Arc'teryx Gamma Hoody Review

The Gamma line from Arc'teryx offers garments that are stretchy, breathable, and moderately weatherproof. The Gamma Hoody is the midweight option in this series and is designed to be worn with or without layers in warm to cool climates, offering more generalized performance. The bulkier Gamma MX uses a fleece backing and has more warmth for colder weather, but isn't as breathable. The Arc'teryx Gamma Lightweight Hoody is the lightest version of the Gamma, offering the best breathability but the worst weather protection of the Gamma line.

Weather Protection

The Gamma Hoody is a very protective softshell, offering excellent heat retention and decent moisture repellency for light-duty weather events. It shouldn't replace a rain jacket if you've got a wet forecast (but we'd recommend that of all softshells).

The nylon-elastane fabric combination used in the Gamma has a tight, hard-faced weave and does well at beading water off in light precipitation, thanks to an additional DWR (durable water repellent) treatment. It did fairly well in our shower test, with 36 square inches of wetness on the layer underneath, which was an improvement over prior iterations. Like all the softshell jackets we tested, it is merely water-resistant, not waterproof. The fabric is air permeable, which positively affects its breathability, and it holds up to cold gusty winds well, though it is not as wind-resistant as more thickly lined models.

The hood on the Gamma Hoody is sized to accommodate a helmet and can be adjusted with three separate cinches. This is one of our favorite aspects of the Gamma, and it made it easy to seal off our heads in cold weather or storms, regardless of the hat or helmet we wore.

Breathability

While a midweight model like the Gamma is great for retaining heat, it isn't as breathable as its minimalist competition. Fortunately, we were still able to keep the Gamma on for many higher output activities, but on warmer days, it was prudent to de-layer.

The Gamma is unlined, which adequately allows moisture to pass through during strenuous activity. It strikes a great balance between protection and ventilation, depending on the activity. During highly aerobic endeavors, having all the zippers pulled up can feel a bit stifling and hold more dampness than a lighter option would. However, opening up the mesh-lined pockets helps considerably to dump excess heat. Given that this jacket is best used by climbers, hikers, and skiers who are not racing uphill at a blisteringly fast pace, we find the breathability to be appropriate for those activities. It's great for cooler days where your activity level is steady but not heart-pounding.

Mobility

The latest version of the Gamma offers even better mobility than previous iterations, with a slightly more relaxed fit that allowed our testing team to move unencumbered whether scrambling, hiking, rock climbing, or swinging ice tools.

Arc'teryx has done it again with the Gamma, creating a well-tailored jacket that allows for freedom of movement without being too bulky. The past version of the Gamma had a fairly significant taper at the waist, but this model has a slightly more relaxed fit, which was viewed as an improvement by every single tester we polled who has worn both iterations. We also appreciated the wider dimensions at the shoulders, which allowed for even better upper-body mobility.

Weight

The latest and greatest Gamma is now 2 ounces lighter than prior versions — this version weighs 15.4 ounces, while its last iteration clocked in at 17.4 ounces. We also found a subtle improvement in packability.

This weight reduction was surprising, considering Arc'teryx added two external chest pockets while removing only one small inner pocket. With otherwise similar performance in weather resistance, we tip our hats to the designers for finding a way to shed weight on the Gamma.

Versatility

As a midweight layer with many features, the Gamma offers excellent versatility for colder environments or seasons, putting it towards the top of the lineup. However, it isn't nearly as breathable as some of the competition for warmer weather.

The Gamma incorporates interesting features that are useful and user-friendly. From the head down, we are happy to see there is a full-sized hood with three-way adjustable cinches, plus a stiffened brim to shed precipitation. The No-Slip Zip down the front uses small teeth to keep it from inadvertently sliding down. We haven't found this to be an issue in other jackets, but it works well and keeps the zipper at a comfortable height when needing to dump heat on a strenuous uphill climb. We also loved the Gamma's multi-season use, and most will be comfortable using this piece all year long.

We really like the style of the Gamma. It is clean-cut, fits well, and is available in attractive colors. This jacket is comfortable in the mountains but isn't out of place when worn around town or to the store.

Should You Buy the Arc'teryx Gamma Hoody?

The Gamma Hoody is a classic Arc'teryx jacket with excellent attention to detail, function, and good looks. If you're looking for a softshell you can wear in all seasons, this is it. You pay a premium for this label, but we feel that it is a good value for the price. Arc'teryx is legendary for its extensive research and development process, and it pays off with a solid jacket that will hold up to rough outdoor environments. The latest version of this jacket has made a top-shelf softshell even higher scoring, with improved range of motion and two external chest pockets.

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