As most of you already know, I've been publishing informational guides to all kinds of Arc'teryx pieces (see full post list at the bottom) for the last 3 years.
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 - 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).
Severe Weather & Extreme Cold
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 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 - 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) 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) or Durant (Women's). Alternatives: Koda (Men's) or Osanna (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).
- A more 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) or Shashka (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) or 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: Rush (Men's - read my review) or Shashka (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) or Tiya (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 Shashka (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 (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.
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 Therme Parka (Men's) -2/-19 Down 0/-18 Down Arc'teryx Camosun Parka (Men's) 0/-18 Down 3/-16 Synthetic 3/-16 Down Arc'teryx Patera Parka (Women's) 5/-15 Down Arc'teryx Kappa (Men'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: 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. If you're interested in down jackets only, see my Best Down Jackets post.
Arc'teryx Shells
Shell performance comparison:
Colors indicate design intentions: 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 5/10 3/10 7/10 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 10/10 10/10 10/10 7/10 3/10 [T.B.D.] 6/10 5/10 10/10 6/10 3/10 7/10 7/10 6/10 9/10 4/10 4/10 8/10 4/10 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 5/10 8/10 6/10 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're planning to get one of them, I'd also highly recommend you to check out Arc'teryx's own guides:
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:
Thank you for reading!
