Small is the correct size. Note that even a small is cut quite long (at 5"10" my small is still quite long on me). You may want to look at the alpha LT jacket, very tough exterior in a lighter package and cut slightly shorter in the front.

Powder skirts are a nice touch on a ski specific coat but a pain sometime when wearing it around town. That being said the Theta is a nice ski coat. It provides ample coverage and has some great articulation. I sized down to a small on my theta since I tend to layer less with it.It also functions as a perfect 4 season coat (my sabre and stingray are not great in warmer weather) The sabre is a touch warmer with the fleece backer and the fabric is much quieter. The pockets of arcteryx Whiteline series of jackets are also roomier than the theta which is nice for skiing. If you can afford it stick with both jackets (you can never have too many IMO).

Jeff
The Squid ink color is the exact same as you saw with the Sabre pant. It is certainly not a girly color (I would almost consider it a grape purple). I own bondi blue, Miro Blue and Blue ray jackets and I find I take the Theta around town the most of all the jackets I own. I do find I get a lot of compliments on the color since it is very different.

The paclite material on this jacket are more purple (same purple hue seen in shoulder/arm area of teh ALPHA/BETA FL squid ink). The Pro shell parts of the jacket are the blue (olympus blue hue like the theta SL)

Your in between a small a medium. My Small theta SV is the exact same size as my medium ALPHA SV (2009 version) and very close to Medium Sabre SV. I started out with a medium Theta SV and switched to a small (5'10" 165lbs). You should try it on somewhere just to be sure. They are VERY long jackets in the front and back. You could save a bit of money and look at a medium BETA AR.

PS: stick with the medium

Squid ink is a deep purple with a slight blue hue in it.

Typically very little if any winter gear comes in during the spring. In fact they try and sell of the remainder of their winter stock throughout the summer. You should probably look around and see if you can find some elsewhere

The Beta AR pants made with Pro Shell have the dark grey (knit backing) The Gore tex XCR versions pre 2007 have the tricot backing (light grey). Face fabrics have also changed over time. The belt/waistband is also defferent from previous versions. Also the newer versions use the watertight zip on the front pocket. Hope this helps

The Alpha SV like the Beta AR are meant to layer underneath. Your Alpha SL is meant for very minimal layering. The SV will fit much like the Beta AR in the biceps.

Jeff
The crossbow fits the same and has one more internal pocket and the thicker gore tex in the torso, shoulders and the tops of the arms. there is not that much difference between the sabre and crossbow. Pick it up if you find a great deal!

Jeff,
$270 is just above wholesale so I would certainly jump on that (next years line up does not include any blues). Greenlight is OK but not as nice as Bondi Blue thats for sure (greenlight s also discontinued for next fall) I am not aware of any changes between model years.
Sabre pants are nice but a little baggy. Depends on how you like them to fit. The Stingray pants are more athletic and I prefer the fit. Black or dark greys are probably the best colors for pants with this jacket so yes carbon copy is a perfect match, (even squid ink looks pretty cool next to it).
Hope this helps
Cheers
PAUL

Hey Jeff,
Sorry for the lateness of my reply. Bondi Blue is a bright blue with a hint of green in it (I believe it is referred to as CYAN). I love most blue shades and tend to buy a lot of different blues in my wardrobe. It will really depend on what what types of colors you like to wear. I get a lot of compliments on it since its really different.
As for fit. I am the same height and weigh just a little bit less. I like the fit of the sabre for layering but it is a bit big with just a t shirt underneath. When the temps rise I tend to go for my pro shell jackets or now I have the Gore active shell.
If you get a good deal on the Bondi blue - go for it. The price for fall 2013 is going up $50 on the sabre ($525)

Roy

Had a Sabre now for its second season and it is holding up as well as any of my Pro shell jackets. I prefer using the Gore softshell while skiing and snowboarding to my Pro Shell jackets. The fabric is more supple and has a touch of warmth with the fleece lining.

It is helmet compatible but not as big as the Alpha/Theta SV hoods (those are huge). The Alpha SL does cinch down nice as mentioned. If you find it is still too big when you get it exchange it for the Theta SL. The hood is much smaller

Roy
The theta is a great 4 season jacket. It is a mix between lightweight and burly. It uses a mix of fabrics (tougher on shoulder and arms, lightweight on torso). Good enough to repel the wickedest winter storms and lightweight and breatheable enough for the summer months. It is definitely a great all around jacket.

Kathleen, It is made of the same material as the Beta SL with a few different features. It has a longer cut, a 1 piece hood, and most importantly pit zips. Paclite does not breathe as well so pit zips are important (especially if you are using it for any activity). The Beta SL is best suited as a lightweight rain jacket. THe minimalist is similar to the Alpha SL and is quite a bit cheaper (marmot uses a front flap in the front as opposed to a watertight zip). Arcteryx uses slightly different face fabrics and has the best warranty in the business. You cant go wrong with either choice.

It is certainly not a green hue. are you sure its not the lighting your in? post a pic if you can

I must be the only one here who says large. I am the same height and 165 (40" chest) with an athletic build and I am in between sizes. The medium feels tight around my chest and lats. I prefer the fit of the large to the medium (I wear a medium in pretty much everything else).
Hope this helps

This is the loosest fit in the witeline series. It does fit a lot baggier than your Beta AR, it is also longer in the front and back. If you prefer a more slim fit than certainly go for the size small.

If you are using it as a midlayer they are both fine choices. As an outer layer you will fell the bite of the wind. They are not windproof softshells so once the temps drop and you are moving down the hill the wind cuts through the shell. They are best served as a mid layer for cold days and an outer layer when the skies are sunny and the temps are just around the freezing mark.

All are good choices- Here are some other gear to consider.
Shell- THETA SV jacket. Same face fabric as the Alpha, longer and more roomy cut. better pocket placement (IMO)
Pants-Stinger or Theta pants if you want some bibs instead.
Vertical gloves- awesome dexterity but are not very warm. I would look into the Zenta glove if warmth is an issue (a little less dextrous though).
Midlayer-Atom LT hoody.- a liitle less warmth (60gm coreloft instead of 100) but it breathes better with the Windpro side panels.

You should do fine with a Large in the sabre. BTW it will have a long cut in both the front and rear.

Actually Arc'teryx has a wide variety of fits as well as lengths which are model specific. In the Sabre and Crossbow you will certainly be a Medium (and have plenty of room for layering). Did you put any midlayers on in the rush jacket when you tried it on? You can also wear a large if you plan on using a larger midlayer underneath or softshell.

Crossbow has a roomier fit than the RUSH. It is also longer in the front and rear. The rush is definitely a tighter fit (but will still will allow room for layering). The Crossbow and Sabre have the most generous sizing in Arcteryx Whiteline products.

Peter
Check out the Alpha SV TALL that is only available from backcountry.com. A Apha SV in the Large TALL sizing would be perfect for you
Good luck

Yes they do. They also have full side zips (zippers at top and bottom) so you can loosen the zips and to get the over the boot easier

Peter, These jackets fit VERY big. They run over 1/2 size bigger than thet stated size. A Large will be plenty big and have a long enough length for front and rear coverage.

You should look into the ALPHA LT as well. Gore tex pro shell protection at paclites weight. I have found paclite does not hold up well in heavy heavy rains (plus condensation seems to build up during vigorous exertion). Pro shell solves both those problems(better protection and increased breathability. The alpha LT is also longer cut in the front/back so it also provides more coverage than the Beta, and has a better front zipper than the Theta SL.
hope this helps

When compared to my Alpha SV and Stingray jacket it feels as if it is a 1/4 to 1/2 size larger.

Brandon, most of your zippers for the fall 2012 collection are the AquaGUARD. I did not see the Watertight vislon.

It is very similar. The main difference is the Fission jacket fits like you had the Beta on with a midlayer. Although with the fission you shouldn't need to wear much of a midlayer. It also has the same length in the front and drop in the rear.

Nightshade is a dark grey with a faint blue hue to it

These are all made in China now (Arcteryx has its own factory there). I wish it was still made in Canada but I am Very impressed by the quality from China

Crossbow and stingray have similar designs. The crossbow has a 1 piece hood (which works better over hooded midlayers) has a slightly more roomy cut and comes with 1 extra internal pocket. The main body on the crossbow uses a heavier fabric as well (and in turn uses thicker seam tape)The Sabre is roomy like the crossbow, is made of the same material as the stingray. It has the largest volume outer pockets (has only 1 internal pocket). Its the best value of the 3 you have listed (arcteryx realized this and has increased the price the the sabre by $50 for next season :-(

I have a medium in both. My Sabre SV is 2" longer in the front (31" front zipper compared to the alphas 29") the collar is the same height. The rear of the sabre is a bit longer as well (maybe an inch. The sabre has a touch more room in the torso FYI.

Its fleece backed. I can post some pics tomorrow if someone doesn't get to it first. It sticks to fleece midlayers like your zion. Most softshells use a fleece backer.

Venta MXis very similar to teh SV. It uses slightly different weights of fabric and has 2 watertight zips on the chest (no watertight front zip still). The hood configuration is another major difference. Its no really better by any means just another version of the venta that they can charge a few extra bucks for. Dont get me wrong these are great softshell- its the price point that is the problem (for $25 more than the Venta MX you can get a sabre SV which has tons more featuers and is fully waterproof).

The hood is neither removable or stowable. It is permanently fixed to the collar, it can only cinch up tight. Only the Ventii jacket has the removable hood (and the fission AR has the stowable hood- but it is not insulated)

The Vertos (which are actually the arcteryx Ventii on the website) use a product called Coreline which adds a touch of insulation to the pants. The face fabric uses a strech gore tex face fabric matted to the pro shell membrane. The Stingray use whats called gore tex softshell. Its really a hardshell with a soft face fabric and a fleece backer on the inside which adds a touch of loft and insulation to the fabric.
Do yourself a favor and get the stingrays and save a few bucks
BTW the verto/ventii are discontinued for next season so maybe they will go on closeout somewhere.....

I own the Venta SV and have tried the Zion (cant speak for the others mentioned). The Venta series are nice jackets, however Arcteryx missed out on making the perfect softshell. These are completely windproof, somewhat waterproof (taped seams are not a gore product so it cannot be considered waterproof), and breathes well enough (esp. with pit zips open). Here's what its missing for a $400 softshell- waterproof zips!A watertight vislon front zip and watertight pocket zips would have made this the perfect jacket. Water soaks the pocket zippers and gets your inner contents damp. The front zip is air permeable so when the wind is blowing hard you can feel a touch of air inside the shell. A watertight Vislon solves this problem as the polyurethane coating enhances the windproof properties and makes it waterproof (ish). The Zion does things better than the Venta series (I have asked arcteryx why they didnt do these extra features). If you already the Zion and are relatively happy keep it- I think its a more versatile shell for the money. Save your money and buy the Marmot ROM shell ( It does everything the Venta does and less than 1/2 the price). sadly I expect more from a $400 softshell
Hope this gives you some insight

Paclite certainly does not breathe as well as pro shell. I have noticed condensation in my Theta SL when doing intense activity (I always try to keep the vents open a bit to prevent it). The Pro shell on the shoulder and top of arms seem to breathe much better. I see your review below- this is certainly not meant to be a ski shell. Get yourself a pro shell jacket.

There are no pit zips or vents in the Kappa Series. These are serious warm jackets if you are doing intense activity you will got very hot in this coat.

The Sabre does not have insulation. It uses a thicker softer face fabric with a light fleece bonded to the gore tex membrane. The combination of these 2 things adds a touch of warmth to the jacket (less than a 50 wt fleece I would estimate). I always use an insulating layer under the jacket (such as the Atom Lt or epsilon). regular fleece does not slide well under the fleece backing of the sabre so look for a smooth faced insulating layer.
Hope this helps.

The Sabre is a snowport specific fully waterproof softshell jacket. The Venta is not fully waterproof. Although the seams are taped with a finishing tape, it cleans up the seams on the jacket and adds a bit more water resistance it does not meet Gores standards of what a waterproof jacket is. Also the front zipper (as well as pocket zippers is not watertight). The sabre as mentioned comes with articulation meant for snowsports as well as a powder skirt. James is right on the money when he says you should look at a hardshell to compliment your wardrobe. Check out the Arcteryx Rush jacket as well as those he mentioned

Crossbow would be my pick. I find the hood configuration works better over more midlayers and it is a touch roomier than the Stingray and rush jacket.

My Jacket made with VIPER stretch was warrantied by Gore since the membrane didn't stretch underneath the face fabric and leaked in 2 separate locations. Im wondering if they fixed the problems (There is almost no stretch in the membrane).

Arcteryx generally uses their own face fabrics laminated to the pro shell membrane. VIPER was a Gore product (that had 2 way stretch face fabric). Some of the Gore reps or Arc reps maybe can clarify if it is or if this is a completely new product on the market.

David

The theta SV runs very big. I own a lot of Arc shells and this is the most roomy of all of them. I have a 40" chest and have a medium and have room to spare- the waist area is also quite roomy and I have to cinch up a lot at the bottom. I can probably get a small and have no problems layering. Go with a medium (BTW these are also very long in the Torso)

These fit roomy compared to most Arc shells. It will depend on how you will want to layer underneath. It is bigger than the Sidewinder AR model and very close the Sidewinder SV (if not a touch roomier). If you plan on using a decent size midlayer with a base - stick with the Large. If you dont wer much under your shells Go medium.

You are certainly a medium in he Vertical. It has more snowsport specific features when compared to the Theta. As for the Stingray it has similar features with a different fabric (gore tex softshell which adds a touch of warmth) and a different cut.
which jacket you choose will depend on what you plan to use it for. the stingreay is a 3 season shell. The theta and vertical can be used year round (although the powder skirt can be annoying in the summer). You really cant go wrong with any of your choices.

No, It is fixed to the collar.

Gore tex paclite is certainly more expensive than other waterproof breathable fabrics. AFully waterproof, lightweight and very packable. It performs well enough in a wide variety of condition(although it does not breathe as well as their higher end proshell). If you plan on doing vigorous activity go for a shell with pit zips (such as the alpha SL). As with any arcteryx product you pay for clean designs, superb construction and the best warranty in the business.

These are roomy. However if you wear a midlayer under you shells - go for the medium. If you typically wear just a baselyer you may get away with a small. If your not sure order both and return the size that doesn't fit to backcountry (best return policy in the business) just keep the tags attached.

The Atom LT is much slimmer than the Atom SV. I can layer the LT under my SV jacket. Mind you the LT will not be as warm as the SV.

The Atom is a great midlayer for the sabre.The smooth face fabric slides well underneath the fleece backing of the sabre. It is also moves very well with the body durig activity. I have the hooded version and do not find it to be a problem with 2 hoods. The atoms hood does not fit well over a helmet but I rarely use it. For the temps you described the Atom can be a bit toasty for my liking. It will depend on how warm your body is and how hard you are working.

The Venta is not really a ski softshell. The Vislon front zipper is quite air permeable (it does not have the waterproof coating) so you may get a chill when bombing down a run. It is more of an alpine jacket. If you want a 4 season jacket that doubles a an outer shell for skiing you should probably look at getting a hardshell (possible even the new FL series of jackets from arcteryx) which is totally waterproof and breathes almost like a softshell.

It does not have windstopper fabric. It uses fortius 2.0 which is a stretch woven fabric. Windstopper uses a membrane laminated to the fabric. Fortius breathes better than windstopper but is more air permeable. I am not sure if there are cfm numbers on the fortius fabric since it is a proprietary arcteryx fabric.

Nate, You are at the cusp of a medium or large. If you use this jacket as merely a shell with a light baselayer you can get away with a medium. If you plan to use a few more layers underneath you should definitely go with the large.

The Sigma AR glove is now called the ZENTA AR.

Yes the seams are taped with "arc'teryx finishing tape" its not a gore tape

Same warmth. The cut is a little roomier than the Hyllus and the Polartec face fabric is more windproof and weatherproof. Meant more for an outer layer and the hyllus is better used as a mid.

For most conditions the Theta SV with a base and 200 wt fleece is adequate. When the temps plummet you will most likely need another layer. It is a very durable fabric and can resist a lot of abrasion. If you want more of a skiing specific jacket look at the Sabre SV or stingray. They have a light fleece backing which adds a touch more of warmth and they have a powder skirt.

LARGE. The medium will look like a crop top on you....

It could be used as a winter jacket. The fabric is completely windproof and waterproof, but is also very lightweight. You will need a decent midlayer for warmth underneath

I assume you are refering to the centigrade scale. Put on a nice baselayer underneath and you should be fine. If you are referring to Fahrenheit - damn thats cold! and you will most likely need a mid layer.

The Epsilon SV jacket/hoody is the closest to a 200 wt hardfleece. I always found the TAU jacket warmer than my epsilon. too bad they stopped making it. get one if they have your size!

From what I have been told it is more like a 100 wt fleece. The Acto is meant for aerobic pursuits with a light loft fleece backing. It is meant to have more breatheablility than insulating properties. The Epsilon series is more like a 200wt fleece and is still water resistant and wind resistant.

They will work for snowsports even though they are designed for all around use. The Beta is cut a little shorter than most other arcteryx jackets so if you have a long torso you may find it riding up. Its a fully waterproof breatheable shell and haas large enough pockets and pit zips to aid you during activity. It is missing a powder skirt and some of the articulation you will find in arcteryx white line of jackets.

They are long jackets (with a roomy fit). front zipper on a medium is 31" long and the back drops 2-3" longer.

2 high hand pockets (they work under a pack and have long zips)
1 shoulder pocket (left shoulder)
1 internal pocket

Mark, if you are going to layer with this jacket you should probably go with the medium. If you plan on using the jacket with just a light fleece or base layer you could try a small THETA SV. The Theta SV is about a 1/2 size larger than the AR with the same length. Hope this helps

My 2011 version is made in China

I would not say it is darker than the pic- but this will also depend on your monitor settings. The color was just nicer in person than what the pic showed (maybe a shade or so lighter overall).

You are probably a small in the Beta. These are cut slightly shorter than most arc jackets so you may want to look at another model for your height. I would check out the Theta AR since it has a similar cut but is longer in front and back and only a few grams heavier.

Both are about the same warmth (200 wt fleece eq.). The Venta is more windproof and does not breathe as well (but has pit zips), where as the Gamma Breathes better and has some stretch to the material (and more athletic cut) for active movements. Both will be shed some light precipitation, but will eventually get wet. You would probably find the Gamma More useful for your needs and have a few bucks leftover to pick up a nice baselayer.

The ATOM Lt would be better. The side panels will breathe much better during aerobic activity and provide some stretch for movement. The SV has a bit more insulation and has a roomier cut and insulation along the sides (as opposed to the wind pro side panels).

This is indeed the Ventii. Arcteryx originally named it the Verto in the sales catalogue (for dealers) when they did their buying in the previous year. They changed the name in between (which happens quite often).
It is only moderately warm (80gm/m2 of coreloft). For most condition a base layer and the jacket will be enough. As temps Depending on temps plummet you will still need to layer.
No experience with the material. Brandon Carlile (Arc rep on this site is an excellent resource)

Carbon Copy is a very dark grey (almost black). It will hide any dirt or spills you encounter. quail grey has a light taupe to its color and will show dirt much easier.

The drawcord hem is in the front on both sides. The cords pull into the hand pockets so they are hidden.

It will work but the Atoms hood can be somewhat annoying. It just doesn't always sit in the stingrays hood right.I prefer non hooded layers under my stingray (epsilon SV jacket is a great midlayer) or get the Atom Lt jacket.

You are definitely a SMALL.

It is an athletic fit, with a bit of stretch to the fabric. I can wear either size (with a 40" chest)- with a medium I will use it under a t shirt, with a large I can put a fleece or another layer under it.
If you plan to layer underneath go for a large- The waist cinches up nicely without looking ridiculously baggy.

No. The SV has the insulation along the sides with the same face fabric on the outside.

I would look to a more fitted layer under the gamma MX. Checkout the caliber or delta Lt fleece. keep in mind, fleece does not slide well when putting a softshell over top.

It is certainly a lot better than the Marmot trient. It is an amazing jacket- but extremely expensive. In most cases the Marmot Trient will be enough jacket for the winter season (plus its over $400 cheaper). it will depend on what you can afford (if you want the best you pay for it when you buy Arc'teryx)

Brandon is SPOT ON with that one. Definitely a LARGE

Its low volume. It may fit over a small-ish helmet.

They would be one expensive pair of cycling gloves! you could cycle in them- but there are better choices for cycling. It will also depend on how cold it is where you bike and/or if you ride in the rain. Take a look at some of the cycling specific companies to see what they have. You dontwant something too bulky when riding and you want some grip on the fingers and palms.

Sabre SV is your jacket then. It is geared towards mountain sports. They are both fully waterproof/breatheable practically bombproof jackets. The Sabres front pockets are larger and it has a powder skirt. It also has a light fleece backing which adds a touch of warmth and softness. The only downside to the jacket is the fleece, it tends to be too warm to wear in the summer. This is where the Theta SV has an advantage. The other advantage to the Theta is the front zipper is much nicer.
Overall - save yourself $75 on the Sabre and get yourself a nice fleece or softshell with the money saved

The Theta SV tends to fit a 1/2 size larger than the current Theta AR (some of the older Theta AR models were cut larger). YOu should try one on just to make sure.

Its really going to depend on how warm your digits are when it gets cold and what type of activity you are using them for. THey are not the warmest glove out there. They are simply leather and gore tex with a mid weight fleece, Although they breathe exceptionally well). If your fingers and hands get cold easily- these are not the gloves for you. Not sure if this fully answers your question but hopefully it helps.

looks like purple (squid ink), Red (road rash red), Taupe grey (quail grey) and black are mostly in stock at the moment

The gloves (Alpha and Vertical) are meant for your hand to be slightly bent at all times. The moment you extend your fingers in these gloves the fit feels weird. As long as they fit fine with your fingers in the grip position they should work. I wear a medium and have long thin fingers- they felt short during extension on me as well. I just realized that I dont normally extend my fingers while skiing. If you prefer the fit of the ALpha why not get those

These run a bit snug. I am the same height and 165lbs, I found the medium a bit short in the torso and snug in the shoulders. I went with a large instead. I used it as a mid layer under my stingray, and would occasionally use it as a stand alone jacket (it is not windproof so if there is any wind outside its not the best jacket). Overall great piece- too bad they discontinued it for this season. The large would be the perfect size for your boyfriend.
Hope this helps

THe crossbow and sabre both have a larger (looser) cut than the stingray. Also because they fit looser they are longer in the front by 1/2". It will really depend on how many layers you wear underneath. Of the 3 choices listed by you the Stingray will be the smallest fit. You really need to try on the jacket with a mid layer underneath to judge for yourself.

Roxo is a deep purple. I find the color looks better in person than the pictures show.

You should measure your chest and check arcteryx sizing chart. THere is a bit of stretch with the fabric. Judging by your size an XL should fit but you should double check just to make sure.

They are similar in materials and craftsmanship. The SV has a few more features, obviously it has the hood, it also has pit zips (nice feature) and is cut a bit longer.
Hope this helps

Your going to be pretty toasty with the hyllus underneath an insulated jacket. The hyllus is equivalent to a 300wt fleece. Depending on how cold you get a 100 wt fleece should be plenty or lightweight.breatheable softshell. At least with the Mako if it gets too hot you will be able to vent some of the heat with the pit zips.

The Alpha glove series are not that warm. They only have a small fleece liner. They are meant for alpine ascents or snowsports where you want to make its 100% waterproof and deterity trumps pure warmth. You should look at the new Zenta line of gloves/mitts. THey are much warmer and better suited for your needs

No difference. Just the color palate has changed- plus they gave changed the color of the lining (all were grey last year) this year they have purple, grey and red.

A medium will be way too short in the front and too tight in the shoulders. A large would suit you much better. You may want to check out the gamma MX hoody as well. If i recall it is a touch longer in the front and has a bit of stretch.
Hope this helps

They did not make any changesto any of the Atom line. Same materials and fit and cut. They only changed the colors available

Go with the Alpha SV. The gauntlet style glove is best suited to most snowsports. I cant imagine why anyone would want such a short glove like the vertical SV. I own the Alpha SV glove. If you have crazy long fingers than they may not be the glove for you. Otherwise they are a fantastic glove with unreal dexterity.

Its a great all around jacket- The only issue i find is the front zipper is not the watertight vislon. SO it allows more air through it and is not waterproof. For a few extra bucks I would pick up the sabre SV jacket and have a fully waterproof breatheable jacket (along with a powderskirt)

Yes
The Atom LT pants are warm (coreloft insulation) and breathe really well). They are not articulated for snowsport movemnt- but will keep you nice and toasty on those Chilly days!

I own all 4 of the jackets mentioned (although my alpha is the SV). I have always had an issue with the front pockets on the Alpha. I find it is really meant for alpine ascents. The stingray and sabre are awesome snowsport jackets- but when the weather is warmer I tend to put the jackets away because of the fleece lining. They are more 3 season jackets. Which leaves us with the THETA SV (or AR) A perfect jacket for snowsports with ample coverage in the front and back. Pockets are well placed to stash your gear, and internal pockets for your goggles and wallet/cellphone. I prefer the Theta SV over the AR because of the hood configuration. Just be carefull of the size since the THETA SV tends to run about a 1/2 size larger than the stated size.
Hope this helps
Good luck

The Gamma SK is a great softshell pant. Fit is great and just the right amount of features. The burly double weave fabric breathes quite well and is wind resistant. It will meet your criteria without breaking the bank. The Gamma MX uses a better fabric (polartec powersheild pro) but is more expensive. It is a bit more windproof and apparent breathes better. The last choice are the arcteryx seeker pants. THey are not made anymore but are made from Schoeller dynamic and breathe amazing well and can sometimes be found for a great deal.
Good luck

The ALpha LT is not a skiing jacket. It is meant as a minimalist alpine shell- free of bells and whistles. Look at the arcteryx sabre, crossbow or stingray. These are snowsport specific shells. Another good option is the North face sedition and free thinker
Good luck

Neo shell is supposed to have a high breatheability, and apparently waterproof. It only cuts out 98% of the wind so a trace amount of air permeates the shell. This same property allows it to breathe extremely well. EVENT and Gore active shell are much better comparisons to this new fabric. If you bought the Beta AR you are better off spending your money on a different shell such as a neo shell jacket or softshell. It will give your gear closet more versatility.

Its not really designed for skiing as a stand alone shell. It is quite air permeable so you will feel a chill going down the hill. It is best suited as a mid layer or outer layer for mild aerobic pursuits.
Spend a few more bucks and pick up the sentinel, stingray or tempest jacket. its made with gore tex softshell and designed with skiing in mind and are also fully waterproof.

The THETA SV is definitely roomier than the AR. I just got the SV a week ago and I noticed the extra room right away. I also did a comparison with the theta AR, ALPHA SV and the Theta SV- one on top of the other, and the THETA SV is the biggest of the bunch. It should fall under arcteryx relaxed fit catagory as it is the same size as my sabre SV. Stick with the LARGE.

The Gamma LT are a great pant for trekking, backpacking etc. THey are lightweight and breathable and packable. I prefer other pants for XC skiing (The discontinued arcteryx Seeker are my faves- great for hiking too). But if you cant find them - go the gamma SK pants.

The previous Theta AR before the 2010 redesign were much baggier. The ones that Backcountry has on sale are the current version. They are by no means tight- they have room for layering. They new fit is much better.

Size large has a front zipper of 28" long. Will have to check on the center back length

Brandon, is it the same cut as the Theta AR or does the SV have a touch more room?

Ben, Is the face fabric the same? Its states that it is Monolith instead of winter weight softshell?

The new Beta FL and AlphaFL have a longish cut (but not as roomy) and is supposed to breathe better than proshell. Otherwise you may want to look for something without a laminate coating (perhaps just a windshell)

BTW: Gamma MX fit much slimmer compared to the theta AR.

These jackets breathe exceptionally well. They allow some air through (so they are not completely windproof) It is a great jacket for XC skiing. it provides a bit of warmth (apparently equivalent to a 200wt fleece). Riding home on your bike you are probably going to sweat in this shell as well. While it breathes well it has that insulating property that will cause heat build up (even with the pockets open for venting). Try the gamma LT as a option for biking home or the celeris- each model breathes much better but is not as windproof.

The shell will alllow for some layering- But after a certain amount of layers you will find moverment starting to get restricted. It also depends on the fit of your mid layer and softshell. If you plan on using the 4th layer (down jacket) the large would definitely be too tight.

These are NOT particularly warm. They only have a fleece liner inside a the glove shell. If you want something warmer you need an insulated glove (with primaloft) like the Arcteryx Zenta or Marmot Ultimate

THese are not wind proof. A small amount of air passes through the pants. Plus its not seam sealed. so it is not water proof either. they have a tight weave and are DWR coated so water beads off but will eventually seep through (usually the seams first). A hardshell pant with a waterproof laminate will do that- however if its not raining these pants are perfect. They will also breath better than a hardshell as air from the body passes through the fabric and outside (so you do not have the condensation on the inside that builds up in hardshell during high aerobic activities) hence the term Highly breatheable

Also note that the Atom LT is much more windproof (and will shed water better) but the Epsilon Breathes better.

medium is the correct size for you grid runner.

Mine as well. Looks like arcteryx is cutting away excess fabric to reduce bulk/weight and make some clean lines. No idea why the womens is wider (i notice her jackets have wider windflaps on a few different models as well.

Not sure if the length will work for you. My mediums measured exactly 32" on the inseam. A large should also be a 32" inseam but may have a longer outseam to add length, but it will have a very baggy waist. You can always oeder a pair try it on and if it doesnt work send them back with BC's excellent return policy (just keep the tags on)

Similar in the waist and crotch. The microlith however have no zipper fly, only a belt. They are also longer in the leg by about 1".

Go with the medium (I am the same size -10lbs) I can go with a small or medium- however with a small it doesn't fit quite as nice with a baselayer and softshell underneath

Medium - large will be quite the loose fit on you.
Cheers

I am roughly the same dimensions and wear the medium. it does not fit tight and I hate baggy tech shirts. The large will certainly be just that (baggy). You can also look at the motus line of shirts. they are roughly the same cut where-as the phase line is tight (next to skin).

The material is Terra Tex. Its only found on the rampart and palisade line. There is a short version of ramparts you could try, otherwise the palisade capris are even longer than these.
Good luck

The Venta SV is also cut longer in the torso compared to the AR. (I wear a medium SV and a Large AR)

The Alpha FL and Beta FL use pro shell fabrics on the hoods/shoulders and parts of the arms. The rest is active shell.

Grangers works well on my gear. I have also used Nixwax for waterproof breatheables.

As for shipping you should check with Backcountry. They have Agreements with some brands like Arcteryx and cannot ship to some countries. Check out the list

As an all around layer I would recommend the Large for you. You may find the XL a little too wide in the shoulders and torso. This is meant to fit closer to the body. I am 1" shorter and the same weight and can fit a medium or large. The mediums tend to fit a bit too short for my liking. The arms are plenty long and the side panels have some stretch to allow for movement.
Hope this helps

Most stock is limited to what is on hand (unless backcountry buys out an oversupply from the factory). New stock begins to arrive sometime in september if you can wait

round september there will be new colors coming along with changing the fabric that the gamma MX is made from (will now be fortius 2.0) and a slight price reduction -349
I am not sure how well the new fortius fabric will perform though.
Hope this helps

The gamma is apparently warmer (as per one of the arc' reps) I own the epsilon SV and the Gamma MX and cant tell the difference in warmth. The gamma will definitely breath better than the epsilon. If you are looking for a warm softshell jacket- Go for the Hyllus or Firee. Hope this helps.

Spot on- Go for the XL. The large will be tight around the shoulders when you where anything underneath.

Look at the ATOM SV jacket- it is much warmer. It uses a heavier weight primaloft insulation (100 grams compared to 70 grams) and does not have the size fleece panels. it will suit your needs. If you want something warmer still, you can move up to the Kappa series of jackets which use 133gms on the AR and 200 on the SV versions).

Second that (I am the same size and wear a Medium as well)

The AR pants are actually slimmer (the older version of the gamma AR are cut much different). They get very narrow below the knee (will not fit well around boots).

It has a mix of Proshell and pac-lite gore tex fabric. The proshell is located on the shoulders and arms (which is a tougher denier nylon as well). It provides a little extra abrasion resistance . The paclite use a lighter nylon but the weave is still quite tight and is a very durable fabric itself. These are great jackets (they do fit a little longer in the torso- so you may want to try one on to see how it fits you)
good luck

The Hyllus jacket is actually made in China. I cant remember where the Beta AR is made. There is a list posted a few months ago on backcountry.com which lists where each piece of arcteryx clothing is made.

These packs have a great fit and the internal frame can be moulded to your torso. You will certainly need the "long or tall" model for your frame. These are some very comfortable packs. Technology used in these newer packs will amaze you compared to your "vintage" pack. You can't go wrong with buying Arc'teryx.

Its really a ski jacket as opposed to a true softshell. So its longer than most softshells since its meant to layer underneath. Stoic typically fit smaller in their sizing- so if you go down to a size small you may find it snug around your torso

Go for the medium if you plan to use it for layering. However if its strictly a shell to wear in the summer with just a t shirt you can get away with the small

It will depend on your inseam and how you like them to fit. They are a an athletic fit So for a 32 they are very close fit. If you have longer than a 32" inseamyou may find these a tad short. I find the gamma lt pant is one that you should try on before you buy.

If you have a friend in the US you can always ship it to them and they can send it to you back home. Good luck

These pants are not really a summer pant. They are light insulation to them with a wind resistant face fabric. Look at the overhang pant for warmer temps (more of a all season lightweight softshell pant)

Jef

Look at the venta line as well. They use gore windstopper fabric which is more windresistant (albeit less breathable) but have pit zips and are seam sealed. Might be a nice compliment to the gamma AR.

Arc'teryx is using fortius on all the gamma lines for this coming fall. Fortius will come in 3 different versions 1.0 2.0 and 3.0. With 1 being the lightest and 3 the heaviest fabric. The gamma mx and ar will use the 2.0. The jackets design looks the same- I am not sure how well the fortius 2.0 fabric will perform. There are a few new models to look out for as well- a venta mx and an acto mx jacket. If you get a good deal on a current gamma mx I would not hesitate to pull the trigger. They have always been a great jacket.

This current generation of Theta SL started in the 2009/10 run. These use the combination of pro-shell and pac-lite The only thing that has changed since than is the color palate. The previous version of the Theta SL (circa 2006 and older) are a combination of Gore XCR and pac-lite and have a slightly different pocket orientation and hood configuration. Hope this helps

Thanks for the pic. The contrasting colors look quite nice. some nice products stoic has been putting out lately- keep up the good work

Todd,
THe Gamma MX is the 2 way adjustable hood. So it has the adjusters that cinch around your face, and the back adjuster (like you have mentioned) that tightens the hood around your bean (like a baseball cap). Be aware that the hood is very large, but you can cinch it down quite a bit when you dont have a helmet on.
Hope this helps

Polartec is more breathable and less windproof than windstopper. The Venta has pit zips for this reason. The venta is also seam sealed and the gamma is not. They have similar cut (bit short-ish in the front with drop back hems- as well as 2 outer pockets. It will really come down to what activities you intend to use the jacket for. If you plan on using it mostly for layering go for the Gamma, If you want something that blocks the wind more and is used for light aerobic activities - go for the Venta

maybe they could use mesh pockets to keep the breathability. Although a jacket with a single pocket is still quite useful when backpacking,

Correct, The theta is longer in both the front and back.

The theta AR has more room than the SL. I can definitely fit more layers under my AR.

Hi, Stinger pockets are placed higher than the sidewinder pockets. Your hands will rest more comfortably n the sidewinder for sure. Both are great jackets, some other features to look at are the zippers, the stinger has the waterproof vislon (which is super smooth) and the sidewinder zipper is not for everyone. The napoleon pocket on the sidewinder is very useful (great place to stash sunglasses or your phone. Lastly the stinger comes quite high in the chin area is a cut a tad longer. Hope this helps.

Beta's are the shortest cut jackets in the arc Ascent lineup, whereas the Thetas are the longest. As for the differences between the Beta AR and LT- The face fabrics are different (LT like its name suggests uses a lighter or thinner denier Nylon) as well as the LT is a bit more streamlined in its features.
Sounds like you should pick up a Theta (AR or the SL). good luck

I have both AR and SV, and the Fit is exactly the same. The SV is about 50% thicker by feel-sorry not very scientific. I find it very warm for a base layer and do not use it very often. I prefer my AR (but I wear more layers). I have no experience with the RHO, so I am no help there.
Good luck

The betas are the shortest cut in the arcteryx line up. At 175 you fit a medium pretty well, but may be a tad short for your height. Moving up to a large would be quite a baggy fit (esp. if you are not layering underneath). I would go for the medium Theta If I were you. You will like the coverage it provides (especially in the back). It will not be too long in the back. You can also try the Alpha SV.
Hope this helps

No- The hood is fixed and does not roll up in the collar like some other models. It has a 3 way adjustment on the hood which can be cinched pretty good.

The Face fabric on the Alpha SL is very thin. It is not as abrasion resistant as other shells. The fabric used on the crossbow is the gore tex softshell which has a much thicker fabric on the outside and a fleece coating on the inside. The stinger uses pro shell which also uses a higher denier face faric which makes it more abrasion resistant. The pro shell also has a light backing to the gore tex. Both of these jackets are cut longer and articulated to move better during winter activities (as well as having powder skirts). You are better off with a snowsport specific jacket- in the long run it will be better suited to your needs.

It has a draw cord at the hem as well as an inner cinch at the waist. Its a versatile 4 season shell. It also has plenty of length in the front and a drop back hem so it provides plenty of coverage. If a powder skirt is necessary look at the sabre SV or Stingray models as they are snowsport specific shells.

The more windproof/waterproof a faric is, the less breatheable it typically is. There always seems to be trade-off. The Venta series is the most waterproof/windproof softshell in the Arcteryx line up (but is less breatheable than most others). The Hyllus cuts a large chunk of the wind has great insulation and breathes extremely well. The firee series is similar but is more windproof. All are good choices, they all come with hoods and meet your criteria. It just depends on what you want the most out of a softshell.
As for your paclite- my alpha SL has a similar problem with the fabric getting wet (but still holds its windproof qualities).The face fabric is very thin and the DWR coating does not seem to hold upwell to heavy rain. When it pours I go for my pro-shell.

The Venta is not meant to layer underneath. While windstopper is a breatheable membrane- it does not breathe nearly as well as powersheild. If you want a piece that works well as a stand alone piece as well as insulation go with the Gamma or look to the Firee hoody/jacket (has more insulation and cuts 90% of the wind out). If its raining out you will always want to take a hardshell. good luck

You can always save $150 and get the Kappa SV hoody. Same insulation but uses Gore windstopper fabric.....

Go for the medium Caliber. The fit is actually quite similar (the covert is a touch more "loose"). The caliber is 1/2 to 1" longer in the front (the front zip is 26" long for reference). I prefer the fit of the caliber to the covert.

The newer version has a tiny bit more room and is a touch longer. A few other features on the newer model such as forward lean articulation (supposed to mimic the natural stance of skiing/boarding) so it doesnt ride up. Also the powder skirt was improved to include the gripper elastic. The new pro shell fabric is much lighter in weight than the previous XCR model (A rep said the fabric weave was also much tighter). I dont have the problems of fitting the hood over my Giro fuse (the previous 2006 model I did). I like the look of the old model, but the newer model is an improvement. Should be some cool new colors for next year as Arcteryx is revamping their color palate. Hope this helps

The hood is NOT detacheable.

Kyle, Each of your choices would work, however consider a few things. Hyllus is the warmest, followed by the TAU then gamma. Tau is the most breatheable, followed by hyllus, than gamma. Lastly the Gamma is the most weather resistant (windproof/water resistant) followed by the hyllus than TAU.

I've used each piece as a mid layer and an outer shell. It will come down to what conditions you plan to use it in during the warmer temps, and what other pieces you may have in your gear closet.

If that wasnt enough to confuse you- you can also check out the ATOM series, which are quite versatile as well. Good luck

It is a black colour- just not your typical black. I would call it a muted black- so it has a touch of grey. The colour will also vary with the amount of light present. In very bright light it has a bit more greyish look to it, in normal to dim light it will look black. Hopefully this answers your question

Mike
Thanks for the tip. Any chance you can do me a favour and measure the length of the front zipper? THANKS

The sidewinder is not as big as the crossbow. You could go either way (small or medium) it just depends on how loose you like your jackets or how puffy your mid layers are.....
With the crossbow you will find it a touch warmer (fleece backed) and a longer cut in front and back. only thing is that it is not a great coat if you want to wear it in the summer rain (too warm)
The sidewinder can be worn all year round. You may or may not like the curved zipper. It packs nice and light as well.

Go for the small. These fit a lot roomier than most arcteryx medium's. You will have plenty of room to layer- A medium would be a sail on your frame.

Each one will designed for different situations. Some are ski inspired, some are alpine and climbing inspired. They will vary in warmth depending on what materials are used. The Hyllus and firee (and the old Easyrider) will be the warmest. The firee is more windproof where as the Hyllus is more breatheable. Their cuts will vary slightly as well. You also have the option of having a hood or not. The Venta is the most windproof, and the Gamma series mixes windproofness and breathability together. If you want a stand alone softshell that is the warmest and give you the windproof protection- go for the Firee

Thanks Brandon

Very Similar pants in materials and construction. The Stinger is a bit more ski/backcountry oriented where as the Theta is meant for alpine pursuits. The stinger has zips running only to the knee which is plenty for skiing. The biggest benefit to the Stinger is the Cargo pockets on the thighs. You will appreciate these when you need to stuff some goods there. The theta has a higher back on the bib and full side zippers.
The stinger may be your better choice here, If you dont need to have bibs than the sidewinder SV pant is another great pant.

If you have broad shoulders you would want to go with the large. The medium will still fit you, however you may find it restrictive at times depending on what mid layer you are wearing.

SkiChick,

You will want one of the models with a drop hood (ie no collar). The hyllus hood does not fit well over jackets with collars (ie: theta), it tends to bunch up and pull your collar back. You should be looking at the Alpha SV or Alpha LT. Mpst arcteryx jacket's have minimal pockets. The Alphas pockets have bellows to expand and can carry a good amount of stash. They only have 3 outer pockets (2 napoleon pockets and 1 bicep pocket), so if you like putting your hands in your pockets this will not work for you. Other models to consider are the Tempest (which uses a gore tex softshell) or the insulated Kappa SV.

Yes this has pockets at the hips. It has 4 outer pockets in total. Pretty impressive for arcteryx -since it seems they declared war on pockets a few years back. There are 2 upper napoleon pockets and 2 hip pockets. The hip pockets are covered by flaps -so they look hidden.

The Ventas are the most similar Arcteryx jkt to the Sigma's of Old. They both use the windstopper fabric, and have similar pocket configurations, and pit zips. The windstopper fabric has changed, it is much softer and does not have the ripstop grid in the fabric. The Venta now comes with seam taping (a huge plus), and an inner pocket. The hood is also slightly different on the Venta as it has the hood attached to the collar. I prefer it to my old sigma. Hope they make it in the grey again........

Subbo,

If you already have a gore tex or pac lite shell in your collection- go for the sabre. Its a great fitting well made jacket. The gore tex softshell work well by adding a touch of warmth. Pockets are large to stash your goods, has internal powder skirt (as does the stinger). The structured 1 piece hood allows for layering hooded mid layers underneath. The stinger's hood configuration does not as well with hooded midlayers. Big bonus is it is $150 cheaper than the stinger. The only drawback is they are not the best during the warmer times of the year because of the light fleece backing.

The Stinger is a great jacket. I love the napoleon pocket for stash my cell phone or ipod. The Waterproof Vislon front zipper is much smoother than the regular waterproof zips. If I didn't own any other shell and I wanted 1 jacket to do all through every season than the stinger is your choice here.

Hope this helps

The delta SV is a 300wt fleece where the Tau is equivalent to a 200wt. In practice I have found the Tau to be just as warm as my old Delta SV. It has some benefits of a smooth face fabric which slides better under a shell, plus it has a slight wind resistance so it is better as a stand alone piece (however the Delta is more breathable). Tau is a few grams less in weight but packs down much smaller. Another option is the Hyllus jacket (although a lot more pricey)
Hope this helps

The black version are from the spring/summer 2011 collection that are just coming in. They are also $10 more expensive.....

The non Hooded version has a bit of a shorter cut, and the collar does not come up as high. Other than that they are the same.
Great jackets BTW!

FYI
There may not be medium talls but a few models have longer cuts for your torso and longer arms. The theta SV and the Sabre SV will probably work for you in the medium. A medium in the Stinger may be a tad short in the arms....

Beau,
LOOKS LIKE THERE IS 1 MORE XL IN BONDI BLUE LEFT......

Are you referring to the Gamma SV jacket or gamma SV hoody.
The Venta SV is longer in the front and back when compared to the gamma SV jacket.

Yes it does. It's hidden now, located just behind the bicep pocket.

Firee and Hyllus are the warmest. Hyllus is more breathable and the firee is more windproof. The firee is also cut more loosely than the hyllus. You cant go wrong with either piece- they are spendy but they are top notch!
The gamma MX is a more versatile peice meant for a variety of weather condition. Its not the warmest out there but still takes a bit of the chill away. Its windproof, highly breathable and beautifully constructed (i love the chest pockets).
Hope this helps your decision.

Get the Theta AR or Theta SV jacket. They will suits your needs the best. They both use gore tex pro shell. The SV uses a heavier denier fabric throughout the jacket, where as the AR mixes a heavier on high wear areas and a lighter denier on the other parts. The hood configurations are slightly different as well. If your mid layer have hoods than go with the SV. The stingray is more of a resort type jacket- with a light fleece backing.

I can only speak of arcteryx jackets since that is all that I use these days. I am sure there are great products from other manufacturers, but I have rarely been dissapointed by arcteryx and they have the best warranty in the biz.....

Sean,
My Tau jacket feels much warmer than my Strato. The fleece seems much more dense on the Tau (maybe that is the skin Brandon is referring to), he also correct that it is less breathable. I also find my Tau more versatile (wear it as an outer layer in the spring and fall), plus it gets more style points!

Get a medium if you want to use it as a mid layer, or size up to a large if you plan to use it as a jacket and layer underneath. Both will be a good length for you, The small however will not fit you properly.

They fit a bit on the looser side. But judging from your chest size, stick with the medium if you are going to layer underneath. The small may be a bit tighter than you would like when layering. Its a great jacket! you will love it!

You should probably try kijiji, craigslist or Ebay. There may be other sites to trade your gear. I don't think Backcountry is the place to do it.
Good luck

There is no blue in this years Sidewinder SV line. There was a blue 2 seasons ago (see backcountry's pics). There is a Miro blue in the Sidewinder AR model if you want to spend $100 less. slightly different cut but pretty much similar jacket.

I second that! (although they did make it in red aka Fireweed 2 seasons ago). Hopefully ARC'TERYX is reading this...........

Greg,
Check out the Tau line of jackets and sweaters as well. they tend to be cut shorter in the front and provide excellent warmth and a little wind resistance (so you can wear them on their own). The Phase line is arcteryx's true line of base layers but I suspect you are looking for something that fall between a base layer and mid layer....

It easily gets to the tops of your ear. It will not completely cover the entire ear (more than likely your lobes will be out). how much coverage typically depends of head shape/how much hair and length of your ears.

It is not itchy at all. super soft and comfy material.

No, It is a lighter weight fleece. If I remember correctly the Griffon was equivalent to a 200 wt and the Hyllus is a 300 wt.
Still a nice jacket at a nice price. I just wish they made this model with a hood!

These pants are lightly insulated (ie: they have a light fleece backing). The face fabric is only slightly heavier than most pro shell fabrics (510 vs 480 denier). It will be good for outdoor activities all winter long. As the temp goes above freezing you will barely need a base layer (in fact I usually use a non gore tex soft shell pant in these conditions anyways). Very comfy and roomy pants.

Carbon copy does come with the belt. its a mistake on arcteryx's part when photographing the pants.

Well to answer my own question 27" long. Which is the same as most Medium arcteryx pieces (such as the Hyllus and gamma MX) It is a looser fit than those 2 in the medium. Will send in a review after a few months of real world testing.......

Caliber has a corduroy look to the fleece and the fabric has a tighter weave (it is a 100wt fleece). the covert uses a thicker fleece that has a loose weave to it and traps air for insulation. It is a bit more prone to piling than the caliber.

These do not have an elastic waist or built in belt. Are you sure you are talking about the ROGUE pant?

Check the outlet section of backcountry (or department of goods .com). If you can't find it there- they are unfortunately gone or no longer on sale

forgot to mention- The collar on the SV is a bit taller the AR.

You should also check out the STINGER model if you prefer a straight zipper

Both are great jackets. You certainly will not be dissapointed with either one. I own the current AR model and have had an SV model from previous years. I always keep the hood outside in case the weather gets bad. It does feel a little stiff when rolled up in the collar.

The SV uses the heavier face fabric throughout the jacket. The AR uses a mix of the heavier fabric and a lighter denier fabric- I have never noticed much of a difference in durability between the 2.

Besides the Hood. there is some slight variation in the tailoring of the jacket. The AR uses the forward lean design- which is supposed to be ergonomic when your body is in its natural skiing /boarding stance, as well as not ride up. The SV is about an inch longer cut in the front and back.

Just depends if its worth the extra $100, and if you prefer one color scheme to another. Good luck!

Ricky
I would have recomended the Alpha LT pants (previous versions without the bibs). Not sure if you can still find them around. They pack down to virtually nothing, and are bombproof. I use them for skiing and for camping and love them. The beta AR are a good choice, very similar but are a bit lore burly with an extra feature or 2 and a little less "packable". You can also look at some paclite pants (although i still find water eventually gets through the paclite fabric in the rain ). Try some other brands like Outdoor research or Marmot- they may have some great pants at a better price point (my apologies to the "bird Co.").
Good luck!

I am a big Arc'Teryx fan so i am a bit biased. For your needs you should stick with the Ascent series of Arc'Teryx jackets (very minimalistic-athletic fitting jackets). I would recomend the Theta AR as you have listed, The Theta SV or Beta AR. They are all made with Pro shell fabrics, the main differences will be the cut and slightly different face fabrics. If you like longer cut jackets go with the Theta line. The Beta is a little shorter in the front and rear (pocket configuration is the same as the Theta line). The Theta AR will use 2 types of pro shell fabric- A heavier denier on the high wear areas and a lighter one on the torso and other areas. Both will hold up to tons of abuse. The theta AR uses the higher Denier fabric all over the jacket and has a slightly different hood configuration. I own both and dont notice much of a difference between the 2 (AR is a bit lighter). You can also look at the Alpha SV, but I do find the pockets to be a bit of a pain for storing essentials during trips. Let me know if you have any more specific details you may want to know.

Ricky,
do you want to compare to other brands or different jackets made by arc'teryx?

The stinger uses 2 types of gore tex pro shell (alpha only uses the 1). The lighter material is located on the torso and back where there is less wear and tear. The heavier face gore-tex is the same as on the alpha SV. They will both hold up very well (my wife has had her stinger for 3 years and the lighter material holds up as well and the heavier). There is no difference in quality between the 2 jackets, and both have a lifetime warranty. Go for the stinger if you are using it for skiing. The collar is nice and high (plus its lined). There is a powder skirt (which the alpha does not have). and the 3 pockets are very nice to have out there on the slopes- plus they are very roomy. You will love this jacket!

Same Materials, Slightly different cut and pocket configuration. The sabre has a looser cut to it with slightly larger pockets. The hood is also a 1 piece, and the stingray has the collar and hood. You really can't go wrong with either jacket- They are both well made and bombproof (so to speak...) It may be more of a personal preference of colors......

Depends on your inseam. If you have a 34" inseam or longer than yes. Worse case scenario you return them back to BC.com and pick up a Large/regular if they are too long.

This is the current version (winter10/11) or newest model. These are made in Canada if I recall (someone has just posted a message on backcountry listing where all the arcteryx products are made for this winter season)

Thats the beauty of layering and having a hardshell with pit zips. The Atom LT is a nice warm mid layer, and has excellent breathe-ability (is that a word?). If it gets too warm you can open your vents or easily stash it in your pack or locker (it squishes to virtually nothing). The Atom LT will be a perfect choice for your trip this winter- GO FOR IT!

Depends how old and how worn your old pants are. I would be more concerned if its still breathable and water repellant- than how soft they feel. These pants are built to last, So if you have taken good care of them- you can keep em for a few more years and use that hard earned money on a nice softshell........

Too bad they discontinued the seeker, I loved them! I prefer the seeker over the Gamma SK and gamma AR. If you find a pair pick them up! Burly Doubleweave is not as good as Dynamic GNS in my opinion ( BDw is less wind resistant- plus I find it snags easier).

These pants will not be suitable for that type of climate. These are lightly insulated (somewhere between 50-100wt fleece) and more tight fitting- I used them more as an insulating layer than stand alone pant. You may look into the Gamma LT or Palisade pant (or perhaps some shorts for that weather.....)

These do fit very big. Im 5'10" and 170 lbs with a muscular build. In the medium- I can fit a base layer plus a shirt, plus softshell under my jacket and its not restrictive at all. Try a small and if you dont like it use backcountrys return policy and get a medium. However I am sure the small will fit you just fine

The size you need will depend on how much gear you bring and also for how long your trips are. These bags typically have an extra 10L of capacity depending on how you use the roll top closure. Which will answer your other question. It has a roll top closure with snaps, as well as a floating lid that goes on top of that. So depending on your load and the weather you can carry more or less. The bag is completely waterproof so it negates the need for a rain cover. It is also said to be fully submersible (you would need the roll top closure used properly however (2-3 complete rolls). It is certainly a better choice than a duffle bag!

It thankfully has pit zips. Core vents are slightly different design than pit zips. I am not aware of any arcteryx hardshell that uses the core vents (they are all pit zips)

Hands down the sabre is the best value out there in Arcteryx this season. The fit is roomier than the stingray (so its similar to the crossbow)- you will definitely be a medium in the sabre. The materials are very similar between the two. The pockets are larger on the sabre, hood design is similar and both have a powder skirt., l. Go for the Sabre if you can get one - Not worth the extra $100 for the crossbow in my opinion

The port is located along a seam above and to the side of the left shoulder strap. You almost have to run your finger along the black fabric to find the opening. its certainly there- just a little tricky to find. If you open up the bag you will also notice a slightly different rubber material along one of the seams (above and sideways to the left shoulder strap), thats where the port exits the pack.

These are made in China. They are top notch quality- and the design and fabric are amazing.

Quite similar to the Fury SV from last year. These are definitely more roomy compared to other arcteryx models.

Alpha, Beta and Theta models are just shells. You have to layer over a softshell or fleece if you want some warmth. The Kappa and fission models are insulated shells and are much warmer. Fission models are completely waterproof, The kappa models are considered water resistant (almost waterproof) but are more breathable. Look for the SV model in either jacket as they have more insulation. Hope this helps

Venta SV/AR is a geat all around jacket, provides some decent loft/insulation and a nice soft feel- only thing is it is not the best for layering underneath. Kappa AR provides great insulation, is also soft to the touch but is only mediocre as a stand alone shell (the collar is cut quite short). I am not sure which Gamma jacket you are looking at. But I would recommend picking up a Hyllus jacket or Firee jacket. Both will suit your needs better than the choices you have listed

Looser than the Atom MX. I would say close to the Gamma MX. It fit nicely over a t shirt or base layer (I wear mediums as well). Watch out if you go to a small as it will be cut much shorter in the front.

A medium will have a 29" front zipper and the back is 32" front collar seam to bottom hem. Zippered pockets inside can hold keys and i phone but not your goggles.
Hope this helps

at just over 5'10" and 170lbs i can layer a fleece and softshell under a medium. go for the small- plenty of coverage in the front and the sleeves should work well for you. You should also check out the womens large in the Sceptre (female version of the sentry) as well. It should fit your slim build better than a mens medium.

They are an Athletic cut. Medium is my usual size (5'10" 165), but I could not layer underneath. I went with a large instead. Its Probably meant to be this way with only a T shirt underneath. Hope this helps