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Gamma Mx Hoody Men'sCourtesy of Arc'teryx
Arc’teryx Gamma MX Hoody and Motus Crew T-Shirt
James Webb
46 | BWA February 2018
Arc’teryx Gamma MX HoodyThe Gamma MX Hoody by Arc’teryx is far and away my number one piece of clothing for absolutely anything I do involving 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 over a decade, in all my adventures, in all my trips, all around the world, this has been my go-to jacket. From 6000+ metre 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 happen.
For my 30peaksin30days project it was no different, I wore it every trip. As I get quite hot I normally don’t wear a jacket while hiking, but the Gamma MX is such a versatile piece that I often did. When you wake up and it's 3ºC outside, you rug up. I often started my hikes with it on and kept it on for several hours. Depending on how hard I worked, occasionally I would start to sweat, but the jacket dried 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, two hand pockets keep hands warm and out of the weather, and a little secret inside pocket is super-convenient.
The fabric is soft, especially on the inside, so it 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.
SummaryBest softshell jacket ever (and I have had a few, all the well know brands), lasts forever and fits like a glove. Five stars.
UsageSkiing, hiking, climbing, mountaineering, really anything that is outdoors where it may get a little chilly or windy.
James wearing the Gamma Mx Hoody at the top of the south summit of Mount Stirling, with the Crosscut Saw behind him
“This jacket has seen and done it all, but more importantly, it has never ever let me down.
“I seriously think this jacket could last for a lifetime ...
“It can handle snow and light rain quite easily.
BWA February 2018 | 47
Arc’teryx Motus Crew T-ShirtIt's taken a year to write this review but I had to do it because, the more I wear this top the more I fall in love with it.
The Motus Crew Shirt by Arc’teryx is my go-to T-shirt for almost anything active and outdoorsy. From hiking to workouts at the gym to runs around the Tan Track, a famous Melbourne running route.
I first noticed how good it was on the second day of a four day Bogong High Plains walk. On the first day I started really late in the afternoon and had a substantial uphill walk of over 12 kilometres with a heavy pack, Bogong Village to Bogong Jack. With daylight dwindling very fast, I turned up the speed and pushed hard in an attempt to reach the campsite not long after dark. As the wind picked up and the sun disappeared, I got really cold as I walked. I was still sweating from the effort but shivering from cold as the shirt I was wearing (another well known brand, not Arc’teryx), seemed like an air conditioner, which is great in hotter weather but not when temperatures plummet.
The next day was an epic! 29 kilometres, several peaks and another finish in the dark at Ryders Yards. This time I wore the
Motus Crew Shirt and with almost identical conditions as the night before, I was literally shocked at the difference between the tops. Despite being wet from sweat, I didn’t once feel cold nor did I shiver when the wind blew against me. In fact it was almost dry by the time I got the tent out of my pack. My other top was still wet the next morning.
Needless to say I stayed in the Motus for the next two days. The flat seams work a treat and meant no rubbing or marks left from shoulder straps and heavy loads. The sun was kept at bay and I only got burnt where the shirt wasn’t. It didn’t smell like roses but it was pretty good after three days of constant wear.
Side note here: I am a big fan of icebreaker tops and how they don’t smell, however mine only last about 30 days of hiking before the shoulders have worn out and have lots of holes.
So overall all I have to say I love this top. It feels nice against the skin, it fits well, it performs amazingly and a year later after constant wear in both gym, on the track and in the hills, it still is as good as it was when I first bought it.
It’s so good, I bought a second one, this time in blue.
James is from Melbourne, with a wife, dog and a new son. He is a high school teacher (yes, for the holidays), when not on a mountain somewhere, or up at the family farm near Mansfield. His blog is here.
Motus Crew Neck Shirt SS Men's Courtesy of Arc'teryx
James wearing the Motus Crew T-Shirt at the Bogong High Plains looking across towards Mount Hotham and Mount Loch
48 | BWA February 2018