (Men's - Women's)36/2Slim
Patagonia AlpLoft (Men's)-10/-23Regular
Patagonia DAS (Men's - Women's)10/-12ReviewRegular
Patagonia DAS Light(Men's)34/1ReviewRegular
Patagonia Down Sweater (Men's - Women's)23/-5ReviewRegular
Patagonia Downdrift (Men's - Women's)18/-8Regular
Patagonia Fitz Roy (Men's - Women's)14/-10Regular
Patagonia Isthmus (Men's)36/2Regular
Patagonia Jackson Glacier (Men's - Women's)12/-11ReviewRegular
Patagonia Jackson Glacier Parks ( Women's)7/-14Regular
Patagonia Micro Puff (Men's - Women's)37/3ReviewRegular
Patagonia Nano Air (Men's - Women's)39/4ReviewTrim
Patagonia Nano Air Light Hybrid (Men's - Women's)50/10Trim
Patagonia Nano Puff (Men's - Women's)41/5ReviewRegular
Patagonia Silent Down (Men's - Women's)26/-3ReviewRegular
Patagonia Stormshadow (Men's)0/-18Regular
Patagonia Tres 3-in-1Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 (Men's - Women's)8/-13ReviewRegular
Patagonia Vosque 3-in-1 (Women's)10/-12ReviewRegular
Rab Electron Pro (Men's - Women's)5/-15Regular
Rab Infinity Alpine (Men's)5/-15Regular
Rab Infinity Microlight (Men's - Women's)19/-7Regular
Rab Microlight Alpine (Men's - Women's)7/-14Regular
Rab Neutrino Pro (Men's - Women's)-2/-19Regular
Rab Positron Pro (Men's)-13/-25Regular
REI Magma 850 Hoodie 2.0 (Men's - Women's)14/-10Regular
 

Assumptions: Worn over a thin shirt, no output, no precipitation, light to no wind. Values are always for size M and for men's, except for women's-only items. 

Primary use of this spectrum is for comparison, rather than figuring out absolute temp ratings. 

  • Performance ratings of Arc'teryx synthetics

NameEst. Temp (F/C)Best pick forReviewFit
Arc'teryx Alpha Parka (Men's - Women's)-18/-28Warmest Arc'teryx jacket. ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Alpha Lightweight (Men's - Women's)5/-15Regular
Arc'teryx Atom (aka LT) ( Men's - Women's)43/6High output activities. ReviewTrim
Arc'teryx Atom Heavyweight (aka AR) (Men's - Women's)18/-8ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Atom Lightweight (aka SL) (Men's - Women's)52/11ReviewTrim
Arc'teryx Beta Down Insulated (Men's)0/-18Regular
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated (Men's)21/-6ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated Coat (Women's)16/-9ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Cerium (aka LT) (Men's - Women's)26/-3Light down jacket. ReviewTrim
Arc'teryx Cerium Hybrid (Women's)44/7Trim
Arc'teryx Coelle (Women's)14/-10Regular
Arc'teryx Liatris (Women's)5/-15Regular
Arc'teryx Liatris Parka (Women's)2/-17Regular
Arc'teryx Nuclei (aka FL) ( Men's - Women's)32/0ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Nuclei SV (Women's)5/-15Warmest belay jacket. ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Patera (Women's)21/-6ReviewTrim
Arc'teryx Patera Long (Women's)0/-18Women's warmest parka. Regular
Arc'teryx Proton Lightweight (aka FL) (Men's - Women's)48/9Chilly summer mornings.ReviewTrim
Arc'teryx Therme Parka (Men's)5/-15ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Therme SV (Men's)-11/-24Men's warmest parka. ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Thorium ( Men's - Women's)12/-11Warm down jacket.ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Thorium Parka (Women's)-2/-19ReviewRegular
Arc'teryx Thorium SV (Men's)3/-16Gore-Tex down jacket.Regular
Arc'teryx Thorium SV Parka (Men's)0/-18Regular
Black Diamond Access Down (Men's - Women's)7/-14Regular
Feathered Friends Eos(Men's - Women's)8/-13Regular
Feathered Friends Khumbu (Men's)-17/-27Regular
Mountain Equipment Exo (Men's)-10/-23Regular
Mountain Equipment K7 (Men's)-13/-25Regular
Mountain Hardwear GW/2 (Men's - Women's)28/-2Trim
Outdoor Research Sup. Alp. (Men's - Women's)3/-16Regular
Patagonia AlpLight (Men's - Women's)36/2Slim
Patagonia AlpLoft (Men's)-10/-23Regular
Patagonia DAS (Men's - Women's)10/-12ReviewRegular
Patagonia DAS Light(Men's)34/1ReviewRegular
Patagonia Down Sweater (Men's - Women's)23/-5ReviewRegular
Patagonia Downdrift (Men's - Women's)18/-8Regular
Patagonia Fitz Roy (Men's - Women's)14/-10Regular
Patagonia Isthmus (Men's)36/2Regular
Patagonia Jackson Glacier (Men's - Women's)12/-11ReviewRegular
Patagonia Jackson Glacier Parks ( Women's)7/-14Regular
Patagonia Micro Puff (Men's - Women's)37/3ReviewRegular
Patagonia Nano Air (Men's - Women's)39/4ReviewTrim
Patagonia Nano Air Light Hybrid (Men's - Women's)50/10Trim
Patagonia Nano Puff (Men's - Women's)41/5ReviewRegular
Patagonia Silent Down (Men's - Women's)26/-3ReviewRegular
Patagonia Stormshadow (Men's)0/-18Regular
Patagonia Tres 3-in-1Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 (Men's - Women's)8/-13ReviewRegular
Patagonia Vosque 3-in-1 (Women's)10/-12ReviewRegular
Rab Electron Pro (Men's - Women's)5/-15Regular
Rab Infinity Alpine (Men's)5/-15Regular
Rab Infinity Microlight (Men's - Women's)19/-7Regular
Rab Microlight Alpine (Men's - Women's)7/-14Regular
Rab Neutrino Pro (Men's - Women's)-2/-19Regular
Rab Positron Pro (Men's)-13/-25Regular
REI Magma 850 Hoodie 2.0 (Men's - Women's)14/-10Regular
 

Performance data axis of synthetic jackets (this table) and shell jackets (table below) are different. Don't compare them. 

  • Performance ratings of Arc'teryx shells

NameActivityTemp (F/C)BreathabilityWeather Res.DurabilityBottom lineReviewPit zips?Two way zipper?Stuffs into itself?Face FabricFitWeightLength
Alpha (aka AR) (Men's - Women's)ClimbingN/A8/109/108/104/10Go-to climbing harshell. ReviewYesNoNoN40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex ProRegular430 g / 15.2 oz79.5 cm / 31.25 inNo
Alpha SV (Men's - Women's)ClimbingN/A8/1010/1010/103/10Strongest climbing hardshell. ReviewYesNoNoN100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex ProRegular510 g / 1 lb 2 oz78 cm / 30.75 inNo
Beta (Men's - Women's)All RoundN/A6/107/107/108/10Streamlined all-doer shell.ReviewNoNoNoN30p-X 3L Gore-TexTrim300 g / 10.6 oz76 cm / 30 inNo
Beta AR (Men's - Women's)All RoundN/A8/109/109/104/10Go-to all-round harshell. ReviewYesNoNoN40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex ProRegular460 g / 1 lb 76 cm / 30 inNo
Beta AR StormHood (Men's - Women's)All RoundN/A8/109/109/104/10ReviewYesNoNoN40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex ProRegular460 g / 1 lb 76 cm / 30 inNo
Beta Coat (Women's)All RoundN/A6/105/10No data5/10NoYesNo3L Gore-TexRegular320 g / 11.3 oz88 cm / 34.5 inNo
Beta Down Insulated (Men's)All Round0/-189/107/108/10No dataYesYesNo2L 40D Gore-TexRegular760 g / 1 lb 10.8 oz79 cm / 31 inNo
Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's)All Round21/-69/107/108/10No dataGo-to hybrid jacket.ReviewYesYesNoN40d 2L Gore-TexRegular680 g / 1 lb 8 oz78.5 cm / 31 inNo
Beta Insulated Coat (Women's)All Round16/-97/10No dataNo dataNo dataNoYesNoN40d 2L Gore-TexRegular600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz86 cm / 34 inNo
Beta Lightweight (Men's - Women's)All RoundN/A8/107/107/106/10ReviewYesNoNoN40p 3L Gore-TexFitted380 g / 13.4 oz75 cm / 29.5 inNo
Beta LT (Men's - Women's)All RoundN/A7/107/108/106/10ReviewYesNoNoN40d 3L Gore-TexFitted395 g / 13.9 oz76 cm / 30 inNo
Gamma (aka LT) (Men's - Women's)All RoundN/A7/103/107/103/10Go-to softshell.ReviewNoNoNoWee Burly Double WeaveRegular545 g / 1 lb 3.2 oz76 cm / 30 inNo
Gamma MX (Men's)All RoundN/A6/104/108/103/10Strongest softshell.ReviewNoNoNoFortius 2.0Regular555 g / 1 lb 3.6 oz74 cm / 29.1 inNo
Norvan Shell (Men's)RunningN/ANo dataNo dataNo dataNo dataNoNoNo13D 3L Gore-TexTrim190 g / 6.7 oz73 cm / 28.75 inNo
Rush (Women's)SkiingN/A8/109/109/103/10Go-to ski jacket. ReviewYesNoNoN80p-X & N100p-X 3L Most Rugged Gore-Tex ProRegular590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz79.5 cm / 31.25 inNo
Rush Insulated (Women's)Skiing16/-93/105/105/109/10ReviewNoNoYesHadron 2L Gore-Tex InfiniumRegular515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz79 cm / 31 inYes
Sabre (Men's)SkiingN/A8/108/107/102/10ReviewYesNoNoN80p-X 3L Gore-TexRegular705 g / 1 lb 8.9 oz79 cm / 31 inNo
Sentinel (Women's)SkiingN/A8/107/107/102/10Go-to ski jacket. ReviewYesNoNoN70p 3L Gore-TexRegular640 g / 1 lb 6.6 oz73.7 cm / 29 inNo
Sentinel Insulated (Women's)Skiing21/-68/10No dataNo dataNo dataReviewYesNoNoN80p 2L Gore-TexRegular600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz79.8 cm / 31.5 inNo
Sentinel Relaxed (Women's)SkiingN/ANo dataNo dataNo dataNo dataYesNoNoN80p 3L Gore-TexRegular655 g / 1 lb 7.1 oz?No
Sidewinder (Women's)SkiingN/A8/108/107/102/10YesNoNoN80p 3L Gore-TexRegular570 g / 1 lb 4.1 oz?No
Solano (Men's - Women's)Around TownN/ANo dataNo dataNo dataNo dataReviewNoNoNoGore-Tex InfiniumRelaxed355 g / 12.5 oz72 cm / 28.3 inNo
Squamish (Men's - Women's)RunningN/A5/104/107/109/10Go-to running jacket.ReviewNoNoYes30D TyonoTrim140 g / 4.9 oz77.5 cm / 30.5 inNo
Theriss Down (Women's)SkiingNo data7/106/107/102/10ReviewYesNoNoN80p 2L Gore-TexRegular709 g / 1 lb 9 oz63 cm / 24.8 inNo
Alpha FL (Men's - Women's)ClimbingN/A7/10No dataNo data10/10NoNoYesHadron 3L Gore-TexTrim209 g / 7.4 oz76.5 cm / 30 inYes
Alpha IS (Men's)Climbing23/-57/105/10No data8/10NoYesYesN40p-X 2L Gore-TexRegular610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz78 cm / 30.75 inYes
Alpha SL (Men's - Women's)ClimbingN/A5/107/10No data9/10NoNoYesN40p 3L Gore-TexTrim326 g / 11.5 oz77.5 cm / 30.5 inYes
Beta SV (Men's - Women's)All RoundN/A8/1010/1010/103/10Strongest all-round harshell. ReviewYesNoNoN80p-X Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex ProRegular495 g / 1 lb 1.5 oz79 cm / 31 inYes
Gamma SL (aka lightweight) (Men's - Women's)All RoundN/A7/102/106/105/10ReviewNoNoNoFortius 1.0Trim310 g / 10.9 oz74 cm / 29.1 inYes
Incendia (Women's)SkiingN/A8/109/109/103/10ReviewYesNoNoNP100d 3L Gore-TexTrim610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz79 cm / 31 inYes
Incendo (Men's)RunningN/A7/104/105/1010/10ReviewNoNoYesLuminTrim125 g / 4.4 oz?Yes
Incendo Airshell (Men'sRunningN/ANo dataNo dataNo dataNo dataNoNoYes?Trim105 g / 3.7 oz?Yes
Incendo SL (Men's)RunningN/A7/104/104/1010/10ReviewNoNoYesPermair 20 & CanimTrim80 g / 2.8 oz73 cm / 28.75 inYes
Macai (Men's)Skiing5/-157/107/106/101/10ReviewYesNoNoN40p-X 3L Gore-TexRegular990 g / 2 lb 2.9 oz75 cm / 29.5 inYes
Macai Lightweight (aka LT) (Men's)Skiing8/-137/107/106/102/10ReviewYesNoNoN40p-X 3L Gore-TexRegular855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz?Yes
Macai Shell (Men's)SkiingN/ANo dataNo dataNo dataNo dataReviewYesNoNoN80p-X 3L Gore-TexRegular775 g / 1 lb 11.3 oz?Yes
Micon (Men's)SkiingN/ANo dataNo dataNo dataNo dataYesNoNoN80p 3L Gore-TexRegular685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz83 cm / 32.5 inYes
Micon HeatherSkiingN/ANo dataNo dataNo dataNo dataYesNoNoNP100-d 3L Gore-TexRegular685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz83 cm / 32.5 inYes
Nodin (Men's - Women's)RunningN/A8/105/105/1010/10NoNoYes20D TyonoTrim130 g / 4.6 oz75 cm / 29.5 inYes
Norvan LT (Men's - Women's)RunningN/A5/105/108/106/10NoNoNoN13p 3L Gore-TexTrim190 g / 6.7 oz?Yes
Norvan SL (Men's - Women's)RunningN/A7/106/108/108/10ReviewNoNoYesGore-Tex InfiniumTrim120 g / 4.2 oz77 cm / 30.4 inYes
Norvan SL Ins. (Women's)Running39/4No dataNo dataNo dataNo dataNoNoYesGore-Tex ShakeDryTrim270 g / 9.5 oz71.5 cm / 28.1 inYes
Norvan Windshell (Men'sRunningN/ANo dataNo dataNo dataNo dataNoNoYesPermeair 20Trim90 g / 3.2 oz73 cm / 28.75 inYes
Procline (Men's)SkiingN/ANo dataNo dataNo dataNo dataYesNoNoN70p Gore-Tex InfiniumTrim720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz76 cm / 30 inYes
Ravenna (Women's)SkiingN/A8/107/108/103/10ReviewYesNoNoN70s-4 3L Gore-TexTrim725 g / 1 lb 9.6 oz69.5 cm / 27.4 inYes
Ravenna LT (Women's)SkiingN/A6/106/106/105/10ReviewYesNoNoN70p 3L Gore-TexTrim540 g / 1 lb 3 oz69 cm / 27.2 inYes
Sabre AR (Men's)SkiingN/A7/108/107/107/10ReviewYesNoNoN70p 3L Gore-TexRegular700 g / 1 lb 8.7 oz79 cm / 31 inYes
Sabre Insulated (See related products)SkiingNo data7/10No data6/10No dataReviewYesNoNoN80p 2L Gore-TexRegular815 g / 1 lb 12.7 oz76 cm / 30 inYes
Sabre LT (Men's)SkiingN/A7/108/107/108/10ReviewYesNoNoN80p 3L Gore-TexRegular660 g / 1 lb 7.3 oz83 cm / 32.5 inYes
Sabre SV (Men's)SkiingN/A10/1010/1010/101/10Strongest ski jacket.ReviewYesYesNoN100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex ProRegular595 g / 1 lb 5 oz85 cm / 33.5 inNo
Sentinel AR (Women's)SkiingN/A7/108/107/107/10ReviewYesNoNoN70p 3L Gore-TexRegular590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz72.5 cm / 28.5 inYes
Sentinel LT (Women's)SkiingN/A7/108/107/108/10ReviewYesNoNoN80p 3L Gore-TexRegular565 g / 1 lb 3.9 oz73.5 cm / 29 inYes
Shashka Stretch (Women's)SkiingN/ANo dataNo dataNo dataNo dataYesNoNoN70p Gore-Tex InfiniumTrim670 g / 1 lb 7.6 oz71 cm / 28 inYes
Trino SL (Men's)RunningN/A8/105/107/106/10ReviewNoNoNoGore-Tex InfiniumTrim340 g / 12 oz74 cm / 29.1 inYes
Trino SL Anorak (Women's)RunningN/A8/107/108/107/10ReviewNoNoNoGore-Tex InfiniumTrim290 g / 10.2 oz65 cm / 25.5 inYes
Venda Anorak (Women's)Around TownN/ANo dataNo dataNo dataNo dataNoNoNoGore-TexRelaxed255 g / 9 oz75.5 cm / 29.7 inYes
Zeta AR (Men's)HikingN/A7/108/107/104/10YesNoNo3L Gore-TexRegular425 g / 15 oz80 cm / 31.5 inYes
Zeta FL (Men's - Women's)HikingN/A4/106/104/106/10NoNoNoN20r 2L Gore-TexTrim221 g / 7.8 oz76 cm / 30 inYes
Zeta LT (Men's - Women's)HikingN/A5/107/108/105/10NoNoNoN40P-X 3L Gore-TexTrim335 g / 11.8 oz78 cm / 30.75 inYes
Zeta SL (Men's - Women's)HikingN/A3/105/104/105/10ReviewNoNoNo2L Gore-TexTrim310 g / 10.9 oz77.8 cm / 30.6 inYes
 

Performance data axis of synthetic jackets (table above) and shell jackets (this table) are different. Don't compare them. 

In most cases, the Fission SV can be a great option for stationary (low- or no-output) use in quite cold (think below 10 degrees Fahrenheit), wet and windy conditions.

  • Heads up for skinny fellows

The loose collar configuration might let in a little bit too much cold for you. Shift these temperature ratings accordingly if that's you. 

Now...

This degree of warmth is really great, but it's not a total outlier. There are equally warm and even warmer jackets out there. Hell, this bad boy *slaps jacket* from the LEAF neighborhood keeps you warm in temperatures as low as -40 degrees F!

So, its warmth capability isn't really what makes the Fission SV Jacket special and irreplaceable. 

Weather protection

As you might have realized, the Fission SV is advertised as "fully waterproof" by Arc'teryx.

Now this isn't wrong.

The combination of N80p-X GORE-TEX 2L face fabric and a DWR coating repels water perfectly well. It also prevents water from soaking into the fabric. 

  • What is DWR by the way?

DWR is a coating. 

It's basically sprayed on to the surface of these jackets as a finish. 

It stands for Durable Water Repellent - which means that water will be repelled under wet conditions instead of soaking into the fabric. 

DWR also decreases dry time. 

It's a good thing these jackets are coated in DWR.

But pay attention to the fact that DWR is a coating - meaning that it will wear off over time. 

Which is why you might want to invest in a DWR spray such as this one at arcteryx.com for after treatment. 

As you see, there's a strong correlation between FP x FW and temperature ratings, but not more than, say, 80%. I explained why this happens here in this post of mine

The job it does in this department is actually even better than the Fission SV's warmer synthetic insulated alternative, the Dually Belay (hence the higher price tag). 

Fission SV Jacket on Mount Kilimanjaro

Hell, I can even say that it'd be very, very, difficult (or maybe impossible?) to find a more waterproof outerwear than the Fission SV. 

Having said that ... 

Waterproofing is NOT black and white. There is no fully "waterproof" textile out there, and there won't be in the near future.

Some clothing materials are more waterproof than others. Given the right amount of time and intensity, all clothing material will eventually permit water to enter. 

The advantages and superiority put forward in the waterproofing department for the Fission SV goes the same for windproofing as well.

It offers incredible windproofing capabilities.

Poor breathability is actually a result of this very intention. 

When you intend to make a jacket fully windproof, you inevitably end up having to sacrifice breathability in return. 

Now, having mentioned all these facts around waterproofing and windproofing, we still didn't find an answer to our question as to why the Fission SV Jacket has no alternatives (because although the Fission SV is top notch in these areas, there are jackets with comparable capabilities out there). 

Offering warmth & weather protection at the same time

This is the answer we're looking for. Offering warmth and weather protection at the same time is what makes the Fission SV Jacket so special. 

This, actually, can only be achieved with synthetic insulated jackets (because down loses its insulating capability under damp conditions). 

I've yet to find a jacket that offers the same (or nearly as much) amount of warmth, waterproofing and windproofing as the Fission SV. 

Features

Like I said, the zippers might feel fiddly for some of you. They don't slide as easy as some smooth, non-technical jackets.

Additionally, it's a little bit difficult to insert the main zipper into the bottom slider. It can be annoying, but I don't think it's a deal-breaker - at least not for me. 

Lastly, here's the product video:


Check out our other content on jackets:

Guide: Insulated & Shell Jackets

Start here:

Also see:

About the Author Canberk K.


Hey, what's up? Canberk here. Arc'teryx addict, gym rat, and Tame Impala fan.