Arc'teryx Sidewinder AR Jacket - Women's - 2008 BCS

Bottom line, this jacket has top notch quality and is a perfect shell - if you're lucky enough for it to fit properly. The hips are definitely tight (and I don't have big hips!) while the chest area is baggy (good mobility of skiing and climbing, though). I love the stowable hood, has great shape and a drawstring in the back to cinch it up if no hats are being warn. The picture is a little misleading...makes the jacket look a bit longer than it actually is (I find this a common problem with Arc'teryx). Unfortunately, I'll be returning this jacket because of the fit...if you wanna try it out, order a size up.

I got this for my wife, and it just wasn't good quality. It's clear that moving their manufacturing plant to China was a terrible move. We have many older pieces that were made in Canada and the quality is leagues above what is now. I don't mind paying up for gear if it's top notch, but I would recommend staying away from the Chinese Arc'teryx stuff.

Waterproof. Cute feminine fit. Virtually indestructible. Arm pit ventilation zippers. Great for Layering! I recommend Arc'teryx to all of my friends.Definitely a must have for outdoor activities.

This jacket fits a weird. I am small chested and there is way too much room in chest area but it is a little snug in the hip area. I am a size 8 and it's going to be a tight fit when I am wearing this jacket and my ski pants. If you are a large chested women with narrow hips, this jacket is made for you.

Just to clarify: the RECCO avalanche reflector on the arm DOES NOT keep you safe in slide-prone terrain, it helps ski patrol find you if there's an inbounds slide and you weren't wearing a beacon. RECCO reflectors aid in body recovery, they do not act like avalanche repellent, they do not "reflect" avalanches.

If you're paying $500 for a jacket, there are two likely scenarios:
1- you already know this
2- you're a rich dumbass and probably needed to be told this (amongst other things)

I usually wear a small in arc'teryx, so I ordered up to a medium since I heard the sizing is tight. The hips are very tight, and I could barely zip the neck up - it choked me! The body was fairly baggy though. Too bad, because I liked that jacket.

This is an athletic-fit jacket; snug in hips (will accomodate a harness or backpack). It layers well w/my Arcteryx fleeces. There's plenty of room in the upper for negotiating all kinds of ski terrain or, if you're a climber, rock faces (does not ride up). I've worn it in all our recent storms and have stayed DRY & WARM. It is definitely a feminine fit that looks & feels great. I have the raisin that is a deep merlot color (gorgeous/rich) ~ not the color that shows online.

This is an athletic-fit jacket; snug in hips (will accomodate a harness or backpack easily). It layers well w/my Arcteryx fleeces. There's plenty of room in the upper for negotiating all kinds of ski terrain or, if you're a climber, rock faces (does not ride up). I've worn it in all our recent storms & have stayed DRY & WARM. It is definitely a feminine fit that looks & feels great. I have the raisin that is a deep brownish merlot color (gorgeous/rich) ~ not the color that shows online.

I have this Sidewinder, like it so much, bought this in raisin (gorgeous color). I ordered this in S & XS with the intent of keeping the one that fit best; kept the XS. It does fit the hip but plenty upper allowance for any of my ArcTeryx (yep, love the brand) fleeces. I ski in all conditions & NEVER get wet or cold; this is made to layer according to the day. You'll never look back.

I love my sidewinder, I did the CASI course all day in the rain and was dry & warm. I've boarded ultra cold and spring warm and all I've had to do is decide which base layer I was wearing, as I always wear the arcteryx fleece with it (and I picked up the arcteryx pants). This gear is light weight beyond belief, water & windproof and is the best technical gear I've ever owned, and worth the money. I do not regret the small mortgage I took out to buy previous noted gear.

I do agree that the garment is a bit narrow at the hips, but for me, no real problem.

Thanks Rita I had a great laugh as you corrected the sad marketer who wrote that product description. No indeed, the recco passive reflector will not "keep you safe" but you can always hope ski patrol has a detector and has an idea where you are within a minute or two after you go down in an inbounds avalanche. But most likely used for body recovery.