Arc'teryx Griffon Jacket - Men's - 2008 BCS

No, It is a lighter weight fleece. If I remember correctly the Griffon was equivalent to a 200 wt and the Hyllus is a 300 wt.
Still a nice jacket at a nice price. I just wish they made this model with a hood!

I second the below, but wanted to point out that the Griffon is much warmer as well. The internal fleece is "high loft," (think fuzzy/hairy) and it really does a great job of trapping air as a mid layer while still being breathable. Windstopper jackets are really not good as mid-layers under a shell, because you end up with two separate membranes that you are trying to get air to exchange through, which means actual breathability is really low. I did this *once* and one sauna sesh was enough.

Craine, the Arc'teryx Griffon is an ideal layering piece, more so than the sigma LT- better breathability, more pliable fabric so it doesn't feel constrictive, and still a good stand alone for mild weather. Blocks about half the wind-not windproof like the windstopper jackets, and has a good DWR so it will shed snow and light rain.

Actually it isn't as slim as Arcteryx's Atheletic Fit, this is really the closest Arcteryx gets to a regular fit in their softshells. It is one of their longest softshells as well, just longer than their standard hip length with a droptail hem and hitting below the belt in the front. Since it is part of their Whiteline/Descent ski and snowboard oriented line, there is room for layering. At 6'2" and 170, I wear a medium, and my Gamma MX jacket is shorter and tighter fitting than my Griffon is.

The Arc'teryx Griffon is more of a slim fit, as it's designed to be layered, but also works great as an outer layer in mild weather. Blocks about 50% of wind, sheds light moisture, and breathes really well. Also, the face fabric is smooth, so it doesn't bind under shell jackets. Versatile, tough, and comfortable.

The Arc'teryx Griffon does have a hem drawcord.

Arc'teryx still makes some of its jackets up there in Vancouver. I bought the Fugitive hoody with Polartec Windpro Hardface recently, which comes pretty close to the performance of my Griffon. Label says: Made in Canada.

This jacket is made in China along with evrey other Arcteryx jacket.

China.

Well yes and no. Similar fit, different uses really. The Polartec Powershield O2 (as in oxygen, get it?) in the Griffon is a new fabric that uses a higher loft backing and a slightly looser shell weave, for more warmth and more breathability, a trade off for less wind and water resistance. The old Gamma AR design is a much tougher shell that is less warm, and would be better for climbing, alpinism, and and anywhere where less warmth and breathability and better weather and abrasion resistance would come in handy. The Griffon excels at being a cold weather low-activity midlayer, or a high-activity outer layer i.e. doing ski touring or splitboarding laps. Hope that helps.

Among other things, O2 is more malleable (less rigid) than regular Powershield. It is also less windproof but more breathable for better use as a midlayer.

Both are pretty much the same material, Polartec Powershield except the Griffon has Polertec Powershield 02. The main difference there is a resistance to pilling and the outside is very smooth with the 02 variation. Fit is very similar between the two and both are about waist length. Gamma AR features : Highly breathable warmth• Wind and moisture resistant• Waist length with drop back hem• No-lift gusseted underarms• Full front zip with interior wind flap• Laminated hem drawcord• Two hand pockets• One internal chest pocket• Moulded Zipper Garages• Soft brushed lined collar• DWR finish Griffon features: • Double layer of fleece on collar• Two hand pockets with laminated zippers• One sleeve pocket with laminated zippers• Articulated elbows• No-lift gusseted underarms• Stretch knit gusseted cuffs• Laminated hem drawcord

It isn't windproof like a jacket with Gore Windstopper is, but it is relatively wind resistant. In a strong wind, you will feel it getting through, in a light breeze you likely won't feel it at all. Hope that helps.

This jacket is very breathable, no it is not windproof.

Check out the chart above.

It will keep a very light breeze at bay, but it's made to breath. So, no, it's not windproof.

Kind of, but not designed for that.