Arcteryx
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@teddyjay I think these days you have to be very select about what you buy from them. I think the Alpha is still made in Canada, and the stuff not made in China (mostly Vietnam now I think) is slightly better than the Chinese made synthetics.
Outdoor brands haven’t been helped quality wise by the chemical change to DWR and Goretex either, the material is flimsier and the DWR doesn’t last as long.
Although, it’s better for the planet so that’s a bonus.
If I’m buying fleece or waffle knit zip ups I like to look for an older used piece in decent conditon, I looked at the newer ones in the Flat Iron store in New York last year and they were not impressive.
That’s a hell of an Arc collection by the way.
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Arcteryx fan here. I’ve owned quite a bit of their gear over the years but only really use the Beta LT now. It’s an awesome minimalist shell and is very versatile. Here’s a pic of me wearing it in Taos with my daughter a couple years back. Overdue thread @Megatron1505 thanks for starting one!
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Looking good @SKT
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@Megatron1505 have you reapplied their DWR spray on any of yours? I bought some with their washing detergent but didn’t need to use it after wash/dried. The gortex got reactivated, and no more wet spots. Imagine in the future will need to spray it down
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@meatmarketdenim1 I’ve used their down wash on my Thorium then re-applied DWR and also just last weekend washed my Zeta and re-applied the DWR. Both worked a treat for me, but I did use a shit load of DWR on both.
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@Megatron1505
Thanks for the info, I’ll test mine out again after next wash/dry . Didn’t wanna apply it too soon if didn’t need to. The gore Tex jackets get a lot of wear in the winter here but it’s just city life, to work and back, dog walks etc ,on those Rainy/windy days. They’re still in really good shape. -
For what it’s worth, I used to be a huge Arc’teryx fan. They were subsequently sold to Anta (a Chinese company), who left the BCI (better cotton initiative) to continue using cotton from the Xinjiang region of China (where forced/slave labor of Uighar muslims to work crop fields has been reported). Of course, I’m not an international trade expert, or cotton expert, or clothing expert, or… you get the point. I also don’t support 3Sixteen (India) and Post O’alls (China) for reasons in the same bucket. Again, I’m not an expert, I can’t say I have even a tenth of the information, and I could be completely wrong in my decision.
Iron heart appears to be a company that supports ethical manufacturing, fair pay for workers, environmentally conscious sourcing and development practices, and just plain appears to treat people well. It’s becoming harder and harder to find clothing companies to purchase from that can say all of those things. So, very grateful to you guys and the work that you do!
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I have an Atom that I downsized as a mid layer, under a IH CPO, for riding motorcycles in the winter. That and my 362 is all that’s needed in the 30f range. I love that thing.
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@Megatron1505 system? I dont have one. Other than no cotton if its cold and snowy.
Read the thread and thats some serious apparel, you guys know alot more about it than I do. -
@Buckeye , I didn’t know about them leaving the BCI, that’s not good at all. I know what you mean about the difficulty in finding ethically sourced…..well, anything these days.
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@steelworker , it can get a bit of an obsession, which is something most folks here can relate to.
The whole layering system thing is probably the most common question asked on Reddit Arcteryx threads. People really seem to want to know how others stack their clothing on cold days.
I think it’s the outdoor clothing worlds equivalent of “how breathable is that denim” ?
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@seawolf , low key ninja style, I like it.
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It’s great stuff. I have a few items but have no idea what they are called. I most recently got a light waterproof jacket for my trip to Ireland back in May. Of course it didn’t rain a drop for the entire trip. Probably the nicest weather I have ever experienced there. But that’s the way it goes.
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I just bought a vintage (2006) Gamma MX hoodie from Vinted for next to nothing (£40).
The taped seam at the bottom has been stitched in place, and it’s a little faded around the seams but it should be great for hikes in crap weather without worrying too much about it.
I’ll throw it in the wash with some Arcteryx soap and replace the DWR when it gets here then throw some pics up.
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I have a fairly good sized collection of Arc’teryx, I’m in BC so it was a local brand. I bought all of my stuff before COVID. The brand has completely lost its way and the quality has nose dived on a lot of the products since they were bought out. It’s basically a hype beast brand and here in BC it’s basically just considered a flex to wear it to show how much money you spent.
Patagonia is a better brand and FAR better warranty for 99% of the population. There’s very few people who need the weight savings from Arc’teryx.
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Only have one piece.
Got it in january from a friend who had stocked up on these Leaf stuff.
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Looking toasty @PJ and that looks like the perfect piece for Norway.
I bought this Veilance Mionn for our Norway trip but I think it will get a lot of use this fall.
It is a hair lighter than an Atom hoody but obviously a different cut.
It fits a hair large but will be good for layering. It also has these massive chest pockets than can fit anything that my Bellroy sling can. Great design.
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@nrtphotos I think you have to be quite careful about what Arcteryx items you buy these days in terms of quality. After my Gamma MX purchase today, which is made in Canada, I’m interested in looking back at some vintage stuff.
The brand is not too well known where I am (in the UK) so its still more of an “if you know, you know” thing over here.
