Arc'teryx Squamish Hoody First Look

I finally have a windshirt! After the discussion over on Martin's blog I decided it is time to get one, and I settled on the Arc'teryx Squamish Hoody. It is 141 g on my scale (I reckon I can get it a bit lower still after pimping it), for a size S. I was wearing it on my daytrips around town and to the beach, and also when cycling it is making a good figure thus far.


A nice hood.


Full zip and a front pocket.

It has a good DWR as I was able to test during the occasional thunderstorm we had, and the hooded brim is good to keep rain and wind out of my face. Drawcords at the hem, elastic cuffs with velcro and the front pocket round it out. It will be my main jacket on the next couple of trips, accompanied by an umbrella for those really wet days =) Review in the autumn, but thus far I am very happy with it.


And it is black!


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27 Questions, comments, observations:

  1. I also got some more Arc'teryx gear to test on those trips, in equally nice colours and great details. So stay tuned =)
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  2. I thought you were boycotting Arc'teryx due to their refusal to use recycled materials?

    I have an Arc'teryx Beta jacket, which I love. Superb cut and attention to detail.
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  3. Ahh, the humble windshirt, quite possibly the greatest piece of outdoor clothing ever invented. Summer or winter I wouldn't leave home without one.

    The Squamish looks particularly good, especially with that protective hood.
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  4. Apparently not, Fraser =) In comparison to eg Rab they at least have bothered with an Environmental Statement and give a reason why they use non-renewable materials (not a very good one, yes, but at least they let us know). Rab otoh still hasn't bothered about a Env. Statement and use pretty much the same material as Arc'teryx.

    Beta jacket sounds good!
    Yeah Joe, I finally joined the club oh windshirt owners, and like it!
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  5. Hooray! A windshirt with adjustable cuffs :)
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  6. £50 more than a Montane Litespeed. Are adjustable cuffs worth £50? :(
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  7. Robin, indeed it is a bit pricey (not as pricey as the Norrona stuff, though) but those cuffs are really great. They're elastic and have velcros, so you can adjust the size but stretch them a bit if needed (for example for gloves). If it is worth 50£ is in the eye of the beholder ;)
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  8. I reckon it's great looking kit but I always reckon the price is a bit prohibitive and similar items that do the same job and are of the same quality can be bought for cheaper. I'm not really that fussed about how it looks in the greater scheme of things just how it performs (and how long it lasts). That said I've not owned any Arc'teryx kit due to its general cost so I can't comment decisively and would of course be happy to be advised otherwise.
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  9. It looks good on you - it fits in your "blackpacking" concept :)

    In Sweden it's pricier than a comparable Norröna...
    But I still don't think 130 euro is too much for a jacket (some people happily pay over 600 euro for jackets. THAT's too much). A heavier Fjällräven jacket with the same use is considerably more expensive. It's just in your mind if you think "jacket", not "windshirt". There is always cheeper, and uglier, alternatives, though.

    I wish the Swedish agent had managed to borrow me one for our trip in Vålådalen... bo-hohoo.
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  10. Pimp my windshirt, how are you going to do that Mr Hendrik?
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  11. James, I pimp by cutting and eliminating unnecessary details and labels!

    Martin, blackpacking ftw! You should get once more in touch with that agent, its worth the trouble.

    Weekend Dude, looks are secondary, performance is everything. So far the Squamish performs superb, but this being my first windshirt/ jacket, I can not compare it to similar products from eg Montane or Norrona. Arc'teryx is known for making durable garments of the highest quality, so I reckon that is why they cost what they cost. My motto still is too rather buy once expensive the best quality instead of many times the cheaper alternatives of less quality. Which doesn't mean that generally cheap = crap, but in my experience it often is the case.
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  12. One make of kit I have long overlooked. Always seemed overpriced and climber focused. I must pay more attention to their kit. Nice jacket and cuffs that adjust are a good design feature. With out a doubt the most versatile and useful bit of kit bar none.
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  13. Lightening up...Jul 20, 2010 02:16 PM
    Seems nice. 'ryx is making some very interesting kit but the prices are too high IMO. But if you can (and want to) afford it - it'll likely be good. I've heard that the cut and fit used to slimmer and is now closer to the baggy cut that most manufacturers use. What do you think about the cut, Hendrik?

    And about black: too hot in sunny weather. I hope someone would make eVent trousers with long side sipeprs and in light color!

    The best thing in windshirt IMO is that it is mosquito proof. I've found that if the weather is bad I can walk in my hard shell and if weather is good I manage in shirt. So there is good cahce to save the weight of the windshirt! ;) But when I have some loose money I'll buy the Rab Cirrus for protection from mosquitoes and it also fullfills some racing rules (mandatory jacket).
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  14. Hmm, so its lighter than mine but still sports a hood with a beak and and pocket... Also, longer arms. Oh 130 euro? Getthefuckoutaheeea.
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  15. how does this jacket perform in longer rains? do you think it can replace e.g. a driduck jacket?
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  16. Martin, thanks for stopping by - it was your post that gave me finally the incentive to get one. I will see how it works on the trail and get back with a review later.

    Lightening up, yep, prices are high. I think it is a very slim, at least it ain't baggy on me!

    Roli, can't say as I only tried it during thunderstorms and the occasional rain shower, and there were no problems with it there. It is too sunny & hot here!
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  17. Hi there, i love the squamisch, got the same. Also got other windshirts, Montane, Mountain Equipment, Cannondale, etc. Good choice though. And yes, it is woth every penny. Flo
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  18. Has anyone had their fingers on a Norröna Bitihorn Aero 60? What's the fabric like?

    The fabric of the Squamish is together with Tierra Scirocco the best I've felt - I want it to feel good against bare skin - but since I'm a bit sensitive to large logotypes, the Bitihorn is better looking. If I ever get a windshirt/jacket, it's going to be my everyday jacket, so I'm picky.
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  19. Hi Hendrik

    Good to see windshirts are back in vogue.

    Great bits of kit, the original softshells.
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  20. Hey Hendrik.

    Any chance of a review of the Squamish Hoody and perhaps also RAB Demand pull-on?

    Thank you for all your work.

    Stefan Toft
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  21. Stefan, Rab Demand review coming soon, hopefully next week. Squamish review a bit later. What you want to know?
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  22. I'm looking to get a Squamish myself- mid-winter and everyone is sold out of my size.

    Martin - I have a Norrøna Bitihorn Aero 60. The fabric is a light polyester. It's matte and has a soft hand, not crinkly and/or shiny like a lot of light wind jackets. Feels good against the skin, not clammy. Fabric is quite breathable.

    It's heavier than others but Montane and Patagonia, but it does come with a lot of features- larger hood, waist draw cord, velcro around the wrists, hood draw cord, chest pocket. Feature set seems very similar to the Squamish and is around an ounce heavier.

    For USians debating between the Norrøna and Arc'teryx: the Norrøna costs quite a bit less than the Arc'teryx- $50 less! The Bitihorn Aero 60 goes for USD $99 at Backcountry and the Arc'teryx Squamish for $149.
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  23. Thanks for your comment, Rev - and a good find on the Norrøna Bitithorn, it is a lot more expensive here in Europe.
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  24. Stefan, Rab Demand review coming soon, hopefully next week. Squamish review a bit later. What you want to know?
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  25. I am 5 11 and around 41 chest size , 170 lb, should I go Medium or Large? Arcteryx sizing is confusing.

    Peter from NY
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  26. Hei Peter, do you have a chance to try it on somewhere, or order it at a shop which lets you return the one which doesn't fit? I also have no idea what 5 11 is in centimeter, though maybe as a help, I am 175 cm and 66 kg. 
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  27. Oh, so then I am pretty much the same height, only 10 kg more :) , you wear S so I will try Medium,
    yeah I can always return it, but the sweet deal was on Ebay, which can be tricky when it comes to getting your money back. Thnx for your reply...

    Peter
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