ARC’TERYX Squamish Jacket Overview

Backside Line

The Arc’teryx Squamish is an ultralight, wind-resistant shell that’s good for unpredictable climate. After testing it on every little thing from winter peaks to summer time hikes, the Squamish sits on the prime of our record of the perfect windbreakers. It’s packable, breathable, and designed for hikers, climbers, and recreators needing fast wind safety. Whether or not you’re mountaineering the path or scaling peaks, it’s your go-to for light-weight safety.

The Squamish’s nylon development is among the stretchiest and most cellular of any jacket we examined. This makes it nice for actions like climbing, working, or snowboarding the place a variety of movement is required. With nice breathability, the Squamish is a wonderful selection for cardio outings which require a light-weight shell to guard in opposition to the weather.

Though it’s one of the costly windbreakers in the marketplace, the Squamish is constructed with Arc’teryx’s excessive degree of sturdiness and a focus to element. We’ve worn one Squamish jacket for the final decade, and it has held up extraordinarily properly with no rips, tears, or failures. Should you’re trying to spend money on a high-quality piece of drugs, look no additional than the Squamish.

How We Examined

Over two months, we wore the Squamish jacket on hikes and runs in addition to backcountry and cross-country ski journeys to area take a look at its efficiency in a number of circumstances. Our checks consisted of real-world publicity to the wind and parts. We additionally used a blow drier to check wind resistance and likewise accomplished a one-hour run whereas deliberately overdressed to check its breathability and moisture administration.

Wind & Climate Resistance

We took the Squamish out in a wide range of circumstances from dry and windy days to moist and wild days in Alaska’s Chugach and Talkeetna Mountains. Our blow drier take a look at additionally confirmed it to be fully windproof. Like most windbreakers, it doesn’t preserve you dry in a rain storm, however the 30-denier shell with DWR remedy does bead and repel gentle moisture. The brimmed hood is a superb addition to assist block wind and precipitation – it even acts like a hat invoice to shade the face from the solar.

This shell is barely thicker than others examined giving it a slight edge over the competitors in terms of climate resistance. The Squamish is a protecting layer that we advocate for blustery days. 

Breathability

Though the shell of the Arc’teryx is on the thicker facet, it nonetheless breathes extraordinarily properly. We examined this jacket whereas out backcountry ski touring, mountain working, and snowshoeing and located it to be one of many prime performers in breathability. There was no extra buildup of moisture throughout the jacket or emotions of claminess. This makes the Squamish considered one of our prime selections for cardio actions the place we anticipate sweating however nonetheless want an additional layer for heat and wind resistance.

Weight & Packability

The Arc’teryx Squamisth jacket is a superb layer to stash within the backside of a pack in case the wind picks up and also you want an additional layer. With the power to pack into its zippered chest pocket, the Squamish is extraordinarily packable. An added loop makes it simple to clip to a backpack or climbing harness. 

We had no downside stuffing this jacket right into a working vest or perhaps a working belt. With a measured weight of 5 ounces (males’s medium) being virtually similar to the said weight of 4.9 oz, this isn’t the lightest jacket in the marketplace. It weighs twice as a lot as a number of the lighter fashions we examined. This added weight possible comes from the marginally thicker materials used. Nonetheless, we discovered that the marginally elevated climate resistance and luxury had been price it for the minor weight penalty.

Consolation & Match

Labeled as a fitted lower, the Squamish is a jacket with an athletic focus. Its barely trimmer profile makes it higher fitted to slender our bodies or for sporting with no mid-layer beneath. Whereas testing the Squamish within the Alaskan winter, we wore a mid-layer and light-weight vest beneath whereas backcountry snowboarding within the Talkeetna Mountains. The jacket was noticeably tighter and match higher with solely a base layer beneath. Double cinches within the waist and a cinch at the back of the hood assist dial within the match and preserve the jacket safe on windy outings.

That is considered one of our prime selections for a trim and alpine-focused jacket with solely the naked requirements.

Ought to You Purchase the Arc’Teryx Squamish Jacket?

Shopping for the Arc’teryx Squamish is an funding in one of the well-crafted and sturdy windbreakers on the market. Whereas the excessive worth level might not be the perfect match for entry-level recreators, it should absolutely discover a place in most individuals’s closets as an important piece of drugs. The marginally thicker materials makes it heavier than different jackets examined, however it’s loads packable, stuffing inside its personal chest pocket. The brimmed hood is helmet-compatible with out feeling overly giant. 

General, the Squamish is a extremely versatile and classy layer that’s nice for year-round use for a lot of actions. It stays considered one of our favourite windbreakers in the marketplace for its nice breathability, excessive performance, and modern design. This stretchy and elastic jacket is ideal for climbers, bikers, or anybody who requires a excessive diploma of mobility.

What Different Windbreaker Ought to You Take into account?

Head to our gear information to see the total lineup of finest windbreakers.

Patagonia Houdini Overview: Packing into its chest pocket just like the Squamish, the Houdini is one other light-weight choice at a barely cheaper price level.

Black Diamond Alpine Begin Overview: Equally elastic, the Alpine Begin is extraordinarily cellular however with a barely bigger match to layer beneath extra simply.

Montbell Tachyon Overview: If the Squamish is a bit heavy in your style, the Tachyon is among the lightest jackets in our lineup and is barely noticeable when worn.