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Arc'Teryx Gamma LT Jacket Review
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Upside: Lightweight, windproof, bombproof Downside: So styley you’ll want to wear it everyday round town. Form fitting. Rating: ^^^^ (4 out of 5 peaks) Ideal User: All Mountain Activity. Our favorite for cool weather climbing, trail running or hiking. Apre-extreme and ultra-light weight freaks.
Building on their popular Gamma LT pullover, Arcteryx has added a full front zipper and side pockets for increased versatility and comfort. This is a lightweight wind jacket great for virtually any mountain activity from running to climbing. Constructed with Schoeller Dynamic fabric, Schoeller of Switzerland is the hottest name in tech apparel this season. The 4 way stretch fabric is bombproof. One REI salesperson noted they cannot keep products made of Schoeller® Dynamic fabric in stock. Combined with the always impressive Arc'Teryx construction, The Gamma LT Jacket also provides good breathability and at 12.6 oz |(356.5 grams) is lightweight enough o meet our ultra-lightweight garment distinction. This Super-tough nylon stretch woven fabric offers protection against wind and rock, yet with lightness and stretchability it allows freedom of movement without constraint. The jacket easily compresses into any pack, allowing it to be an excellent choice as a post activity, cool-down layer. And we do mean, cool as this Jacket is superbly styled. It may just be your new all around jacket of choice this spring/summer. We began our test of the Gamma LT jacket on a typical Northwest spring day-cool weather, occasional showers. During a steep climb above tree line the jacket kept the wind at bay, while not heating us up. Compressed in our daypack, it proved ideal for the summit as our bodies cooled down over lunch and provided protection as we scrambled atop some granite to the true summit. The form fitting Gamma LT allowed us free arm and torso movement, but with a toughness unlike most other fabrics. This jacket will last a long, long time.
On our descent we again donned the Gamma LT, warding off the cold and wet of the rain. The Adjustable waist with a hidden cord-lock in the pocket and the Velcro™ wrist adjustments, allowed us to tighten things down against the elements, further keeping out the cold. The wind flap behind the front zip and Doeskin collar providing warmth and softness against the skin further keeps the weather at bay. Although the super wet days spent outdoors is where these fabrics do fear to tread. But for a lightweight, wind jacket great for virtually any mountain activity this is the one. Arc’Teryx also makes a Gamma pullover and new full length pants, both with all the great construction and style of the Gamma LT Jacket. Arc’Teryx was the first company to provide MountainZone.com a soft-shell sample this past winter from their "ascent" collection.
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— Reviewed & Written by Amy Tucker, MountainZone.com Staff | |
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