Specalized Jacket. Right for me

By Sam Reese Ranked #626 - Men's Technical Shells February 10, 2009

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.

View Details: Arc'teryx Theta AR Jacket - Men's

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