This jacket is well worth its pricey tag. My second Arc'teryx softshell.(1st got stolen after 9 years of outstanding service)Love the quality of this brand. Highly recommend.

Great looking and functional! Has pockets where needed. Keeps you warm and dry--very comfortable. Good breathablity as well.

The Arcteryx, while a bitch to spell and pronounce, is the single best piece of clothing I've ever owned, period (well, except for that codpiece my wife bought for our anniversary...). Seriously, in the first two weeks I owned it I went running in driving rain, hiked Fjords in snowstorms in Norway, and wore it for a frigid sunrise atop Haleakala in Maui, and wore it home from the hospital on a Utah winter morning after major surgery. Warm, dry, and comfy in all situations. Not to mention getting several compliments from striking Viking women, both home and abroad. What more could you want from a jacket?

Great for layers or just to wear casually. I really like it because it seems to keep me at great temperature, never too hot or never too cold.
Dan

Jacket is more than I expected. It is a simple jacket but that is what I wanted. Great fit, great performance, breathes well and blocks wind. Arc’teryx makes a great product and is well worth the money. Just make sure the jacket you buy matches what your intended use. You will not be disappointed.

I looked at a lot of softshell jackets (even purchased the Moonstone Norwand, which is also really, really nice) but liked this one the best. It is comfortable, breathes well and is amazingly weatherproof, better than I expected in wet snow. My only complaint is that it really needs one more pocket on the outside (like the on-the-sleeve one that my Alpha SV has, or a small breast pocket) for keeping little things that you want to find often, like lip balm or a compass. It fits on the short side, but does not interfere with a harness or pack.

Simply: It's the best 3 season jacket I've ever had. You can never go wrong with Arc'teryx quality and looks. The bottom line is: the high price pays off in the long run. Thank you.

OK, it's expensive and while I usually like North Face/Columbia a lot, the fit/finish on this jacket is a significant improvement generally on a lot of other brands. Breathes really well too.

Bottom line it's worth the extra $$$

I've tried various flavors of fleece including WindStopper, and this is by far the best and most versatile jacket I've ever owned. It does it all: sheds rain, stops the wind, *breathes* well, good fit. Believe the hype -- this soft shell delivers. This jacket combined with a base layer and a hard shell are all I need to handle anything mother nature cares to serve up when I'm hiking.

Not only did I purchase the Gamma SV Jacket, but had to return it due to an error on my part with the size. It was a gift for my son for Christmas. I not only received the second jacket in five days (time for Christmas) from the date of my purchase order, but the first jacket was quickly credited to my Visa card. I will definitely order from BackcountryStore.com in the future.
A side note: out of at least thirty sites I searched for this jacket, BackcountryStore.com was the only one with the size and color I needed.
Susan Politzer, Franklin TN

Trim cut, molds to the body for running/hiking/biking. The jacket is pretty decent at keeping you warm and dry. Seams do not allow wind to cut through. One sleeve cuff did unravel a bit, but can easily be repaired. Wear this if you like to run and it is below 40F. A light base layer and you're good to go.

This product does what it sets out to do. It provides good insulation, with great flexibility and breathability.

The Gamma SV Jacket works great! It was a November, late afternoon and all I was wearing was the Gamma, and a cotton T shirt. I forgot to mention I was standing on the end of a fishing pier on Long Island Sound, and the wind was damp, cold, and blowing at a good clip. I was warm and comfortable enough to hang out for an hour and a half and was quite surprised. Great product.

I have a couple of other soft shells, including the Easy Rider. The Gamma SV is definately the best all around so far. The Easy Rider is great, but a bit warm at times. The Power Shield material does as advertised, repels rain, snow and sleet (mine has been in it all). It's a great mid-layer under a hardshell, and breathes very well. I love the design of the pockets, which are huge and pack friendly.

Just great in all respects, fit, looks, comfort and warmth. Is very form fitting and is a handsome jacket as well. One of my mainstays in winter, can typically get away wearing this unless there is a deluge, hands down the best in its class, sets the standard but is pricey! Recommended highly.

This is a great jacket that I used as a mid-layer for skiing. I could not have asked for anything better, it's lightweight, form-fitting and comfortable.

I bought this around the same time as a MHW Alchemy.

The Gamma SV fits better, is stretchier, looser in the chest/pits, lighter, and a lot more comfortable.

It is a little less abrasion resistant than the Alchemy, and a touch less wind resistant. (Weird, huh? Maybe it's the fit.)

They both seem equally rain/water/weather resistant -- I haven't tested them in torrential downpours, but when it sprinkles and snows, both of them are just fine.

They both seem about as breathable -- which is, very much so. Comfortable between 45 (zipped all the way!) and 70deg (open all the way!) with a t-shirt and a cotton undershirt.

Highly recommended and well worth the asking price.

-j

I fall right in between size medium and large on most articles of clothing. It's frustrating trying to find anything that fits well. This was the story for the MH windstopper tech for me. The medium had too short of sleeves and was tight in the shoulders while the large was just too large. The size medium gamma sv was able to fill in that grey area. It fits snug in the waist yet had the perfect amount of room in the chest and shoulders. If you have a V shaped torso (broad shoulders and small waist) this jacket will fit you like a glove. It also has the perfect size sleeves (not too short like most size mediums). The powerstretch material is incredibly flexible and comfortable. So if you fall in between size medium and large, go out and buy this jacket!!! Once you see how well it fits, $250 will seem like a great deal.

My fiancé has had this jacket for a couple of years, and I've been jealous this whole time. I finally got mine and I love it. This is an awesome jacket. I wear it as an outer shell on sunny days and it also fits nicely under my ski jacket on cold days. Highly recommended.

I'm a hockey coach and I purchased this jacket to wear while I'm out on the ice. I wanted something that was light, windproof, and breathable. The Gamma SV jacket is everything I needed plus it is sytlish and more flexible than other jackets I own.

I wouldn't want to rely on the Gamma SV when the temperature really dips; in extreme weather I'll take my Patagonia any day. I'm probably not comparing apples to apples here and I'm not exactly sure what this jacket was designed for (ice climbing?). I guess I was just expecting more jacket for the price I paid.

Purchased soft shell a month or so ago. Great quality as always. People gripe on the price but for a quality 3-4 season coat, try and find better. I bought grizly color and it looks sharp. Pros: a super quiet shell that is definitely all season. I recommend sizing one up. I usually wear a large in Arteryx. This is semi fitted so I sized up to XL (this coat fits me like a regulare large). Only problem is sleeves are a bit long (tight cuffs keep them off my hands). I used to be huge TNF fan but would rather pay for the quality Arteryx offers.

Before purchasing the gamma SV, I read reviews for several other soft shells/second skins. Yet knowing how much I love my Arc'teryx I knew this was the company to go with. My input on Arc'teryx gear – it’s AWESOME for SKIING which no one else mentioned. Even in the cold and wind of the east, this jacket keeps the wind out, and provides enough stretch to appropriately layer underneath it. Don't go out looking all bulky - you'll never make it through the trees puffy! Wear this sleek gear, be mobile, warm and dry - take it from those of us in the tight trees of the east! Also, purchasing from this site couldn't have been easier or faster - I'll keep coming back for sure.

In my opinion this is the best softshell jacket there is. It is lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and waterproof. I use it for skiing, snowboarding, sea kayaking, hiking, cycling, and general outdoor use. It's the best!

Excels in climbing situations or any activity that requires lots of upward/forward arm movement (hanging from ledge, riding a bike, holding the top handrail in the metro), and the sleeves are cut longer to accommodate this. Fits closely at the wrist, there is room in the chest, and it moves well. It tapers to the waist and hangs slightly below the belt for additional coverage. It'll handle most wet conditions, though I haven't put it through any apocalyptic downpours. The Gamma SV may be too warm for non-static activities when it's above 40F. I think the sleeves could be cut a bit shorter--which would not reduce wrist coverage--because they tend to bunch up. Also, I'd like a looser fit at the wrist. I know that this defeats the purpose for a climbing jacket; however, it would be nice during other activities, like hiking/running/backpacking, to be able to pull up your sleeves and have more venting. The Gamma SV is a great jacket, and suitable for urban settings as well.

The jacket performed flawlessly out in Moab several weeks ago through a Monsoon, and then later that week when I was backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park. One morning it was 33 F outside, with ice on the tent, and the wind blowing like there was no tomorrow. The jacket did an excellent job keeping the wind out and keeping me warm. I am a warm blooded person though. It really lived up to my expectations, great product!

I bought this jacket for my husband for Xmas and he loves it. It replaced a 5 year old Mountain Hardware jacket that I was tired of looking at.

Although he is normally a perfect Large, the jacket seems a little short but it's not a problem. He is 6'.

The Arcteryx is a great fitting and very comfortable softshell. It breaks the wind and keeps you dry in light rain/snow. With just this and a base layer, it'll keep you comfortable for most conditions.

.....it's not exactly what I'd expected in this jacket. Its quality of materials and craftsmanship is second to none but as much as I wanted to love the jacket, I didn't think the price justified the value. I own a Marmot Driclime Windshirt that will serve the same purpose for less than half the price. This site is great, and I'm sure I will be ordering more gear, although this one will go back.

Had this jacket for about two months now. I’m very happy with the purchase. This jacket is the real deal. It’s warm enough for skiing and casual enough for going out. If you are looking for a high end softshell jacket and are willing to spend a few extra dollars, this jacket is highly recommended.

Great versatile jacket so far. It kept me warm while I sat still at football game for 2 hours in 32 degree temp. Performed great on Big Bend hike and raft trip over Thanksgiving (highs in 60s, lows in 30s). Plan to use it with a base layer and outer shell on my ski trip next month. It is very lightweight and breathable.

Did not receive "5" ranking because it's prone to snag on thorny bushes on Big Bend hikes. I used a lighter to singe the loose thread and cannot tell the snag occurred (for now).

Just like most people already said, the jacket is very well made. Highly wind and water resistant. I wore it to ski on a rainy day and it kept me try as a duck. My Columbia hardshell is not as waterproof as this softshell is. It really fit larger than normal though. I usually wear a L, but a L was a bit too spacious for me. Overall, a very nice active jacket. Stretchy and warm. I wear it almost everyday in winter.

Thin and light-weight. Not as warm as I expected. Blocks the wind very well. An excellent purchase.

I got the Gamma SV together with the Alpha SV hardshell. It's an unbeatable combination. The Gamma SV keeps my body temperature perfect in a wide range of temperatures. It looks real good, and the fit is perfect - you kind of forget you're wearing it. I guess that's as good as it gets. Martin

I can't think how many times this softshell has kept me warm in the first month of me owning it. I have gone out in sub-zero temps on multiple occasions with just a midweight baselayer and a 200 weight fleece under the Gamma and been perfectly fine. Fit and finish are perfect, as to be expected from all arc'teryx gear. One thing to be aware of: if you aren't planning to use this for climbing (as I do), you might want to consider the high harness cut which is much higher than I expected. Works great for climbing though. Overall highly recommended.

The Gamma SV jacket fits nice & very comfortable. Im looking forward to wearing it in colder weather.
It blocks wind, & sheds water in light rain. Great jacket.

totally awesome jacket. Look no further. took it night skiing and went all night with a thin fleece underneath. This also allows tons of movement for climbing. fits true to size, don't believe the people who don't know what they are talking about, this jacket is the perfect softshell.

This is the perfect jacket for San Francisco. I have used it everyday this past winter. When the temperature is 70F it can be worn open. When the temperature drops to 40F it can be zipped and worn just over a T-shirt. It is wind proof and water resistant. When it is cold, and really raining and blowing, it fits nicely under the Arc'teryx Theta AR Jacket.

The reviews are true, this jacket will replace all your other fleece jackets. Alone it is comfortable in a 30-40mph wind on top of a mtn. When it is very cold, it works great as a layer under a gortex shell.

I had been hopelessly vascilating between my North Face Gore-Tex rain shell for wind and water resistance and my Cabelas Polartec 300 fleece for warmth. The Arc Teryx Gamma SV with Powershield flawlessly combines the functionality of a rain shell and a thermal fleece into a fabulously versatile jacket. It is also visually stunning to behold due to its design and finish. The return on this jacket is well worth the substantial investment!

Simple, clean, and elegant. Warm too. Doesn't get much better than this :)

fabulous coat!