Arc’teryx has evolved into an International “It” brand, with its distinctive fossil logo showing up on mountains, ski hills, and celebrities like Timothée Chalamet, Tom Hardy and Drake. The company was founded in North Vancouver B.C in 1989, committed to design and produce innovative climbing gear that simply worked better in the mountains. Employing clever engineering and the best materials, their products cost a little more because they were totally worth it. The unusual name Arc’teryx was inspired by the Archaeopteryx, a prehistoric creature discovered to be the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds. As technical climbing products evolved into ski, active and casual ware, the brand quickly grew a reputation for high-performance gear worth the investment. Despite its current hip status, Arc’teryx didn’t become popular by being trendy, it became trendy by producing really, really good products.
For mountain pros, Arc’teryx products are not fashion statements, they’re survival tools. For the rest of us, they are the only winter gear we’ll ever need. It also has impressive, across-the-board sustainability policies through the use of PFAS-free materials, responsibility-sourced down and plant-based fabrics. The company’s ReBird Program restores products with re-proofed Gore-Tex, re-puffing downs, washing, repairing, or trading in older garments for resale or store credits.
Known for their minimalist design aesthetic, Arc’teryx crossed the cultural Rubicon into streetwear when celebrities were spotted with the fossil logo on toques and jackets. An innovative and distinctive Canadian brand, meticulously engineered for the elements, form-fitting, sleekly designed, and ready for whatever winter throws at us? No wonder influencers followed in the celebrity wake. For our Head-to-Toe Arc’teryx Winter Gift Guide, we tested each product in real-world situations, on mountains, trails and ski runs. For those ready to take on a bucket list Canadian experience wearing bucket list Canadian gear, read on:
FOR MEN
FOOTWEAR
Kopec MID GTX M
There’s a trendy Canadian waterproof footwear brand the kids are lining up for. It rhymes with Messi, and in testing, their expensive half-boots didn’t make it through a single rainy Vancouver season. Consider instead the Kopec: a light, waterproof mid-boot hiker built for rugged mountains and urban trails. A Gore-Tex outer shell, moulded ankle pad and custom, mud-shedding mega-grip outsole are designed to keep us surefooted, whatever the weather. Metal eyelets for lacing (double knot recommended), and a wide toe box make the Kopec ideal for those with wider feet.
Vertex Speed
For more ambitious trail runners, the Vertex is a hybrid, performance slip-on combining elements of climbing and running into a single boot. With a tight, stretchy gaiter to keep out skree and debris (because nobody likes running on little pebbles), it’s a tighter fit than the Kopec with mid-foot cushioning and a reinforced front foot for rock scrambling. Built for the backcountry, these lightweight speedsters have serious grip. If you have wider feet or prefer a roomier toe box, consider the Kopec above.
SOCKS
Merino Mid Bird Sock
Quality footwear craters without quality socks. Your tootsies need soft supports that are light, breathable and well-cushioned where it counts. This blend of fine Merino wool, Nylon and Elastane keep things comfortable, with a snug, almost compression sock fit to prevent slips, bunching and blisters. With ribbed arches and mesh zones in the right places, the mid-height cut helps keep out debris. While designed to fit Arc’teryx shoes perfectly, we found them just as good with other footwear brands.
PANTS
Voronoi Pant M
We’ve always been envious of outdoor adventurers who look as comfortable in their gear as their own skin. When we tested this light, stretchy, clean-looking all-purpose Voronoi, we felt we’d finally joined their ranks. As easy to pack as they are to wear, the Voronoi has a comfortable, forgiving fit that works on the trails, in the hills, and in the city too. It has deep pockets for keys, phone and wallets, with taped seams and a stretch that could handle a yoga class. Bonus points for a slide-button that doesn’t pop or pull. Built with recycled Nylon, the stylish soft-shell is both wind and water resistant, and its use case is practically unlimited.
BELT
Heliad Belt 38
We’re long-time fans of clip belts when it comes to any outdoor adventure. Notch belts just can’t compete with the versatility, the speed and functional ease when you need things to just click together, every time. The Heliad is made from the same fabric material as Arc’teryx’s climbing harnesses, bringing with it the same quality, durability and strength. Super easy to adjust, it’s a got a minimalist mesh look with a larger buckle that means business. It is a little wide but we found no issues across several jeans and shorts. Just remember to thread it with the smaller clip first.
ALL PURPOSE
Arc’teryx are known for using Greek letters as an identifier for some of their clothing and jacket lines. This is why you’ll find rugged gear called Alpha, softshells called Gamma, and Cerium for the lightweight insulation. No surprise then for the names of these all-purpose mid-layers below:
Atom Hoody M
Epitomizing the all-purpose jacket, the lightweight and water-resistant Atom Hoodie is a go-to for hiking, climbing, running, camping, or mooching around the city. Form fitting but with plenty of stretch thanks to performance fleece side panels, it’s a wind resistant with knit cuffs to stop chills running up your sleeve. Good pocket action (including an internal zipper for cards, keys or phone), the breathable and popular Atom is a versatile all-weather all-rounder for just about any activity you can imagine.
Beta Insulated Jacket M
Kicking it up a level (and a Greek letter), the Beta was designed by mountain people for mountain people, loading up on versatile features to ensure no alpine adventure will leave you cold. Thermally insulated for warmth with a shell of waterproof 40D Gore-Tex, the Beta is lightweight with a slight crinkly texture. Water-tight zippers protect the warming hand pockets. If you overheat, simply zip the extended pit zippers for instant ventilation. We found it ideal for spring skiing, and layered with a solid mid-layer it will hold up just fine on the hills in winter too (although arm pits can feel a little tight depending on the mid-layer). More points for the RECCO™ safety reflectors, and the oversized hood for ski or bike helmets that act as a neck warmer when down.
OUTER LAYER/SHELL
Sabre Bib M
It took far too many years for us to discover the benefits of a ski bib over ski pants, especially a Gore-Tex bib that keeps things flexible while shutting out the elements. With plenty of room to move and thigh vents to cool things down if you overheat, the Sabre employs something called ePE membrane technology which makes it lighter and thinner than regular Gore-Tex, and like the rest of Arc’teryx gear, it’s all free of PFAS substances. You might be wondering how a garment can be both waterproof and breathable. The trick is a a microscopic, porous membrane that contains over 9 billion pores per square inch, holes that are 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet (therefore blocking rain) but 700 times larger than water vapour molecules (thereby allowing sweat to escape). The Sabre Bib will to ensure a great day on the slopes, whatever the weather.
HEAD
Mallow Toque
A toque shouldn’t cause domestic conflict, but that’s happened with this classic, Nightscape-coloured beanie made of a soft blend of Merino wool and recycled polyester. With a seamless crown and comfortable stretch, it’s warm, itch-free and classically stylish, which is why everybody in my house wants to wear it. Arc’teryx is better known for its busy branded Bird Head Toque (more on that below), but this understated classic toque makes do with a small brand tag, allowing the product to do the talking. It feels like a tea cosy for the brain, and one of these days, I might even get a chance to wear it.
GLOVES
Venta Glove
There are thick winter gloves, which are bulky and warm. There are thin linings, which are great for dexterity as long as you don’t spend too much time in the elements. The Venta lands somewhere in the middle, making it a perfect fit for outdoor winter sports like cross-country skiing or cooler hikes. It’s lightweight with a soft Gore-Tex shell to keep out snow, wind and rain, with a fleece-lined interior for warmth. Touchscreen friendly with grip reinforcements, the Venta is a versatile glove that will see you through thick and thin.
A NOTE ON THE COLOURS OF ARC’TERYX
Primary colours are made up of red, yellow, and blue. Secondary colours consist of orange, green and purple/violet. Then there’s Arc’teryx colour, which runs in shades of Rune, Nightscape, Solitude, Azalea, Carob, Lodestar and Dynasty. Arc’teryx palettes are inspired by natural landscapes, reaching for the forest greens, slate greys, deep blues and earthy browns. High visibility colours like the neon-orange Dynasty or purple Azalea increase safety. While Arc’teryx offer traditional shades like Black, the colour names of their products reflect their outdoorsy roots and functionality. They’re also a lot of fun.
FOR WOMEN:
BASE LAYER
Satoro Merino Wool Crew W
Satoro Merino Wool Bottom W
Any successful winter excursion starts with a quality base layer: light, warm, moisture-wicking, flexible, and well-fitted for layering up. The Satoro Crew and Bottom tick off all the boxes, using ultra-fine New Zealand Merino wool fibres (the gold standard for base layers) to ensure a soft touch on the skin, with seams designed to avoid any irritation or bunching up. It’s a trim fit with a low-profile neck, providing a light touch while doing some heavy warmth lifting. The bottom combines Merino wool with TENCEL fibres and nylon for a super-soft, super stretch fit. If you’re working a little harder on the hills, take comfort with the Merino’s natural anti-odour properties.
PANTS
Aestas Jogger
Arc’teryx’s climbing roots often shine through their products, as is the case of the warm Aestas Jogger. Perfectly suited to urban adventures or lazing about the house, these joggers flout flexible technical features designed to conquer crags, boulders and walls. The regular, articulated fit provides plenty of slack to twist, stretch and get that leg up over the slab. Designed for rock hugging, the jogger has an abrasion-resistant soft-shell with a high-rise waist to work with a harness. Beyond the wall, the Aestas functions beautifully as an everyday jogger with a little more heft to the fabric, making it ideal from granite walls to shopping malls.
ALL PURPOSE/MID-LAYER
Atom Hoody W
The Atom is the go-to Arc’teryx signature mid-layer for warmth, comfort, stretch and packability. It’s packed with little touches that make a big difference. We particularly like the stretch-knit cuffs, dual adjustable hem, internal hidden pockets and gusseted underarms, which keep the warmth in and the chill out. While it’s not a Gore-Tex rain shell, the Atom’s moisture resistance performed admirably in light rain and wind, with the synthetic insulation keeping things warm and breathable on the snowshoe trails. Available in a range of neutral colours, go with the brighter Dynasty if you’re looking for more visibility.
Kyanite Hoody W
If outdoor elements are less of a concern, this stretch-fleece hoody offers something that is both soft and warm. Four-way stretch and articulated patterning provide ample flexibility for climbs or cross-country exercise, with the non-bulky fit is ideal for layering over base layers and under an outer shell. Synthetic Polartec traps the warmth, with a snug, well-sized hoodie and nylon outer face for increased durability. Laminated zippers and a mesh key pocket keep whatever you’re carrying safe. The Kyanite is a light-yet-warm, anytime hoodie that comes in neutral colours to go anywhere with just about anything.
Cerium Hoody W
It’s -27C in the Rockies this morning, requiring a warmer mid-layer designed to crush today’s alpine adventure. Responsibly-sourced white goose down provides excellent warmth-to-weight, keeping things lightweight and easily packable. Synthetic insulation and plant-based liners in key areas increase moisture wicking and trap in the heat. We did notice the dark down feathers showing through our lighter green Mantis testing product, as the down is not bleached or dyed in line with the company’s sustainability goals. The trim fit works for layering, with a hem draw cord to keep the wind out and an adjustable, helmet-compatible hood. Great zipper action with an internal pocket and easy-to-grab pulls if you’re wearing gloves. The outer shell (made of recycled fabric) is moisture resistant and perfect for keeping warm in the city too.
OUTER LAYER/SHELL
Sentinel Jacket W
Sentinel Pant W
An outer shell to rule them all, the Sentinel combo can take on any winter adventure. Should you find yourself buried in powder or under a torrential downpour, the high-quality Gore-Tex will keep you dry. Fancy terms like 80D 3L ePE describe a shell that is incredibly light and strong, filtering out the wind and wet while allowing your skin to breathe. If you start overheating, simply use the easy-to-pull watertight pit or thigh zips to ventilate. Designed for use with a mid-layer, there’s some additional flannel on the jacket backing for insulation, with plenty of zippered pockets to keep phones, keys, ski passes and cards safe from the elements. The jacket has an elastic skirt while the pants have elastic cuffs to keep out the snow, and both link up through Arc’teryx’s Slide ‘n Loc™ system to form a single system. RECCO reflectors are built-in for added safety. If you’re looking for more warmth on the pants, consider the Sentinel Insulated Pant. For those spending serious time in the snow, the Sentinel is the only uniform you’ll ever need.
Andessa Down Jacket
The Andressa shell has a shorter length while adding extra warmth with down insulation, giving the jacket range well beyond the slopes. Interior warmth is courtesy of 750-fill European grey goose down (all responsibly sourced), an insulated and fully adjustable hood, and a soft down insulated collar. The Gore-Tex shell will take whatever you throw at her: snow, rain, ice or wind. A stitch-free baffle ensures the Gore-Tex shell maintains a lifetime of product integrity. Once again, the variety and ease-of-access to pockets impressed us in the field. A stylish yet oversized fit that accommodates most hoodies, if you run cold – on the mountain or in the city – the Andressa has you well-covered.
HEAD
Bird Head Toque
A striking and iconic Arc’teryx toque that is synonymous with the brand, the unisex beanie offers warmth, durability, and the lively embroidered fossil of an extinct flying dinosaur. Made of 50% Merino wool and 50% recycled polyester, it looks great and works better, soft on the ears and neck thanks to the brushed fabric band. Available in a wide range of colours.
GLOVES
Fission SV Glove
Ladies in our family tend to run hot-tempered with rather cold hands. The warmest thoroughbred in the Arc’teryx glove stable is the Fission, with Coreloft™ insulation inside and a double-weaved waterproof shell to take on ice-climbs or blizzardly urban crawls. Designed for maximum dexterity, a Gore-Tex insert keeps things waterproof yet breathable, and it has a long, adjustable sleeve to easily fit over layers. While the Fission is not touch-screen compatible, the reinforced leather palm and overall construction can take a real beating, in the city or on the slopes.
