Gear Review
Arc'teryx Gamma SV Hooded Jacket - Men's
Slick, subdued technicality
By Jersey Hiker
Ranked #117 - Men's Softshell Jackets
November 17, 2008
I have the Gamma SV hoody in black and I love the looks - not overly technical, but you can tell this is a serious jacket. Haven't had much time to use it yet, but I can give my initial impression:
Insulation is cleverly distributed and seems to be optimized for moderately aerobic activity in relatively cold (maybe 35F and below) weather. The first thing I noticed is how warm it is around the neck - seriously toasty! The material is very thin under the arms to release heat better (no pit zips, but some venting looks to be possible if you leave the pockets open). Powershield seems a bit more breathable than windstopper when I try to blow through the jacket (I compared with the new Venta AR which, btw, is awesome as well but has minimal insulation). Love the hood - can be cinched down to fit a bare head nicely, and in usual Arcteryx fashion ITS SEPARATE FROM THE COLLAR, which makes for a much nicer look IMO.
Highly recommended... so far
View Details: Arc'teryx Gamma SV Hooded Jacket - Men's
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
Tech Specs:
- Material:
- [Shell] Polartec Power Shield; [Lining] polyester
- Waterproof Rating:
- Water-resistant
- Breathable Rating:
- Not specified
- Core Venting:
- No
- Pockets:
- 2 Hand, 1 internal
- Seam Taped:
- No
- Powder Skirt:
- No
- Hood:
- Yes
- Zip-in Compatibility:
- No
- Weight:
- 23.5oz (665g)
- Recommended Use:
- Mountaineering, backcountry skiing, backpacking
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- Lifetime
Change me.
1 Comments Last Reply: October 10, 2009 By: Niall MacRae
Powershield is definitely more breathable than Windstopper. The Windstopper membrane is 0 CFM fabric, so no wind gets through the fabric, period, but it also creates a bottle neck for water vapor trying to get out. It is great for some applications and not as good for others. Same with Powershield, which is probably in the 8 CFM airflow range. The SV is one of the few Arcteryx softshells that has the stand-up collar when the hood is down, which is one of my favorite features. And the hood is fantastic when it is up!
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No