Arc'teryx Epsilon AR Softshell Jacket - Men's - 2008 BCS

I bought this jacket a couple of years ago, It was my first Arcteryx jacket. When it showed up I felt like I was tricked into buying a 5$ zip up t shirt from Walmart. Boy was I wrong. It seems so thin and light to give you any kind of protection, but somehow it does. Arcteryx has made some of the most incredible gear on the planet, and in the spring and fall this tiny thin little jacket is all you need. In the winter it is the perfect mid layer for that not so warm water proof shell. I have never been cold in this jacket, and what's amazing is that it also never seems to overheat. Whatever that expensive material Arcteryx uses to build its gear is made of... it works. And it works well.

I agree with Ronnie: this jacket is the perfect outdoor staple when the weather is less than perfect. I find that the is just the right type of protection against light wind and rain, particularly after climbing when a drizzle hits as you are heading back to your car or into a cave for cover. The jacket looks killer in town or out. I am 170 pounds, 5'11" and the medium is perfect with a layer (but not much more than than).December 8, 2009 Update: the Epsilon is a perfect ski layer above an Icebreaker 260 and under the Scorpion, and at the end of the day when you are having a Margarita at the base of the area, you can take off the Scorpion and look killer in your Epsilon. This jacket is extremely useful in multiple situations.

My Marmot Superhero used to be my goto, but I often found it too warm and the high collar too technical looking. Enter the Epsilon. It could be the perfect fall/spring jacket, except I find myself grabbing it as I run out of the house in the winter. The only problem I've had is that wearing it so often I'm getting it quite dirty. I may need to buy another to keep clean.

FYI 6'2" 170lbs. Tall and skinny and the Large fits perfect.

As one of the more affordable jackets in the Arc'teryx line-up, I wasn't quite sure what to expect with the Epsilon AR. However, after giving it a few trial runs I can assure you I'm not disappointed! First off, the jacket looks stylish. Not only do I wear it for outdoor activities like climbing and trail running, but I love wearing it as a casual piece around town as well. The cut is great. At 6'2", 185 lbs (athletic build), I have found the Large has a slim, active fit. The sleeves are plenty long, but be warned, the bottom hem rises up in the front and barely covers my belt buckle (presumably to stay out of the way of a climbing harness). This is the only gripe I have with the jacket. Overall I do wish it had a bit more length in the front, but I've gotten used to this - just be prepare to have longer shirts hang out the front. The jacket drops down in the back - great for keeping you covered when ripping up the trails on your mountain bike or just when bending over. The material of the jacket is thin and lightweight. If this was the first technical jacket I had ever purchased, I might think the material seemed cheap, but I assure you it is not. The high-tech materials used in this jacket are water resistant, yet highly breathable and are not hard and crinkly like a hardshell rain jacket. While it is surprisingly warm for its weight, I would not recommend this jacket for cold temps. Also, if you wish to layer heavier fleeces under the jacket, I would size up, as the Large I have only allows for a light long-sleeved shirt underneath. The jacket is neither windproof nor waterproof, but it has kept me dry in a light rain and seems to break the wind fairly well while cycling. I have yet to test it in a downpour. Overall, if you're looking for a sweet and stylish Arc'teryx softshell and don't want to shell out $$$ for a high-end model, I highly recommend the Epsilon AR. It's still not cheap, but it lives up to the Arc'teryx name in both quality and performance. If you can find it on sale, it makes the deal even sweeter.

For starters, if you are looking for a primary softshell jacket as a replacement for a hard-shell, this would probably not rate as a 4 star rating. This is a lightweight softshell and given that caveat, it rates as 4 stars in my book. It would gain that 5th star if it had two additional items: Pit zips and more water shedding properties. With that being said, I would guess that if one finds themselves outside only needing a lightweight softshell, the need for water repellency is perhaps moot. I've taken this cycling, skiing on bluebird days and also used as a light overcoat for everyday. The fit is close and trim, but it has excellent reach in the arms and lower back....so no bunching/stretched fabric in the pits when hunched over the handlebars or annoying drafts in the small of my back. Given that I have broad shoulders, I am surprised at the range of movement I have in this jacket where others would leave my arms feeling constricted given the close fit. Lastly, the breathability is 1st rate in this jacket during high-aerobic activities while blocking all but the strongest winds.

a decent layer, but provides no wind or wet protection. i bought this then returned it for the Arc'teryx sigma LT, which is the greatest softshell ever

The jacket pictured here is last year's model, but I've worn the new one and I think this model is at least as nice. Perfect for a backcountry ski jacket - breathable for the uphill and then throw a shell over it for the down. The Epsilon has every bit of Arc'teryx reliability and quality that you would expect. I also really like the Amazon color for casual wear in Spring and Fall.

I was really excited to get this jacket and thought it would be a great addition. I like the styling, fit, and feel of the jacket. As stated in other reviews it has a very athletic cut. The main thing I did not like however was when I got out into the wind. This jacket does not seem to cut the wind very well and on a chilly day this is not what you want to grab out of your closet unless you plan on layering under a windproof shell. This is the first Arcteryx product that I have been disappointed in and would not recommend. I have one of the NorthFace Apex Bionic jackets and feel like it delivers better performance at a lower cost. One last complaint is that there are no velcro cuff closures on the sleeves. Maybe I am being too hard on this jacket, but after falling in love with the arcteryx hardshells I expected this jacket to do more than just look nice.

I have this jacket in the SV which sadly backcountry doesn’t have but its an awesome jacket. I love the fit and the wrist area. The jacket is very versital and durable I have taken it every where, hunting and fishing in Alaska, skiing in Washington, BC and Colorado, climbing on Rainer every where I go this jacket comes with!

A well made jacket but the cut/sizing was very different from what I have come to expect from Arcteryx. Where most Arcteryx stuff is slim fitting through the chest and at the waist, the Epsilon AR was surprisingly puffy at the hips and waist, and was thus way too big for me. I'm 5-7 and 140lbs and the S was way too roomy for me. I could have fit a fleece and a 800-fill down puffer underneath it with no problem. Was looking for a new softshell for skiing this season, and ended up returning this and going with a Mountain Hardwear G50, which fits perfectly, and can house a Patagonia micropuff vest underneath...

Probably the best climbing jacket in the world!

Anytime I go out in less than perfect weather, this jacket's with me. It's light but it's warm enough for mild weather by itself. If the weather's a bit chilly it fits close to make a good mid layer.

Great jacket, but do try and shop around for a better price.

I bought this shell for nordic skiing, and it works well for this purpose with only a thin, light baselayer underneath. It does a decent job blocking wind and shedding water. I usually un-zip it all the way with a cap-3 baselayer in 20 F weather when I'm really working up a sweat. I've also tried wearing it as an every-day light coat, but it fails for this purpose. It's cut too narrow to fit a sweater underneath, especially at the cuffs. In summary, nice for specific applications, but not a very versatile jacket.

I bought this as an in-between seasonal jacket. The fit is great, just as one would expect from Arc'Teryx. It fits longer in the back which was another plus for me. It packs down nice and small. There isn't much insulation but it wasn't designed that way. I mainly use it fly fishing, cold morning climbing and I wear it snow shoeing all the time. I wear a base layer and this jacket and I stay warm enough but it still breaths well enough while shoein'. I've worn it in snow storms and medium rains. It takes snow well but a heavy rain soaks the seams pretty quick. This is a perfect jacket when certain specifics are needed. I haven't had any complaints about wind protection. I see no difference between it and a light windbreaker. The lining is comfortable and wears well against skin. Arc'Teryx has always been worth the money.

Great light softshell. I find it plenty water and wind resistant. It breathes great for high output activity or for layering under goretex. For spring skiing, it's perfect with just a baselayer underneath. I've also found it great for biking and fly fishing. Just keep in mind that it has very little insulation, just slightly more than a windbreaker. Also, it is DWR treated so you need to make sure that you clean it accordingly, ie powder detergent and warm tumble dry to keep it breathable. Great product and it's stood up great for over two years.

I took this on a whirlwind tour of Europe and it performed perfectly. The material is fairly stretchy but not as much as the Gamma models. My shoulders are somewhat large for for my body size (5'7) but the large fits perfectly.

As a London cyclist I'd say this jacket is spot on.It enables you to go about your day without having to think about the weather all the time.
Keeps body temp.well/Wind resistant & v. comfortable. Overall serves the purpose it was designed for very well indeed.

OK, just so everyone knows I have a Denali, and a MH WindStopper, and Patagonia RetroX. I wasn't looking for warmth, or wind-stoppage. But, what I needed was LIGHT-WEIGHT flexible, and presentable for commuting to work (on bike). On hot days, I can put in pack. It needed to be long (it is longer in back). Needed protection from water (if I am on Ferry), or light rain. Some warmth in the fog. This Jacket WAS PERFECT. I would recommend for anyone as a jacket for the specific usage I voiced. It was my first Artyrx, and I like it a LOT!!! Great summer jacket. In winter, the Denali will come out, and the Retro. On the ridge, the MH. But, around the city, on bike, car, or hiking this is one awesome jacket.

Yes, I really like the jacket. I got it at the SAC price quite a while back. The feel of the outer material is a little hard to describe, and not exactly ~soft~ to the touch - kind of waffley or something, but it does move nicely with your body, and keeps the rain and wind out like nothing else. Runs pretty slim, so you can't wear a whole lot under it (6' 180 and I have the L). In the end, I'm happy with my SAC purchase, but would never pay full price for it.

I had high hopes, but seeing this in person was a turnoff. The outer material texture was a turnoff (hard to describe it). It wears a bit small, and it conforms like a bodyfit item. If anything, this jacket seems more like an insulating or base-layer. I can't see myself ever wearing it in a social setting. Sometimes the aesthetics make a big difference... It just wasn't for me. Get a good look at yourself in the mirror before ripping the tags off--not everything that rolls out of the china arc'teryx assembly line is a winner. I'd go with a Beta or Alpha model any day...