Arc'teryx rain gear over hunting brands?

[Gseith]

I heavily considered the same, but just ended up buying another Kuiu Yukon set. After 8 years my last set started to delaminate and leak.
I wanted to try a arcteryx, but Kuiu was cheaper on sale. If this set last another 8 years I’ll be happy.

 

[roosiebull]

What is the most durable model of Arc’teryx shell? Kuiu Yukon and kutana are the only two that I’ve Used that are worth the money, but I sure have heard a lot of good about the Arc’teryx rain gear. For the intended purpose, I don’t care about noise at all, if noise is a problem than I can just use my beat up Yukon, but when it’s raining sideways and blowing 30-40kts, noise ain’t a thing, trying to stay dry is

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

What is the most durable model of Arc’teryx shell? Kuiu Yukon and kutana are the only two that I’ve Used that are worth the money, but I sure have heard a lot of good about the Arc’teryx rain gear. For the intended purpose, I don’t care about noise at all, if noise is a problem than I can just use my beat up Yukon, but when it’s raining sideways and blowing 30-40kts, noise ain’t a thing, trying to stay dry is

It’s the alpha sv and it’s LEGIT. However, be prepared for the sticker shock.

 

[Cactus kid]

I've used the Beta LT for about a decade and it still looks new. I use it for almost everything shell related, from hunting to skiing to hiking ect. I use it as a wind shell in the cold, layered over a flannel shirt. I am very impressed with the durability; any of the BETA series is goretex pro series, which has an emphasis on durability and performance. The LT is the lightest BETA version and still tough as nails.

 

[Steve300xcw]

It’s the alpha sv and it’s LEGIT. However, be prepared for the sticker shock.

$900 rain jacket better be legit.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

$900 rain jacket better be legit.

It kept two of my climbing buddies alive when they got stuck in a blizzard overnight on a cliff face in Patagonia.

It’s not for everyone, every budget, or every application, but legit it definitely is.

 

[solarshooter]

It’s what I run, unless it’s supposed to rain non-stop then I bring rubber with.

This. In the west coast rain forest, any membrane will soak through at some point, under the pack straps, at seams, you name it. Rubber fishing gear like Grundens or Helly Hansen is the only thing that's kept me DRY all day in the rain. Rubber boots too. Also, membranes are not breathable when they are soaked, so there is little disadvantage. And if you get good stuff, it will have well designed slits and vents that allow airflow in and around the jacket. Pair it with a wool sweater for wicking and warmth and you're golden. No it's not light but it will keep you dry and it is pretty tough and quiet. If I'm facing days of rain, I'll pay the weight penalty for this gear. Bigger concern is pack, sleeping bag, etc.

Oh and it's dirt cheap.

 

[Poser]

I've read lots of recent complaints from skiers about the recent quality decline in Arc'Terx gear. No idea myself as I've never used anything from them.

 

[slvrslngr]

This. In the west coast rain forest, any membrane will soak through at some point, under the pack straps, at seams, you name it. Rubber fishing gear like Grundens or Helly Hansen is the only thing that's kept me DRY all day in the rain. Rubber boots too. Also, membranes are not breathable when they are soaked, so there is little disadvantage. And if you get good stuff, it will have well designed slits and vents that allow airflow in and around the jacket. Pair it with a wool sweater for wicking and warmth and you're golden. No it's not light but it will keep you dry and it is pretty tough and quiet. If I'm facing days of rain, I'll pay the weight penalty for this gear. Bigger concern is pack, sleeping bag, etc.

Oh and it's dirt cheap.

This

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I've read lots of recent complaints from skiers about the recent quality decline in Arc'Terx gear. No idea myself as I've never used anything from them.

Wouldn’t surprise me unfortunately.

 

[fwafwow]

Does Arc'teryx ever go on sale - Black Friday perhaps?

 

[patagonialuke]

Does Arc'teryx ever go on sale - Black Friday perhaps?

You can find their past-season stuff on sale through retailers, especially if a given colorway didn't sell well. Their ReBird program is also pretty neat since many of the pieces were barely used and are still covered under Arc's warranty.

 

[patagonialuke]

General note from an apparel designer who works in the non-hunting outdoor world:

If you're cross-shopping waterproof shells, focus more on the details of the membrane (most important), laminate construction, face fabric, and lining, rather than the brand that sells the final cut-and-sewn product. Particularly if two pieces use the same membrane.

The laminate (face + membrane + lining) is the primary determining factor for overall performance, but most apparel brands are picking from the same set of laminate options from 3rd parties like Gore-Tex, Dermizax, eVent, Pertex, etc. It's rare for an apparel brand to get exclusive rights to a certain 3rd-party fabric and membrane combination (especially from big materials brands like Gore-Tex).

E.g., I would expect to get extremely similar levels of water resistance, breathability, and durability from the Sitka Delta Pro Wading Jacket and Arc'teryx Rush, since they both use the same Gore Pro membrane, and their face fabrics appear to be extremely similar on paper.

Obviously, brands and products differ in terms of fit, feature sets, warranty, price, etc. And some brands (looking at you, Sitka) do a terrible job of sharing the finer details of the materials they use.

But, having tested a ton of apparel from a ton of different brands, the cut-and-sew quality tends to be pretty consistent when comparing pieces of similar price points. This is likely due to most of them being made with the same machines, techniques, and/or in the same factories.

I've had excellent experiences with most Arc'teryx shells over the years. I still consider them one of the best technical apparel brands in the world, and their warranty has historically been excellent. But I wouldn't say any of their shells proved to be notably more/less water resistant, breathable, or durable than pieces from other brands that utilized very similar or identical laminates.

Apologies for the tangent, but hopefully someone finds it useful.

 

[Crewman9710]

General note from an apparel designer who works in the non-hunting outdoor world:

If you're cross-shopping waterproof shells, focus more on the details of the membrane (most important), laminate construction, face fabric, and lining, rather than the brand that sells the final cut-and-sewn product. Particularly if two pieces use the same membrane.

The laminate (face + membrane + lining) is the primary determining factor for overall performance, but most apparel brands are picking from the same set of laminate options from 3rd parties like Gore-Tex, Dermizax, eVent, Pertex, etc. It's rare for an apparel brand to get exclusive rights to a certain 3rd-party fabric and membrane combination (especially from big materials brands like Gore-Tex).

E.g., I would expect to get extremely similar levels of water resistance, breathability, and durability from the Sitka Delta Pro Wading Jacket and Arc'teryx Rush, since they both use the same Gore Pro membrane, and their face fabrics appear to be extremely similar on paper.

Obviously, brands and products differ in terms of fit, feature sets, warranty, price, etc. And some brands (looking at you, Sitka) do a terrible job of sharing the finer details of the materials they use.

But, having tested a ton of apparel from a ton of different brands, the cut-and-sew quality tends to be pretty consistent when comparing pieces of similar price points. This is likely due to most of them being made with the same machines, techniques, and/or in the same factories.

I've had excellent experiences with most Arc'teryx shells over the years. I still consider them one of the best technical apparel brands in the world, and their warranty has historically been excellent. But I wouldn't say any of their shells proved to be notably more/less water resistant, breathable, or durable than pieces from other brands that utilized very similar or identical laminates.

Apologies for the tangent, but hopefully someone finds it useful.

What are your thoughts on proprietary hardshell laminates (e.g., SG's HydraShield, used in their M5 shell)? I've tried Patagonia's "H2No" and am impressed with the performance lift over a 2L or 2.5L construction.

Not sure if they're all just white-labeled from an existing fabric manufacturer, but it seems that the high-end uses the Gore brand (except SG).

 

[fwafwow]

General note from an apparel designer who works in the non-hunting outdoor world:

If you're cross-shopping waterproof shells, focus more on the details of the membrane (most important), laminate construction, face fabric, and lining, rather than the brand that sells the final cut-and-sewn product. Particularly if two pieces use the same membrane.

The laminate (face + membrane + lining) is the primary determining factor for overall performance, but most apparel brands are picking from the same set of laminate options from 3rd parties like Gore-Tex, Dermizax, eVent, Pertex, etc. It's rare for an apparel brand to get exclusive rights to a certain 3rd-party fabric and membrane combination (especially from big materials brands like Gore-Tex).

E.g., I would expect to get extremely similar levels of water resistance, breathability, and durability from the Sitka Delta Pro Wading Jacket and Arc'teryx Rush, since they both use the same Gore Pro membrane, and their face fabrics appear to be extremely similar on paper.

Obviously, brands and products differ in terms of fit, feature sets, warranty, price, etc. And some brands (looking at you, Sitka) do a terrible job of sharing the finer details of the materials they use.

But, having tested a ton of apparel from a ton of different brands, the cut-and-sew quality tends to be pretty consistent when comparing pieces of similar price points. This is likely due to most of them being made with the same machines, techniques, and/or in the same factories.

I've had excellent experiences with most Arc'teryx shells over the years. I still consider them one of the best technical apparel brands in the world, and their warranty has historically been excellent. But I wouldn't say any of their shells proved to be notably more/less water resistant, breathable, or durable than pieces from other brands that utilized very similar or identical laminates.

Apologies for the tangent, but hopefully someone finds it useful.

Thanks! Anything similar to the Beta SL you recommend?

 

[patagonialuke]

What are your thoughts on proprietary hardshell laminates (e.g., SG's HydraShield, used in their M5 shell)? I've tried Patagonia's "H2No" and am impressed with the performance lift over a 2L or 2.5L construction.

Not sure if they're all just white-labeled from an existing fabric manufacturer, but it seems that the high-end uses the Gore brand (except SG).

In most conditions, I've found most proprietary membranes with a stated 20K/20K rating to be essentially indistinguishable from standard Gore-Tex when it comes to water resistance and breathability (when comparing equivalent laminate constructions with roughly similar face fabrics and linings).

That said, I'm rarely spending entire days in hard rain. My buddy in Alaska does, and 3L Gore Pro is still the best laminate he's used for the absolute wettest conditions. But if it's that bad and he's not being super active, he just uses something truly waterproof and not breathable a-la commercial fishing gear. Even Gore Pro can let moisture through with enough water or pressure (e.g., sitting on wet stuff or rubbing under pack straps).

Apart from trips to Alaska and the PNW, though, I don't tend to place much weight on who makes the membrane, provided that the apparel brand seems reputable and they claim at least 15K or 20K for water resistance.

 

[Speaks]

I may actually be deeper in the mountaineering gear world than in the hunting gear world so am very familiar with Arteryx, generally speaking its great gear but not a great value overall. The exception being their shells which are outstanding and worth the money.

That said my current mail shell I use for hunting is the Pyke gear one. It was designed by an upland brand but its a good overall 3 layer shell that performs very well. It also comes in blaze unlike other outdoor gear brands. My biggest gripe is that it does not have pit zips and instead vents through breast pockets. It was done that way to avoid debris coming in through the pit zips but I would still rather have them.

But to answer your question on the beta line they are excellent and worth the money.

 

[patagonialuke]

Thanks! Anything similar to the Beta SL you recommend?

This definitely won't cover everything, but after a quick search:

Marmot Seeker is pretty similar on paper. Norrona Lyngen Gore-Tex Jacket or Patagonia M10 if you want a slimmer fit and slightly lower weight. If you want something a tad more rugged / less packable, Patagonia Triolet, SG M5, Mammut Crater Light HS, Rab Latok Mountain Gore Pro, Norrona Trollveggen Gore Pro Light.

Regardless of what you end up going for, I always recommend checking to see if past-season versions are available. If the piece isn't new this year, I can often find a past year's color on sale for 30-50% off for most brands.

 

[fwafwow]

This definitely won't cover everything, but after a quick search:

Marmot Seeker is pretty similar on paper. Norrona Lyngen Gore-Tex Jacket or Patagonia M10 if you want a slimmer fit and slightly lower weight. If you want something a tad more rugged / less packable, Patagonia Triolet, SG M5, Mammut Crater Light HS, Rab Latok Mountain Gore Pro, Norrona Trollveggen Gore Pro Light.

Regardless of what you end up going for, I always recommend checking to see if past-season versions are available. If the piece isn't new this year, I can often find a past year's color on sale for 30-50% off for most brands.

Thank you. I had done similar internet searches and have a list. Some were less expensive but didn’t have pit zips, or were heavier, etc. I will compare these to my list, but I think some are on both. Thx!

 

[MuleyFever]

If anyone is seriously considering an Arcteryx piece and doesn't want to pay full price, PM me.

Update - all gone.