Arc'teryx Sigma SV Jacket - Men's

This truly is an incredible piece of engineering. Arcteryx has a history of creating cutting edge gear, and this jacket does not fall short of amazing. That said... There are a couple of things to keep in mind when buying Arcteryx gear. A novice might look at this jacket and think for the price that it would be a complete outdoor solution. Be aware that this jacket offers almost no warmth. It is designed as a shell, so plan on wearing something warm underneath. It pairs nicely with some of Arcteryx's base and mid layers. I would also recommend NOT wearing any fleece underneath this shell. It has that super space age material Arcteryx uses and it is will cling to fleece more than you tried to hang onto that first love in high school. If you want to stay dry, and do it in style, layer up and wear this jacket as a shell. This jacket may just make everything else seem uncivilized. And you might find yourself spending your kid's college fund to complete your Arcteryx collection. A must buy for anyone who lives in a wet climate, and loves to get outside no matter what the conditions are.

The Sigma SV is a great jacket with a few caveats. I buy Arc'teryx stuff because it fits me well. I am tall, but have a somewhat thin rock climbers build and long arms, so The North Face and Mountain Hardwear do not work for me. The Sigma SV is my do-everything jacket. I use it as my only layer to ride my bike around campus unless it is really cold, I use it to go rock climbing with, and I've skied with it. It performs well in every situation, blocking the wind completely and breathing WAY better than my Alpha SV hardshell. It seems quite water resistant, to the point that I hardly ever reach for my Alpha SV, but I have never tested it in a real driving rain, so it is hard to say. Problems: The armpit fit is abnormally tight for Arc'teryx. I own lots of their other gear, and this jacket is different in this regard. I can't fit my Monkey Man fleece under it, as it is too bulky in the armpits. Also, the pockets are a PITA to access while wearing a backpack, as the zippers fall right where the straps are. The hood is also a bit too large for my taste, although I appreciate the ability to get it around a ski or climbing helmet. If you use the various drawstrings to tighten it down it becomes more manageable. Overall, great stuff as usual from Arc'teryx, with a few quirks to this particular jacket.

I have spent the last few years in search of the "perfect" soft shell jacket to accompany me backcountry skiing. While I have always had my eye on this jacket, the cost was always a huge deterrent for me. Three soft shells later, I finally sprung for this jacket and couldn't have been happier. The larger collar allows me to keep my neck/chin warm on those chilly early mornings. The hood is perfect for keeping my head warm when the wind picks up, and even fits alpine helmets. The zippers (pit zips, and pockets) work very smoothly and open/close without much effort. The chest pockets are placed perfectly to allow operation while wearing a pack. The windstopper fabric that this shell is constructed from is perfect for me as I find myself a "cold" person while outdoors. In summary, I wished I had just spent the money and not wasted my time with other jackets.

just back from Whistler where it was 12-16 degrees with blowing dry cold snow. this sucker is windproof unlike other softshells. Smokes the cutsie Gamma MX which I've owned. The Gamma SV is nice for what it is but no match either. The fit is form fitting but loose enough to get another very form fitting soft shell under it plus a powerstretch T-neck layer under that. Perfect for a cold day. At Crystal 25 degrees or so today and puking I wore just a powerstretch t-neck, the Sigma SV, and a 5 year old Sirrus SL superlight gore-tex shell over thr SV. Hood is big and kind of dorkie but throws over quickly if your the helmet type or cinches if stackin a woolie on the noggin. Have owned alot of Arcteryx. Sent alot back too recently! This is a keeper. Nice piece.

...is just a few more pockets. This jacket is super sweet. I've been wearing it as a ski jacket in temps down to 20 degrees with only lightweight wool base layer and a patagonia R1 (although i started to feel a chill at the top of the lift). The material is burly, stretchy and quiet...the fleece on the inside is nice and soft. just wish it had a few more pockets, perhaps an audio pocket on the inside, oh...the cuffs are kinda small, but they work just fine. one more thing...the hood is huge, great over a helmet (and super adjustable), but kinda annoying when just wearing around, oh well...function over form i guess.

Well, what can I say about this jacket? Definitely nothing negative! This piece performs as well as all Arcteryx equipment I own! The material is very abrasion resistant, windproof and water repellent. Although it is not waterproof it sheds out rain and wet snow for a couple of hours skiing and trekking. The cut is next to perfect and the production quality is on the top as usual! For a quite high price you can expect a wonderful top of the range softshell jacket! It is worth every dollar!

I'm most familiar with Marmot but I've worn garments from many companies over the years and Large jackets have always fit comfortably. Not this Arc'teryx. It was tight across my chest and when I raised my arms. While I'm tall I am not massive. I'd want to do extensive testing of a variety of sizes before purchasing another Arc'teryx garment.

I was very happy to buy this jacket on sale but soon became disappointed with the fit. It is a very nice jacket, but the sleeves and hood are very disproportionate. The sleeves are significantly too long and the hood is huge - so huge that it looks conspicuous. I returned this jacket.

I've had a bunch of softshells from MH, Marmot, Cloudveil and Arc'teryx, but this one is hands down the best. Nice big helmet-fitting hood, great attention to detail in all the pull cords & closures, great breathability, huge pit zips, big durable zippers, excellent water resistance. It just feels solid. Sizing is typical close-fitting Arc'teryx, going up a size if you're in between makes layering a lot easier.

This is an excellent jacket for winter use, a little too much for summertime. Sheds water very well and the fabric is tough. My only complaint: Velcro on sleeves wears a hole in the fabric, doesn't affect jacket performance, but for the price the thing should be bullet proof.

Great mixed use jacket. Light yet warm enough for ball games in S.F. Did Mt. Shasta with 60 mph winds no problem.Wind resistance is 100%. Waterproofing is better than expected. This was a "holy grail" purchase that has held up to its reputation.

This is the best jacket I own. I have summited Aconcagua, Ama Dablam , Island Peak, Mt Aspiring with this jacket. If something happens to it, I will buy another one.

I love my jacket, with combination of Phantom vest from Mountain Hardwear. Jacket is comfortable, sleeves long, good waste line, good ventilation, zippers works fine. Hook and loop closure straps bit small to grab with gloves. It could be inch longer on the back side. Love the hood. It's roomy with helmet. Inside felt good on skin (short sleeve) No electric shock from dress and undress. Sturdy enough to withstand runs thru woods. I had only one day at windy condition, and felt good. Mandarin color is perfect, you are different from others.

This jacket is awesome, -16C with strong winds and I was toasty even ran into a sap ridden fir tree and only picked up a light scuff. Very pleased and would recommend this jacket to anyone who is serious about being outdoors.

Sweet, bomber jacket. Keeps the elements at bay. I appreciate the location and size of the pit zips - they're relatively accessible with a pack on. The pockets aren't as much pockets as they are vents. The hood fits well with or without a helmet. Has great arm articulation overhead. I would like to see a powderskirt option at least, because the waist hem doesn't stay as snug as I'd like. Sometimes I experience a draft, standing or crashing. I use it snowboarding and teleboarding in both the BC and resort. It keeps me comfortable in a wide range of conditions. My favorite part is that I can hike/perspire with vents open, and not be bothered by wind or snow. Aside from my minor gripes, I am most pleased with this jacket. Although pricey, it's great. I expect it to last for years, but only time will tell.

This jacket does it all. It's warm, yet breathable. It's water-resistant, wind-proof, comfy, and stretchy. I love the Sigma SV. The cut is a little shorter in the body than I like, but the sleeves are cut long enough for me. This softshell is a little bulkier than the Gamma MX, so it keeps you a little warmer than some of the other Arc'teryx softshells. The material is very durable, but it's still very soft and supple. Did I mention I love the Sigma SV - highly recommended!

I got my Sigma SV last month. It's really the best jacket I've ever had. No wind gets in and the jacket is absolutely water resistent. Everything is brillant, so buy it;-) Thank you for selling such a graet product. Joern from Germany

The Sigma SV is the best softshell I have owned. The movement is great, and it is 100% waterprof. I recommend it to all.

Good fit good look and warm looks to nice to wear at work but to warm not to get it and you will see.

This jacket was really a treat on the summit push when it was windy and chilly but not snowing or raining. The windproof membrane this thing has is amazing and if you wear the right layers underneath, then you will really be warm.

A light, fairly robust jacket. Warm and water resistant as advertised, a good fit, and with lots of features (like the helmet compatible hood).

I use this jacket in my work as a park ranger. This is a very useful garment: very good ventilation, pockets easy to use. It's expensive--that's my only complaint.

This is very technical and versatile jacket. I live in Los Angeles and there's plenty to do. I’ve done the following with this jacket: I’ve skied in both Southern and Northern California. I’ve cycled in the rain with a very large cycling helmet and it fit wonderfully. I’ve gone trail running on cold and windy days. I hiked and backpacked in Big Sur and Angeles national forest. I bouldered and rock climbed in Joshua Tree. I even wore it to a wet baseball opening day! I just love it. It stops the wind dead in its tracks. It’s very water repellant and very warm. The fit and cut are form-fitting and just right. It doesn't flap. I’m considering buying a hardshell but I just might not need one. It’s very pricey but it's well worth the cost. My only gripe is that it's made in China. Also, I wish it had more outside pockets, like a sleeve or chest pocket. Other than that, it's a great piece. It really is a "do-anything" jacket.

There has been positive gushing over this softshell, so I won't do that any more. Here are some things I've found a tad annoying: 1. The material lining the inside of the softshell grips fleece. If you're trying to layer under this shell, there's a weird sticky effect that causes the shell to ride up occasionally. 2. I rarely get cold, but if I put this shell to the test by wearing it alone on a cold day, while being windproof, it's not a good insulator of heat. 3. I'm really tall and skinny, and for some reason the armpit cut is very tight. If a sweater or fleece is underneath, there's a bit of "penguin effect". I feel the need to lift my arms from the sides to remain comfortable. Thanks for reading—hate being a hater because Arc’teryx still is the best designer/manufacturer in the business. Just this item.

I love this jacket. I skied in an identical one for 50 days last season, it was stolen, and I bought the same jacket again. I tried on probably twenty jackets in different ski shops and this is still the best. This jacket is as warm as any lightweight hard-shell, and much more comfortable.

We tested the Jackets on mountaineering trip with skiing and normal mountain activities. They are a winner in a test of jackets for a German Outdoor Magazine, called Outdoor 12/2005. Yes, the jackets are breathable and 100% water and wind resistant.

The Sigma SV Jacket rocks! A bought one two years ago and I ended up getting it stolen. I liked the jacket so much I bought the exact same one again. It's awesome for ski mountaineering and ski touring. The Sigma SV jacket is almost sufficient enough alone, although I bring along a light weight shell just in case shit hits the fan. It's super nice for ice climbing, and on really cold, windy days it's even not that bad to go jogging with. The hood, pit zips, perfect length and its durability make this jacket a really good buy.

If you go to school, like to travel and are 23 years old, it is very hard to save enough money for arc´teryx stuff, but the SIGMA SV I bought is worth every nickel!!! Cut and design are phenomenal, the breatheability awesome. The range of use is just great, I use the jacket for nordic skiing, walking, cycling and also going to school. It's important to note that if it´s getting really cold and you rest a while, you should always have a technical fleece with you to wear under the jacket. It´s really a softshell!!!