After 2 long years of exceptional service, I’m retiring my red Arc’teryx Epsilon SV Hoody this year. It has been with me all over the Tetons, the Wind River Range, the Sierra, Antarctica and South America, and has seen me through some glorious and some not-so glorious moments, but it has never let me down and I’ll probably try to get another one just like it…though maybe in a different color. 🙂
Just a little sun faded.
The sun fading tells the story of many great days in the mountains and reminds me that I really should start using more sunscreen when it’s fully splitter out. None-the-less, the Epsilon SV has held up extremely well over the past couple years and there is not a single stitch coming apart, or tear in the fabric. Every zipper still works like they did on the first day and there is absolutely no fraying or excessive wear around high friction points like the wrist cuffs, waist and chin area. The laminated pocket on the sleeve is still attached, which is surprising 
because the shoulders and arms take the full force of the sun’s UV rays
and are the primary defense when skiing in full combat mode through trees and brush.
I’m quite impressed with the durability of this jacket and I’d highly recommend it as an approach jacket. I like to 
just wear only a t-shirt under it when I’m skinning and 
the soft inner plush of the bonded fleece fabric feels really nice against the skin, yet the finished outside blocks wind and precip while still retaining adequate breatheability. Now, which color to get? I’m torn between Micro Blue or Sublime?
2 years old??!! Whatareyou, rich or something? That things just getting broken in. I don’t even see any duct tape.
Do they still make it with a grid type fleece inside or is it now solid fleece? I hope that makes sense. I have one with the grid fleece and its the best jacket I’ve ever owned.
Tom…duct tape on clothing is for hippies and dirtbags. 😉
brent…i believe this years epsilon sv is like last years…and doesn’t have the grid pattern. BUT…it probably performs similarly.
Go with Sublime, it will be great.
Why retire it after two years if it is still in great working condition? It is a shame that we don’t use garments till the end of their usable life. We’re such a society of excess, so often buying more when we don’t need it. Please donate it to Big City Mountaineers or a similar organization that offers trips to those less fortunate.
Love the blog by the way.
Nice Rando – but I agree that you can still get some days in out of that rig.
And you have more options for Fall ’10, it also comes in Amazon (green) as well as in a new hoodless jacket version which is pretty sweet, too.
http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Jackets/Epsilon-SV-Jacket
But there is no better bang for your Arc’teryx buck than one of these!
http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Jackets/Atom-LT-Hoody
yeah…this puppy might have more days left in it…but i’m not secure in my manhood enough to wear pink. 😉
sublime…in the mail!
for sale…one, slightly used, slightly sun faded, Arc’teryx Epsilon SV Hoody. lots of life left in it. color red/pink, size medium. $50.
jk. 😉
Duc tape s for hippies hahah..it s hilarious, i you want to change then change, fine with me, and probably fine with the one who ll buy your used pink one!
If you have blue eyes go for the blue…. Yellow for photos….
mike t…sounds like i need both then. eh?
That has been the best jacket I have owned in the last five years as well. Two years of use on mine and no problems yet. That jacket rules!
Dude, i understand that being sponsored is just too good sometimes for a gearhead, but why not give the environment a break? A 2 year old Arcteryx jacket is like a toyota truck with 20,000 miles on it….just getting good.it takes a lot of fossil fuels to make that new jacket just so you can have a new one.
I challenge you to take one for the planet next time…and use it till its broke
hola gringo! if you’re a size medium…it yours! 😀
I appreciate the offer, but if you sent it to me you’d know my ne and addy. i’d rather keep my Anonymity… And my 8 year old Gamma MX softshell jacket , it should still be good for a few years. 😉
Steve,
I’ll take the Arc pink hoody if Gringo doesn’t want it and I’d be happy to reimburse you for shipping. Always wanted a Arc jacket but couldn’t afford one. Be glad to give it a new home for the next few years and protect the environment at the same time.
Tri
okay gringo…but something tells me that you’re arms are way too long for a size medium anyway.
tri…let me think about it. i might want to hold on to it for my next paintball session or wood chopping expedition.
Steve,
No problem. I understand completely what it’s like to part ways with a trusted piece of gear. If you do change your mind, rest assured I’ll always wear my TetonAT visor when I’m wearing the jacket and I’ll bring it to Jackson each summer when we go backpacking so you and the jacket can get reacquainted. :-}
t
In all fairness, I had a red Marmot jacket that faded to pink and i got rid of it too
therefore, the debate must then turn to which colour lasts longest without challenging one’s manhood or other self-esteem related issues. people pay a fortune for pre-faded jeans!!!
Furthermore, I’d have to say duct tape is for the clever and generally hardcore user that has more interaction with trees, rocks, ice axes, old cabins and campfires than hippies, dirtbags, yuppies or most pro-riders. If one’s jacket never gets ripped, then they too could be assigned some stereotypical adjective or noun 😉
black.
Ptor…. again… hahahah
I’ve got you all beat with my moonstone gore-tex pullover. 16 years and still my backcountry/alpine go-to shell. Only about 2 square inches of duct tape!
Moonstone, whatever happened to them? I’ve got two or three Moonstone garments and they’re great.
Yes…. If you can pull it off you are a lucky dog!!!!