User Review: Arc'teryx Sniper Zip

Arc'teryx Sniper Zip
Above: The current Sniper Zip, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed February 27, 2008 by Onojmai

Rating:
Fabric: polartec windpro
Price Paid: $150

Great... Wait, amazing fleece. It's not really your average fleece. Way better. It's got a more brushed, thick cotton-like exterior, with a softer fleece interior.

I must say, this thing BREATHES amazingly. You actually find more moisture on the exterior than on the interior and base layers. Never had a mid-layer like this. It's polartec wind Pro- a very well-developed, tightly woven fleece that is definitely much more wind resistant than regualar polartec 200 weight fleece with similar thickness/insulation. And it's much more breathable than laminates like windstopper/windblock.

Works great as an on-the-town piece, too. And the exterior is a tougher, more resilient fabric that looks and feels most excellent, and won't pill-up like a lot of fleece. Buy one. You won't regret it.

Like all Arc'teryx stuff, it's worth the hefty price tag in the long run. You won't be replacing it for many years.