Arc'teryx Epsilon SV Hoody - our excellent work jacket
We’re proud to be supported by Arcteryx (from start of 2009) and we’ve been using various items from their extensive range since June. The kit’s been used and abused over the course of a full summer season in the Alps, plus various personal trips, so now we’ve a really good feel for how it all performs.
Guiding is a tough testing ground, quickly exposing poor design or manufacture – one season being the equivalent of several years average use – but after the initial hammering our suspicions were confirmed: Arcteryx make some of the best kit money can buy. There’s quite a lot to comment on, so we’ll feed it onto the blog gradually over the next few weeks.
Epsilon SV Hoody
The Epsilon is our everyday summer guiding jacket and it’s proved incredibly versatile. Worn by 8 different guides with around 200 days use in total, it’s been out on long sunny rock routes, chilly morning glaciers, mixed routes, snowy ridges, north faces and posh café terraces, the overall verdict being: awesome.
This versatility is mainly due to the fabrics balance of breathability/wind proofing; whilst not as weather proof as some fabrics such as Powershield or other membrane softshells, the payback is more comfort across a wider range of temperatures. The trademark Arteryx cut is the next thing that strikes you – built on performance, with minimal excess fabric – it looks great and stays tucked into your harness all day.
Other features we like: The cuffs are simple, no Velcro to catch or wear out – just a comfy snug fitting elastic panel which is weather proof without being restrictive. The pockets take a folded map and sit above the harness line and are mesh lined for extra venting if required.
The hood is also well thought out too – it’s a good compromise size for a jacket of this type, working well with or without a helmet. Overall this a top jacket, well suited to European Alpine summer conditions and we’re looking forward to testing it out on ice and ski tours in a couple of months!
