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Home > Gear Reviews > Arc'Teryx Gamma SV softshell 
; "Arc'Teryx Gamma SV softshell")
Arc'Teryx Gamma SV softshell Brand: Arc'Teryx Model: Gamma SV Size: Large Price: $259 Purchased At: REI Arc'Teryx Gamma SV softshell
posted by ryno007 in Canyoneering, Freestyle Skiing, Hiking, Snow Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing  Email to a friend
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I'd been kicking around the idea of a softshell since last spring, when sunny conditions and breathability are the necessity. I didn't pull the trigger, but this fall I was convinced it was time to join the "soft" revolution. I tried on a number of different brands (TNF, Mountain Hardware, Marmot, OR, etc.) and materials (Conduit, Windstopper, Schoeller, etc.), but finally settled on Arc'Teryx's Gamma SV. I own a few other Arc'Teryx items and, although more expensive than other brands, you get what you pay for. I'm 5'7 160# with pretty broad shoulders, so I opted for the Large over the Medium. Arc'Teryx tends to fit a little on the trim side (or "athletic"), so I sacrificed the slightly longer arm length for chest-and-torso manueverability. The Gamma SV utilizes Polartec's Powershield material, with a soft fleece surface on the inside and DWR on the outside. The twin external chest pockets are huge, and an internal smaller pocket is good for phones, wallets, etc. A wind-proof liner behind the zipper is a bonus, and waist cinchers keep the cold and snow out of the bottom. The neck didn't seal as tight as I would like (probably a size function), and a pull cord like on the Mountain Hardware G50 would have been nice. As far as performance goes, I couldn't ask for more. I wore this with just a t-shirt during a fall trip down to Lake Powell, where mornings and evenings were cool but not cold...perfect. I just got done with an early-morning ski tour in low-teens temps. and blowing snow in the Wasatch with a mid-weight base layer and fleece vest underneath, and quickly shifted gears by shedding the vest to go snowshoeing with the family and the kid on my back, and never felt uncomfortable. Skinning up and sweating, I unzipped the top and vented thorougly. Skiing down was a breeze (no pun intended), and the soft-ness of the softshell made the backpack as comfortable as can be expected with a growing boy on the back! The Powershield does it's job of warmth and breathability. The Arc'Teryx fit is not for everyone, and I'd recommend trying this jacket on if you're interested. The material was a bit stiff in the store (more so than Conduit, but less than TNF's Apex Bionic), but it has broken in nicely. I wear this jacket almost every day in Utah, just changing what's underneath. I probably wouldn't chance a blizzard or a spring downpour (that's what hard shells are for), but the versatility of the Gamma SV is unmatched. It's a one-stop shop, and worth every penny (and you may even be able to find it on sale later in the season!). Comments
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