User Review: Arc'teryx Theta AR Jacket

Arc'teryx Theta AR Jacket
Above: The current Theta AR Jacket, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

The greatest thing about this jacket is the fit! It's sized to fit an athletic person without extra fabric to bulk up and get in your way. I'm a skier and also really like the helmet compatible hood. In windy snowy conditions it is great to be able to pull the hood over your helmet and keep the weather from going down your back.

Hands down, if your are looking for the best of waterproof/breathable fabric, the Gore Tex XCR is the only way to god. North Face's HyVent, and Mountain Hardware's Conduit don't compare. The jacket is pricey, but as I put it to my wife, "it is all I wanted for Christmas". I did tons of research to see if the jacket was really worth the money. I went to all the local outdoor stores to try on the competing jackets....and they don't even come close.

One of the immediate reactions was that all the other jackets were heavy unless you went with the Gore Tex Packlight. Only problem with the Packlight is it just doesn't have the durability. The last thing you want to do is spend a small fortune on a jacket for it to rip on the first outing.

Another key feature for me is the hood is separate from the caller. It drives me nuts (with most other similar jackets) to have to pull the front zip down so you can put on the hood (most integrate the hood with the caller).

Only con I can think of right now is the layout of the front zips. They are too high to really be hand warming pockets. I'm also confused why they omitted the zipper garage on the arm zip. All in all, this really is the best shell you can buy.

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Where to Buy

Buy Online We found the Theta AR Jacket at 7 online stores:

StoreProduct DescriptionPrice

Backcountry.com
2 purchase options:
Theta AR Jacket - Men's$474.95Buy Now
Theta AR Jacket - Women's$474.95Buy Now

Oregon Mountain Community
2 purchase options:
Theta AR Jacket - Women's$348.95Buy Now
Theta AR Jacket - Men's$398.95Buy Now

Moosejaw
4 purchase options:
Women's Theta AR Jacket$329.99Buy Now
Women's Theta AR Jacket$360.00Buy Now
Men's Theta AR Jacket$475.00Buy Now
Men's Theta AR Jacket$475.00Buy Now

Altrec Outdoors
3 purchase options:
Men's Theta AR Jacket (Spring 08)$474.95Buy Now
Men's Theta AR Jacket (Spring 09)$474.95Buy Now
Women's Theta AR Jacket (Spring 09)$474.95Buy Now

REI
2 purchase options:
Theta AR Jacket - Men's$475.00Buy Now
Theta AR Jacket - Women's$475.00Buy Now

RockCreek
Theta AR Jacket (Men's)$474.95Buy Now

US Outdoor Store
2 purchase options:
Theta AR Jacket$475.00Buy Now
Theta AR Jacket - Women's$475.00Buy Now

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