Arc'teryx Gamma MX

Hi, I'm Jeremy calm, the gamma MX jacket is the latest and softshell functionality from Arc'teryx building on renowned Arc'teryx fit and design. The M...

In my opinion, the Gamma MX has been drastically changed from the previous iteration, and not necessarily for the better. Immediately I noticed that the outside fabric is rougher to the touch. Still comfortable, but not nearly as soft as the previous model, and doesn't really invoke the idea of a "softshell". I believe Arc'teryx that it will be more durable and warm, but I'm not convinced the sacrifice is worth it.

This jacket does a great job at being wind-proof when you're on-the-go. When you're stopped then you might begin to feel it a little depending on your layers underneath, but for the most-part it did a great job. The breathability of the jacket felt nice and I never felt stuffy at any point while wearing it. In summary, I'm very pleased with my purchase so far.

Firstly, on the hike up I was super warm with just the Gamma MX and Patagonia Capilene mid. However when we took a water break at the top and relaxed a bit I slipped on the proton FL under the Gamma MX and I was immediately perfectly comfortable while being stagnant. On the way down it was a good pace but I was never clammy or uncomfortable. The breathability was stellar.

These things although are 40 deniers so far have proven to be able to be put through their paces and are great jackets. I dont own an alpha sv because im not an ice climbing but i think thats for different discussion. Id also say my gamma lt and gamma mx should last about a decade, the lt less so than the gamma mx for obvious reasons but i only really use it for summer trad climbing so it doesnt get too much use.

From reading layering guides online and just judging from the name, I always thought that soft shells were just a more comfortable but less weatherproof version of a hard shell. I naively thought that if you feel like your hardshell is clammy for some occasion, just change it out to a soft shell. Through my recent experiences with Gamma MX and Gamma LT, I've realized that this is absolutely not how soft shells work and judging from the Arc'teryx website, this is not how any of the soft shells work.

9. It isn't all that unusual for Arc'tery to seam tape softgoods. The Acto FL had it, so does the new Gamma MX I believe. The tape does a few things on top of potentially providing the anti-chafing benefits.

The cuffs on the Gamma MX look so loose and terrible. Why would they do this?! Sure, you couldn't easily slide them over a watch and it took a bit to take off, but they worked perfectly fine for keeping draft and snow out. Now they are loose and the bunched elastic looks cheap.

In this case, it can either be used on its own over a baselayer in warmer but windy temperatures, or over a light fleece or other active insulation for cooler temperatures. A lined softshell such as the Gamma MX can be thought of as replacing 1 or 2 separate pieces in a layering system during cold weather. It can replace a combination of a fleece and windshell as described above, or replace a midlayer such as an OR Ascendant which combines a wind resistant but breathable outer with a breathable insulation.