Feeling the Rush Deep in the Kootenays

One of my favourite jackets of all-time is an Arc'teryx insulating piece that I have owned for over 20 years. It has stood the test of time and taken me on a myriad of adventures. So this season when it came time to replace my old outerwear kit, Arc'teryx was top of mind. Now, if you have shopped for Arc'teryx before, you know that they gear for almost any outdoor adventure so I needed to have some criteria for what I was going to peel my wallet open for. 

My top three features that I needed to satisfy were:

• Durability - investing in a new kit I wanted to make sure it was going to last a number of years and still net me some cash when I go to sell it on Marketplace years down the road.
• The jacket fits my long arms - I was blessed with extra long arms. Great for reaching the top shelf, not so good for sizing up a new ski jacket. I usually have to size up to an XL and deal with the loose fit in the body.
• Versatility - I get out on the mountain a lot and in different ways. From skiing hard on the weekends at the resort to escaping on an annual heli ski trip to last minute catskiing adventures and mixing in some sled skiing. I need my outwear to be super versatile.

After researching all the different options Arc'teryx has to offer - and there are many - I zeroed in on the Arc'teryx Rush Jacket and Bib Pant combo. Once my brand new outfit arrived, there was little time between unpacking it, running around the house like a kid on Christmas and then packing to head to the Kootenay's for an early season powder excursion...

And it was DEEP

Skiing in the Kootenay region of British Columbia is know worldwide in the ski community for deep and light powder. And this trip was no exception. We have always had luck late December or early January. The days are usually darker and of course, shorter. However, the storm cycles are enough to cause you to lose sleep at night. We arrived at Snowwater Heliskiing for a 3 day powder buffet and they served it up deep. It was snowing hard and consistently which makes flying challenging but that doesn't really matter as they have developed an amazing catskiing zone that is noted for big, old growth tree skiing. And to be honest, being BC born and raised, I would take dark and stormy tree skiing over sunny open bowls any day.

Full of just the right features...

Some stand out features on the Arc'teryx Rush really stand out for me. Yes, the Rush series is made from Gore-tex Pro which is super tough and yes, it has all the best zippers, seam sealing and the list that goes one. What is noticeable to me are the little things. The things that you can tell that skiers have had their handing designing. You know that years of feedback and trial and refinement have gone into this performance outerwear pieces.

Access snacks quick with the 'slash zip' design

For me, what I call the 'slash zips' on the pant pockets are perfectly designed. You can easily open and close these with gloves on and there is little to no tugging on the garment to open the pockets. The side zips on the pants are 2-way and also easy to function with one hand. The right pocket has a small stretch stash pocket inside that I put my wallet in. I like it because it stays snug and doesn't bounce around. Up in the bib section there are two side pockets with anchor loops. I used this on a recent backcountry trip for my beacon. I preferred this set up to have the beacon straps all tangled up around my neck and waist. With my beacon in there I felt comfortable and it was easy to pull out for emergency scenarios. 

Long arms for better high fives

The arms, oh the arms. They are long enough and more importantly, there is no binding across the shoulders. This is especially noticeable when wearing a pack. I feel no restriction at all when skiing all day with a pack on. Arc'teryx designed the arms with a more articulate cut and it is especially noticeable when layering. I found on other premium level jackets that used the same materials and had similar features, the cuts were often more straight and boxy. Not the Rush. It moves so well you hardly notice it. This could be my favourite feature of all after years of compromising with other jackets.

Weather the storm with ease

The Storm Hood on the jacket is extremely easy to use. From sitting on the chairlift to protecting from the rotor wash, the hood has excellent full coverage, fits over a helmet perfectly and can be done with one hand and gloves on. Skiing with the hood on was flawless as well. The wind didn't pull at the hood and yank it around. I was nice and comfortable all tucked in. I have always liked the idea of being out in nasty weather and having the best gear to weather the storm. As the old adage goes, "there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear."

And the Winner for Best Cuff Design Goes to...

Arc-teryx is ahead of the game on their TPU Cuff Design. You might think that this design would make the pants heavier. Well, I went and grabbed a couple pairs of my other pants and these Arc-teryx Rush bibs are noticeably lighter. Also, after almost 30 days skiing with them there is absolutely no sign of any cuff damage. Every single pair of my other pants have slices in the cuffs. Since I was a teenage and buying my own gear, one of the first things I look at is the cuff design. You can spend a bunch of money on pants and within a few days have sliced and diced them! Not with these ones. I am very happy with this design and hope they keep it in future models. 

But everyone is wearing Arc'teryx these days

There is a good reason you are seeing more Arc'teryx out there, it is just that good. The quality is superior but more than that, they make a really well-thought out product. You can tell that years of R&D have gone into each piece. And when we arrived for our Kootenay powder buffet we were greeted by a team of guides all wearing Arc'teryx. Guides put their gear through the ringer and it needs to hold up every single day of the season. If this is the brand they put their trust in then it is certainly good enough for me.