Best Arcteryx Jackets

In this post, I'll lay out some of my Arc favorites for different types of intended uses. Before reading this post, I'd highly recommend you to give these a try:

• Arc'teryx's free JacketFinder tool: https://arcteryx.com/shop/jacket-finder
• Arc'teryx's naming scheme page: https://www.arcteryx.com/help/arc-naming

I'd like to start by disclosing that giving certain recommendations is difficult (if not impossible).

Not only the terms such as "extreme cold", "comfortable" or "weather resistant" are highly fluid and subjective, but also almost all your intended uses will be unique to their own.

This is not to say that there aren't some facts apply to the vast, vast majority of us (because there are). And this is what I'll try to provide you in this post.

IMPORTANT: Here's typical settings that correspond to the following.

• Severe Weather: Where maximizing waterproofing and wind resistance performances are needed.
• Variable Weather: Where a wide range of weather conditions are expected - but nothing extreme.
• Mild Weather: Only light precipitation and/or wind.
• Extreme Cold: The name says it all.
• Variable Temperature: Used through multiple seasons.
• Mild Temperature: Cool conditions such as a breezy summer night.

I'd like to remind you one more time the importance of reading individual reviews of some selected pieces.

Now let's get to the typical buyer profiles for each purpose & setting. 

Multi-Use

Everything from casual to climbing, from alpine activities to skiing.

Extreme Cold

• Insulated: Ceres SV (Men's) or Firebee AR (Men's - Women's).

Variable Temperature (& Variable Weather)

• Insulated: For high output activities, absolutely Proton LT (Men's - Women's)! Along with Beta AR, it's one of my 2 Arc'teryx favorites. If you aren't expecting to experience any wet weather, then Cerium LT (Men's - Women's) can be a good alternative.
• Insulated: For low output activities, Atom AR (Men's - Women's).

Mild Temperature

• Insulated: Atom SL (Men's - Women's) for wet, Cerium SL (Men's - Women's) for dry weather.

Severe Weather

• Shell: Beta SV (Men's - Women's).

Variable Weather

• Shell: Beta AR (Men's - Women's).

Mild Weather

• Shell: Beta LT (Men's - Women's).

Severe Weather & Extreme Cold

• Insulated Shell: Fission SV (Men's - Women's).

I can't stop myself mentioning that as long as the weather isn't something extreme, getting Proton LT and Beta AR is a killer combo in almost any case. 

Since you have 2 separate pieces, you have the layering option, which adds crazy amounts of versatility especially for multi-use purposes.

Casual

I'll assume...

• Very little to no output activities, 
• Power walks at most, 
• That the style is almost as important as capabilities of the jacket,
• That layering is an option but not preferred since it's a pain in the butt because I'm assuming a warm indoors.

Extreme Cold

Products below provide INCREDIBLE degrees of warmth. 

So much that it'd be foolish to wear them when it's fairly cold and not extremely cold because you're likely to overheat.

• Top Parka: Thorsen (Men's) or Centrale (Women's). Therme (Men's), Camosun  (Men's) and Patera (Women's) can be good alternatives.
• Top Synthetic Insulated Jacket: Dually Belay (only available in Men's option, no idea why, sorry ladies. Check out Fission SV).
• Top Down Jacket: Ceres SV (Men's) or Firebee AR (Men's - Women's).

Variable Temperature & Weather

• Top Parka: Magnus (Men's) or Durant (Women's). Alternative: Koda (Men's) or Osanna (Women's).
• Top Synthetic Insulated Jacket: Atom AR (Men's - Women's). Alternative: Kappa (Men's).
• Top Down Jacket: Thorium AR (Men's - Women's). Alternative: Cerium LT (Men's - Women's).

Mild Temperature & Weather

• Top Parka: Sawyer (Men's) or Codetta (Women's).
• Top Synthetic Insulated Jacket: Proton LT (Men's - Women's).
• Top Down Jacket: Cerium SL (Men's - Women's).

Hiking & Trekking

Severe Weather 

• Top Lightweight Shell: Zeta LT (Men's or Women's).
• Top Shell: Zeta AR (Men's or Women's).

Variable Weather

• Top Shell: Tenquille Hoody (Men's - Women's).
• A more versatile alternative: Gamma MX (Men's - Women's).

Mild Weather

• Top Shell: Nodin Jacket (Men's - Women's) or Zeta SL (Men's - Women's).
• A more versatile alternative: Gamma LT (Men's - Women's) or Squamish (Men's - Women's).

Go to this post to read more about Zeta and Beta.

I'd highly recommend layering them if you can. Proton LT + Zeta AR would be an killer combo in most situations.

Skiing & Snowboarding

For details, read my Best Arcteryx Ski Jackets post.

If you're unaware...

• Resort: Skiing / snowboarding close to the piste or right at the resort,
• Freeride: A little bit far from that,
• Touring (a.k.a Backcountry Skiing): The farthest. Requires the most experience.

Regardless of the setting you're skiing or snowboarding, shell pieces will almost always provide more flexibility and comfort.

Insulated jackets, on the other hand, can be a better option when it's below 30 deg F (0 deg C) out because it removes the need to layer.

Multi-Use

If you're familiar with my writing here in this site, then you're probably aware that I'm a devoted fanboy of the Rush (Men's) or Shashka (Women's) and would recommend it my eyes closed. 

The obvious insulated alternative to this would be the Rush IS (Men's) or Shashka IS (Women's) if you'd like warmth. 

Resort

Skiing / snowboarding close to the piste or right at the resort.

• Top Insulated: Macai (Men's) or Andessa (Women's).
• Top Shell: Cassiar (Men's) or Ravenna (Women's). Alternatives: Rush (Men's) or Shashka (Women's).

Freeride

Skiing at a little bit far from the resort.

• Top Insulated: Rush IS (Men's) or Shashka IS (Women's).
• Top Shell: Sidewinder (Men's) or Tiya (Women's).

Touring (a.k.a Backcountry Skiing)

• Top Insulated: Rush IS (Men's) or Shashka IS (Women's).
• Top Shell: Rush (Men's) or Shashka (Women's).

Traveling to Ski

Packability becomes an important part in this case.

I'd recommend the Sabre LT (Men's) or Sentinel LT (Women's).

Running & Trail Running

When I say "insulated", I mean lightly insulated.

Severe Weather

• Top Insulated Shell: Norvan SL Insulated (Men's - Women's). Alternative: Argus (Men's).

Variable Weather

• Top Shell: Trino (Men's - Women's).
• A more versatile alternative: Gamma LT (Men's - Women's).

Mild Weather

• Top Shell: Incendo (Men's). An even lighter (so-called superlight in Arc'teryx naming scheme page) alternative would be Incendo SL.

If you'd like to see some numbers, don't forget to check the data sets below.

My Other Helpful Arc'teryx Guides & Data Sets

Arc'teryx Insulated Jackets

Insulated pieces warmth comparison:

Arc'teryx Shells

Shell performance comparison: