EXCELLENT review. I just landed a “used once 2020 model” of this jacket on Depop for $48!! I think that takes the cake. 😎 Needless to say, I am STOKED.
You have the most in-depth reviews that I've ever come across for sports apparel. I've just picked up some used Arcteryx gear from a retired heliski guide. Really appreciate your work.
Thank you! I was not sure if it was the right jacket for me. This totally help me ! I finally bought one after watching your video and it's perfect for my use.
I am loving these detailed Arc'teryx reviews! Thank you. I had a question for you. I am looking for a jacket for skiing/mountaineering/hiking. I know it would be best to buy a dedicated jacket for each hobby, however, what would be the downsides to skiing in a Alpha SV? I am torn between the Rush/Cassiar and Alpha SV. I would like to eventually have a dedicated jacket for each occasion however, If I had to get by with one jacket for a year or two. Which would be the most versatile?
Thank you. Glad you love the reviews! The main downside to skiing in the Alpha SV would be the lack of ski specific features like the detachable powder skirt on both the Rush/Cassiar, as well as lack of removable DropHood as found on the Cassiar. The advantage of the Alpha SV is it is more durable all round and it is lighter than the Rush/Cassiar, thus making it a better hiking jacket than the Rush/Cassiar, and it's definitely a better mountaineering jacket than the Rush/Cassiar since that is what the Alpha SV was designed for. So if you can live without the ski specific features for a year or two, then the Alpha SV beats the Rush/Cassiar in 2 of the 3 activities you are intending to use the jacket for. Hope this helps!
Thank you! Yes, it's been revised this fall 2021 with a new Model # 26452. Previous model since fall 2018 was 21707. Unfortunately, Arc'teryx did not specify in their description page on what has been revised for Model 26452.
Glad you enjoyed the videos! Will try and review some of their ski hardshells, but unfortunately I don't have any at this moment. Generally speaking, the Rush and Sabre are all Backcountry Skiing focused which have StormHood and use more durable GoreTex, where the Cassier is for Resort Skiing which have a DropHood and 4-way stretch Goretex fabric.
the fact alone that the hood fits tight and you cant zip it up all the way steers me away from this jacket. If they fixed that issue, it would be the best ski jacket imo since most tend to have that issue
Thanks for watching and definitely agree that they need to fix this, as I see this same issue carried forward to their latest versions of the Macai. Not sure why they can't just copy and paste the bigger and perfect fitting Beta AR collar and hood measurements over to the Macai.
@@weekendgearguide yup, well it’s a good jacket regardless. But I think I’ll stick with my gore Tex north face jacket for now until the upgrade to an arcteryx lol.
Hello Eddy. Glad to hear you're enjoying the reviews! Let me ask if anyone I know has the Firebee I can review, but it may be a challenge given the cost.
Weekend Gear Guide Thank you for the prompt reply and the willingness to try! Much appreciated! I look forward to your new video. Have a great weekend!
i bought the phantasm one, at first i wanted something like black but the more i looked at it the more i fell in love with it. its a unique colour that looks really good. I just wasnt used to it at first
Nice video! Looking to buy a snow jacket for my husband from acrtyrex. He won’t be skiing but will be shoveling and snow blowing and using for just general cold weather. What jacket would be best for that?
Hello and thanks for watching! For a good all round cold weather winter jacket, check out the Arc'teryx Fission SV jacket, which Ranked # 2 for warmest synthetic winter jacket from Arc'teryx in my review ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-50SsBQHhdFM.html. It's also reasonably priced for Black Friday weekend sales.
Hi! Congratulations for your work making the tests. Let me ask you something. Would you choose this one or the Alpha IS for general use in hiking during cold days and also for a regular daily use (office, shopping, walk with the dog in winter...). Thanks!!! Greetings from Spain.
Greetings and thanks for watching! These 2 jackets as you saw have specialized uses, but to answer your question for your general cold weather use cases, I would choose the Alpha IS, due to having more adjustability with the hood, the 2 way zipper, the well fitting cuffs that don't need adjustment, and is lighter and you can add a Kyanite sweater or light down jacket for more warmth as shown in the Alpha IS video.
@@weekendgearguide thank you so much for answering! I was thinking the same. I have another synthetic isolated mid layer from Arcteryx and I couldnt be more happy with it! Light, warm enough, fast dry and very convenient for daily use, just missing waterproof and a bit warmer in winter, so I think the Alpha IS is the best choice. Thank you again and have a good day!
@@weekendgearguide Hi again! I have just received today my new Alpha IS and I subscribe all the review you did! I would like also to say that the lenght is larger than the regular isolated Arcteryx Jackets, so its very nice for the wind and the "crunchy" noise is not so uncomfortable like I could imagine. The jacket fitting is regular and for me (1,80m and 80kg) the M size fits comfortable and close enough to the body to not allow the wind to get inside. I will try this weekend into the Madrid mountains (about -3 Celsius and some wind). Thank you for your advice!
@@arturocifuentes7490 Glad to hear your received your new Alpha IS jacket! It will be perfect for your mountain trip even with just a long sleeve baselayer. Enjoy!
Hi and thanks for watching! Yes it seems the Black Diamond and TNF ski jackets in the video are now discontinued. The closest cheaper options would be the Helly Hansen Alpha LIFALOFT Insulated Ski Jacket and the Eddie Bauer Powder Search 2.0 3-In-1 Down Jacket. Cheers!
Hello and thanks for watching. Now that you mention it, I do feel a bit of the pit zipper pushed up against my armpit but not enough to be noticeable until you mentioned it and really try to pay attention to whether you can feel it there or not. Opening up the pit zipper makes it no longer noticeable.
They should have kept the fissle. Two drop pockets over the Macai and warmer and a hood that fully protects unlike the useless old style one from the Macai.
I think the Fissile was discontinued since it was too warm for backcountry skiers, which seems to be the main design intent based on the description: "The ultimate protection for backcountry skiing and snowboarding, the Arc'teryx Fissile Men's Jacket offers the unbeatable windproof and waterproof protection of three layers of N70p 3L GORE-TEX®. A combination of synthetic Coreloft™ and goose down gives you lightweight insulation in warm spots and a heavier barrier against heat loss everywhere else. Meshed PowderGuard™ underarm vents let excess body heat out without letting the powder in." Nowadays, Arc'teryx has gone very light on insulation for backcountry skiers, like the Rush IS jacket. But for resort skiing, I think the Fissile would be great, especially on those long cold windy chairlifts up to the top. But since the Macai was already designed for resort skiing, where all brands tend to use the drop hood design, the Fissile took the back seat unfortunately :-(
Hello and thanks for watching. The Macai shown is a size small, as described in ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-s43-aQjn54s.html timestamp.
Hello. I've used the Grangers Down Wash Kit with good success, and although it's meant for washing down, it also washes the Goretex fabric and inner liner without doing any harm. After washing, you can reapply Granger DWR if required and then dry it in the dryer with the included dryer balls in the kit.
@@weekendgearguide Well, I have a XS in the Gamma mx which fits snug and a atom LT hoody in small, do you think I can get the dimensions of your size small Macai for reference if possible, It would really help. Thanks
@@Schematex1 The dimensions of the F2018+ Model 21707 size small, according to the Q&A section from Arc'teryx website is: Chest: 116.5 cm Waist: 111.6 cm Back Length: 73.4 cm Sleeve Length: 94.5 cm However, it looks like Arc'teryx made another revision for F2021 Model 26452 where the Q&A section for size small chest is now 118.0 cm. Therefore, I suggest you go onto the Arc'teryx Q&A section submit you size question to them or call them directly at 1-866-458-2473
