• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

OutdoorCrunch

  • BASICS
  • PRO TIPS
  • GEAR
    • JACKETS
      • INSULATED JACKETS
        • DOWN JACKETS
        • SYNTHETIC INSULATED JACKETS
      • SHELL JACKETS
        • HARDSHELL JACKETS
        • SOFTSHELL JACKETS
      • SKI JACKETS
      • PARKAS
      • RAIN JACKETS
      • WIND JACKETS
      • FLEECE JACKETS
    • BACKPACKS
    • COOKING
      • BACKPACKING STOVES
      • COOKWARE
    • FOOTWEAR
  • MISCELLANEOUS
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT ME
    • CONTACT
  • PRIVACY POLICY
Home / Gear / Jackets / Wind Jackets

Incendo vs Squamish

Last updated: October 26, 2022 by Canberk Koksal

  • This article is revised after Arc'teryx FW23 update. 
  • Our community is live: https://deadbird.outdoorcrunch.com/
  • Don't miss out on REI's current sale - shop now and save on all your outdoor gear needs!
    • https://www.rei.com/h/deals

Notice how the chest snap keeps each side together and makes the unzipped Incendo much more useful when running!

I decided to compare Arc'teryx's Incendo to Squamish because they're designed similarly and offered in similar price range.

Combine it with the fact that they received a bunch of complicated revisions during the past few years and you're here reading this article...

Long story short, speaking for 2019 versions; velcro cuffs and superior durability of the Squamish make it a more suitable option for summer rock climbing and bouldering. Superior breathability, chest snap and very comfortable collar of the Incendo, on the other hand, make it more suitable for summer running and cycling.

  • Must see before making up your mind: Squamish vs Incendo comparison table at arcteryx.com

These make up the 5 key points to consider. Lastly, Incendo looks also prettier to most (this Robotica color is really liked by many - including me).

  • Latest on the blog:
  • 13 Mar 2023: I've been to Pfander and floodplain forests with my Nuclei SV
  • 13 Dec 2022: Arc'teryx Alpha Parka Review: The most impressive jacket of all time
  • 8 Dec 2022: Arc'teryx ReGEAR: OutdoorCrunch exclusive promo code!
  • 7 Nov 2022: 2023 Thorium Hoody is in - as well as the new Thorium Parka (yes, parka)
  • 2 Nov 2022: Beta Insulated Jacket: Pit zips AND two way zipper!
  • 7 October 2022: Proton Hybrid Hoody is live! The ultimate do it all?
  • 5 October 2022: DropHood vs StormHood: Pros/cons and best uses
  • 5 September 2022: Reviewing Arc'teryx Fall Winter 22/23 Gear
  • 5 August 2022: 5 things all Arc'teryx newbies should know
  • #A sidenote here: Arc'teryx's PDF guide to jackets is GOOOLLLLDDDDD. Absolutely check that out too if you're interested in buying one. 

All the differences between 2019 Squamish and 2019 Incendo can be listed as follows: 

  • Squamish is a little more durable (30D vs 20D face fabric) not by a huge but a fair amount
  • Squamish comes with velcro cuffs (pretty nice if you ask me) and Incendo with elastic cuffs (not so nice if you ask me)
  • Unlike Incendo, Squamish does offer the plastic tooth zipper, which adds to its durability
  • Squamish is packed into its own stuff sack just a little larger than the Incendo - although is still perfectly small (pictures below)
  • Incendo is noticeably more breathable (awesome additional feature: Chest snap! More on this in a minute)
  • Incendo is 1 oz (30 grams) lighter
  • Incendo offers a trimmer cut
  • Incendo looks prettier to most

Caution: Disregard all the reviews and comments put forward before 2019 as both these hoodies were revised then.

Caution 2: Above recommendations and facts do not apply to previous models of Squamish and Incendo.

Breathability

Squamish was breathable once (models between 2014-2018). With the 2019 revision, not only did it get considerably less breathable, but Arc'teryx also failed to communicate this change effectively.

  • Must see before making up your mind: Squamish vs Incendo comparison table at arcteryx.com

When you go to their product page for Squamish, you don't see any revised tag, although you DO see it for other revised products such as the Atom LT.

Product page of the Incendo isn't supported by a revised tag either, although it IS.

Notice how the chest snap keeps each side together and makes the unzipped Incendo much more useful!

With the revised 2019 model, mesh vents around the arm pits now are not only TWICE as long the previous models, but also almost twice as WIDER. This boosts breathability significantly.

In addition to that, unlike the Squamish, Incendo is also equipped with a dope feature which adds to its breathability further (see image). This way you don't wish having pit zips so much. 

  • BTW, if you are a teen looking for a bike to ride with your Incendo, check out the Bikes for Teens article by the Cycle Simply team. 

These enhancements improved the breathability of the 2019 Incendo quite a bit and ended up putting it ahead of the 2019 Squamish as a result.

If you tend to overheat fairly more than the average person, though; then even the Incendo might not cut it for you.

You know, I'm an Arc'teryx fanboy, but in that case, if you don't necessarily HAVE TO get an Arc'teryx for this situation, then even I would recommend you to get the Patagonia's Houdini Air Hoody. You can check out my post that compares the Houdini, Houdini Air and the 2019 Squamish to one another.

If EVEN the Houdini Air wouldn't cut it for you in the breathability department, then check out Patagonia's Airshed. That's as breathable as a jacket gets. 

Warmth

Neither of these jackets are insulated - so they're not going to provide you any warmth. 

  • Must see before making up your mind: Squamish vs Incendo comparison table at arcteryx.com

If you're planning to wear these jackets when it's anything colder than mild out, then I'd recommend you to forget about getting them and instead checking out a breathable, synthetic insulated jacket such as one of these.

If, however; you're looking for a light, soft-shell to wear during high output activities out in warmish spring and summer nights with a breeze, then these jackets can be perfect.

Weather Resistance

Not much to say for this one. These jackets aren't designed for winter, so they aren't focused on weather resistance and would probably meet your needs if you're planning to use them during warm spring and summer nights.

Incendo and Squamish would be able to resist against light rains. They're 3-season jackets anyway, so if weather resistance is one of your main expectations, you're reading the wrong article here.

Anything more than a light rain and they'll get soaked. Despite the DWR.

  • 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 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. 

Same goes for wind resistance. They're wind resistant but not windproof.

Velcro cuffs of the Squamish make any activity where the hands are allowed considerably easier.

Velcro Cuffs

Velcro cuffs matter the most during high output activities where hands are involved more, the most popular ones being rock climbing and bouldering activities.

This is why the Squamish is a superior option to the Incendo for these activities. You can adjust the sleeve length without a hitch and prevent it from restraining your hand mobility.

Conclusion

If you'll mostly be using this jacket for an activity that hands are primarily involved (such as rock climbing and bouldering), then I'd recommend you the Squamish.

Squamish Hoody Men's:

See on Arcteryx.com
See on Amazon
See on Backcountry.com

Squamish Hoody Women's:

See on Arcteryx.com
See on Amazon
See on Backcountry.com

For everything else, I'd get the Incendo.

Incendo:

See on Arcteryx.com
See on Amazon
See on Backcountry.com

Cita (Women's counterpart for the Incendo):

See on Arcteryx.com
See on Amazon
See on Moosejaw.com

If, on the other hand, you're planning to use these as an emergency shell to keep on you for commuting, then I'd recommend Arc'teryx's Nodin the most in that case. 

  • Must see before making up your mind: Squamish vs Incendo comparison table at arcteryx.com


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:

  • Best Arc'teryx Jackets: My Top Picks
  • Best Patagonia Jackets: My Top Picks
  • Best Down Jackets: My Top Picks
  • Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets: My Top Picks
  • Temperature Ratings of Best Insulated Jackets
  • Arc'teryx Wiki: Complete Data Set
  • CLO values: Explained, compared & plotted
  • Ultimate Size Guide to Arc'teryx
  • StormHood vs DropHood

Complete list:

  • All Arc'teryx Shell Jackets sorted by performance
  • All Arc'teryx Ski Jackets sorted by performance
  • All Patagonia Ski Jackets sorted by performance
  • All Patagonia Winter Jackets compared
  • All Patagonia Fleeces compared
  • All Patagonia Rain Jackets compared
  • All Patagonia Down Jackets compared

Synthetic Insulated Jackets

  • Arc'teryx Proton LT
  • Patagonia Nano Air
  • Arc'teryx Atom LT
  • Arc'teryx Atom AR
  • Patagonia Nano Puff
  • Patagonia Micro Puff
  • Arc'teryx Atom SL
  • Arc'teryx Proton FL
  • Arc'teryx Proton Hybrid Hoody
  • Arc'teryx Fission SV
  • Arc'teryx Dually Belay Parka
  • Arc'teryx Atom SL Anorak
  • Arc'teryx Kappa

Down Jackets

  • Arc'teryx Cerium LT
  • Arc'teryx Cerium SV
  • Arc'teryx Cerium SL
  • Arc'teryx Thorium AR
  • Patagonia Down Sweater
  • Arc'teryx Firebee AR
  • Arc'teryx Ceres SV

Parkas

  • Arc'teryx Thorsen
  • Arc'teryx Therme
  • Arc'teryx Camosun
  • Arc'teryx Patera
  • Arc'teryx Centrale
  • Patagonia Tres
  • Patagonia Vosque

Shell Jackets

  • Arc'teryx Beta SV
  • Arc'teryx Beta FL
  • Arc'teryx Beta AR
  • Arc'teryx Alpha AR
  • Arc'teryx Alpha SV
  • Arc'teryx Gamma MX
  • Arc'teryx Gamma LT
  • Arc'teryx Gamma SL

Ski Jackets

  • Arc'teryx Rush
  • Arc'teryx Rush IS
  • Arc'teryx Sabre LT
  • Arc'teryx Sabre AR
  • Arc'teryx Cassiar
  • Arc'teryx Sidewinder
  • Arc'teryx Macai

Fleece Jackets

  • Patagonia R1
  • Patagonia R2
  • Patagonia Synchilla
  • Patagonia Better Sweater

Wind Jackets

  • Arc'teryx Solano
  • Arc'teryx Nuclei FL
  • Patagonia Houdini
  • Patagonia Houdini Air
  • Arc'teryx Squamish
  • Arc'teryx Incendo
  • Arc'teryx Norvan SL
  • Arc'teryx Trino SL

Rain Jackets

  • Patagonia Torrentshell
  • Patagonia Torrentshell Insulated
  • Arc'teryx Beta SL Hybrid
  • Arc'teryx Zeta FL

Also see:

  • Arc'teryx vs Patagonia
  • List of Manufacturing Facilities of all Arc'teryx Jackets

Thank you for reading!

Filed Under: Wind Jackets Tagged With: arcteryx, arcteryx jackets, jackets, Wind Jackets

Primary Sidebar

Crunch Search

About me

Hey, what's up? Canberk here. I try to approach outdoor gear from a scientific point of view. Here's more about me.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Featured Posts

  • Temperature Ratings of Insulated Jackets
  • Best Arc’teryx Jackets
  • Best Patagonia Jackets

window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-GDD0YD30SK');

  • BASICS
  • PRO TIPS
  • GEAR
  • MISCELLANEOUS
  • ABOUT
  • PRIVACY POLICY