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gear reviews

Gear reviews | Arc'teryx Rush Jacket

Robust hardshell companion for every day

by Alex Schober 04/05/2018
When looking for a hardshell for ski touring and freeriding, sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees. To make your decision easier in the future, you can read a test report on the Arc'teryx Rush Jacket in the following text. In addition to the best weather protection and a sophisticated design, it also promises a high level of robustness. Whether the Canadians are promising too much with this jacket or whether it has what it takes to become your new favorite piece - we have tested it for you.

First impression

The jacket is made from high-quality 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro and therefore feels somewhat stiff but very robust. Gore-Tex Pro laminates are extremely abrasion-resistant and still offer a high level of breathability. They are therefore perfect for alpine use. To further improve breathability, ventilation slits have been incorporated under the armpits, which can be opened/closed with a 2-way zipper.

The cut of the jacket is (as usual from Arc'teryx) slightly larger and more casual. It reaches perfectly over the buttocks and even with the arms stretched upwards, the sleeves are long enough to stay over the gloves. The Velcro fastener at the sleeve ends prevents unwanted slipping. A ski helmet can easily be worn under the adjustable hood, which provides improved weather protection, especially in strong winds.

The adjustable elasticated drawstring at the bottom of the jacket ensures an optimal fit with ski trousers and there is even an integrated snow skirt for real powder hunters.

The two belly pockets are positioned slightly higher so that the hip belt of a backpack does not interfere with opening/closing. Inside the jacket there is both a small closable pocket and a half-open slide-in pocket in which gloves or skins can be stowed. There is a small pocket on the left shoulder to stow your lift ticket.

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Tester and test conditions

I am 1.73 meters tall and weigh around 70 kilos. I am normally a typical "M" size. As Arc'teryx provided us with this jacket in L, I "involuntarily" chose this size - but it still fits very well, not least because I find wider cuts quite good. Even though I am rarely cold, I can still wear several layers of warm clothing under this jacket. So far, I have been able to test the jacket in icy sub-zero temperatures, heavy snowfall, but also in plus temperatures on the mountain or on the bike in the city.

Test report

In the practical test, my first impression of the jacket was confirmed: It offers perfect weather protection and even in heavy rain it remains reliably waterproof and protects against wetness. Due to the Gore-Tex Pro laminate, the pack size suffers a little, but the high robustness makes up for this. After a few climbing (ascent) tours, the jacket still shows no major signs of wear and tear, although I have got stuck on rocks or grazed the jacket with an ice axe a few times.

The pockets are all very well thought out, and I particularly like the large belly pockets. Only the pocket for the lift ticket is too high up in my opinion, so that you often have to bend down when scanning the ticket.

The zipper of the ventilation slits under the armpits could run a little more smoothly, but it works perfectly. Thanks to the increased breathability and ventilation, the jacket is still very comfortable to wear even when the temperature is above zero and I was also able to use it as a pure rain jacket when cycling in the city without any problems. The fact that the snow guard is not removable doesn't really bother me, as it doesn't add too much bulk, even if you don't close it. The Velcro fasteners make a high-quality impression, hold firmly and don't fray.

Conclusion

I am impressed by the functionality, workmanship and material of this jacket. It does exactly what you would expect from a hardshell jacket: it keeps the wearer dry and warm and protects against wind and weather. Thanks to its low weight combined with its high robustness, the relatively large pack size is easy to get over. You won't find any unnecessary frills in this jacket and all the details have been well thought out. In combination with high-quality base and mid layers, you can get the full potential out of this jacket.

Advantages & disadvantages

+ Robust
+ well made
+ helmet-compatible hood
- relatively large pack size
- high price

Details (acc. Arc'teryx)

Technical details

  • Waterproof

  • Windproof

  • Breathable

  • Rugged

Construction

  • Micron seam technology (1.6 mm seam allowance) saves weight and ensures smooth seams

  • Lightweight, 3-layer GORE-TEX® material

  • Fully taped seams

Cutting

  • Pre-shaped elbows

  • e3D - ergonomic 3D fit for maximum freedom of movement

  • Gussets under the arms

Hood types

  • Helmet-compatible Storm Hood™-Hood

  • Laminated visor

  • Adjustable drawcord

Collar shapes

  • Chin guard with microfiber cover for greater comfort

Zipper types

  • UnderarmVentilation

  • WaterTight™ VisIon front zipper

  • Mini zipper pull with woven cord

Cuffs & Sleeve construction

  • Laminated hook-and-loop closure at cuffs won't snag or pull out

Heam types

  • Extended back

  • Adjustable hem with drawcord

Pocket features

  • Sleeve pocket with WaterTight™-zipper

  • Laminated inner pocket with zipper

  • Internal mesh storage pocket

  • Two slash pockets with WaterTight™ zippers and RS™ zipper sliders

  • Note: While our WaterTight™ zippers are highly water resistant, they are not waterproof. We advise against carrying items in the pockets that could be damaged by moisture.

Snowsports details

  • Snow skirt with elasticated drawcord and press stud fastening

  • The smooth-running "Slide 'n Loc™" coupling on the snow skirt allows the jacket to be attached to special ski pants to prevent snow from getting into your clothing.

  • Concealed Recco® reflector

Here you can order the jacket from Arc'teryx


This product was provided to PowderGuide.com free of charge by the manufacturer. You can find out how we tested it in our test statement.

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