Arc'teryx Theta AR Jacket - Men's - 2007

Great tailored fit, helmet friendly hood (even with the hat AND bala), nice long cut, and super storm worthy. The Theta AR tends to live in the bottom of my pack for when the fecal matter makes contact with the oscillating rotator and my wind layer just doesn't cut it anymore. Light enough to 4-season backpack and long enough to tuck under your harness, it really is an AR- all around-er. An internal mesh water bottle pocket in my older version with their new Vislon zipper would actually make it Hard Shell Nirvana.

For fit reference, I'm 6'2" 230lbs, and the XL feels like someone stole my measurements in my sleep.

I have to say, this jacket rocks!!! I got this for a present on November and wore it everyday. I went skiing with it 4 times already. I could not be any happier. This is the Pro Shell version. The construction is excellent. The material is boomer like but not heavy at all. The zippers are excellent. The micro tape seams are great. The pockets work well. This is the 3rd gore-tex jacket I own and the pro shell is the best. It is very breathable, comfortable, and packable. The hood is big enough for a helmet. Also, the hood turns when you turn! This jacket is easy to use and very versatile. I would buy this item again!

I've had it for a a month now and I've been hit by the harshest weather I've ever seen. Cuts the wind and yet still breaths. The hood forms a tight seal. While my friends were either being carried away by their hood sail or getting soaked I was dry and comfy. The only small issue with the jacket is the zippers are impossible to zip-up one-handed. They're getting easier as I continue to use them though...I think it's just that I haven't et broken them in.

It is light, tough, wind proof and tough as nails. I still don't think Gore-Tex is a breathable as everyone claims but it kept me nice and dry on plenty of winter outings in the wet and cold Utah winters. I would not own another shell.

This shell is great. I've used it skiing for 12 days this season, as well as for a cold hike back in the fall. It's quite large when i wore it hiking in the fall, but it's a winter hardshell made for skiing and mountaineering, so that is to be expected (6'5" 175lbs). Hood works better than anything i've ever experienced. all three chest pockets can be used when wearing a backpack, which is great, the contents is also out of the way so it's not annoying to buckle up a pack. Obviously it's waterproof. I got it to wear when mountaineering and winter camping, but have only used it for hiking in the rain and skiing so far, and it has worked well for both those tasks. I'd say it's a bit $$$, but I'm an engineer and think that good design is worth the money. Oh, it's also long enough which is usually of concern to me, so that's a huge plus.

Had this for one season, ripping through the heavy undergrowth of the backcountry on skis looking for pow...dislocated my thumb, hit more than my share of branches...all without ripping or otherwise damaging this jacket. The price is high, but I fully expect this baby to last me more than 5 years...if it does, then it'll get 5 stars...only time will tell. Did I mention that this thing is uber-light. I'm amazed at how small I can roll this thing up when taking care of laying everything flat. Perfect for throwing in my pack for use later.

I bought this jacket on my way out the door to Patagonia. This shell has served me so well in so may varying condtions. Paired with a fleese this jacket has braved the South Atlantic for souther Right whales and shut out the 40 kt cold patagonian wind. The bungee adjustment around the crown of the head makes the hood stay in place either with a helmit or without. The adjustable cord lightly grips your head and hold the 'visor' fabic in the right place. The high pockets keep your trinkets from bouncing off your business while bombing down and Andian slope. The butt extens far enough to "cover your ass" while sitting down. I'm 6'4", 200lbs and the XL fits just right.

Love this jacket! Got lucky and got it for 50% off at my local retailer. I had no intention of buying it until I tried it on. It just fit perfectly. I like how its cut and how the back is a tad longer so you have something to sit on if its wet.It keeps me perfectly warm by just throwing a base layer underneath. My only 2 gripes are the hood adjustments and pockets. Without a helmet on you have a lot of fabric to cinch and its a bit "clunky". i like the adjustment on my Marmot hoods better. I also wish the pockets had some kid of hand warmer fabric in them, nothing to thick though. All in all AWESOME jacket!

One of the most amazing jackets you'll ever own. Outdoor people who see me with this offer a kindly comment. I've owned mine for at least 5 years now, and it still does it's job... though diminished. These things don't last forever unfortunately. You'll mostly begin to notice fraying and looseness around the 380N areas, and then the 480N sections will begin to soak in water at points. I wouldn't recommend ever putting this in the wash/dry cycles, even if they say you can. Even if it can't withstand waterfalls anymore, I'll still be getting good use out of this for years to come!

My only real complaint is the zip-in hood area... It's nice that you can tuck it into the collar, but it's thick and stiff as a board in that state. The best compromise is keeping it unfolded with the zippers half-closed. If they could improve the longevity a bit, it would be the best garment I've ever worn.

Period.

It took a beating all last year. Stoop up to howling winds, torrents of rain, raked by trees, mashed on ice, no problems at all.

The hood adjust system is awesome. I love this damned thing.

I find it really odd that this is the bird's most popular jacket. I was getting a jacket gifted to me, and got to choose from any, price not an object. I've used it on three trips so far, two backcountry skiing, one lift-op skiing (as well as some city walking in rain.)

It fits great, it's waterproof, blah blah. It's a quality piece, of course. The parts that stand out about this jacket in comparison to TNF or Marmot equivalents are the hood and the elbows. The 3 degree adjustable hood is amazing, fits like a ball cap, and can tame a puffy jacket's hood if you get into a cold day. (Did great with MHW Compressor in -31F Jackson Wyoming day). The elbows and shoulder cut sortof pull your arms out to the sides, and make you feel like you are wearing body armor. Great cut for skiing in my opinion, a less aggressive arm bend than the Sidewinder jacket.

Negatives: Goretex pro shell feels clammy or rough against skin. If you plan on wearing this against your skin anywhere, get a Conduit Silk, Hyvent DT, or Packlite shell, trust me.

It has NO HAND POCKETS. If you like putting your hands in your pockets, do not buy this jacket. The pockets on the chest are from above nipple level to mid rib-cage, not comfortable for hands. Get some gloves when you pick up this piece.

Also, the velcro on the cuffs is surprisingly low tech, and iced up in a wet snow on the Sierra crest. It's funny with everything else on the jacket being top line, to see regular old velcro...

Also, This jacket runs long. Sub butt level long on me, (6' 150lbs, in Medium). This is great for BC Skiing, Mountaineering, etc. It is lame for lift op skiing, where you sit a lot, and the jacket rides up a whole lot. If you want to do a lot of lift op skiing, get a shorter jacket and some stingray bibs.

Also, it might feel like body armor, but it's not! Enjoy.

It's my 3 brand of lightweight rain jacket and it's by far the most superior. I'm amazed how it can be so light but feel so protected. I'm currently working on a film production in the Midwest where we are shooting outside and we are experiencing the remnants of hurricane Ike. With this jacket on I feel like I'm standing inside my own bunker. I'm 6'3 185 and I got an XL, so I can wear it deep into Fall with a few layers under. With the well placed draw strings it can taper in for the snug fit. And to top it off it's a great looker.

...So Fantastic. I've had it for about a month, and so far have yet to test it out ice climbing, which is why I bought it (not yet winter in the 'dacks.) But with the wet fall up here in Glens Falls, and this jacket, I have been emboldened to walk places in the rain I would never have before. My torso stays completely dry, and at 6'4", 185 my Large jacket had plenty of room to spare for layering on those 40 degree rainy days. The articulated elbows and long sleeves will be perfect once the Ice gets here because they allow for free range of motion in the arms without any pulling or awkwardness. Your arms won't even know there's anything there. The hood is probably the greatest feature, because it pulls tight to your helmet, and allows for almost full peripheral vision, which has been my biggest pet peeves about hoods. It turns with your head, and keeps everything dry. All in all, if you value staying dry, this jacket is worth the money all the way, and will become one of your favorite pieces of gear.

I need to comment further on the Theta AR. Basically it's a great jacket made with the quality you expect from Arcteryx. It didn't match well to what I wanted in a jacket. I found the soft shell Stingray to be a better match to what I was looking for even though it's not as waterproof.

I bought the Large Theta AR, it's too big and I'm returning it. I'm 6'2" 187 Lbs. I'm lost inside this thing! Also, the fabric is stiff and feels like a Nun's habit or thin linoleum.
The front zipper is waterproof, but it's way too hard to zip up or down. You might need to grease it to work properly. The pocket locations suck and the Velcro wrist straps are under designed. Overall for the price it's not worth it.

The waterproofness of you jacket can be restored with Nikwax TX Direct. The gore-tex membrane is under the outer layer of fabric, which in itself is not waterproof. This stuff worked wonders for an old pair of gore-tex pants that I thought were shot. Gore-tex can't really work that efficiently unless there is a good water repellent barrier on top of it. Try it, you will be amazed with the results.

I've been using this jacket for 2 season here in Chile, and really works great. Lightweight, simple, bombproof and fits fine.

I got this before going to Whistler over Christmas to go snowboarding for 10 days. The jacket arrived when promised and the quality and fit of the jacket is amazing. As this is my first time riding with a true shell, versus insulated jacket I was worried that is might not be warm enough. However, it worked perfectly when layered and gave me the flexibility I was looking for not only while riding but traveling. I would say that I am average as far as temperature goes but with a Patagonia Capaline 4 shirt and a Patagonia R2 fleece and this jacket I was as warm and dry as could be. I also liked the way the back of the jacket is a little longer which is great when sitting on the lift or strapping into my bindings. Since I layered, I was able to wear the fleece on the plane and packed the jacket in my carry on bag very easily. The other nice thing is now I have a great shell to wear almost year round and this jacket looks like it will last almost forever! Overall amazing jacket and I highly recommend you buy!!!!

We pay 50% more in the UK than you lucky americans. But hey we have Europe's awesome ski fields a few hours away so fair is fair ...(aspen does rock the best though lol) Anyway the jacket is just awesome, I was against Arcteryx a few years ago, looked to climber geeky..instant ski patrol appearance lol
BUT Ive got loads of jackets high end Spyders, North face, and a Killy worth 1200 USD, and the best is the arcteryx shell awesome cool looks, performs like a porsche, and if you get cold put on another ice breaker top or have a coffee lol.....The SV is also great but value wise the Theta is all the jacket youll ever need. I just kep my spyders and Killy to lend out to mates and cant bear to see them sell for like 5 bucks on ebay....cheers to a great 08-09 ski season...

I just bought this... hopefully it wasnt a mistake for all the money i spent

I tried on this jacket this past weekend, yes in June on a 98 degree plus day, and compared how it would field against my Norrona Narvik CmfrtShlWld and my Arc'T Beta AR. (the hands down winner would have been my VANS Kento JKT - 5 star rating! First, I was disappointed that I didn't purchase the Theta AR and settled for the Beta AR. No question about the "one-up-man-ship" category from Beta to Theta, alas, the Beta AR is definitely no slouch. But compared to the Norrona, in my opinion, the CmfrtShlWeld feared better. Style - awesome color scheme; and comformance fitting. Flexibility, Features - monkey thumb cover; chest vents; removable skirt), and Ruggedness were the key turning/ selling points. If you compare the outershells of the two, you will notice that Norrona's construction has a bit more "tighter" constructed design and IS waterproofed. When comparing the innershells of the two, both Gore-Tex lined, N's provides more warmth. And lastly, the hoods are no comparision w/operability. I love Arc'T and will definitely purchase additional gear through this site no doubt. But I just wanted to add my two-cents-worth. THNX!!!