As most of you already know, I've been sharing helpful guides to all kinds of Arc'teryx jackets for the last couple of years (find full post list at the bottom).
In this post, I'll lay out some of my favorite Arcteryx jackets 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://arcteryx.com/help/arc-naming
I'd like to start by disclosing that giving certain recommendations is a bit difficult.
Because, not only the terms such as "extreme cold", "comfortable" or "weather resistant" are highly fluid and subjective, but also almost all the intended uses of the visitors of this post 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 - read my review) or Firebee AR (Men's - Women's - read my review).
Variable Temperature (& Variable Weather)
There's almost nothing you can't do with your Proton LT.
- Insulated: For high output activities, absolutely Proton LT (Men's - Women's - read my review)! 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 - read my review) can be a good alternative.
- Insulated: For low output activities, Atom AR (Men's - Women's - read my review).
Mild Temperature
- Insulated: Proton FL (Men's - Women's - read my review) or Atom SL (Men's - Women's - read my review) for wet, Cerium SL (Men's - Women's - read my review) for dry weather.
Severe Weather
- Shell: Beta SV (Men's - Women's - read my review).
- Insulated: Nuclei FL (Men's - Women's - read my review). In Jan 2020, Arc'teryx decided to continue the once discontinued Nuclei FL. It offers amazing wind resistance and a little bit insulation (check out its temperature rating at the bottom of this post).
Variable Weather
- Shell: Beta AR (Men's - Women's - read my review).
Mild Weather
- Shell: Beta LT (Men's - Women's - read my review discontinued as of Jul 2020). Beta FL (Men's - Women's - read my review).
Severe Weather & Extreme Cold
- Insulated Shell: Fission SV (Men's - Women's - read my review).
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 for most cases.
Since you have 2 separate pieces, you also strengthen your hand in terms of your layering options. This adds quite a bit to the versatility in addition.
Therme.
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 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 - read my review) or Centrale (Women's - read my review). Therme (Men's - read my review), Camosun (Men's - read my review) and Patera (Women's - read my review) can be good alternatives.
- Top Synthetic Insulated Jacket: Dually Belay (Men's). Fission SV (Men's - Women's - read my review) can be a good alternative.
- Top Down Jacket: Ceres SV (Men's - read my review) or Firebee AR (Men's - Women's - read my review).
Variable Temperature & Weather
- Top Parka: Magnus (Men's discontinued as of Jul 2020) Koda (Men's) or Durant (Women's). Alternatives: Radsten (Men's), Radsten Insulated (Men's) or Osanna (Women's discontinued as of Jul 2020) Sensa (Women's).
- Top Synthetic Insulated Jacket: Atom AR (Men's - Women's - read my review). Alternatives: Kappa (Men's).
- Top Down Jacket: Thorium AR (Men's - Women's - read my review). Alternatives: Cerium LT (Men's - Women's - read my review)
Mild Temperature & Weather
- Top Parka: Sawyer (Men's) or Codetta (Women's).
- Top Synthetic Insulated Jacket: Proton LT (Men's - Women's - read my review).
- Top Down Jacket: Cerium SL (Men's - Women's - read my review), but mostly for dry weather.
Zeta AR.
Hiking & Trekking
Severe Weather
- Top Lightweight Shell: Zeta LT (Men's - Women's - read my review).
- Top Shell: Zeta AR (Men's - Women's - read my review).
Variable Weather
- Top Shell: Tenquille Hoody (Men's - Women's discontinued as of Jul 2020) Zeta AR (Men's - Women's - read my review).
- A versatile alternative: Gamma MX (Men's - Women's - read my review).
Mild Weather
- Top Shell: Nodin Jacket (Men's - Women's) or Zeta SL (Men's - Women's - read my review).
- A more versatile alternative: Gamma LT (Men's - Women's - read my review) or Squamish (Men's - Women's - read my review).
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.
Rush.
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 - read my review) and Ravenna (Women's - read my review) and would recommend it my eyes closed.
The obvious insulated alternative to this would be the Rush IS (Men's - read my review) and Shashka IS (Women's - read my review) if you'd like warmth.
Resort
Skiing / snowboarding close to the piste or right at the resort.
- Top Insulated: Macai (Men's - read my review) or Andessa (Women's - read my review).
- Top Shell: Cassiar (Men's - read my review) or Ravenna (Women's - read my review). Alternatives: Cassiar LT (Men's - read my review) or Ravenna LT (Women's - read my review).
Freeride
Skiing at a little bit far from the resort.
- Top Insulated: Rush IS (Men's - read my review) or Shashka IS (Women's - read my review).
- Top Shell: Sidewinder (Men's - read my review discontinued as of Jul 2020) or Tiya (Women's - read my review discontinued as of Jul 2020). Sabre LT (Men's - read my review) or Sentinel LT (Women's - read my review).
Touring (a.k.a Backcountry Skiing)
Notice how the chest snap keeps each side together and makes the unzipped Incendo (Men's - read my review) much more useful when running!
- Top Insulated: Rush IS (Men's - read my review) or Shashka IS (Women's - read my review).
- Top Shell: Rush (Men's - read my review) or Ravenna (Women's - read my review).
Traveling to Ski
Packability becomes an important part in this case.
I'd recommend the Sabre LT (Men's - read my review) or Sentinel LT (Women's - read my review).
Running & Trail Running
When I say "insulated", I mean lightly insulated.
Severe Weather
Variable Weather
- Top Shell: Trino SL (Men's - Women's). Alternative: Norvan SL (Men's - Women's).
- A more versatile alternative: Gamma LT (Men's - Women's - read my review).
Mild Weather
- Top Shell: Incendo (Men's - read my review). An even lighter (so-called superlight in Arc'teryx naming scheme page) alternative would be Incendo SL (Men's).
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:
| °F / °C | Insulation |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Arc'teryx LEAF Cold WX Parka SVX (Men's) | -40/-40 | Down |
|
Arc'teryx Ceres SV (Men's) | -15/-26 | Down | |
-10/-23 | Down | ||
Arc'teryx Dually Belay Parka (Men's) | -7/-22 | Synthetic |
|
Arc'teryx Thorsen Parka (Men's) | -7/-22 | Down | |
-6/-21 | Down | ||
Arc'teryx Centrale (Women's) | -5/-20 | Down | |
-5/-20 | Down | ||
Arc'teryx Piedmont [NEW] (Men's) | -2/-19 | Down |
|
Arc'teryx Therme Parka (Men's) | -2/-19 | Down | |
0/-18 | Down | ||
Arc'teryx Camosun Parka (Men's) | 0/-18 | Down | |
3/-16 | Synthetic | ||
Arc'teryx Radsten Parka [NEW] (Men's) | 3/-16 | Synthetic |
|
3/-16 | Down | ||
Arc'teryx Patera Parka (Women's) | 5/-15 | Down | |
Arc'teryx Radsten Insulated [NEW] (Men's) | 7/-14 | Synthetic |
|
Arc'teryx Kappa (Men's) | 7/-14 | Synthetic |
|
Arc'teryx Sensa Parka [NEW] (Women's) | 7/-14 | Synthetic |
|
8/-13 | Synthetic |
| |
8/-13 | Down | ||
10/-12 | Synthetic | ||
Patagonia Vosque 3-in-1 Parka (Women's) | 10/-12 | Down | |
12/-11 | Down | ||
14/-10 | Down | ||
Arc'teryx Magnus Coat (Men's) | 14/-10 | Down |
|
17/-8 | Down | ||
19/-7 | Down | ||
19/-7 | Synthetic | ||
23/-5 | Synthetic | ||
24/-4 | Synthetic | ||
24/-4 | Synthetic | ||
26/-3 | Down |
| |
28/-2 | Synthetic | ||
32/0 | Synthetic | ||
40/5 | Down | ||
43/6 | Synthetic | ||
50/10 | Synthetic |
Read more about this chart here in my Insulated Outerwear Temperature Ratings Guide.
These are only approximate values assuming:
- you only have a shirt under and no shell over,
- during daily use (strolls, power walks etc at most - no high output activities),
- with enough wind to cause an umbrella to twist in your hand,
- and when it's dry out.
If you think you run warmer or colder than the average person, then shift temperature ranges accordingly.
Also check out my Arc'teryx Favorites and my Patagonia Favorites. Also see my Arc'teryx vs Patagonia post to read more about both brands.
If you're interested in down jackets only, see my Best Down Jackets post.
Arc'teryx Shells
Shell performance comparison:
Colors indicate design intentions:
- Red: All-round, general purpose;
- Green: Hiking, backpacking, trekking;
- Blue: Snow sports,
- Grey: Climbing & alpine activities.
Bold are my top picks for each category. Also see my Arc'teryx Favorites post to read more about this.
| Breath-ability | Pack-ability | Weather Resistance | Durability | Length | Bagginess |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | 3/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
8/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
8/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
8/10 | 3/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
10/10 | 8/10 | 2/10 | 3/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | |
10/10 | 5/10 | 3/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
8/10 | 4/10 | 4/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
3/10 | 8/10 | 5/10 | 3/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
4/10 | 10/10 | 5/10 | 2/10 | 7/10 | 5/10 | |
6/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 4/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
7/10 | 4/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
8/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
8/10 | 5/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 7/10 | 5/10 | |
8/10 | 3/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | 3/10 | |
6/10 | 5/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 3/10 | |
8/10 | 3/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
7/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
7/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
5/10 | 3/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
8/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
8/10 | 3/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 |
If you still can't decide, here's something that might be of help:
- JacketFinder Tool: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/jacket-finder/
Arc'teryx 2020-21 Updates
In summer 2020, following changes were made to Arc'teryx line-up:
Revisions
Following models are revised in summer 2020:
- Atom LT (Men's - Women's - read my review)
- Redesign includes an update to the cuff construction for easier on/off and layering, an updated material package for enhanced durability, updated fit, and a dope dyed liner.
- Redesign includes an update to the cuff construction for easier on/off and layering, an updated material package for enhanced durability, updated fit, and a dope dyed liner.
- Atom AR (Men's - Women's - read my review)
- Redesign includes an update to the cuff construction for easier on/off and layering, an updated material package for enhanced durability, updated fit, and a dope dyed liner.
- Alpha FL (Men's - Women's)
- Redesign includes updated fabric to GORE-TEX PRO with Most Breathable and Most Rugged Technologies, and a RECCO® reflector.
- Redesign includes updated fabric to GORE-TEX PRO with Most Breathable and Most Rugged Technologies, and a RECCO® reflector.
- Alpha AR (Men's - Women's - read my review)
- Redesign includes updated fabric to GORE-TEX PRO Most Rugged Technology, RECCO® reflector and custom TPU zipper pulls.
- Redesign includes updated fabric to GORE-TEX PRO Most Rugged Technology, RECCO® reflector and custom TPU zipper pulls.
- Alpha SV (Men's - Women's - read my review)
- Redesign includes updated fabric to GORE-TEX PRO with Most Rugged Technology, RECCO® reflector and custom TPU zipper pulls.
- Redesign includes updated fabric to GORE-TEX PRO with Most Rugged Technology, RECCO® reflector and custom TPU zipper pulls.
- Beta AR (Men's - Women's - read my review)
- Redesign includes updated fabric to GORE-TEX PRO with Most Rugged Technology, RECCO® reflector and updates to the hood and collar for improved fit.
- Redesign includes updated fabric to GORE-TEX PRO with Most Rugged Technology, RECCO® reflector and updates to the hood and collar for improved fit.
- Beta SV (Men's - Women's - read my review)
- Redesign includes updated fabric to GORE-TEX PRO with Most Rugged Technology, RECCO® reflector, and updated patterning for improved mobility as well as the addition of a chest pocket.
- Rush Jacket (Men's - read my review)
- Redesign includes updated fabric to GORE-TEX PRO with Most Rugged Technology.
- Redesign includes updated fabric to GORE-TEX PRO with Most Rugged Technology.
- Gamma MX (Men's - Women's - read my review)
- Redesign includes an updated fabric with increased warmth-to-weight ratio and durability, a front liner for additional warmth, updated sleeve opening for easier on/off, Cohaesive™ cordlock adjusters on the hood, and taped seams for a clean finish.
- Redesign includes an updated fabric with increased warmth-to-weight ratio and durability, a front liner for additional warmth, updated sleeve opening for easier on/off, Cohaesive™ cordlock adjusters on the hood, and taped seams for a clean finish.
- Therme Parka (Men's - read my review)
- Redesign includes updated style lines for a more relaxed fit, a two-way WaterTight™ Vislon zipper with a snap placket, and synthetically insulated hood and neck gasket for additional warmth.
- Camosun Parka (Men's - read my review)
- Redesign includes updated style lines for a more refined aesthetic.
- Patera Parka (Women's - read my review)
- Redesign includes updated style lines for a slightly more relaxed, straighter fit, incorporation of a two-way WaterTight™ Vislon zipper with a snap placket, and utilizing synthetic insulation in the hood and neck gasket.
New models
Following models are introduced in summer 2020:
- Trino SL (Men's)
- Trino SL Anorak (Women's)
- Beta FL (Men's - Women's - read my review)
- Beta SV Jacket Rebird (Men's - Women's)
- Rush Jacket Rebird (Men's)
- Cassiar LT (Men's - read my review)
- Ravenna LT (Women's - read my review)
- Incendia (Women's)
- Incendia One Piece (Women's)
- Sentinel IS (Women's)
- Piedmont Coat (Men's)
- Radsten Insulated Jacket (Men's)
- Radsten Parka (Men's)
- Sensa Parka (Women's)
- Sandra Coat (Women's)
- Wynd Softshell Coat (Women's)
Discontinued models
Following models are discontinued in summer 2020:
- Beta LT
- Tenquille
- Sidewinder
- Shashka
- Tiya
- Magnus
- Osanna
Arc'teryx Specs: Mastersheet
Data in this sheet is pulled from arcteryx.com.
Arc'teryx Manufacturing Facilities
Find the manufacturing facilities and locations of all Arc'teryx Jackets (that are currently on sale) below.
Data extracted from arcteryx.com.
Read more: https://outdoorcrunch.com/where-is-arcteryx-made/
I hope this post was helpful for you to learn more about the jacket(s) in your mind.
Feel free to ask me any questions or provide feedback and I'll be happy to respond in the comment section below.
Guide: Insulated & Shell Jackets
Start here:
Complete list:
Also see:
Thank you for reading!
Hello,
Thanks for the detailed guide.
When you are mentioning that beta AR and proton LT is a killer combo, do you refer to proton lt hoodie or proton lt jacket ?
Thanks !
Thanks Jean.
Both would work, but I always recommend the hooded option.