The Church Is True

I've got a bunch of Arcteryx stuff. And every piece of gear I have is awesome. They use superior materials, innovative ideas, and top-notch quality to make the best gear in the world. And of course the Stingray pantalones are in that category.
They are made from Gore-Tex softshell material. But they are not a typical softshell pant. They are made with softshell material, but they have the Gore Tex membrane which means they are completely waterproof and windproof and a little bit breathable. Only a few companies make this kind of waterproof breathable softshell, but I really like them and Arcteryx makes the best. I own the Alpha SV and the Crossbow Jacket and while I really like both, I prefer the material of the Crossbow more. It just feels nicer to me.
So the Stingray pants are waterproof/breathable and are made from awesome softshell material, but that's not all. The smaller features really make this an awesome piece of gear. First, the Keprotec they put on the cuff at the bottom is a great idea. Keprotec is a very durable material which will help keep the bottoms from fraying or tearing. The also have the waterproof zippers for the front pockets and they have a RECCO device.
One minor complaint, the material is made from the 510 NP softshell material. I would have liked it if they made a pant with the thicker 800NP material like they used with the Crossbow jacket. The thicker material would definitely add to their durability. But I'm not complaining to much because I got them for 50% off at Altrec!

Lots of great things about this jacket, but keep in mind it's not for every situation.
The Super Mica is absolute waterproof. I have taken it in a couple of full on deluges this year. I thought for sure water would get through but it never happened. I was impressed. It is also as windproof as it is waterproof.
Second, it is very light weight. Only 9 or ten ounces. You barely even feel like your wearing it. So for anyone in traveling fast and lightweight this is one of the best pieces of weather protection you can buy.
With those good things said, realize the versatility is limited. Because it is so lightweight, it doesnt't have the versatility of something with a Gore tex pro shell. So you need to be a little careful with it.
Second is the breathablility or clamminess. It does get clammy and a little sweaty in warmer weather. But in my experience, most 2.5 layer shells are like that.
All in all I love the jacket. But I would only use it situations where I'm not moving a whole lot, and where I'm not tearing through a lot of brush.
I recommend the jacket.

I have several different base layers, and this one is in my top 3 favorite. I love the Patagonia capilene line. Each is different and has it's own unique feel and features. The capilene 3 is designed for cooler weather. To me it has a different feel than the cap 1 and 2. But like the other 2 it is very comfortable. Its light insulation kept me warm in temperatures ranges from 40 to 60 degrees. If it's much warmer than that I'd use the cap 1 or 2. If it's colder than that I'd use the cap4.
I like the fit, but the 2010 and 2011 versions have a little different than the 2009 version, in that is a little looser, which I personally like. Around the arms and wrists it fits ever so slightly loose. But not so much that it would seem baggy or not insulate.
The cap 3 is 100 percent polyester, meaning it is obviously made of synthetic material. When I compare it to merino wool, I think it is just as comfortable but it is much more durable, and is much less expensive. So I tend to buy more synthetic base layer as opposed to natural base layers.
I really like the 2011 colors. Once they go on sale or if this review get approved, I might buy some more

The Patagonia capilene line is awesome. They haVe four different types of capilene; each for a different weather condition and temperature. The capilene 1 is the lightest. It is made of 100% polyester, which dries very fast. However, the texture and feel is almost exactly like silk.
I take an xl, and I feel like It fits me very well. Most t shirts that I have fit me like a pup tent, meaning they fit ok in the shoulders, but are much too wide around the waist. The capilene 1 fits so much better, so if I don't tuck it in, it doesn't flap in the breeze.
Even though the fabric is thin, it is very durable. As I read the reviews, it sound like most people prefer the cap 2 above the cap 1. However I like the cap 1 better. The reason being that if I don't shave for a day or two and wear the cap 2, my whiskers sometimes rub against the fabric of the shirt and create pilling under the chin and on the shoulders. The cap one has never pilled, even a little bit.
I got most of my cap 1 shirts on sale. Even though I really like them, I'd have a hard time paying full price for them.

The only downside is they're a little heavy. But other than that they are the best shoes I have ever owned. Quality is THE BEST. Comfort is by far the best of any shoe I have ever owned. They needed no break in for me. I love the look of the boot and I even love to clean them. I'm saving up to buy the 1019 Davos boots but in my opinion those are the only boots that could give these a run for the money.

Save up and by them.

I've been reading about how awesome neoshell is supposed to be for the past year. As I looked at the different companies who were offering neoshell products, I felt like the one that would work best for me is the Zion jacket.
First about the jacket itself. The jacket has an outstanding feature set, the hood works great, the pockets are generous and well thought out. The jacket has a very clean look and feel, with just the right amount of features with nothing you dont need.
The jacket fits really well, but it only has room for maybe one small insulating layer, but I like it like that. Depending on the weather, you may not even need a middle layer because it is has a light fleece liner that keeps me pretty warm.
Now about the neoshell, it delivers as advertised. It breathes as well as any softshell. It really does. It was almost completely windproof, and waterproof as well. So for me it is a jacket one could wear for almost any condition and be comfortable and dry.
I love the colors, and would highly recommend it.

I had a hard time deciding between the blue and the green. Ultimately I choose the blue but maybe later I'll get the green.
The overall look of the Power Stretch jacket this year is, in my opinion, ten times better than last years model.
As far as performance is get concerned, it is great. Polartec Power Stretch is one of my favorite baselayer materials because it looks great, feels even better, and provides a great deal of warmth for the weight and bulk it comes with.
Marmot does such a great job with its color schemes for all of its gear. They really know how to take the basic materials and turn them into an amazing finished product.
The jacket is pretty slim fitting, but true to size. I think part of the reason Power stretch works so good is because it fits close to the skin, so there's not a lot of dead space between the skin and the jacket. So the slim fit is good.
And that's about it, it's simple, works well, and is a piece of gear I'd recommend.

I own a few other Arcteryx hard shells. And out of the ones I own this one is my favorite.
"What makes this one better?" you might say. Here are the reasons;
1. Improved fit. While I still really love the other Arc shells, this years version has a different fit. It seems more form fitting and less boxy, while still allowing room underneath to add layers. I am 5 foot 10 inches, weight 235 pounds and have a 48 inch chest, and the xl fits perfect. However, if you plan to be wearing a large down or synthetic jacket underneath, you may want to go up a size.
2.The fabrics and colors are awesome. I bought the sultan's palace and the color scheme makes the jacket look absolutely great. Also, this jacket has two different fabric types, 480 NR and 410 NR(I don't know what exactly NR means). The 480 is what most of the other extreme weather Arc jackets are made from. The 410 fabric is one they don't use very much, but I absolutely love it. It feels very smooth, and is less crinkly, it almost is like a softshell fabric, I hope Arcteryx uses that fabric more in their shells.
3. I really like the feature set as well. It has a great powder skirt, hood, pockets, internal recco reflector, the whole nine yards.
4. The quality is outstanding. If your thinking about buying an Arcteryx shell, look on the inside of the jacket at the seams and the taping. It looks absolutely flawless, and attests to the quality Arcteryx puts into every one of their jackets.
If your in the market for a new shell this year, consider giving the Rush jacket a try, you'll love it.

I was excited to get this one. I was looking for a jacket with at least 100g per m2 of primaloft insulation. Arcteryx is the best brand, in my opinion, and I was originally going to get the Atom SV. But then I stumbled on the Kappa Hoody and liked the features a little better so I decided to go with it.
I haven't been able to use it a lot yet, but I have wore it around here and there and I'll tell you, it's very warm. I had a TNF Nuptse jacket and it was at least as warm as that, maybe even more so.
I liked the face fabric of this jacket more when compared with the Atom SV. It has two different windstopper fabrics which obviously make it completely windproof and highly water-resistant.
I was interested to see how the coreloft compared to primaloft. I have an Eddie Bauer primaloft jacket so I was interested to see if the Kappa could compare. The Kappa with coreloft felt warmer to me than the Eddie Bauer primaloft; but it should have; if coreloft is supposed to be as good as primaloft; because the Kappa has 140g compared to my Eddie Bauer which only has 100g. So, in my opinion, the coreloft is at least as good as the primaloft. Hope that made sense.
I had a minor complaint, however it's not significant enough to keep me from giving it 5 stars. The picture makes the jacket look thinner and more form-fitting than it really is. I thought this would be a great mid layer jacket, but I can barely stuff it in my biggest hardshell. I think it's really intended to be a stand alone piece with baselayer underneath.
I got the orange color, I love it and I'm glad I bought the jacket.

I know the Crossbow isn't technically a softshell, but it is my favorite waterproof softshell, and maybe favorite jacket I own.

This years color choices are outstanding. I go the amber ale color and I absolutely love it.

Quality is unsurpassed, the features on the jacket are great and even though this jacket is expensive, I'm glad I got it!

I waited 2 months for the Orange color to come. I love the look and feel of the glove. At first I thought all the hype about dexterity and feel were just baloney, but over time after using the gloves and comparing the feel with other gloves, I'd have to say they are the real deal.

An easy way see the dexterity in the gloves is to try to touch the very tip of the thumb with each of the other fingers very quickly. It is very easy to do!! Especially when compared to other gloves of the same size .

I do have one complaint, and that is about the warmth of the glove. The sv in vertical sv stands for severe weather, so I was expecting the gloves to be warmer. The fleece liner seems like maybe a 200 weight fleece. I think I'm gonna try the merino wool liner and see if that helps warm things up.

If your out there Brandini Cooarlisle, I'd like to make a suggestion for the homies at Arcteryx. I think along with a fleece liner for this glove you could also make a liner out of primaloft or coreloft. You could charge more money for both liners or the same price for either one. That would make this glove the ultimate in versality and it would truly be a "severe weather glove!

These gloves have some good features such as waterproof, breathable, good build quality etc. But they aren't much warmer than my Sigma lt gloves. The 200 grams of primaloft insulation just isn't enough.

These gloves only weigh 8 ounces and I think as far as gloves are concerned, the heavier they are, the warmer they are going to be(some exceptions).
I exchanged them for some Marmot ultimate guide gloves (which weigh 13 ounces) and they are significantly warmer and cost $20 less.

This is a great softshell, it you can afford it. I gotmit on sale and have to say it is one of my favorite softshells. The face fabric looks and feels outstanding, and the interior micro fleece helps keep me warm. I like the fleece on the inside, this is a legitimate soft shell in my opinion because it would allow you to pair up with a light base layer and still keeps warm and dry in 90 percent of all the weather. You could also use this as a great insulating layer if the weather gets really bad. The windstopper from gore works perfectly, also. One minor beef is that I would have like a smaller hood, I think it seems a little too big for the type of jacket that it is, but that not a big deal

The jacket is a great jacket and it fit me well. It was very warm except for when it was windy. It would be a great jacket for layering or in situations with no wind. But I needed one with better wind protection so I returned it.