Arc'teryx: King of the Hill

La Cordée

September 10, 2025

6 minutes

On the bed, in my hotel room in the village of Whistler, I notice there are transparent bags that weren't there the previous day. Inside the bags are a Rush jacket, a Sabre pant, and a softshell jacket to be used as a mid-layer.

No time to lose!

And yes! No time to lose, I'm putting them on right now! The measurements are perfect. I can honestly say without hesitation that I have never seen a coat and pants so well made. After a quick simulation, I find that the range of motion leaves nothing to be desired and it's the same for the operation of the zippers. After all, it was Arc'teryx who invented the first waterproof zippers, once upon a time, the inverted zippers called WaterTight. And what about the seams, except that they are perfect... carefully done by someone who masters their craft. And of course, this killer look! You feel like you can do anything in such an outfit.

To imagine better would be a monumental foolishness.

The hood is stunningly functional, with its 4, yes – 4 adjustment cords. Until now, I've never seen more than 3 adjustment cords on a hood. The Gore-Tex Pro is thick, thicker than regular Gore-Tex, but the fabric remains supple enough to follow your movements, without ever hindering you or giving you the impression that you are wearing a garment sewn from truck tarpaulin. This thickness provides increased protection, both from the wind and from the elements, as well as enhanced durability. It's really the best if you're expecting long-term durability.

CLOTHING TESTED IN THE BACKCOUNTRY

On the ground, on a splitboard at 3,000 meters of elevation in the backcountry, the Rush jacket and the Sabre pants are proving their worth. The two garments work together to offer a very high level of performance that will certainly exceed the expectations of the most seasoned ski touring and splitboarding enthusiasts. At no point did I stop to tell myself that this jacket wasn't breathing or wasn't protecting me enough from the wind. On the contrary, this essential equipment in this hostile landscape and climate helped put me in a relaxed and serene state of mind that helped me not to worry about my equipment, but rather to concentrate on more important things... like the proximity of this cliff that we are currently following. We are a hair's breadth from the edge. A misstep to the left, and it's the end. They won't even find my remains. Bye-bye!

No, none of that... just serenity, the intoxicating splendor of the breathtaking landscapes of the high mountain backcountry of Whistler and Blackcomb, and the overabundance of adrenaline that flows through my body during this kind of activity.

One after the other, I chain turns and my Rush/Sabre set performs wonderfully. At 3,000 meters of elevation, we are higher than the clouds and the wind is omnipresent, but it has never had the slightest chance of penetrating the Gore-Tex Pro. Sorry, Mr. Wind and Ms. Rain, this time, it's Arc'teryx who wins the game!

The Arc'teryx Sabre is currently the best possible jacket for ski touring! I wouldn't go without it anymore!

- Bastien, ski specialist at La Cordée Saint-Laurent

Climbing up with climbing skins, the zippers at the armpits and thighs unzip in two seconds. This way, air circulation is optimized for the climb by letting hot air escape. No matter what Mother Nature has in store for us, I have complete confidence in my clothing, which will allow me to finish our day in the backcountry in the greatest comfort.

OUTDOOR CLOTHING DESIGNED BY REAL PASSIONATE PEOPLE – THAT'S THE MAGIC RECIPE

Basically, it's technical clothing that works on its own, and without us having to worry about it, that we are looking for as outdoor enthusiasts, and on this occasion, fans of ski touring and splitboarding.

A visit to the Arteryx design center, delicately named Arc One, definitively convinces us of their know-how.

Arc’teryx was founded on the principles of a deep appreciation for the mountains and all they can offer us in the form of entertainment and the restorative power of the mountains for our bodies and minds, which demand and demand more.

Thank you Arc’teryx, thank you Mother Nature.