This will be my third season using the Theta SVs and I love them. The two things that I think would be the biggest factor in choosing between the two are 1) the Stinger has two thigh pockets that the Theta SV does not have and 2) the Stinger has a more relaxed cut, while the Theta is a trimmer cut. I personally like the clean look of the Theta, although I have never seen the Stinger to really do a comparison. I'm personally not interested in having stuff stashed in thigh pockets on my skiing pants, so that feature of the Stinger doesn't really interest me much. As far as sizing, your waist definitely puts you at a medium. I wear jeans with a 30" length, and I find the regular length Theta pants to be maybe a tad short. I would guess that you'd be happier with the Tall length.

I'm not quite sure that I understand your concern. I've never used the goggles with the GPS feature, but I wear soft contacts and ski with Zeal goggles using the PPX lenses and I love them. I really can't see any reason why contacts would be a problem with these.

It certainly isn't a ski-specific pack, and it isn't advertised as being waterproof. Any of the camelbak's support adding their insulated tube cover to prevent water from freeziing in the tube itself. I don't know if you've researched this, but this pack falls under CamelBak's Hike/Alpine collection, and not their Ski/Board collection. You might want to consider something like the Pit Boss or the Tycoon (their names, not mine...) instead.

The Khuno has a relaxed fit, which is going to be roomier than either the Alpha SV or the Theta SV. Sounds like you definitely want a small instead of a medium.

Actually, I think this bag is identical to the Horse Thief - actually, I should say the Zirkel since it is a 20F bag. From what I can tell, it has the half sleeve design, with insulation on the bottom around the legs. Highlights from the BA website:

- Integrated pad sleeve with unique design keeps you securely attached to the pad from the hips up while allowing freedom of movement for your legs- more like a traditional mummy bag. Never roll off your pad again

- Half pad sleeve with adjustable strap holds ANY 20" wide rectangular or mummy shaped pad

This wouldn't be my first recommendation for a ski jacket only because of how short it is. If you are using bibs underneath, then its probably fine, but I personally would want something longer. This really becomes a factor since at your measurements I'd be inclined to say that you would need a medium since I think you would be swimming through the chest in a large. If you are looking for a versatile gore-tex shell that can go between skiing and other non-snowsport activities, I'd look at one of the Theta jackets which have a longer cut to them. If you are looking for something more snowsports-oriented, the Sidewinder jackets are fantastic.

Jesse - no doubt the Venta AR is a great jacket. However, and opinions do vary on this, generally it is not recommended to wear two windproof layers like gore-tex pro shell and gore-tex windstopper together as part of your layering system. If your intended use is to use this primarily as an outer layer, then the Venta AR is probably the right jacket for you. However, if you anticipate using this frequently as a mid-layer, you might want to consider something more along the lines of the Hyllus jacket, which isn't as windproof but also has a hi-loft fleece lining on the inside. It will be warmer as a mid-layer than then Venta AR and it will breathe better at the cost of not being as windproof. The Hyllus is definitely designed more with layering in mind.

Arc'teryx and CMH worked together to design the Stinger jacket, which is a GoreTex Pro Shell jacket. I can't say for sure though that this is what their guides are using.

I haven't seen this jacket specifically, but I own the Arcteryx Fission LT pants which are a very similar construction to this jacket. The pants weigh a little bit less than this jacket, but they are surprisingly bulky - definitely not something that I would throw in my pack and forget about. I would expect that this jacket is much the same way. The MH Compressor on the other hand packs down dramatically smaller. The tradeoff (there is always one...) is that the Kappa AR is going to be more durable and more weatherproof than the Compressor. It really comes down to what your priority is: packabilty or durability.

I would check your chest and sleeve measurements against the sizing chart. Since this doesn't strike me as a jacket that you would want to layer much clothing underneath, I think you might be better off with a small rather than a medium - you are right on the line between the two sizes. If you like a looser fit, go with the medium, but definitely make sure you check the chest and sleeve sizes.

I have the previous version of this pant (the Fission LT: http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Arcteryx-Fission-LT-Pant-Mens/ARC0833M.html) which has very similar specs. Assuming that these are similar, then my answer is no - they do not pack up very small at all. They are very warm, but pretty bulky too. If you want insulated pants that could serve as an emergency backup, I would consider something more along the lines of the Mountain Hardwear compressor pants or the Montbell Thermawrap pants instead. You won't have the same durable shell fabric, but you'll get a warm pant that you won't begrudge throwing in your pack just in case...

Thermatek is a proprietary synthetic insulation designed by Arcteryx where every strand of insulation is coated with a DWR treatment to make the insulation hydrophobic so that it won't absorb water. I've never used a thermatek jacket, but the concept sounds pretty good.

Here's a helpful review I found on-line that talks about the performance of a Thermatek-insulated jacket: http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web07f/ms-ma-arcteryx-dually-belay

If windproofness is your primary concern, then there is no doubt that the Venta is going to win. Even Polartec's marketing material advertises powershield to block about 90% of the wind, while the Windstopper fabric on the Venta will be windproof. Both the Venta and the Gamma AR are advertised as an athletic fit. I own the Gamma AR (I have never tried on or seen the Venta AR) and I can tell you that the Gamma AR in a size medium fits me perfectly - I'm 5'10" and 170ish pounds.

If you think you can live with something that is less than 100% windproof, I would strongly encourage you to look at the Gamma MX. This jacket is definitely stretchy, has a good DWR treatment, and it has a significantly slimmer fit than the Gamma AR - it is skin tight on me to the point that I have to size up to a Large to wear it comfortably. The Gamma MX is definitely a more technical jacket and will be the best for activities like climbing.

Another jacket that might fit the bill perfectly for you is the Mountain Hardwear Alchemy jacket. Check it out too - windproof, lightly insulated, trim fit and some stretch - it could be a winner for you. Just make sure you read the reviews because it is also a technical jacket that is probably going to be less than ideal for more casual purposes. It sounds like you have a particular use in mind, so you should be able to determine pretty easily which one of these jackets will or will not fit your needs. Good luck!

By the way - like I said, I own the Gamma AR and really like it. I'm just not sure that it is the one that will best meet your needs.

Second on eVent. Look at the Rab Latok, or something from Westcomb. I don't think you can beat the Rab jackets for value though.

The Stingray, as is the case with most of the Arcteryx snowsports jackets, has a relaxed fit cut, while the Alpha series of jackets has a slimmer, more athletic fit cut to them. I wear a medium in either, but there is definitely a little less room in my Alpha, than in my Arcteryx ski jackets (the Sidewinder jackets for example). However, I still have enough room to comfortably wear layers underneath my Alpha LT, which should be very similar to the Alpha SL.

I would think that a size Small would be appropriate for you.

Brandon and Phil - thanks for the feedback. I've never used any of the Power Shield O2 shells, so I was on the fence. I think there's going to be a Hercules in my future. For the record, I like the Gamma MX, but because of it's trimmer fit, I have to size up to a Large, and then it extends below bottom of the Alpha LT shell. I'm assuming with the Hercules that a size medium will play well with a size medium Alpha.

And Phil - you actually got me seriously looking at the Alchemy. It does look like a great jacket, but I just find that I sweat too easily when I'm wearing Windstopper jackets. I agree that it would be an excellent shell, but I don't think it would really be a good option for me personally as a mid-layer.

I second the nomination for the Rab Latok Alpine. This jacket is awesome (especially if you aren't using it with a helmet), but it does have small amounts of fleece insulation in strategic spots which makes it more of a winter-oriented shell. The Rab jacket is made of eVent, weighs less than this and breathes every bit as well. I'd give an eVent jacket the nod over this one for warm weather usage.

Nikwax offers a product for hardshell jackets (eVent is specifically listed) that is designed for just this purpose: Nikwax Wash-In TX Direct Wash In. Backcountry.com stocks it so just search the website.

I'm 5'9 and 165-170 and I can wear a size medium in this as a mid-layer under a hardshell. It's not particularly tight on me, so I think with a belly you should still be able to wear this in a size medium. If you are wearing a size Large shell, then you could probably buy a large in this too, but if you are using a size medium shell, definitely go with a medium for this jacket.

I think you'll want to size up for this, so most likely you will want a medium. I'm near the upper end of the size range for medium in Mountain Hardwear jackets and I definitely had to buy a large to go over my hardshell.

Maybe I'm stuck in the past, but I don't see TNF being on the same level as Arcteryx. I think you could make a strong argument for Mountain Hardwear, and possibly Marmot being close, and either of these are probably a better value. But if you buy the Alpha SV I don't think that you will ever doubt the quality of this jacket or your decision to buy it.

I would think these two jackets would be reasonably comparable. You are looking at windproof jackets with a little bit of insulation. The Marmot jacket certainly has more pockets - its something that many people ding Arcteryx jackets for, so if pockets are important to you then this should be a big pro for the Marmot jacket. I love Arcteryx's stuff, but unless you can find it on sale, it's pretty hard to justify the price difference between the Fury SV and this jacket IMO.

I've always thought that the Bora packs would be most comparable to Gregory's expedition packs - such as the Denali Pro. At least from an intended use point of view this seems like a better comparison than to the Palisade. Otherwise, I'd say it's pretty darn hard to do a direct comparison. Nothing is more important than trying the pack on, getting the pack fit to you correctly and then loading it up with weight. Especially at 70 lb loads, fit is going to be key and different packs will work better for different people.

I don't own this specific jacket, but I am 5'9" and 170 pounds and I wear a medium in the Mountain Hardwear compressor jacket. I'd think that small would be the right size for you.

I think to get the right length in the arms and in the torso that you are going to want a size medium - particularly in the front the jacket is cut on the shorter side so I'd worry that the small would be too short. I will say that you are going to have some extra room in the chest but it will give adequate room for layers, and I don't think that it would be baggy. If it's an option for you, you might be best off ordering both sizes and return the one that is less optimal. If the arm and torso of the small fit you, then I'm guessing at your size/weight that the small would be the better option. Sight unseen though, my vote is for medium. For reference, I'm 5'9" (maybe an extra 1/2" on a good day) and 170 pounds, and I wear a medium.

If breathability is the highest priority for you, I would seriously look at a jacket made with eVent. Westcomb and Rab both make great options. I just haven't found anything that is comparable to eVent and still waterproof. If you can sacrifice absolute waterproofness you might consider a lightweight softshell jacket which will provide even better breathability. The Spectre LT jacket by Westcomb weighs in at 11 oz (per their website) and the Momentum jacket from Rab weighs in at 12 oz.

I hadn't actually thought about it before. According to this website (http://www.run79.co.nz/MerinoTech.aspx) it has an SPF of 25-50+. I don't have anything quantitative to add, but I certainly get tan lines when wearing merino t-shirts so there clearly is some amount of sun-blocking going on.

What Phil said. I've read several reviews where people rave about how warm an Arcteryx shell is, and I just don't get it. They are windproof and waterproof, but most of these are not insulated in any way, shape or form. Plan on a good layering system and this shell will take good care of you.

The only objective way to answer this is to give you the facts. The Marmot CWM uses 44 oz of 800 fill down while the North Face Inferno uses 47 oz of 600 fill down. So the Inferno wins the 'more fill by weight' contest. I can't find the shoulder measurement for the Marmot bag, but the North Face bag is a little bigger in the hips and the foot box so there is a little bit more volume to keep warm in the Inferno which will also contribute to the warmth of the bag.

I think you are going to want this in a medium. My wife wears a similar Cloudveil jacket in a size small and it has enough room for layers - she's 5'5" and 115 pounds. I'd say you'd want a size up, particularly since this is marked as a slim fit.

No - but it is very unobtrusive. I've yet to snap mine closed while I am wearing it and I pretty much have forgotten that the powder skirt even exists.

This is a shell only, and it's more versatile because of it. The best hardshell with a little insulation is probably something along the lines of the Arcteryx Fission SL - it's pricey but it looks like a great jacket. Honestly though, the shell only gets you more flexibility - its plenty easy to add layers as needed (something like the Arcteryx Atom LT would be great if it is that cold), whereas there is no way to remove layers when the insulation is built in. Another jacket that I really like is the 2008 Cloudveil Hoback. This year's jacket uses Gore-Tex Performance for the shell and it is heavier and stiffer. Last year's was a Gore-Tex Pro Shell and I think its a really nice jacket, although it is only waist length and not hip length like this and the Fission SL.

As a general rule I wouldn't recommend windproof layers as a mid-layer, so I don't think this jacket is what you want. Don't get me wrong - this is a great product from Mountain Hardwear - I just wouldn't plan on using it as a mid-layer.

The Hercules, which is made with the Powershield O2 face fabric, is designed primarily as a mid-layer, so I would definitely lean more that way. The Hercules isn't going to be as solid an outer layer though due to it being design for higher breathability it gives up quite a bit of wind-resistance, so keep that in mind if you are looking for versatility. Another option that would be good for a midlayer is the Arcteryx Gamma AR - it is made from Powershield fabric (not the O2), and while it doesn't have the mid-loft fleecy interior that the Hercules has, it is more wind-resistant than the Hercules.

You are basically asking how breathable this jacket is. Based on the Tech Specs, the Membrain shell has the same breathability rating as Gore-Tex which is pretty good. That said and done, I find Gore-Tex is great when used in colder environments, but jackets made of eVent are much better when it is warmer or more humid. If you are looking for a lightweight jacket to bring along in case you get stuck in a rain shower, then this jacket will be fine. If you know you are going to be spending a lot of time in the rain, then I would personally recommend looking for something like this that has pit zips.

It isn't quite the same thing, but you might consider that Mountain Hardware Transition jacket or zip-t. I wear a medium in the Marmot windshirt, and I had to size up for the Mountain Hardwear Transition jacket because it was tight through the chest (and definitely not baggy in the stomache). I don't think the Transition is quite as breathable as the windshirt, but it will be more water resistant.

Quick update: it looks like Mountain Hardwear phased out the zip-t and update the Transition jacket - its now called the Transition Super Power jacket (you would think that MH marketing could come up with a slightly more... compelling... name). It still looks like a trim fit, so I'd recommend taking a look.

It might work for late fall and early spring on a mountain bike, but it could be a tough sell for road riding where windchill is more of an issue. The quantum fabric is more wind-resistant than the regular knits, but it isn't windproof by any means. Personally, I'd recommend a lighter weight shirt like Elise suggested, and pair it up with a lightweight windshirt like a marmot driclime, or something from another manufacturer that is more cycling-specific.

These things are supposed to be downproof, but inevitably some of the down will end up coming out. I don't have this jacket, but I have the Patagonia down sweater which is very similar. I've seen 2 feathers come out in 2 years of use so I have no complaints whatsoever. This is very similar in terms of weight/warmth to the Patagonia down sweater and the Zeus jacket the other person mentioned should be a little bit warmer. Honestly, this is where the backcountry.com return policy excels - if you find it leaking down in an unacceptable fashion, they will take it back at anytime, no questions asked. Good luck!

The Arcteryx Atom LT and the Patagonia Guide jacket are really very different jackets. I have no doubt that for a lightweight synthetic insulated jacket that the Atom LT is relatively durable. But if durability is the main feature you are looking for the uninsulated softshell Guide Jacket is going to win any day. The Atom LT will be warmer and lighter, but the guide jacket will be more durable. It really seems like these jackets have different intended uses - what are you looking for?

This jacket has an interior mesh storage pocket. I'm not sure though if this pocket would be big enough to hold skins.

The Theta AR is made in China.

This jacket is going to serve as a warm mid-layer or a lightweight-style belay style jacket if you are throwing it on as an outer layer during rest breaks. Just looking at how lightweight this jacket is should give you an idea of it's warmth compared to the subzero jacket. You just need to have a good idea of how you will use this jacket to determine if it is going to be warm enough for you and your purposes. Good luck!

If you size this correctly this jacket would be great for skiing underneath a hardshell on cold days. I have a down sweater which is about equivalent to this in warmth and I really like using it in days when it is 20 F or colder. You wouldn't want to wear this against your skin though - plan on having a lightweightt long sleeve t shirt or something along those lines underneath.

Hard to say, but the Sharp Point is a pretty burly softshell. You might do well with lighter powershield jacket (something like an Arcteryx gamma mx or gamma ar, etc...) or I would strongly recommend looking at a Marmot Driclime windjacket (I think the catalyst is the newest version). It won't be as water-resistant as the Sharp Point, but it is windproof, very light and very breathable. You can also look around for lightweight windstopper shells which will be more water resistant, although powershield is generally a good compromise of windproof (blocks ~90%), water-resistant and breathable. Good luck!

No - it is a fixed hood and there is no stow option for it.

Backcountry.com's products are now branded as Stoic and not backcountry.com, so there will not be a new version of the Shift Softshell jacket per se. There's a couple different Stoic Welder softshell jackets with varying amounts of insulation - search for them and you will find the newest offerings. I think the Stoic Welder Lo Softshell is the closest to this and it does not have pit zips.

I am 5'10 and 165 and the medium version of last year's Stinger jacket was plenty big on me. Even with a heavy base layer and a down sweater on there was plenty of room in the jacket. Personally, unless they've changed the cut I'd say go with the medium.

I'm 5'10" and 165 pounds - I had to buy the parka version of this jacket in a large to fit over my baselayer/hardshell combination for a Mt. Rainier climb. I'd guess that you would probably want an XL. I don't believe that there is an option to make a 3-in-1 jacket with the Sub Zero.

I was watching the video for this jacket on the Cloudveil website and when the guy puts the hood up it doesn't look like there is any room for a helmet. Generally Cloudveil specifically says in the description when the hood is helmet-compatible.

Windstopper is generally more breathable than hardshells and less breathable than other non-windproof softshell materials. There is no way I personally could mountain bike in this jacket, but the coldest temps I ride in is not below ten degrees F. Note that I do use a windstopper vest in cold temps. My personal preference is to use a driclime windshirt from Marmot. All that said and done if you are riding in substantially colder temps than I do this jacket could work for you. I'd definitely plan on doing some experimentation. At least with bc.com you can always return the jacket if it doesn't meet your needs.

I would see if the Marmot warranty would cover it. I have a marmot driclime shirt that a mouse ate through and while Marmot didn't warranty it they fixed it for a reasonable price and it looked brand new again. I think
that you will probably have to go through a retailer- I don't believe that you can contact Marmot directly although I could be wrong about that.

The group that I climb with recommends a 10 degree bag, so I doubt unless you know you sleep cold that you need anything rated for weather colder than a 0 degree bag. I would question weather you really need the waterproof construction that the Lithium offers. I have an older Mountain Hardwear sleeping bag with a conduit shell, and I think because of the waterproof membrane the sleeping bag is much bulkier and a little heavier than equally warm sleeping bags with a standard DWR shell. Personally, for my needs (sleeping in a tent) I'll take a lighter sleeping bag that packs up smaller over the waterproof shell - you just need to make sure that you take necessary precautions (I always line the inside of the stuff sack with a trash compactor bag and then unpack and stuff the sleeping bag inside the tent). At the price range of the Lithium, you could also look at the Western Mountaineering Antelope - I have this and it is a great 5 degree sleeping bag and it weighs 5 oz less than the Lithium (which is listed at 2 lbs 12 oz, not 2 lbs 3 oz). If you are looking at Mountain Hardwear, I'd personally look at the Phantom rather than the Banshee. Another really solid option would be a sleeping bag by Montbell - I really like their bags because the have the stretch feature which makes the bag seem less confining. The U.L.SS.Down Hugger #0 bag is about the same weight as the Lithium and has the stretch feature. If you are sold on the more weatherproof shell then the Lithium looks like it would be the way to go.

I'll second Blaine's answer - there is a light fleece lining on the back of this jacket which is great for snow sports but less ideal for warm-weather activities. That said and done the Schoeller c_change material is awesome and does a great job of letting heat out. I used this jacket in the low 60's on a windy day and was very comfortable on a strenuous hike. If you aren't going to be using this jacket for winter purposes, you should also look at jackets from either Westcomb or Rab
made using eVent fabric. The Latok Alpine from Rab could definitely be used in the winter and it doesn't have the fleece liming that is in parts of the koven plus. eVent is definitely more breathable than Gore-Tex, and I'd estate that it is roughly equivalent to c_change.

I'm going to guess that the marmot and mtn hardwear jackets will be warmer but I personally could never ski in them - they are simply too warm for me. The Koven Plus down jacket is probably less warm but has the advantage of being completely waterproof - it is a hardshell with down insulation. I was really impressed with the koven plus down and I would think that it would be plenty warm for most environments as long as you are physically active. Sorry, but I don't know the fill weights of these. Note that the construction of the koven plus down is quite different than the others since it is quilted and not baffled.

My 2008 sidewinder AR has the Recco reflector up high on the side of the right-hand sleeve. I'd be surprised if it has been moved in this year's version of the jacket.

The Stingray pants will definitely have a relaxed fit. Other suggestions would be the Sidewinder sv pants, the Scarab pants or the Stinger bib. I have the Theta SV bibs which I love but they have a trimmer, more climbing-specific fit. The Stingray pant is made from Goretex Softshell and has a light fleece lining on the inside. The Scarab pants are similar but have what I think is better instep protection from ski edges. I own the Scarab pants also and they have a nice relaxed fit. The Sidewinder pants are made of Goretex Pro Shell so they will be lighter, less bulky and not as warm. The Stinger bibs are also made of the Pro Shell material.

If you don't think that the Theta SV has enough pickets then the Sentry will not be the jacket for you. It has one fairly small inside pocket, two external hand pockets and a chest pocket. I love my Sentry jacket and I think it is excellent for resort skiing where I amnit going to be away from civilization for extended times. I'd consider offerings from the North Face or more ski-specific brands like Spyder or Descente if lots of pockets are a must-have for you.

Since you are looking for primarily a skiing jacket, I'd stick with the sidewinder jackets since they have powder skirts. The AV will have more durable materials than the AR and it also has gussetted, no-lift arms which the AR does not have. On the other hand the AR does have the stow hod which I think is a nice feature.

I second the suggestion that you consider an eVent jacket. The only eVent jacket I have experience with is the Rab Latok Alpine, which appears to be durable although I haven't used it extensively yet. However, Westcomb makes some eVent jackets that have gotten good reviews and I understand that they are made using a ripstop fabric which should be very durable. The other option that you might consider is something along the lines of the Cloudveil Koven Plus Jacket which is made with the Schoeller c_change fabric. The Schoeller c_change membrane is really impressive, and I've been using this jacket for skiing without any problems so far this season. The c_change material seems to me to be about as breathable as the eVent fabric, and more breathable than Gore-Tex Pro Shell.

Thanks Jon - I just got a pair of the Hydra gloves to try. Do you know if there would be any value in treating the leather part of the gloves with some waterproofing treatment like what is recommended for Hestra gloves?

Just an FYI - I do have the Rab Latok Alpine jacket and in a size medium it is very comparable to an Arcteryx size medium.

The Mountain Hardwear website shows that these are only available in regular length for all of the waist sizes.

That's always been my understanding of what those loops are for. Guess I've always gotten lucky since I've been able to keep the powder cuffs for my shell pants down over my boots without having to run a strap under my boot to hold it down.

I wear a 30" length in jeans and I think that the regular length in size medium (30.5") fits me perfectly. I can't imagine that you would want anything longer than the regular length (31.8"), and you might want to consider even trying the short length in XL (29.8").

It just depends on what/how you will be using the jacket. If you are going to be wearing a climbing harness overtop, the MX is designed to have less insulation where the harness goes over to allow for a better fit. The LT will be insulated the entire length of the torso. Go with whichever one best meets your needs.

I have the Quantum 220 shirt from Icebreaker (meaning, same type of fabric, just a little lighter weight) and have been using it for about 6 months now with no sign of it stretching. Mine is also a little on the big side, so I think you'll be fine. The good news is, if you bought this through backcountry.com and it ever stretches to the point that you aren't happy with it you can take advantage of their no-questions-asked return policy.

I'm almost positive these are made in Canada, but I'll double check mine tonight.

Follow up: definitely made in Canada

According to Arcteryx's website, yes.

Arcteryx designed the Stinger for skiing/snowboarding so I would think it is safe to assume that the pants will fit over snowboarding boots. Whether it is by using a zipper or elastic, I don't know. I can tell you for sure that the Theta SV bibs definitely fit over ski boots - they have a side zip that extends from the hips down to the bottom of the pant and gaiters that go over the entire boot to keep snow out.

The gamma sv is going to be a good weather-resistant softshell jacket that provides a fair amount of warmth and a fair amount of coverage. I'm not sure when you sit down if the jacket will actually be long enough to cover your butt - if that is a factor for you. You just need to be aware that this jacket is not 100% windproof (Powershield is ~90%), nor is it waterproof (just DWR treated). If these limitations are OK for how you envision using the jacket then it should be great - this jacket will be very breathable and help prevent overheating and sweating. If you need something more weatherproof - you probably want to look at a hardshell jacket.

I'm going to assume that you are looking at Arcteyx shells. I'd start by saying that you probably want to stay away fron the Beta jackets and probably the Alpha jackets because the Armrom will probably extend out from underneath the shell (it'll be close with the Alphas) . If you
want versatility outside of skiing look at the Theta jackets. If you are looking at shells exclusively for skiing I'd look at either the sidewinder ar/sv jackets or the Scarabee jacket. The Scarabee will be the warmest since it has the high loft fleece lining. For the exact same reason, the Scarabee will be the least versatile. It really just depends on how you
want to use the shell. Any of these would be great with the Atom.

I've washed my Cat's Meow several times following the instructions provided on the website and I've never had any problems with it. Just make sure you use a front loading washing machine.

I think the bigger question for you is how you intend to use this jacket. I tried one on and I agree that the Sharp Point definitely fits on the slender side, especially when compared with Marmot's hardshells. You are looking at a windproof, water-resistant jacket that is fairly burly, so it is going to be good down to pretty cold temperatures when you are doing aerobic activities - I know I wore a much less substantial windstopper jacket while hiking in the mid-20's with a strong wind and all I had on was a mid-weight wool baselayer. If you really think you will be using it in cold temperatures when you aren't being active, then I'd consider sizing up. But remember that this is going to add 2 inches in the sleeve length and 3 inches around the chest - that's a lot of extra volume. Personally, I'd guess that you'd be happiest with it in a medium with the trimmer fit.

Well, to be fair the other gloves are all 5+ years old and have seen lots of use. I just need to find something that will be adequate for when it is actually raining.

I second what Kretsky said although I'll throw in my own .02: the Fury is going to be a solid choice for cold, dry conditions and is also preferable if you are going to be doing much aerobic stuff since it will breathe better than the gore-Tex softshell material. That said and done the Stingray will be completely waterproof and it does have a low loft fleece bonded to the inside so it should be a little warmer than a standard hardshell. I own the Fury AR jacket and I have to admit that it is the ski jacket that I use the least - it just doesn't feel as warm to me as my hardshell jackets so I save it for late-season skiing. The Fury SV should be warmer but I've never used one so I cannot vouch for it. The Gore-Tex softshell stuff is nice and it's great for winter sports. The only downside to it in my opinion is that a gore softshell jacket is always going to be heavier than a pro shell jacket so it isn't as versatile.

First, I haven't personally tried on the Beta AR, but I have owned the Theta AR and the Alpha LT, both of which are also from Arcteryx's ascent collection. I wear Arcteryx size Medium in these jackets even though my chest size is about an inch greater than what is listed for a medium in the sizing chart. You don't say what your chest measurement is, but if you are significantly below the measurement for the size small, this is going to be baggy on you - the jacket is still going to have a cut that allows people at (or just above) the upper size limit to fit some layers underneath. My wife is the same height as you (and weighs only a little less) and a woman's size small fits her perfectly. I know it wouldn't be the most popular option, but you might at least want to try a woman's jacket to see if it might fit you correctly. Arcteryx jackets are awesome because of their quality and their fit, and I'd personally hate to spend this sort of money and not have the jacket fit right.

By the way, while I have no experience with the Marmot Exum, the Arcteryx Pro Shell fabric is incredible - I can't imagine you being disappointed with it.

This glove is definitely not waterproof. Look at the Hestra Army XCR glove for a similar style with a waterproof design.

No. The Hercules is one of the Arcteryx hardface fleece jackets which is DWR treated. This is a standard thermal pro fleece so it isn't going to be very water-resistant.

I wear pants with a 34 inch waist and I can wear most Arcteryx pants in a medium; I am generally wearing a single baselayer underneath. I would say based on your height that you would want these in a tall length and not the regular length which is what I wear with a 30 inch inseam.

To answer specific questions: when zipped up the jacket can be pulled up high enough over your face to cover your mouth and part of your nose. Also, the hood is helmet compatible, with pull strings in the front on either side that can be used to cinch the hood around your helmet. Beyond those pulls though, there are no additional adjustments.

From your question I think you are envisioning using this jacket as an outer shell while skiing - is that correct? If so, then I don't think this is the correct jacket for you. The Compressor jacket is a lightweight synthetic insulation jacket that is intended more for extra warmth when stopped during breaks or at the campsite, and not so much for lots of abuse that a shell typically takes. The face fabric of the Compressor jacket is very lightweight - its not going to withstand lots of falls, scrapes, encounters with trees, etc... On the other hand, this could be an excellent jacket as a warm layer underneath a shell on very cold days. If this is what you were asking about - replacing multiple insulating layers with a single piece of clothing, then this could be the jacket for you. Just to be clear, I think the Compressor jacket is great for what it was designed for, and I don't think it is a wimpy jacket - it just wasn't meant to be used as a daily outer shell.

There are plenty of insulated jackets with a sturdy shell material that would be appropriate for you. Some examples would be the Cloudveil Hoback Jacket, the Mountain Hardwear Synchronicity Jacket or the Arcteryx Sentry Jacket. I'm sure there are lots of other ones too.

Try the Chat Now feature in the upper right hand corner of the web page to talk to a bc.com rep directly. My experience has been that they typically are not able to answer questions about when new inventory will be in stock though.

When looking at the temperature ratings for sleeping bags you need to keep in mind that there is no standard that defines what a 0 degree bag is vs a -10 degree bag vs -20, etc.... There are plenty of reasons for this, but one thing for sure is that different people need different amounts of insulation to sleep comfortably at different temperatures - there's lots of variables at play here. As for the difference between synthetic and down bags, I think the accurate statement is that if you have a down bag and a synthetic bag that both weigh the same amount, the down bag will be warmer and pack down smaller than the synthetic bag. It is certainly possible to make synthetic bags that are warm down to the same temperature rating as the warmest down bags, but they will be heavy and bulky.

As you point out, down bags do have their drawbacks because, once wet, down loses its loft and no longer provides any warmth. Its necessary to take many precautions when using down sleeping bags (such as lining the stuff sack with a trash compactor bag to keep water out). Honestly, I've never slept in a snowcave, so I'm not sure how safe it is to use a down bag in this situation. There are down bags though that have waterproof shells - Mountain Hardwear makes a few; other companies use materials such as GoreWindstopper or Epic which are highly water resistant.

Are you asking if the temperature rating for this bag is different for women than for men? If so, the answer is no - temperature ratings are not gender-specific. However, there are many women-specific bags which are shorter and shaped differently. The goal is to minimize the volume of air that your body has to warm up inside the sleeping bag. I'm noticing that the regular length for this bag is 78 inches/194 cm which is typically a long length (the mountain hardwear website shows the same information). If you are shorter, you might consider other sleeping bags which are typically offered in 66 inches (5 foot 6 inches) and 72 inch (6 foot lengths). The additional advantage to getting a close-fitting sleeping bag besides thermal efficiency is that the bag will pack down smaller in your backpack.

Note that for cold weather sleeping bags, you might want a little extra length to allow for a water bottle with hot water to be kept down at your feet; its a pretty common mountaineering/winter camping trip to help warm up.

This really is only a baselayer in cold weather. For perspective, I have 150 weight shirts like this that I wear as a t-shirt in the summer time. For winter I often wear this shirt with a 320 weight wool sweater over top, and if it is below freezing, I'll still likely need another insulating layer underneath my shell.

This is a Gore-Tex Paclite shell so I would not expect it to be silent. It will however be windproof and waterproof so it will meet your needs in this respect. Since it is designed for climbing this shell should fit over your Pamir jacket; however, it generally is not recommended to wear windstopper underneath a shell since you are now layering two membranes that have limited breathability. Not that it can't be done -it's just less than ideal.