The Gamma MX Hoody by Arc’teryx is far and away my number 1 piece of clothing for absolutely anything I do that involves the mountains. It is my favourite, it has been everywhere and done everything, I have trashed and abused it, worn it for weeks on end and in all honesty I don’t think I could ever part with it (even if I got a new one). For the last decade plus, in all my adventures, in all my trips, all around the world, this has been my go to jacket. From 6000+m peaks in Nepal to ice climbing in Utah, from Backcountry ski tours and ski mountaineering in the Coastal Mountains, British Columbia to Mt Kinabalu, Borneo, from the cracks slabs and chimneys of Squamish to the desert nights of Uluru and Kings Canyon, and from the endless powder stashes of Japan to the rice terraces of Sapa and Mt Fansipan, Vietnam. This jacket has seen and done it all, but more importantly, it has never ever let me down. It is warm, comfy, very very wind and water resistant, it breathes like anything, it dries like anything, and it fits so so well. I seriously think this jacket could last for a lifetime, even after weeks of winter climbing at Mt Arapiles, even after 40+days a year of school outdoor education camps, even after hiking the wilds of South West Tasmania, it is still going strong. No thin or worn out areas of material, no loss of warmth and no loss in performance in any way, shape of form. I will admit I pulled the zip away from the material of my chest pocket trying to get my phone out with gloves (but that was my stupid doing), and I also smashed a toggle that was attached to the hoody cord (I was jamming up a crack in Squamish and destroyed it, once again my doing). The only other thing was the waist cord. The seam that holds that came undone, so I pulled the cord out. I guess after years of sliding on my arse down rocks, etc it was bound to happened lol.
For my 30peaksin30days project it was no different, I wore it every trip. I normally don’t wear a jacket hiking, as I get quite hot. But the gamma mx is such a versatile piece, that I often did. When you wake up and its like 3 degrees outside, you rug up. I often started my hikes with it on and keep it on for several hours. Occasionally I would to start to sweat, depending on how hard I worked, but the jacket dries out in minutes and if its still windy and cold, it keeps me warm, even when damp. The pockets are plentiful and well designed. Two chest pockets keep things accessible and handy, two hand pockets keep hands warm and out of the weather, and a little secret inside pocket is super handy. The fabric is soft, especially on the inside, so feels nice on the skin, stretchy and very durable. It can handle snow and light rain quite easily. It has even served on many occasions, as a tea towel or cloth to wipe a knife or similar lol.
Summary: Best softshell jacket ever (and I have had a few, all the well know brands), lasts forever and fits like a glove. 5 Star.
Usage: Skiing, hiking, climbing, mountaineering, really anything that is outdoors and will get a little chilly or windy.
30peaksin30days 