Arc’teryx Venta SV Jacket

DWR Finish

The DWR on this jacket is excellent. I’ve used the jacket in several storms without it wetting out, and water particles are beading up on the surface of the fabric like wet diamonds. I can’t say this jacket is going to be wonderful in a wet Pacific Northwest dump, but it performed admirably here in Utah. I noticed no difference between its water repellency and that of the Stoic Bombshell hard shell I’d used the day prior in the same storm cycle. This fabric holds up nicely in light precipitation, but I can’t attest that it will work out in a downpour. (More updates come April showers).

Hood

The hood on the Venta SV is colossal in size, and comfortably accommodates a ski helmet—with room to spare. I can imagine this will also be an excellent feature for helmeted alpine climbers who would be craning their necks in all sorts of positions while working a vertical face.

I noticed the hood was practical when ski touring, because it’s possible to shield your face from prevailing winds in poor weather.  I was unable to use my Gamma MX softshell during severe weather because it lacked a hood, so the Venta SV is definitely a more versatile garment.

The “Drop Hood” construction is my second favorite feature after the pit zips. The attachment points for the hood rest about 1.5 inches below the top of the collar, so the jacket can be zipped up entirely, shielding your neck and chin from the elements, without being forced to use the hood.

The hood itself features a reinforced brim and can be adjusted at three different points: near the side of each cheekbone and the back of the head. The two adjustments on either side of the face work by pulling a small elastic cord then cinching down a toggle about the size of a peanut. This requires depressing a small button, which is all but impossible to do without removing gloves and using both hands. This isn’t the most convenient situation, but once adjusted, the hood creates a decent seal to the helmet for protection in inclement weather.

The third hood adjustment point is located on the back of the head and features another independent elastic cord with a larger, wider toggle that is significantly easier to adjust: the toggle can be loosened or tightened with the depression of a small button.