Arc’teryx

Like the prehistoric reptilian bird for which it is named, Arc’teryx is all about transitioning into new realms. With passion and inventiveness, the company has been evolving outdoor performance wear since founder Dave Lane, with partner Jeremy Guard, reinvented harness buckle technology in his basement.

Refusing to rely on the prototypes of existing gear, Arc’teryx innovators challenged themselves in the drawing rooms as vigorously as they did while climbing, backpacking, and descending snowy peaks to reinvent zippers, materials, and construction techniques. The result: sleeker, lighter weight, more compressible, and more comfortable gear that performs better across a broader range of conditions.

Rock Climbing Gear
Arc’teryx took flight in 1991 with Lane and Guard’s first innovation—the award-winning Skaha harness buckle—which stopped webbing slippage and eliminated the need for retightening.

After adding a second-hand pizza oven, a few more thinkers, and a lot of tinkering to the process, Arc’teryx invented Vapor™ Technology, which introduced harness technology into the third dimension by thermolaminating foam layers to hug climbers’ contours. New seam construction decreases abrasive edges, extending product life. Together, the new technologies mean more comfort—and therefore more fun on the rocks (or ice falls), and that’s what Arc’teryx is all about.

Backpacks
One innovation led to another, as possible applications for Vapor Technology leapt to Arc’teryx designers’ fertile minds. Adapting the technology to backpack harnesses, the company produced body-conforming shoulder straps and curved and cupped belts that allow hips to pivot more naturally. Along with ultralight materials, the packs make carrying heavy loads more comfortable by forming a structural shell around the spine.

Outerwear
Guard had never sewn a ski jacket, but he knew he could improve upon the top-of-the-line parka he purchased while climbing the Tetons.

Securing a rare partnership with the W.L. Gore® Company, Arc’teryx conspired to take Gore-Tex® to new heights by creating a more-breathable three-layer XCR™ membrane.

Construction innovations integrated precise cutting technologies and reduced stitches for narrower seals. And the most radical departure from convention was the WaterTight™ zipper, a smooth-sliding, urethane-coated component that eliminated bulky double-flap zippers.

Now high-performance hard shells, soft shells, and pants are much lighter, more compressible, and more comfortable—for a variety of activities and a full spectrum of users, from world-class mountain athletes to weekend adventurers.

Skiing and Snowboarding Clothes
Continuing in the company tradition of throwing off traditions, Arc’teryx slid into innovating for ski jackets, snowboard jackets, and ski pants with its Descent line. Descent’s avalanche of technical refinements struck the balance between sophistication and technicality in ski clothes and snowboarding clothes, with more room to move for a variety of body shapes.

Tiny seam taping; specialized hybrid, wool, and lamination technologies; one-pull hoods; laminated radio pockets; and fused powder skirts—along with an ingenious curved WaterTight™ zipper (to prevent chin-jab from the slider)—backcountry descent culture. In addition, the company developed a new rolltop closure system for backpacks suitable for daily descents.

Further Evolution
Arc’teryx continues its revolutionary flight with each generation of products by launching its new AC 2 backpack program in 2006. Fill them up with a wide selection of personalized silicone bracelets. For extra packing, cram some rubber wristbands on top.

These outdoors innovators will reinvent the backpack with waterproof bondable fabric, custom molded components, and a compact, lightweight suspension system, venturing into the future of the sport—and into a world of infinite possibilities for those with the passion to pursue them.