Arc'teryx $$$$

[Kia Kaha]

It's a newbie tendency to stay halfway committed to the Outdoor Life and so you see the fascination with the cheap stuff that has to be repeatedly re-bought while at the same time they wonder why Arcteryx gear costs so much. This is no offense to Scrapes and is only directed at the half in the canoe/half out of the canoe types who can't figure their priorities. Do you want to be outside or inside?

If a person lives out all the time, in fact, if he doesn't even have a house or a spring mattress, he will find the best stuff is cheap when compared to all the toys we normally cherish. $2,000 or $3,000 for a top-notch winter kit that can keep you out all year? Compare this to what people pay for their mortgages or flat screens or vehicles. A dynamite tent is less than one month's rent. And if in addition it helps you to keep from paying rent, well, you've got the memo and are well are your way to Freedom in the form of Backpacking.

There's a group of people who pride themselves on dirtbaggng it: Pulling off a backpacking or climbing trip with minimal expensive stuff and foraging---in all the meanings of that word. Dirtbagging is great for those young guys who have little gear and want to get out no matter what, and it's sort of a prerequisite learning experience in knowing what stuff to get later or what you might need. But after the dirtbagging phase there comes a time when you appreciate gear that is well-made, bombproof, and tested---Ozark Trail vs Hilleberg. How many Ozark Trail tents do you need to get before you wail out in the night and say, "Never again!" Your gaze just may end up on something better. This evolution continues as your trips get longer and winters get colder and winds turn nastier. Hence the need for Arcteryx.

I also agree, it is imple economics, cost to own -vs- cost to buy. We are such a disposable society anymore, this is one thing I have been working on doing better myself, if I need something I try to buy the best for 2 reasons, first and foremost is that the better gear does last and perform better, the second is that I am in a spot at this point in my life where I can afford it, it has not always been that way.

There is a place for any and all gear, the gear is as different and commited as those of us who hike. There is a reason Mystery Ranch (Dana Packs), McHale, Hilleberg, Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends, etc. do not advertise so much...they don't need to, people who are serious have and always will seek out the best product for the job, it's always been that way.

Hike your own hike.

[Papa D]

yes, Tipi - North Face was once the best there was - sort of like Abercrombie and Fitch - which was a company that sold high-end luggage and hunting equipment - Vanity Fare bought The North Face and it is pretty much poser **** now - Abercrombie and Fitch is, well, you know ........

[Ramble~On]

I have been a long time fan of Arcteryx gear for their quality. I have never had a problem with any of their stuff. The Bora 95 I bought ? 10 or so years ago still looks new and it has been used -heavily. I have quite a bit of their stuff and I am happy with it. They are pricey but for that price I know I am buying something that I will get my money out of and will last.
I have yet to find a hiking shirt that I like better than the Velox Comp. I hiked almost the entire AT in one and could have finished in it but it got some bleach on it - so I got a new one. Most of their gear is too heavy for a thru hike and IMO their stuff is geared more towards colder weather...for that, I'm happy to have it. I figured that once they started having their stuff manufactured overseas there would be a drop in quality - there hasn't been any that I have noticed.

[Blue Jay]

Yeah, but their webpage says they also outsource production to 8 different countries just like we do -- China, El Salvador, Phillipines, etc -- so that makes it OK.

I have an Arc hat. Very nice, but for $25 it had better be.

I like their pack, too -- it responds to Bryson's complaint that a pack should be waterproof -- but I made the mistake of buying a ULA, made in a guy's garage in Utah, at half the weight and for half the price. Next time I'll try to support a Canadian company.

Actually I often think of myself as Canadian in the winter as often I'm the only one not speaking French on any given mountain. Outsourcing (which had nothing to do with what I wrote) has nothing to do with buying cheap crap.
Clearly we are forced to make it here also.

[stranger]

I used to be tight with some key people within Arc'Teryx years ago, so can't necessarily bank on this information but as a rule it should prove useful.

First off, Arc'Teryx isn't all that expensive when you put it next to Patagonia, Gregory, Osprey, Mountain Hardware, Marmot, etc...It's a high end product and the price reflects that. Years ago the Bora hipbelt consisted of 4 different layers of foam, with 3 different densities, all thermo-moulded together. The hipbelt had a wholesale value of $45 and retailed for $60, that's just the hipbelt! Alot of craftmanship goes into ArcTeryx products.

Their clothing is designed to be both comfortable, fashionable and functional, the idea being if you spend $400 on a waterproof technical parka, you should be able to wear it to work without looking silly, also, the fit on many ArcTeryx products is amazing, the attention to detail is definiately there.

Second, they do have a very heavy focus on fashion, colors, and patterns. To the point where years ago they brought in a fashion designer to look at their packs, as changed most of them to reflect the suggested changes, most of which simply involved aligning color patters, seams, etc...Even to the point of having a very complex, but cool looking, sternum strap sliding device...all of this costs money!

For many years, Arc'Teryx made some of the worlds finest climbing harnesses, where they started apparently many years ago.

They make great products, but I don't necessarily think they are needed in the long distance hiking community, but for technical climbing, mountaineering, etc...perhaps.

I wouldn't buy a jacket from them personally, but not based on price, just because everything seems to be overdone, overdesigned...I like basic, simple gear.

[Tenderheart]

[QUOTE=Scrapes;1122591]Why is all their stuff so expensive, does anyone use it? love to hear how one can justify the big dollars this gear costs.[/QUOTE

Because it is simply bomb-proof. My Khamsin 50SL pack is still going strong and will soon attempt a second thru hike.

litefoot 2000

[TallShark]

Yeah I agree NF has become garbage due to the over-production of trendy gear. It seems Marmot could go down the same path but what I own/have owned can be considered quality and fairly durable. Now when someone said columbia was reliable I beg to differ. It would be what I would consider affordable odd and end type gear that you certainly wouldn't want to rely on in a survival situation. Oh and I Love Arc'teryx, Mont-bell, OR.