Description of Arc'teryx Sidewinder AR Jacket - Women's:
The Arc'teryx Women's Sidewinder AR Jacket offers bomber protection and a women's-specific fit to keep you dry and comfortable on the deepest days of the season. Gore-Tex Pro Shell fabric and fully taped seams keep every drop of moisture from getting inside and soaking your layers. A stowable storm hood fits over your helmet, so you don't have to choose between your hood and your brain bucket. A RECCO avalanche reflector on the arm keeps you safe in slide-prone terrain, and Arc'teryx also hooked up the Sidewinder AR with an offset front zipper, so you don't have to ride with a cold piece of metal pressed against your chin.
Bottom Line: When the burliest storms of the season roll in, get out and ride with the Arc'teryx Sidewinder AR Jacket.
This jacket fits a weird. I am small chested and there is way too much room in chest area but it is a little snug in the hip area. I am a size 8 and it's going to be a tight fit when I am wearing this jacket and my ski pants. If you are a large chested women with narrow hips, this jacket is made for you.
Bottom line, this jacket has top notch quality and is a perfect shell - if you're lucky enough for it to fit properly. The hips are definitely tight (and I don't have big hips!) while the chest area is baggy (good mobility of skiing and climbing, though). I love the stowable hood, has great shape and a drawstring in the back to cinch it up if no hats are being warn. The picture is a little misleading...makes the jacket look a bit longer than it actually is (I find this a common problem with Arc'teryx). Unfortunately, I'll be returning this jacket because of the fit...if you wanna try it out, order a size up.
I got this for my wife, and it just wasn't good quality. It's clear that moving their manufacturing plant to China was a terrible move. We have many older pieces that were made in Canada and the quality is leagues above what is now. I don't mind paying up for gear if it's top notch, but I would recommend staying away from the Chinese Arc'teryx stuff.
