Description
This jacket is lean, mean, and ready for a fight.
Exceptionally breathable, rugged, and new N80p-X Gore-Tex Pro shell fabric and spare details make the Arc'teryx Men's Sidewinder SV Jacket the lean-and-mean outerwear choice for big-mountain skiing or snowboarding. Arc'teryx engineers made a few tweaks to this season's Sidewinder including an offset Vislon front zipper, a more durable and softer face fabric to complement the waterproof breathable Gore-Tex membrane, and a stretch powder skirt with integrated jacket-to-pant compatibility. From technical mountain routes to powdery face shots at the resort to brutal weather in the backcountry, the Sidewinder takes it in stride.
- N80p-X is a polyester face fabric with an exceptional durability-to-weight ratio and a supple feel
- Gore-Tex Pro waterproof breathable fabric uses three-layer construction to allow sweaty moisture to pass through the fabric from the inside out, but it won't allow outside moisture in
- Gore-Tex Pro shell fabric is highly durable so you can drag this jacket through rough terrain without worry
- Laminated seam construction eliminates stitched seams (stitched seams require additional seam taping, which lowers overall fabric breathability)
- Updated e3D fit allows for full range of motion in the arms, shoulders, and torso without lifting at the hem or fabric binding that would restrict movement
- e3D also streamlines the cut of the front of this jacket so you can clearly see your feet and the waist of your climbing harness
- Hip length covers up your waistline and stretches below the point where a pack hip-belt or climbing harness would sit
- Underarm zips provide ample venting so you can let cool air in
- Storm Hood is large enough to pull over your ski helmet or climbing helmet for additional protection from the elements
- Stretch powder skirt seals securely and comfortably around your waist inside the shell so deep snow won't creep up inside your jacket
- Gore-standard WaterTight front zipper further adds to the weatherproof protection of this jacket
- Slide 'n Loc snap system secures the stretch panel powder skirt to the waist of compatible Arc'teryx pants to create a closed jacket-to-pant system that locks out the elements
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Arc'teryx Sidewinder SV Jacket - Men's
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Tougher than nails
Deener
Member since
I have now owned this jacket since 2002 and I cannot say anything negative about it. Still as waterproof as ever and is easily the best ski jacket I have ever owned. I have one that is all goretex pro shell and it still looks new. It has outlasted 2 Eider goretex pro shell jackets and one Patagonia H2no jacket that I have since bought. It does not breath the best but that is the sacrifice you make when you want the most durable fabric there is. The large fits really well and I am 5'10" and weight 170. I cannot say enough good things about this jacket. It is worth every penny. I highly recommend this to anyone skiing 100 plus days a season, mountaineering, or just anyone who wants the best fitting most durable jacket on the market.
Great Jacket
Han4409534
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
Nice cut - full for layering, but not balloon-ish. I'm 6', 200# - I got a large and it fit fine. Just spent a week skiing in Telluride in snowy, windy conditions, and it performed great - wind and snow/water resistant. A bit pricey, but well worth it, in my opinion.
Awesome Performance with few flaws
Capt Cap
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
My first ArcTeryx was awesome... It was tested on 4 Continents, easily my favorite jacket ever owned, came in Kermit color. I sent it in when the jacket zipper broke after over 5 years... cant beat the Lifetime Guarantee from them. They offered to replace it because " The GoreTex was wearing off". So they gave me my Sidewinder just over 3 years ago now. In my opinion the protection from the elements is amazing. I feel weather proof when i wear it. The few flaws I mention are things like... the size is a little off since i cant even wear a sweater with it, the side zip neck is annoying for every day use, my legs get soaked where the jacket ends, lol!! My first ArcTeryx was better, but this is still a badass shell! I've tested it on 3 Continents so far. But mine was made in Canada and i got it in Blackbird color.
Great Technical Piece
Tim Cheneval
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
Great technical piece, super durable, and details that make the jacket easy to navigate while its on, and very functional. The Buckhorn color looks great with about anything, and is pretty true to the image color on the site. I took a star away simply because I struggle with Arc'teryx's sizing. I am about 5'11", 165lbs and purchased a medium, which I fear is to large for me. Plenty of room for layers I guess..
Tim Cheneval
Member since
Yup, just to confirm what you are saying, I am A perfect medium in a fleece I have from Arcteryx, Its really remarkable how well it fits. A medium however in the shells its simply NOT the same..
hi there, is the sidewinder made in China...
somms
Member since
hi there, is the sidewinder made in China or Canada?
Tony
Member since
Hi, mine is made in China, the build quality is amazing :-)
Sidewinder SV
David Deioma
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
Should be called the "Cloak of Invincibility"
Best Arcteryx Shell
Jahan
Member since
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
I tried on a sidewinder several years ago and was put off by the way the collar fit with the offset zipper. I decided to give the new one a go, and I was surprised to learn how much I liked it. I tried this on along with the Sabre, both in size small in Tobiko. I'm 5'7" and 175lbs, have a wide chest/shoulders, and big thighs, which typically dictates at least a medium in everything I wear, but in this case, the small fit perfectly.
The collar seems comfortable, and the new "tear away" zipper means you can just pull on the fabric and the zipper will open, so unzipping it is not awkward. The collar is a LITTLE bit stiffer on one side compared to the Sabre, but not much, and the fabric seems just as comfortable against my face. To be honest the zipper isn't a major point for or against this jacket for me, I just wanted a non-insulated, ski specific, Pro Shell Jacket, and this one fits the bill perfectly.
Differences from the Sabre:
1. Pro shell (Sidewinder SV) vs. Softshell (Sabre) material, but they both use the new N80p-X face fabric. They are both softer than previous Pro-Shell jackets, but they are both stiffer than previous Soft-Shell jackets. There's not a HUGE difference between them, and I'm guessing both will be very good at beading water and not allowing the face fabric to wet out.
2. The powder skirt on the sidewinder is tighter. Not quite too tight, but clearly tighter. They both seem to stay put pretty well, at least while moving around in my living room.
3. The cuffs on the Sidewinder are narrower. They seem like they'd still fit over gloves if you wanted to, but just something to consider.
4. The Sabre's internal lining adds weight and warmth, but the Sidewinder is lighter.
I'll update this once I get on the slopes this year.
Jahan
Member since
Post Season Update:
I used this jacket for 12 days snowboarding in the PACNW. Most days were heavy snow and very wet and between 15-35*F. I layered with a Arcteryx Covert Vest and a few different high-end base layers that I have. The jacket performed flawlessly. Some comments:
1. I really like the side zip . . . even when it's unzipped, the flap stays up over your face to give just a bit of wind protection.
2. The face fabric is VERY durable. I found out first-hand that it stands up very well to rock/ice abrasion with no issue. It still beads water except the most highly used areas such as where my backpack straps rub. Even the parts that don't bead don't really wet-out much.
3. The ONLY issue seems to be the hood. I pretty much never wear a hood over my helmet, but the one time I tried, I found that it restricted the last 5-10% of motion when trying to turn my head. The only reason I noticed is that, as a snowboarder, my head is pretty much always turned. If I were skiing or climbing, it wouldn't be an issue, and a smaller/lower profile helmet might fix the issue as well. Since I don't use a hood anyway, this doesn't detract from the performance of the jacket for me.
Great update
Scott P.
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
This new version of the sidewinder is a great update for a couple of reasons. One, the new fabric is much softer and less noisy than the older Gore Pro Shell. Secondly, the jacket has some features merged into it from other shells and now makes one complete package in my opinion. Previously, the sidewinder didn't have a goggle/gloves drop in mesh pocket, but the new version has that as well as a zip internal pocket. The sleeve pocket also ditched the clear patch, which I think just improves the overall appearance. Overall this jacket combines what I liked about the Rush jacket, with bomber fabric and cut of the sidewinder... you can pretty much take anything you need on the slopes and have a place for it.
snowhustler
Member since
Hey Scott Great review. I have the Sabre and its great, but i have a few questions.
The Sidewinder seems to have longer length?
Is there more chin room with the offset zipper?
Overall for skiing does the Sidewinder win?
Scott P.
Member since
The sidewinder is slightly longer in length, or very close if comparing the same sizes. I think the collar would be about the same room, since they are both storm hoods. The main difference is the pockets on the sidewinder, both internal and external, as well as the fabric itself.
khangoroo
Member since
Hi Scott, thanks for the review. I just got this jacket and the durability and weather protection is pretty awesome. My only love/hate relationship is with the off-set zipper. It didn't bother me and was quite nice when fully zipped, but I did notice myself messing with it a lot more than I normally would with a straight zipper. The other question is the fit - I like a trimmer fit. Within Arcteryx's snowsport specific Whiteline, I think the Rush jacket is the only other Pro shell with full storm hood. I am REALLY thinking about getting the Rush instead because of the straight zipper and trimmer fit. What are your thoughts of the Rush jacket and how it compares to the Sidewinder SV? As much detail as you can would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Scott P.
Member since