Backpacker Magazine – Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2011

Gear Review: Arc'teryx Venta MX Hoody

A softshell with a hood that's ready for any weather condition

by: Dennis Lewon

Tags:
• Gear
|
• Apparel
|
• Jacket
|

---

“This jacket makes you want to buy a ticket to Vancouver and hit the British Columbia backcountry—in a blizzard,” says a tester. “The hood cinches snugly with or without a helmet, and the brim is as stiff and protective as a baseball cap, without hindering vision.” During a week of climbing and snowboarding in Iceland, he says, “The Gore Windstopper fabric repelled the iciest gusts and shed moisture like it was coated in Rain-X.” (The jacket is not technically waterproof, but in subfreezing alpine conditions it might as well be.)

And it proved adequately breathable for all but the sunniest ascents with temps in the 30s and low 40s, when our tester wore just a baselayer underneath (pit zips helped mitigate overheating). Two vertical chest pockets are big enough to hold skins, even fat splitboard ones.

$450
1 lb. 4 oz.
S-XXL
arcteryx.com


Subscribe to Backpacker magazine
Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter