Bought this for skiing last year - the best hard shell I've ever owned (previous include North Face, Salewa, Columbia, Mt. Hardware). Throw a fleece on underneath and it is good for the 0 degree days skiing, without a fleece it is comfortable spring skiing. Arcteryx service is great - son took it boarding (without asking) and put a small tear in the arm. Arcteryx offered to repair (4-6 weeks) for nominal charge, or send me an iron on GoreTex Pro to repair for free (not even shipping costs!). I chose the iron on and have never looked back. Arcteryx and Mt Hardware charge a lot for their stuff, but the quality is great, and service even better. And prices on Backcountry are awesome.

I was a little skeptical about the offset zipper, but its great, when its open its really open and lets air in but zipped up its tight. This jacket fits well and skis well. Pit zips are there if you like em. Bomber as usual and the blue color is great.

the coolest and best jacket I have ever tried. but I have a little thing to complain about, the front zipper, or the "main", zipper is not waterproof. well, at least not on mine. i've just tried it in harsh norwegian weather, and 3 places a few drops of water managed to get past the front zipper. maybe not a big thing, but when Arcteryx guarantee a waterproof jacket, and when the jacket costs 600 dollar, I expect a jacket that really is fully waterproof.
ps: i wasnt out for more than 1,5 hours..

well, except from that the jacket really is amazing, the helmet - compatible hood, the powder skirt, the design.. impressive!

Really impressed with the jacket. I wore this jacket with the Delta SV fleece in sub-zero and high wind conditions and was very warm. The jacket blocks 100% of wind and is durable against branch snags. Highly recommend.

Best mountain jacket I've ever owned. How did evolution of a non central zip take so long? It fits perfectly. Everything about the jacket lets you know just how much thought and design went into the making of it. I've one that's now into its third season of backcountry schlepping and big mountain descents. Despite stuffing, scuffing, boozing and the occasional rag doll downhill it still looks like new.

This is one burly shell. I sometimes think if I hit a tree skiing with this jacket on, that I might not survive, but the Sidewinder SV probably would. I've had the 2006 version of the Sidewinder SV for two years and I love it. It fits me perfectly, provides all the protection I'll ever need and looks great. I don't know whether it is because I've been using this jacket for two years or if it is the difference between the GoreTex XCR and GoreTex Pro Shell, but my Sidewinder SV (XCR) drapes much better than the either of the Pro-Shell jackets that I've tried (Sidewinder AR and Stinger). Of them all, this one feels the most comfortable on for that reason.

Pros: stretch back makes this jacket ridiculously comfortable to wear. It's cut to give plenty of room for layering without looking baggy pretty neat trick. After two years, the drape of this jacket when I am wearing it is awesome. I didn't appreciate how good this jacket felt when on until I tried on the 2008 models. I don't know if this should be attributed to being worn in or to the difference between Gore-Tex XCR and Gore-Tex Pro Shell. If your greatest concern is having a bombproof shell, this is the shell for you.

Cons: relatively heavy (although not noticeable when on). This jacket is not going to breathe as well as lighter weight shells - the standard tradeoff.

This is my first Arcteryx Gore-Tex jacket and I've been fully impressed. The offset zipper is great, but does take some getting used to. I used it on a 35 day trip to Oregon and brought my North Face Mountain Guide jacket as well... but never even broke it out of my bag. The sidewinder worked well in every condition. Fits well over my RED helmet. This jacket is a no frills, no extra crap jacket, for people who want ride/ski not sit in the lodge!

Had this jacket mid-way through the winter, used it about half a dozen times before the waterproofing on the zipper started peeling off. Contacted Arc'teryx, they took it back, fixed the zipper, and sent it back to me in a couple weeks over the summer. Have yet to use it this year, but overall very happy with Arc'teryx warranty and customer service. Hopefully the zipper holds up better this time.

I should mention too that I contacted BC.com first about it, they were more than willing to take it back or exchange it for me, and even got Arc'teryx phone number so I could call them. Hence why I shop at Backcountry.

This was my go to jacket in everything but the coldest conditions. I loved it. The jacket is super tough. It has a nice streamlined look and pockets in the right places. My only beef with the jacket is that the hood is a pinch small when wearing a helmet. When conditions got brutal I would try to pull the hood up over my Giro helmet and it wouldn't fit. I works fine with my Bern helmet though.

I bought a Sidewinder SV 6 years ago as my first descent jacket from Arcteryx. It has been fantastic. The durability is second to none. the materials have kept me warm and dry in some pretty awful situations and it keeps on ticking. the styling and materials have only gotten better with time. I would highly recommend it for anyone needing a very stylish, very technical resort skiing/light backcountry jacket. My only gripe, it is a little long in the body, but I think that has more to do with me being short than the jacket.

I take my snowboarding very seriously, and do not compromise on equipment. My Sidewinder has shrugged off everything I've thrown at it--blizzards, bluebird days, trees, tree branches. The Pro-Shell is ridiculously durable and incredibly lightweight; I still have a hard time believing it holds up like it does. Everything about the cut of the jacket was thought out. The zipper is obvious, but the no-rise sleeves, the powder skirt, the well-laid out pockets, the helmet-compatible hood, even the cuffs are slightly concave to fit over your wrists better. This is hands down the best shell I have ever encountered. Expensive? Hell yeah, but it will last forever and you'll be loving every minute of it.

I wore this jacket for the first time on a cold day up at Solitude (Utah). It had not snowed for a couple of years, well maybe days, but it was cold. I picked it off the rack and thought to myself, "this jacket does not really weight much, it it going to be warm." I quickly found out the answer. It is really warm, as a matter of fact I am glad it has pit zips. After taking a couple of laps down some black diamonds, thats right black diamonds, I worked up a sweat. The breath-ability and pit-zip features definitely kept me in a constant state of comfort. Although with mittens on it is a little difficult to unzip and zip the zippers. I am 6'2'', 180 pounds. I had a size medium I was afraid it was going to fit me like an under-armor workout shirt but it was actually perfect. I was only wearing a light capilene base layer though. I definitely recommend this jacket to anyone who wants to rock some Arc'teryx.

The sidewinder sv is a great jacket. This is my second one. Bought another just for a color change. Has never let one drop of water in. Material is a bit tougher than than the AR. I have not seen better workmanship on any other brand. I use it for skiing and is great all year round as a rain jacket. I am 6'3" 210 and use the XL. It has plenty of room for layering. Tried a L but it was too small. Pros are obvious. Cons: Wish it was a little less "boxy". Sidewinder zipper can be hard to pull around the top. I have a Stingray jacket and it is much softer to the touch and more comfortable to wear. Not as bulletproof though.

This is by far the best shell I have every owned. I use it for everything. I have spent countless days in the backcountry with it and have not had one complaint. It just barely fits over my Burton RED helmet, but other than that it has plenty of room, it is well fitted to me, and I can still manage to fit my down jacket under it comfortably on really cold days. I have even used it offshore sailing on a couple really gnarly days and it worked great. If money is no object, BUY THIS JACKET. I wouldn't have but I got a great deal on it, and I have gotten every penny's worth out of it and more.

was up in Vermont for snow sleet rain and ice all in the same storm. stayed dry and with a few extra layers, warm. wind chill dropped to -20. felt like I was in a space suit! Nothing, wind or water, got through it! bottom line thats all that matters. If you can afford it don't hesitate. No other jacket can compare!

Used this jacket last weekend in Zermatt. Had blizzard conditions on the first day and the Sidewinder performed wonderfully.

I have three complains that I consider minor:
1. The rubberized zippers are difficult to zip up one handed, especially the main zipper as it negotiates the curve.
2. I'd like a pocket on my left wrist.
3. The hood is difficult to adjust with gloves on.

I haven't used it enough yet to say that I love it, so 4 stars for now.

Extremely well designed and constructed. It breathes really well, and the fabric is bombproof. No leaking. Very little saturation of the facing fabric, which is very durable. Hood is well designed and protects yet has a very wide field of view and easy movement. Everything a big mountain jacket should be.

This thing is superb. It does not allow any water in and breathes really well. The pockets and powder skirt are all well designed. The hood is nice and large for helmets and still adjusts down to whatever size you need. The sidewinder is cool, but if it is unzipped and you get a high wind it can slap you pretty hard in the face so beware. When it comes to a great versatile shell for anything you need from Wasatch powder skiing to Seattle rains this thing takes care of you.

This is an all out weatherstopper. Skied hard all day in a recent dump and stayed perfectly dry and warm. Not all that surprised by this, though. Arc'teryx is some of the best gear out there.

Super happy with the jacket, it's getting use on the mountain and on the streets of toronto.

It's an excellent windbreaker - I've worn it with only a medium weight wickable thermal vest at -4 C whilst riding my bike downtown and I was comfortable.

I think that's the word here - comfort, it's lightweight, compact and allows you to move easily.

Plus it's waterproof (totally waterproof) and it breathes!

Super happy with this shell.

I'm 5'9", 165 and the small was ideal for me. The jacket does seem to run big, as it demands layers. I loved the zipper to the side of the face, just a small detail, but great functionality. The hood is rather large. If you don't plan on wearing a helmet at any point in your use of this item you may look into other Gore jackets, because the hood is large. For the price you want to make sure its going to be well used. Its not a problem if you cinch down the cords on the hood real tight. Otherwise you'll feel like a parasailer when the wind catches you. Impressive design, Arcteryx didn't forget what the use of this jacket was. It could use a larger interior pocket for a pair of skins.

I got this coat in a large, I am 6 ft. 175 lbs, and it fits perfect with just a baselayer and a thin down vest. It is light as a feather, and I can move just fine in it. It is probably the sickest coat ever....once you go Arc'teryx, you'll never go back...