Everything can always be done better

Arc’teryx is known for its uncompromising quality. Inspiration for product development can be found in the neighborhood of the brand’s headquarters near Vancouver: The Coast Mountains, a temperate rainforest area, offer not only stunning scenery but also challenging, rapidly changing weather conditions.

Careful product development

The journey of a new Arc’teryx product from idea to production can take three years - or longer. The manufacturer’s product development center is far from a sterile test lab, it is more like a workshop of passionate craft enthusiasts. Near the development center is Arc’One, a small factory where prototypes of new products are made.

Close collaboration with Gore - now without PFAS compounds

Arc’teryx’s most important single partner since 1998 has been W.L. Gore, known for its Gore-Tex material. The technical fabrics developed by Gore are tested in a laboratory simulating natural conditions before the finished product can be tested on the mountain side.

The legendary Alpha SV Jacket

Introduced in 1998, the Alpha SV jacket combined, and still combines, full protection from rain and wind, a durable structure, and an amazingly low weight. Satisfied Alpha SV users can be seen regularly in the mountains and fells of the world. Continuous product development over the years has shaved a third off the weight of the first model.

Responsibility

Product durability is the core of responsibility: an Arc’teryx product is designed to last from season to season. The production of clothing inevitably creates emissions and consumes energy - so it’s best to do it right the first time! Arc’teryx is increasingly aiming for recyclability. Multi-stage product life cycle assessment (LCA) is used to map out ways to reduce the burden on production.