The Men's Sidewinder SV Jacket has been an iconic Arc'teryx jacket for years and years. This season it has been redesigned "with enhanced GORE-TEX® Pro fabric with a softer face." Cool. I loved it before the redesign.... guess I have enhanced love for it now. A softer love. This hard shell is packed with so many features I could write a book about them. Once upon a time there was the best snowsports jacket ever. The End. Combining elemental protection, durability, light weight, and that cool offset zipper by the face, this shell will exceed every expectation. It also has a hidden Recco® reflector for increased avalanche safety.
Stand at the edge of a precipice, unclench your white-knuckled fists, and know that whatever happens once you're moving down the mountain, you'll be dry in the Arc'teryx Men's Sidewinder SV Jacket. Part of the Whiteline lineup, the Sidewinder SV is a refined version of its lean-and-mean self for big-mountain exploits and storm-proof protection. From technical mountain routes to powdery face shots at the resort to brutal weather in the backcountry, the Sidewinder takes it in stride.
Exceptionally breathable and rugged, N80p-X Gore-Tex Pro 3L shell fabric resists the bumps and bruises of cliff-hucking and trick-flipping. Gore-Tex gets you, and the Pro technology stands at the ready for your hot-and-cold approach to adventure: one minute you're racing up a hill or across a bowl, and then next minute you're kicking back a on snow bench for a quick bite to eat. Sweat won't get the best of you, stopped or on the move. When the sun comes out and temperatures rise, open the underarm vents to let off some hot air.
Arc'teryx engineers made a few tweaks to bring the Sidewinder into the second decade of the 21st century. An offset Vislon front zipper, stretch powder skirt with Slide n' Loc jacket-to-pant attachment, and sleekly modern silhouette make this jacket ready for the snow-covered catwalk. The usual bells and whistles haven't been forgotten. The helmet-compatible hood moves with your head to prevent blind spots, and the multitude of pockets provide plentiful storage.
Cuffs: | Laminated die-cut Velcro® cuff adjusters |
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Fabrics/Materials: | N80p-X GORE-TEX® Fabric with 3L lo-loft soft shell backer |
Fit: | Generous cut for easy layering |
Hem: | Laminated hem with adjustable hem drawcord |
Hood: | Helmet compatible Storm Hood™ with Stealth hood adjusters |
Powder Skirt: | Powder skirt with gripper elastic and snap closure |
Seam Sealed: | Tiny GORE® seam tape |
Type of Waterproofing: | GORE-TEX |
Ventilation: | Laminated pit zippers |
Weight (M): | 17.5 oz / 594 g |
Windproof: | Yes |
Zipper: | WaterTight™ external zippers and WaterTight™ contoured Sidewinder™ front zip |
It's rare for me to give 5 stars to anything, but this shell deserves it. I usually wear a soft shell or fleece on mild days, and a shell in storms, wind, and/or extreme cold. I ski a lot in the Eastern Sierra and it is known to be very windy. 60+mph on the ridge lines. I've never owned a shell as windproof as the Sidewinder. Absolutely amazing. This is probably due to the GoreTex ProShell, so any shell with this material would be a good one to consider. During moderate mid-season whether (28-35 F) the breatheability of the shell was top shelf. While skiing aggressive lines there wasn't a drop of perspiration on the inside of the shell (I usually wear a base layer and a 1/4 zip underneath in weather above 25 F). Even on the rare occasion I'm wearing it on a blue bird day (34 F) the breatheablity and the pit zips make it very comfortable. I contemplated buying this shell for 2 seasons but held off because of the cost. Let's be honest, this thing is obnoxiously expensive. It sounds cliche, but I wish I bought it sooner. I'm 6'1" 185lbs the the L fit me well and has plenty of room to layer. I'm a advanced /expert skier and I didn't feel restricted once. If you are considering this shell, and your current gear is letting you down, spend the money. My previous shell was North Face. I'll never touch HyVent again. Nowhere close to the same ballpark as the ProShell Gortex in the Sidewinder. I promise you, after the season, you won't remember the cost of the shell, but you'll be satisfied with your investment and not freezing on the chair, during high winds, while wet.
This jacket has a great fit, and just the right amount of pockets and features. I know the sidewinding zippers are love or hate, but for me this collar offered the most coverage from the elements when skiing. Hood fits over a ski helmet, but as expected it doesn't offer much mobility. Tough tough fabric, and clean lines makes this a winner. I find that with Arc shells I needed to step down a size from their other pieces.
This jacket fits on me perfectly (6'3" 180lb) and the zipper allows for the perfect amount of space. I really like the form fitting powder skirt as well, keeps the warmth in and the snow out. On days where the temperature drops into the single digits or less I like to have a nice warm mid layer to accompany. This jacket is especially excellent at repelling harsh wind.