Arc’teryx Sarissa Jacket

Insulation

The Sarissa features a generous 100 grams of Coreloft insulation, which is a synthetic insulation similar to PrimaLoft, constructed of polyester fibers of varying sizes. I’m thrilled with the warmth of this insulation considering how thin it feels when you touch the Sarissa jacket. An added bonus is that the thinness of the Coreloft definitely helps to keep the bulk on this jacket to a minimum.

I’ve used the Sarissa with great success in some of the toughest ski conditions I’ve ever experienced. I rode bell to bell one day when winds were 45 mph with gusts up to 90, and temps were dipping below 15 degrees. These normally crippling weather conditions presented no problems for the Coreloft insulation or windproof outer fabric.

As I mentioned earlier, we’ve been having an unseasonably cold winter here in Utah, and the Sarissa has become my new favorite. When the temps dip below about 28-25 degrees F, I pair this jacket with a lightweight fleece or the Arc’teryx Atom LT, though many folks may not need to layer up since I tend to run cold.

Anything above about 28 degrees F, and the Sarissa works just swell when worn over a midweight baselayer. I do appreciate that this jacket is so wonderful in frigid temps, and that it does not require additional bulky layers to remain sufficiently warm. I would expect it’s going to be great up until about the 40s (but I will have to wait until spring to test that theory, and will update this post accordingly).

Lastly, the feel of the inner fabric on the Sarissa is very pleasant. The arms feature a taffeta lining that is very comfortable. This same liner fabric is also found in the hood and around the pit zips. The main core of the inner jacket is also smooth to the touch, but not so silky—it has a more velvety sensation when touched. I find the inner fabric to be incredibly comfortable, even when worn over just a baselayer.

Ventilation

The pit zips, for me, are where the Sarissa falls short. While they run a full 12.5 inches long, they are incredibly narrow, only about 2.25 inches wide when open. Within the center of that 2.25 inch opening runs a strip of Gore-Tex fabric, making the effective opening of the pit zip itself about 1.25 inches wide.

These diminutive openings are then lined with a very fine mesh, supposedly to prevent snow from entering the pit-zips. Arc’teryx calls this their “Powder Guard” technology. I know we all want pit-deep powder and unlimited face shots, but I found the center Gore-Tex strip, narrow opening, and mesh lining to inhibit effective heat dumping. I typically keep my vents zipped for deep powder runs anyway, then open the vents in the lift line or during the lift ride for powder-free ventilation.

Because the Sarissa provides such a generous dose of insulation, I think it would make more sense to provide a wider opening for the pit zip so a serious amount of heat could be dumped if necessary. (I found the pit zips on the Arc’teryx Venta SV softshell jacket to be significantly more functional and practical). As it stands, the pit zips do not seem to permit much heat release, so I usually need to zip the jacket down half way if I do overheat.

I also must admit that on one particular 13-degree F day, I honestly didn’t even notice that the pit zips were wide open. This to me is a pretty good indication that the pit zips are not quite adequate.

The good news is the pit zips are easy to use, and only require one hand to adjust.