To be truely honest i havent owned very many softshells but i have found that the venta hasnt let me down at all. The gore windstopper works great in the wickedest of windy days and i just throw my Exum Marmot shell over when the snow gets blowing and it keeps me warm in the cold no problem. It was thiner that i expected so at first i was a bit worried how it would do up here in Canada but so far its worked out great, its held up through the mountains on my snowboard and also the labour of making ice rinks. Breathable, durable, and wind proof this jacket is wonderful, The only problem is that i wish it wasnt so expensive.

This jacket is awesome! I love the feel of this jacket. Stops the wind dead in its tracks. I've never owned a better jacket. One warning. The aztec color is more of an orange than a yellow color.

Ive had a few soft shells now and nothing compares to this one, but ive also never paid so much for one either. Its a good jacket but it lowers on my scale due to price. I live in northern alberta so it gets pretty cold and the jacket hold up well. But when it droppes below -15 celsius you need a nother layer underneith and it would not hold up to the cold with out my gore-tex northface outer shell.
After all that being said, i would say its a good jacket but for the cold days you will still need to layer.

one more thing, ive found it very breathable. No problem with that at all.

As good as is expensive. I took this Jacket for glacier travel and ice climbing in New Zealand. After full day
walking and climbing on the pouring rain I was impressed with this
highly waterproof softshell. The Pitzips and the helmet compatible
hood work seamlessly. This jacket keeps you happy while you swinging your axes and wear your harness. Colours and looks however, differ a lot from the picture - The Arc'teryx guys "retouch" these photos excessively. I have not tested it in cold weather though.

Nice soft shell jacket that I use as my everyday jacket in and around NYC. I usually wear a short sleeve polo shirt, a thin fleece, and this jacket and am fine in temperatures down to 30 degrees or less. This is a soft shell jacket with minimal insulation so others who have complained about requiring layers with this jacket, keep in mind, that is the point of this jacket. it's a soft "shell". The windproof works great, I don't feel any wind flowing through the jacket and it can get quite windy where i live. Also, i'm 6 ft 185 lbs with a muscular build and the large fits me perfectly. The cut of the jacket is a little boxier and not as "athletic" as other acteryx jackets (i also have the Alpha SV), however, the additional room is nice to be able to throw additional layers underneath including a thick fleece. All in all, the fit is still nice. Once last thing is that this particular jacket is made in China and not Canada, however the craftsmanship still looks top notch but only time will tell.......

I've had this coat for a little over a week and it's definitely the most awesome coat I have ever owned. I walked a few miles around town last night in 25F temp, 20mph sustained winds, and 30 mph gusts and I was perfectly warm. I only had a thick short-sleeve cotton shirt on underneath. The Windstopper material honestly cuts out all of the wind. While it is definitely thin, I believe it is extremely warm for how thin it is due to its technologically superior fabrics. If you get cold, all you have to do is cinch up the 3-way adjustable hood and strap up the velcro cinches around the wrists. If that's not enough, cinch up the adjustable waist cord. If you get hot, zip open the pit vents. The jacket is also very easy to move in due to its gusseted underarm design.

Buy this coat. You will not be disappointed with Arc'teryx. The quality is as high as it gets and the design is very well thought out.

I am 5'11" 190lb and the large fits perfectly.

I've only had the Venta SV for four days now (one star per day), but I'm very happy. I tend to warm up and cool down quickly, and I needed a light, reasonably weatherproof jacket that could cope with my heat output, but still insulate when I stopped moving; I've been putting the Venta through its paces and I think it could be the one. From hiking around trails in Park City in changing conditions (we've had sun, clouds, wind, freezing rain, sleet, and snow in the last 72hrs) to working, napping on the couch (fully zipped) and occasionally grabbing firewood off the porch, this jacket hasn't soaked through, been cold, or been hot, just perfect-I've hardly taken it off. The cut is athletic, but accommodates 2 under-layers (merino tee, Capilene zip-neck) in a Medium (I'm 5'10, 165#; see my profile for body measurements) and the micro-grid fleece lining is not bulky; it feels warm on bare skin in the wind, unlike my hard shells. The face fabric is soft, quiet and stretchy, and the hood cinches down over a beanie fine but will also fit a helmet no problem. The Aztec color is a more muted, orangey yellow, and it has garnered compliments from both sexes. Can't wait to "get serious" with it and wear it touring, but we need a bit more snow to make that worthwhile. Consider this a great first impression, with another review to follow.

I'm 6'3 about 215 lbs. Reading previous reviews I was worried about what size to get. I got an Extra Large and it fits me perfectly. I haven't seen many bitterly cold days, but it has kept me warm enough on my daily commute. Water beads up and is brushed away, as expected. I love the function of the hood. The jacket doesn't lift at all from the waist when I raise my arms. So far so good.

I love the fit and the looks of this jacket. I live in Montana, had some 20 below weather with nasty winds, and have been plenty warm in this jacket w/a little bit of layering. Actually stopps the wind, and the fit is excellent. I am hooked on Arcteryx, another quality piece.

Clearly, one of the finest shells that I've owned.
It is an excellent fit, with either my softshell jacket or my fleece. It is warm and highly wind resistant. My only complaint is that it is a noisy garment.

Okay people. Here's the scoop! I just tried on this jacket. And I was in shock how much room was in it? If you are used to the gamma jacket get ready for a much different cut! I don't know about the large? But I am 6 ft. 190lbs. This jacket was huge in the bicep area? and in the chest. It then tapers down slightly and cuts off at the hips in the from. They normally have a more athletic cut? If you want a large normally? Get a medium. I'm 100% sure about this! Also. The fleece lining isn't thick.. Were talking very minimal. Very thin coat. (if you want a thicker little warmer coat try the Elipson) Great for fall night and sunny winter days in UT. Do not think this is a shell that will keep you warm 27 degree or less. It won't. You will need a layer. slightly disappointed! But even a bad coat from Arc Teryx is still nicer than the best jacket from Columbia)
mark my words. I know my sizing! And I know Arc Teryx.

From the stock description, this would seem to be a burly softshell, appropriate as an outer layer in dryer climes like the Rockies. Not the case.

This is a very, very thin softshell, and after a day in moderately cold wind I have serious issues with the claim that this jacket is even remotely windproof. I noticed a ton of leakage both in and under the arms. The chest did seem to keep most gusts at bay.

Bottom line - this is an outer layer for a warm, sunny spring day, nothing more.

I also question the quality of this jacket for the price. The construction, stitching and zippers do not compare to other, older (pre-Chinese) Arcteryx tops I've owned. Frankly, it looks (and works) like something made by TNF.

Finally, the hood is large enough to fit over a helmet, and the fit system is clever for use without a helmet, but the shape of the hood is such that you cannot really tighten it down around a helmet (at least not my Giro), making it useful for wearing on the chairlift, but not on a windy ridge, and definitely not while descending.

Overall, a disappointment. I'll be sending this one back.