Arc'teryx Gamma MX Hooded Softshell Jacket - Women's - 2009 BCS

great for out side activity , keeps your heat inside, stops the wind, very light ......that is it .... dose what i want it to do ...."the wife"

The Gamma MX is my favorite piece of technical clothing I own. Absolutely indispensable and I would never leave for any trip without it. The key is its amazing ability to balance breathability when I'm working up a major sweat climbing and skinning up mountains with its ability to keep the elements OUT. It will not be perfect for both because it is not a thin t-shirt and it is not a hard shell, but it really does an incredible job at balancing breathability with wind and water resistance.

My Gamma MX plus 1-2 base layers will keep me warm and dry on 10 degree days with light wind. That's probably around my lower end before I'll put on another layer. Of course, this is when I'm working hard -- as a soft shell, the Gamma is NOT meant to keep you warm in cold weather if you're standing still -- you will need insulation. Love skinning up in my Gamma and layering my Atom underneath for the ski down.

I like the cut of this jacket a lot. It's a little longer so it covers most of my butt and has a cinch if you're skiing to keep out the pow. I also like the chest and arm pockets which are very useful for when you're wearing a climbing harness. Finally, I like that they designed the hood as a singular attachment to the body of the jacket, instead of with a standalone collar, because it's easy to smoothly layer my hooded Atom underneath.

Very well designed jacket from Arc'teryx. Worth every penny.

Very nice jacket from Arcteryx. I found that this hoody version has a more relaxed fit than the non-hooded version. This one also is a bit longer. You may want to size down one size if you like it to be more fitted, otherwise go with your normal size and have room for layering. It's kind of expensive for what it is, but very well made.

I bought this to replace a heavier weight soft shell for weight-saving and utility purposes. I was initially concerned about the lack of pit zips, being a great proponent of them in my other jackets, but I did not miss them after wearing the jacket for the first time. Unzipping the pockets provided enough ventilation.

It layers well with a fleece underneath and hard shell on top, but also performs very well on its own. I have used it running, cycling, mountaineering, and skiing - I would say this jacket shines in high-action activities. It is a bit thin for sitting around on cold days, but is amazingly wind proof for how thin it feels.

I agree with JKC - this does fit a bit longer than the non hooded version (something that seems true across the entire brand).

I was looking for a warm, waterproof, sturdy ski jacket. Arcteryx makes the best stuff, but this jacket was way too thin for me. Probably my own fault, I should have read that this is best for "sunny ski days". I returned the jacket. I would have loved to have kept it for spring skiing but at almost $400, I couldn't do it.

This jacket is awesome. I just whipped it out on a nice powder day in the Wasatch and it performed beautifully. I had a pocket to put my chapstick and money in and two side pockets big enough to stash a snack. I was dry and I wasn't overheating in the sun either. The jacket did great when I fell in the piles of gorgeous fluff and it kept the wind out while I made my way down the side of Alta. It doesn't look boxy and it's super soft. I love this jacket I can't wait for another ski day in it!