Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Gamma MX Hoodie

I have the same complaint for all lightweight windresistant softshells. Pit zips would be great.

I bought this jacket because I heard great things about Arc'teryx and was looking for a mid-layer for skiing. It served me well during my recent ski trips that had temperatures ranging from the low negatives to a coldest of -12 degrees celcius. I was always warm when skiing and only felt cold when I was resting for long periods or on the ski lifts. The Gamma MX does a great job at dumping heat and is incredibly breathable. I wear it for hiking and running, and it has always kept me dry. It is also surprisingly water resistant and keeps rain and snow out pretty decently. I appreciated the big pockets, the shoulder pocket and the large hood. I also enjoyed its shorter length, which tucks well under my current ski jacket. I felt that it could be improved by adding thicker fleece, which would have made the jacket warmer and more suitable for the winter. Maybe because its main purpose is to ensure breathability, the Gamma MX does a poor job at keeping wind out. When I was in London, I found it hard to go out in just this jacket and a T shirt in 7 degree celcius weather. It simply does not do a good job at keeping the cold air out. For this price, there are better jackets that keep you warm but perhaps not that many that are as breathable as the Gamma MX.

TL;DR: I do a lot of hiking/trekking during the fall, winter and spring, and this jacket is an ideal piece for that type of mostly-mild aerobic activity. -> Background In the past, I found myself constantly adding/shedding top layers during a hike in order to maintain a comfortable temperature (e.g. ascending a slope, level ground with blustering winds, etc...). I've been able to avoid that almost entirely using this jacket along with the appropriate layers depending on the weather. -> Fit and Feel Dimensions: 5'11" / 165 lbs / coat size 40R / waist size 32" I bought this jacket in a size Medium and it fits me well. It has a tapered fit in the arms but provides ample room in the chest and armpits for articulation. The bottom hem is shorter than some jackets and might feel odd at first, but it's actually the right length if you're going to perform some activity that requires a lot of hip mobility. The jacket is constructed of a stretch material and I have noticed that, after a good amount of use, the jacket has contoured itself to my upper body shape. It now feels like it a custom-fit piece. If you wear a thin fleece underneath it, you might feel some pulling in the shoulders and arms. The inside of the jacket has a fleece backing that will cling to anything underneath it that does not have a slick surface. This becomes less of an issue once the jacket is worn-in because your movement will basically "rub the backing smooth". -> Layering suggestions My opinion: YOU CANNOT WEAR A THICK MID-LAYER UNDERNEATH THIS JACKET. I will wear a 150/200g base layer along with a lightweight fleece under this jacket, but that's it. If I really need to use a heavier mid-layer, either because it's brutal cold outside or my activity is not aerobic enough, then I reach for a different piece. Here are some examples of how I layer with this jacket: * 10 to 13 Celsius short-sleeve(150g) & MX * 5 to 10 Celsius long-sleeve(150g) & MX * -3 to 5 Celsius long-sleeve(150g), Delta LT & MX * -6 to -3 Celsius long-sleeve (200g), Fortrez Hoody & MX * -7 and below brrr....bump up to an Atom LT and a shell -> Final thoughts * This piece will NOT keep you warm on its own if it's cold outside and you're stationary. Always keep a warm jacket in your pack in case you need to stop moving. * Open all of the pockets if you need to dump heat and the weather is bad. The have mesh lining that will allow heat to dissipate quickly, but the jacket will still protect against the wind/light rain. * Bring a hard shell with you in case you get caught in a downpour, but I'm sure you already do that. ;)

Great looking jacket. I live in the city and its great for rainy windy days. Its extremely waterproof and breathable.

Overall I think this is a good jacket. The problem I have with it is a 'jack of all trades - master of none'. It's described as 'mixed weather' and from experience it will take moderate rain for around 20 minutes before I feel the firsts signs of moisture getting in. Usually around the hood or shoulders. It's certainly not waterproof as some reviewers suggest. Just look at the zip design. They're not designed to be waterproof. So I'd say it will take a shower comfortably at best. It is breathable. I think this function works very well. When exerting ones self I haven't noticed it holding perspiration or any accumulation inside, for example when wearing a backpack. It's also wind proof but you have to use the draw cords around the hem to be sure of this. It's not elasticated here. It would be better if it was to some degree. Although I try to avoid washing technical clothing as much as possible I have washed this several times. It retains all original functionality and shows very little signs of wear which is a tribute to its design and materials. My biggest gripe is I expected it to be warmer as a stand alone layer. For example, if you were to wear it over a t shirt on a cool summers evening. It's described as having an insulating later. This is misleading. This soft shell is almost miraculously thin. It has an even thinner felt/ fleece lining to most of the inside. Whereas this adds comfort when worn directly over the skin such as bare arms I doubt it offers any significant level of insulation. The jacket is simply too thin to trap air/ heat. My advice to Arcteryx would be to remove or at least water down this claim to avoid dissatisfaction and instead focus on the jackets strengths for which there are many.

Overall I really like this jacket. The Hard Coral is a beautiful orangey-red. I love the fleece lining...very cozy and not too warm. It is a great jacket for light drizzle, but likely wouldn't wear it for long in a deluge. The fit is small and I found the Medium (I am 5'9") didn't leave a lot of room for additional layers such as fleece (although I can squeeze one under). I was swimming in the large. I kept the medium and I am happy with it so far. Would have liked a bit more room in the fit through the shoulders and an inch or two in the length.

This can be a very nice jacket as long as you are aware before-hand of the limitations. I'm 183cm (6), 95kg (210), 86cm waist (34), 92.5cm arm (36.5) and I have a Large, 2009 Gamma MX in black. The jacket is snug, especially in the forearms for me. It is very breathable, particularly when you open all pockets, which are mesh so act as mini heat dumps. The backing material is very nice and has a comforting feel to it but don't expect significant insulating warmth. I don't layer under this very often, did I mention it being snug fit? Water resistance is good, not great. As others have mentioned when removing the jacket, my hands get stuck in the cuffs every time. It takes some effort to get it off without turning the arms inside out. That said the articulated arms really make this jacket. There is no binding which seems amazing to me in light of the tight fit overall. Seems a little shorter in front length than my other Arc jackets. Overall this is a good jacket, it was my first Arc purchase and not the last.

This jackets is exactly what I needed, something that breathes like my Gamma LT, but just a bit warmer and with a hood. I've been wearing this jacket for a month now and I love it. It performed very well during high output activities like hiking and snowshoeing. I am 5'8", 145lbs and the medium Gamma MX fits me perfectly. I also love the "buckeye" color. Bright red, but not to point of blinding people around you. Like others have pointed out, the only problem with this jacket are the cuffs. They are a bit tight and they don't have enough stretch. It you are wearing gloves or mittens meant to fit over the sleeves, this is not a problem. If you have gloves with long narrow cuffs like the Venta LT, they will slide inside the sleeves. For everything inbetwen though, the tight Gamma MX cuffs could be annoying.

is a great hooded jacket, wind resistand, love it, is great for Chicago weather, i have big upper body, i got xl fits little loose but i can layer it

The Gamma MX is (I find) a bit small when it comes to layering. Its fairly short in the front but hangs to about the bottom of your glutes. the arms are a little long but not too much where it would be an issue. I'm 5'9" and approx 160-165 lbs I wear a medium. If your thinking of using this as an outer layer, then I would size up from what you normally wear. I tried my Atom SV #size small# underneath the medium Gamma MX and it was tight enough where I couldn't do up the main zipper! But it works great with my Aphix jacket :) It is very wind resistant and relatively water resistant. I've really only wore it around town so far in -5c weather with a long-sleeve shirt on underneath and was comfortable. The jacket does have a fleece lining inside which helps as an insulator. I love the hood on this piece!! When fully zipped, it really huddles around you and protects the lower part of the face while protecting against the elements. Its a much better hood I find then the Venta SV, as I also own that jacket. All in all, its a great piece to own and awesome for everyday use with mild weather concern. But, if your wanting something to really protect you and also to use as a main stream soft-shell, then I would go with the Venta SV as this has "Windstopper" and has more room through the torso to allow you room for layering #I wear a medium in the Venta SV#!! It's awesome as well for winter conditions cause it doesn't stiffen when it gets cold. It gets to be -35c here at times and the Venta SV along with my Atom SV works awesome!!! I'm sorry if this review is a bit all over the place, but hopefully it helps some of you that are in between the pieces I've mentioned. ... I picked the color "Heron" and it looks amazing!! Cheers, Shayne. M

4.5 out of 5 if I could. I was replacing an old Cloudveil softshell used for nordic skiing, and camping. I wanted something from a Canadian company and I have had good experiences with their packs. So it was narrowed down to this jacket and the Epsilon SV. I felt the Epsilon had a better hood for regular use (without a helmet) and appeared to be quite a bit lighter. The Gamma definitely seemed sturdier and more weather resistant and the fit was not as tight as the Epsilon. I can fit some thin layers under the Gamma, and almost use it like an insulated shell if needed. As mentioned, the only minor concern is that the hood doesn't fit great without a helmet underneath. It was designed for climbing so this isn't a surprise. Fantastic fit and finish, great purchase.

I have owned the jacket for a few years and I found it an excellent product with good breathability up to temperatures around 10C. This is due, I believe, to the use of Polartec PowerShield material (original version) rather than WindStopper or Windblock. To improve the design I would recommend the additions of the following features, some of which will improve breathability when active: - Cuff straps - Ventilation zips - Internal zippered pocket - Hood strap to keep the hood in place - Pen pocket on the left sleeve Overall an excellent product Marco A. Da Mosto

I use this jacket for shopping as well as Olympic ski runs. For skiing the 98% windproofness helps with ventilation while the lining keeps you warm enough down to -10c with a light base layer (bear in mind I do wear less clothing than most) This jacket is really meant for mixed weather, covers a wide range of temperatures and conditions (cold winter to cool summer) + Snow shedding Water repellant 98% windproof - Cut a tad short in the waist Zipper doesn't stay at the very top (slips down one or two cogs)

This is the second Gamma MX Hoody I have bought, the first being when it was made with Gore Windstopper, I think its about 12 years old and out performs the latest version. The quality and fit have both been excellent, like all my Arc'teryx clothing. But the waterproofing on the current version is poor and incomparable to the older jacket. This is disappointing as I was expecting it to be, as good, if not better. One hour walking in light rain and I was wet through.

I bought this hoody brand new and I fell in love at first wear. Yes the sleeve cuffs were too tight but you fixed that. But you should have stopped... (I've bought two more used so I think I know a good product) You took away the users right breast pocket. (I held my glasses there) and the left shoulder pocket. Why? I won't even consider a jacket that doesn't have a breast pocket for my cell so when I found double - it was double joy! Don't fix what ain't broken.

Hmmm since we are given guidelines to what we are to review about and only focus on the item I guess I would have to say the Gamma MX hoody I purchased turned out to be a really nice, comfortable jacket. I bought a size larger so there would be room. I only gave 3 stars because of another issue that I'm not allowed to mention, hence the "bittersweet"

Functionally, it fits the bill. However, with Arc'teryx (especially considering the price), I'd expect a bit more. The major glaring issue with this is subjective... the breast pockets are hideous and ultimately useless. Who stores things in their breast pockets? The only items that would make sense are flat and thin. So, we have these monster, ugly, breast pockets just hanging out unused most of the time. I hike, ski, snowshoe, backpack, climb, and sail, and I've yet to find breast pockets useful for any one of those activities. Save the weight and improve the aesthetic - ditch the breast pockets and it'll be perfect.

I got my first gamma mx hoody 10 years ago and I love it so much - it's one of the best jackets to layer under or to be worn alone for hiking/ hanging around the town. Because how I adore all my gamma mx hoodies, I got one last year for my mom on her birthday. The moment I received it, I thought I got a defective item. The shell is so soft but not in a good way. The fabric of my old jackets is stiffer and just by touching you would be convinced that mine would perform better for wind-resistant and water-resistant. It turns out I am absolutely right. Recently both of us were wearing the Gamma Mx hoody for a walk and it was suddenly lightly raining. With 5 mins in rain, I came back home completely dry but my mom is noticeably wet. I am totally aware that I should never expect a jacket to be completely waterproof other than a Goretex jacket, but it doesn't make a lot of sense to me when a 10 year old jacket could be more water resistant than a newer model. There is definitely something changed for the jacket.

Four years now with this jacket. It's not nearly as good as the previous polartec version. Cut is less athletic, it's not as skin like (due material) and it's not as well made. Just dropped mine to tailor shop to fix the ripped hem (taped together in factory). My first one lasted almost 10 years untill the fabric was just worn through. Second was good for 5 until it got a bit too small and I sold it to friend (and he still uses it). I really, really hope that Arcteryx shapes up again and doesn't go down into market stuff. Some of use really use these things in alpine setting and would like to have quality stuff that doesn't disintegrate. Perhaps there's room for Gamma SV with proper materials and made in Canada pricetag?

I own a bunch of Arc'teryx clothing including a variety of jackets, and I have to say that the Gamma MX hoody (last year's style) just isn't my favourite. It's a good jacket but the cut of it just doesn't sit as well as my other Arc'teryx jackets. The inner arm material is very catchy and so it is hard to get the sleeves on. Layering just doesn't go well. The wrist cuff is snug but again hard to get on and off over the hand. The hood is gargantuan, and because I don't intend to wear a helmet with it, that doesn't sit very well. I can get the hood adjusted, but there's lots of loose material. The pockets on this jacket are great, and ample. The outer material has a nice feel. But ultimately, it fits like a pair of tube socks, ok in some places and not good in others. I really want to like it, but when I put it on, I just want to take it off again. Waist is just that bit too short to let in cool air underneath. I don't disagree with others who are enthused. And I'll continue to enjoy my other Arc'teryx jackets.

The Gamma MX lives up to its reputation of being a tough all around softshell. I personally think that the fit is really weird for Arcteryx though. The jacket has the shortest hem of any Arcteryx gear that I've ever tried on. Considering it has a somewhat climbing focus, you'd think it would be a little longer to accommodate a harness.

This is a great jacket, dont get me wrong. It is often a go to for me when conditions are mostly dry but still windy and cold out. This jacket does a good job of venting heat on long hikes and bike rides, and generally does a decent enough job of blocking the wind. My biggest issue with the jacket is that even after reapplying Arcteryx's waterproofing spray the jacket still doesnt do a job of handling rain above a light misting, and gets very cold and heavy when wet. I really like my jacket but it seems to perform as well as other jackets half its price. Also the fit runs a bit wonky, I'm 6'5"190lbs and I generally wear a large in active wear but my jacket is an XL and it fits me a bit large in the shoulders and sleeves but a bit short and baggy in the body, the large was generally too small with a lot of restriction to my movement.

One of the few Arcteryx pieces I didn't love. Hopefully someone can pass on some notes to the designers. I found the Gamma MX not quite warm enough for the weather I wanted it for (late fall), and the fleece lining made it hard to layer underneath. The hood was a bit large without a helmet but the real deal breaker for me was it was too short in the torso (6'1" - Medium) and left me exposed to wind. Other Arc stuff fits great in medium for me, just not this.

I would probably return my xxl for a xxxl if possible. I'm a big guy so there isn't much room for layering when you wear this jacked. I usually wear xxl jackets, but this one is a little tighter then normal. I wish they made a bigger size for the fat people. I'm gonna keep mine for now in hopes I lose weight later on since I love it so much.

After a number of uses during the ice climbing season in the UP, the Gamma MX jacket performs nicely, but I feel it just isn't up to par with the Venta AR jacket it replaced. The added pockets are nice, but I've found that I need to have them all fully zipped in order to be protected. It also doesn't seem to stop the wind from cutting through as well as the Venta AR. I could wear that jacket on windy days in below freezing temps with just a t-shirt and still be good. Now I feel like I need another layer underneath the Gamma in above freezing temps. I also passed along my thoughts to the Arc'Teryx rep at the Michigan Ice Fest. I really hope you guys bring back the Venta jacket. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if you do. I miss that jacket! Very simple and extremely effective! That being said, I'll continue to use the Gamma MX as an important part of my layering system.