Arcteryx shells (overpriced - yes, the best - ?)

[stu]

Keen to hear peoples thoughts on top-end shell jackets.
Anyone have any experience with the Arcteryx Alpha SV or any of their other shell jackets?

http://arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?Mens/J ... -SV-Jacket

Any other top of the line 3 layer jackets anyone can recommend / comment on?

I am in the market for a new jacket & am prepared to pay for the good stuff.
Having said this I do a heap of off track walking so am aware that they get trashed pretty badly;
this forces a bit of a contradiction in quality / price / durability:
should I use a bottom end shell jacket like I already have (Macpac Aspiring) & wear, say, a Gore-Tex Paclite or similar light weight shell underneath?

Keen to hear peoples thoughts / comments.

Cheers.
Stu.

[stepbystep]

Interesting there is no protection over the zips, assuming they are v. good quality and water tight I'd still be concerned with scrub damaging these areas....

[bushrunner]

The lack of protection over the zips is probably due to their design as alpine climbing jackets. High, cold snow tends to be relatively dry.

My wife type's jacket uses a similar design with a waterproof zip and an inner stormflap. Pretty new and only worn on daywalks so far so I can't really way what it is like in heavy, extended rain but seems good under the shower.

[nakedape]

I'd really like to hear what you discover stubowling - I'm also in the market for a new jacket but cant decide on the quality/ claims of many of the manufacturers. I'm torn between high end, with the potential for a lot of tears if it goes wrong, and low end with the knowledge of frequent replacement

nakedape

[Nuts]

Stu, that a lot of money to pay for a climbing style shell jacket.... I have similar from Marmot (Pro and XCR) and they can be had for $2-300.. As this style is the most popular worldwide the things are everywhere!

If your happy with that style why not consider eVent, at least it would 'breathe'...

I have a Outdoor Research Jacket with that zip style (no cover inside or out) It seems ok, im usually wet from perspiration long before i would notice any leaks though... and its a paclite jacket...

[Justin1970]

I have had an Arcteryx Theta AR outer shell for 3 years now - mainly for alpine climbing but also some bushwalking. It has been great - the Gore-tex Pro Shell fabric is tough and fairly breathable and i do use the pit zips when it gets warm.
Also, the stitching is top-notch (excuse the pun) with a very high thread-count and the fit and finish are excellent too. I paid top dollar for it (around $900) but have tried not to treat it like a precious commodity and it has survived plenty of scraping up against rock, ice and scrub.
There are others i looked at but, as i stated at the start, it is mainly for alpine climbing and that environment so i went with the Theta AR. Would highly recommend it although it is definitely pricey! Dunno whether you have access to an overseas buyer/trader, as you will save a bomb.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Juz

[jocielou]

I have just bought a Theta AR - Ive been looking for a new shell and I stumbled across one in my size at 50% off Meant it was a bit more in my price range and more competitive with the other options I had in mind - would never be able to justify the $900 on a student budget

First impressions are good and Ill hopefully try it out in the bush soon and Ill post an updated review then.