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Chilling wind and light drizzle - the weather isn't always severe, but it's still out there. Stay comfortable with our Softshell and Windshell Jackets. Ready for new gear? Have a trip in mind? We’re here to help. Find out more by exploring our buyer's guide below.
Stay dry out there, whatever the weather. Pick the perfect shell for your activity. Click on the image below to jump to the activity section:
Want more details? Check out our comparison table below for an overview of technical features:
GORE-TEX is well known as one of the best materials to use in outdoor clothing because it is waterproof, windproof, and breathable. At its core, GORE-TEX is a synthetic polymer that has been stretched thin. The result is a very strong, lightweight, and breathable fabric. Thanks to its nature as a plastic, it doesn't hold water, keeping everything under it dry.The tight weave of the fabric also makes it windproof, letting negligible amounts of air through that could make a person chilly. You can see why a material that keeps wind and water away from you is a good option for outdoor wear. This is why some of the best jackets utilize GORE-TEX.
GORE-TEX fabric can come in different layering and construction styles. They all offer great elemental protection, but there are a few differences.Original GORE-TEX can be made with two or three layers and is great for any outerwear that needs to be waterproof and/or windproof. When combined with a good lining, this layer of GORE-TEX will help keep you warm since you won’t get wet or have excessive airflow coming into the jacket. At the same time, it is still breathable to help keep you from overheating.GORE-TEX PRO has added durability and weather protection compared to the original. It is always three layers and comes with an added micro-gridbacker. This construction method lasts longer because it snags less. GORE-TEX PRO shells are also built with tougher exteriors which make them even more durable.GORE‑TEX INFINIUM garments offer a unique outer surface that persistently repels water, so you can stay dry and comfortable even if you get caught in some light rain.
Do-it-all. Go-to. All-round, up and down mountains. Our Shell Jackets are built to keep you sheltered, whatever the weather and however you like to get out there.
Climbers need protection from the weather, resistance from the rock and material with a lot of stretch. Here, the Gamma Family is a great option. The breathable softshell keeps you comfortable, not getting too hot or too cold on the climb, protecting during those moments of rest with wind and water resistance. Handing a range of terrain, the Gamma Hoody is abrasion resistant, shielding against the rocks without tearing. Top it off with the adjustable helmet compatible StormHood, keeping you safe from the elements while maintaining a full field of view.
Chilling wind and light drizzle – the weather isn’t always severe, but it’s still out there. Stay comfortable with the Solano Hoody. A hiking shell made to meet shifting conditions, it leverages highly breathable GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ fabric for windproof, rain-repellent protection. An adjustable hood extends coverage. Articulated patterning provides unrestricted freedom, and a hybrid liner construction – smooth in the sleeves for easy on-and-off, knit in the body for breathability – ups the comfort.
With the wind at your back, trail running demands an ultra light approach. The lightweight Norvan family is the best choice of kit to run mountains. Made for high output activity, the zonal wind protection keeps you comfortable, releasing heat effectively through the soft, breathable material. Combined with a vest, the norvan shell is easily rolled and stored. This packable, high output wind protection helps runners go faster and further on the trails.
Alpha SV Jacket
Our most durable GORE-TEX PRO shell. Designed for severe alpine conditions.
Squamish Hoody
Lightweight, durable, compressible windshell with exceptional versatility.
Alpha
Versatile hybrid GORE-TEX jacket performs across a range of alpine conditions.
The best softshell jackets can do more than most people think, but for others, the weather protection of a softshell pales in comparison to a hardshell’s superior technicality. It’s not that clear, though. So what is the difference between these two jackets? Let’s dig in.HARDSHELL JACKETSThe key feature of hardshell jackets, especially those made by Arc'teryx, is their undeniable waterproofing, which has made them a favorite among climbers, skiers, and snowboarders. Our brand was founded and still operates in the wet, snowy, and windy conditions of the North Shore Mountains near Vancouver, B.C., where staying dry is essential. Alongside their waterproof nature, our hardshell jackets offer breathability and durability—crucial for managing sweat during uphill climbs, resisting branches in tree runs, and blocking wind on chairlifts. A hardshell is essential for any outdoor adventurer. However, when the weather is warm and clear, hardshells can be overkill. That’s where the breathable softshell jacket comes in.SOFTSHELL JACKETSDon’t bring a softshell to a Hotham powder day. You’ll be miserable. But a high-country bluebird groomer day? Maybe. It’s relatively simple. If your day looks sopping wet and blowing sideways, you will need a hardshell jacket. Otherwise, you can probably get away with a lightweight softshell or windshell jacket. They’re generally not windproof, but they stop most of the wind. The outer layer is generally not waterproof qualifying as a torrential rain jacket, but they stop water. Here's another bonus: the softshell is more breathable than the hardshell, so when you are ski touring or doing any other high-output activity, you might want to stash away that hardshell and rely on the much more comfortable, much stretchier softshell.
What is the lightest shell jacket?The Beta Jacket is the lightest Gore-Tex Shell Jacket, with versatility that frees you to explore your way. The Squamish is the lightest jacket from our Softshell range - a light, versatile synthetically insulated hoody works as a midlayer and standalone.Is it waterproof? GORE-TEX fabric provides waterproof, windproof, breathable protection across a range of activities. Shell jackets made with GORE-TEX fabric include the Alpha, Alpha SV, Beta, Beta LT and Beta AR Jacket.Is it helmet compatible? Our helmet compatible StormHood™ is a signature detail in many of our products, there are invisible layers of ingenuity and Arc’teryx DNA hiding beneath. Products that feature the StormHood™ include the Beta, Squamish, Gamma, Alpha and the Solano family. Where were they manufactured? We are currently partnered with factories in China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Cambodia and Romania, with some of our top products made at our HQ in Vancouver. How does it differ from the model from the previous year? Each year, we produce revised models of our insulated range with improved materials and an improved fit.
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