Top notch...

By Scott Ranked #313 - Men's Ski Pants December 28, 2011

Size: I'm 6'3" 215lbs. I went with a Large/Long and they are PERFECT.
Color: Black (though they are really a nice dark charcoal color, and for this I'm glad because I actually prefer it over jet black. I think standard black can look cheap and something off the rack at Kmat)

Legitimately top notch gear. They fit so well-- far superior to previous North Face gear I've owned. The way the elastic hugs the body and contours of the pattern is really something to marvel at. Seems stupid that no other manufactures are taking cues. I was frustrated (read discouraged) to see made in China stamped on the inner label. I have the Alpha SV coat (also a 2011 MY) and it reads made in Canada. I was dumb struck as to why the jacket and pants, theoretically made of the same fabric and by the same procedure would be made thousands of miles apart. I did some reading on the website and found this...

"Currently, Arc'teryx products are also manufactured in nine other countries besides Canada: USA, China, El Salvador, Italy, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Bangladesh and Vietnam. In all of these countries, including Canada and the United States, it is very possible to manufacture very high or very low quality product. Arc'teryx chooses the highest standards in all of our manufacturing locations, and helps train skilled and motivated workers to maintain the highest possible quality levels.

There are many factors that contributed to the decision to manufacture in various parts of the world: internal production capacity, cost margins that affect retail pricing, availability and origin of high quality raw materials, protective duties & tariffs that vary by region, global shipping of finished product and its environmental impact. With ever-increasing technology, our partner contractors have the technical ability and quality controls to meet our demanding standards of excellence. We have one world-wide quality standard and it applies to all of our products regardless of where they are made."

For what it's worth, it made me feel better about what I have after reading that. I am a business owner and can honestly admit to having made cost cutting measures or changes in my processes in order to produce the best product possible at an affordable price. I'm sure that is what we have here but nonetheless, it's still saddens me to see it printed. I checked over the quality and am happy to say my eyes could not see any differences in quality or seams. Overall, well worth the expense. Honestly, I'd pay more if I had to.

View Details: Arc'teryx Theta SV Bib - Men's

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes