This jacket is technically one of the most advanced soft shells on the market. It has all the little details from arc'teryx that show true quality, such as zip garages and laminated hem.
It uses a material that is 98% windproof, which incorporates more breathability without skimping much at all on the weather-proof qualities. It works very well, as you don't get wind coming through but it is more breathable than other similar materials. The material is for high energy use but a thin fleece lining provides slight insulation. It isn’t designed for very cold conditions.
The four way stretch enables the jacket to be quite close fitting without preventing easy movement. The fit is tapered, so you hardly notice it is on. This gives it more of a casual look, opposed to other outdoor jackets. The drawstring allows the jacket to be pulled tight to the body at the bottom, preventing wind from entering.
You get plenty of pockets as well, and they are well out of the way of where a harness or waist-strap would go.
The jacket is very water-resistant, so I tend to use it as a shell until the weather gets really bad.
But there are a few drawbacks. The pocket on the arm is pointless; you can barely use it for anything. The cuffs are not adjustable, so some people may find it too tight. Taller people may find the cut a bit short, I am a medium but quite short and it fitted well, but this may not be the case for taller people. And finally, it is incredibly expensive.
Overall, a superb jacket with all the quality and detail you would expect from arc'teryx, but a few little things bring it down to four stars.