Arc’teryx has produced numerous jackets for skiing, backcountry, and snowboarding, with current and past models designed for specific snow sports needs. Current models include the Sabre, Ski Guide, Rush, Macai, Sentinel, Nita Shell, and Andessa Down jackets. In contrast, past Arc’teryx Ski Jackets like Sphene and Sidewinder are notable for backcountry and big-mountain use.
Current Models
Arc’teryx offers a range of jackets tailored for skiing and snowboarding, categorized by gender and intended use. Here’s a breakdown:
Men’s Jackets
Arc’teryx Sabre Jacket: This durable, stormproof jacket is a good choice for resort skiing. It features 3L Gore-Tex Pro and a 100-denier nylon outer., The jacket’s RFID sleeve pass pocket and pit zips.
Ski Guide Jacket: This jacket is designed for mountain professionals. It uses the Most Rugged Gore-Tex Pro, has a high-volume chest pocket, and has a helmet-compatible hood.
Rush Jacket: This lightweight jacket is for the backcountry. It’s made of 3L Gore-Tex Pro and 80-denier nylon, and it includes extra-wide dump pockets and no powder skirt.
Macai Insulated Jacket: This jacket is warm for resort skiing. It is insulated with down or synthetic materials and Gore-Tex and is suitable for cold days.
Macai Jacket: This shell version for resort skiing uses Gore-Tex for weatherproofing and is ideal for layering
Women’s Jackets
Sentinel Insulated Jacket: This women’s resort skiing option is insulated with Gore-Tex for cold conditions, similar to the men’s Sabre.
Sentinel Relaxed Jacket: Relaxed fit version of Sentinel, offering comfort for resort skiing.
Sentinel Jacket: This shell is for women’s resort skiing. It is made of 3L Gore-Tex Pro and 100-denier nylon and matches men’s Sabre features.
Rush Insulated Jacket: This jacket is insulated for the backcountry, with Gore-Tex and down or synthetic insulation for colder conditions.
Rush Jacket: This is a lightweight backcountry option, the same as the men’s, with 3L Gore-Tex Pro and 80-denier nylon.
Macai Insulated Jacket: Warm resort skiing jacket, insulated with Gore-Tex, for cold conditions.
Macai Jacket: Shell for resort skiing, Gore-Tex for weatherproofing, suitable for layering.
Nita Shell Jacket: This jacket is waterproof and windproof for resort snow sports. It uses Gore-Tex and has specific snow sports features.
Andessa Down Jacket: This jacket is warm and waterproof for resort skiing. It has down insulation and Gore-Tex, which makes it ideal for very cold conditions.
Past Models
Arc’teryx has a history of innovative snow sports jackets, with some notable past models including:
Sphene Jacket: This lightweight, packable jacket is ideal for the backcountry. It uses Gore-Tex Pro and has a minimalist design for weight-conscious touring.
Sidewinder Jacket: Big mountain Gore-Tex shell for severe weather, designed for extreme skiing and snowboarding conditions.
Comprehensive Analysis of Arc’teryx Snow Sports Jackets
Arc’teryx, a Canadian apparel company founded in 1989 and headquartered in North Vancouver, British Columbia, has established itself as a leader in technical outdoor gear, particularly for skiing, backcountry, and snowboarding. Known for its focus on Gore-Tex and innovative designs, Arc’teryx’s snow sports jackets, part of their Whiteline collection, cater to diverse needs from resort skiing to backcountry touring. This analysis covers all identified models, both current and historical, detailing their features, materials, intended uses, and historical significance based on extensive research from official sources, review sites, and enthusiast forums.
Current Models
Men’s Jackets
Sabre Jacket: Introduced as a premier resort skiing option, the Sabre Jacket features a 3L Gore-Tex Pro with a 100-denier nylon outer for durability. Key features include an RFID sleeve pass pocket for lift access, pit zips for ventilation, a non-removable powder skirt, and a RECCO reflector for safety. Intended for resort skiing in variable weather, it has been an extremely popular model since its launch.
Ski Guide Jacket: Arc’teryx designed this shell for mountain professionals. It uses the most rugged Gore-Tex Pro fabric, which is known for its durability in harsh conditions. It has a high-volume chest pocket, an external mic clip for radios, and a helmet-compatible hood, making it ideal for guides and patrollers in extreme environments.
Rush Jacket: The Rush is a lightweight, packable backcountry skiing and snowboarding option made of 3L Gore-Tex Pro and an 80-denier nylon outer. It includes extra-wide dump pockets for skins, two-way pit zips for ventilation, and a helmet-compatible StormHood with no powder skirt to reduce weight. The Rush is favored for its agility in backcountry pursuits.
Macai Insulated Jacket: The Macal is an insulated resort skiing jacket that combines insulation with Gore-Tex for weather protection. It is suitable for cold days and offers warmth without bulk, with features like an insulated hood and multiple pockets.
Macai Jacket: The shell version of the Macai uses Gore-Tex for waterproofing and breathability, which is ideal for layering in resort skiing. It shares similar features but lacks insulation.
Women’s Jackets
Sentinel Insulated Jacket: The women’s counterpart to the Sabre, it features insulation with Gore-Tex for cold resort skiing. It includes weatherproofing and insulation designed for comfort in frigid lift rides, with a fit tailored for women.
Sentinel Relaxed Jacket: This relaxed-fit version offers the same 3L Gore-Tex Pro and 100-denier nylon as the Sentinel but with a roomier cut for comfort. It is suitable for resort skiing with a preference for ease of movement.
Sentinel Jacket: This shell is for women’s resort skiing. It mirrors the men’s Sabre with 3L Gore-Tex Pro. It features an RFID pass pocket, pit zips, and a powder skirt for variable weather.
Rush Insulated Jacket: This is an insulated version for the backcountry. It uses Gore-Tex with down or synthetic insulation, offering warmth for colder conditions. Features like a helmet-compatible hood reflect Arc’teryx’s expansion into insulated backcountry options for women.
Rush Jacket: This jacket is identical to the men’s Rush. It’s lightweight and made of 3L Gore-Tex Pro and 80-denier nylon. It has dump pockets and pit zips, designed for backcountry agility. This jacket showcases Arc’teryx’s unisex design philosophy for technical use.
Macai Insulated Jacket: The same men’s, this jacket is insulated for resort skiing, with Gore-Tex and down or synthetic insulation. It suits cold conditions and features warmth and weather.
Macai Jacket: This is a shell version for women, using Gore-Tex for weatherproofing. It is ideal for layering and has features like multiple pockets, catering to resort skis—Arc’teryx’s.
Nita Shell Jacket: This waterproof, windproof shell for resort snow sports uses Gore-Tex. It features pit zippers and a RECCO reflector, fine-tuned to reflect Arc’teryx’s attention to specific snow sports demands.
Andessa Down Jacket: This warm, waterproof jacket is ideal for resort skiing. It features down insulation and Gore-Tex, offering excellent warmth and weatherproofing. The jacket also has an insulated hood and multiple pockets.
Past Models
Arc’teryx’s historical models provide insight into the evolution of snow sports gear. Some discontinued models are still influential.
Sphene Jacket: A lightweight, packable Gore-Tex Pro jacket for backcountry ski and snowboard tours, weighing around 430 grams, with a helmet-compatible StormHood and powder skirt. Introduced for weight-conscious touring, it was part of Arc’teryx’s white line.
Sidewinder Jacket: A big mountain Gore-Tex shell for severe weather, designed for extreme skiing and snowboarding, with durable construction and full protection features like a StormHood and pit zippers. It was popular in the late 2000s.
Historical Context
Arc’teryx’s snow sports jackets evolved from the late 1990s, with early adopters having to use the Alpha SV for skiing. This led Arc’teryx to launch the Descent collection, coinciding with Salomon’s acquisition. The Whiteline collection, focusing on snow sports, has seen models like Sphene and Sidewinder become benchmarks for backcountry and big-mountain use, respectively. Innovations in Gore-Tex and lightweight designs have driven this brand’s reputation.
