Arc'teryx Squamish Hoody

If you want a barely-there outer layer for fast-paced trail runs and alpine approaches this is the jacket you reach for. The Squamish Hoody is a minimalist windshell made to cut wind, shed light showers, and disappear in your pack so you never hesitate to carry it. ## What makes it worth it The Squamish stands out because of its material and balance: Arc’teryx uses a 30-denier Tyono nylon with a durable water-repellent finish that resists drizzle while remaining noticeably breathable, a combination that reviewers from OutdoorGearLab and Switchback Travel say handles long aerobic efforts better than many rivals. It weighs roughly 4.8–4.9 oz (men’s M) and stuffs into its zip chest pocket with a reinforced clip loop so it doubles as an emergency shell without bulk. The one-way adjustable hood, elastic cuffs and hem drawcord give a tidy, low-profile fit that layers cleanly under a pack or over a base layer. ## Where it falls short This is a windshell not a rain shell so the DWR will fail in sustained heavy rain and the jacket lacks taped seams. It is also priced higher than equivalent ultralight shells such as the Patagonia Houdini which is lighter and cheaper, so you are paying for construction, fit and Arc’teryx finish rather than full waterproof protection. Buy this if you want the lightest effective wind layer that breathes for long aerobic days; skip it if you need a true waterproof hardshell or you want the absolute lowest weight for budget ultralight kits.

£131.26