If you spend any time with me in the outdoors, you’ll quickly learn a few things:
1. I value quality gear, knowing that it could someday mean the difference between life and death;
2. I love gear that combines functionality with style, giving me clean lines in vibrant colors; and
3. I am very hard on my gear and expect it to stand up to a lot of abuse.
In need of a new shell after tearing through 2 higher end Gore-Tex shells in less than 12 months, I picked up an Arc’teryx Theta AR in Violet Wine from Arc'teryx Seattle. Designed to be an all around jacket, I instantly fell in love with the longer fit of the Theta. At 5’10 with an athletic frame, I often struggle to find something that sits comfortably on my long torso and this jacket nails it. It’s roomy enough that I can fit a Cerium SV and base layer underneath but streamlined enough that it doesn’t add bulk when worn by itself. The color is a fun, bright pop that stands out on the ice and snow—letting my group find me easily if we get split up.
The hood can be cinched down nice and tight and easily accommodates my helmet—a key detail when cruising down the slopes or hanging on a windy crag. With a mix of Gore-Tex Pro in 40 and 80 denier respectively, it’s lightweight at 420 grams but durable enough to take a beating when tossed into my pack with my other gear. I have worn it in driving snow, rain, and sunshine and found it to be incredibly comfortable and watertight. Extra shout-out to the pit zips which don’t chafe or cause any discomfort when open for venting, even in a tank!
Photo credit: the incredibly talented Mitch Pittman. Check out his account for more inspiring shots!
In sum, it’s an incredible all-around jacket that’s built to last, especially for my fellow long-torsoed ladies. Check out the Arc’teryx website for more info.