Arc’teryx Sphene Jacket
Details
The Arc’teryx Sphene jacket is a lightweight shell made with Goretex Pro. It is waterproof, windproof, and breathable. The inside is unlined but reasonably soft. The hood is fully adjustable and designed to fit over snowboard helmets, offering complete protection without compromising visibility.
The Arc’teryx Sphene jacket has a trim fit but does not hinder normal snowboard movements. Since it is a backcountry shell, I sized it up to L to ensure I had enough room for movement with layers. The Sphene shell has waterproof pit zips to regulate my temperature quickly and two hand pockets with watertight zippers for a camera, phone, etc. The left-hand pocket has a small velcroed pocket inside for a ski pass, but I have experienced some scan annoyances that are alleviated if I remove it from the small pocket into the larger one. On the inside, there is a small zipped pocket and a dump pocket.
This shell has a drawcord hem and Velcro adjustable cuffs to seal out snow and wind. Arc’teryx added extra durability in high-abrasion areas (shoulders and sleeves) to reduce the beating this jacket takes from carrying a snowboard or pack. Lastly, the Sphene comes with a powder skirt that is handy when I eat it. I often wear this shell fully zipped, so I appreciate the material in place that prevents my chin from chafing.
How I Use
Snowboarding
GORE-TEX construction keeps me dry in heavy snow. The shell is an absolute tank that balances durability and lightweight performance. I have been using the Arc’teryx Sphene Jacket for a few seasons and have not found the need to buy a more purpose-built one like the Sabre or the Rush. It’s rock-solid, reliable weather protection that keeps showing up year after year. I wear this with the Rush Pant or Macai Pant.
I picked this shell up at ReGear
