Arc'teryx Gamma

Arc'teryx Gamma at Behind The Pines Amsterdam

Gamma is the softshell part of the Arc'teryx range, and it is the one most people skip over on the way to a hardshell. That is often a mistake. For dry cold, wind, and any activity where you are generating heat, a softshell is the more comfortable and more useful piece.

This page collects the Gamma jackets, hoodies and pants we stock.

When a softshell beats a hardshell

A hardshell like the Beta is waterproof, and that comes at a cost: a membrane restricts how fast moisture can escape. In real rain that trade is obviously worth it. In dry cold with wind, or on any climb where you are working hard, it is not.

Gamma fabric is woven, stretchy and highly breathable, with a durable water repellent finish that sheds light precipitation. It blocks wind, moves with you, and lets heat out fast enough that you do not soak yourself from the inside. It will wet out in sustained rain, and that is the honest limitation.

If you mostly need protection from rain, the Beta shells are the right page. If you need protection from wind and cold while moving, this one is.

Where Gamma fits in the system

A softshell can work as an outer layer on its own, or as a mid layer under a hardshell in genuinely bad weather. The stretch and breathability that make it good on its own also make it a comfortable layer, which is more than can be said for most insulated pieces.

The combination worth understanding: Gamma for the active, dry days; Atom for warmth when you stop; Beta over the top when it turns. Our layering guide covers how the three interact.

Weight variants

As across the rest of the range, the suffix tells you the intended conditions. LT is lightweight, for milder days and higher output. Heavier variants add wind resistance and durability for colder, rougher use. SL is the lightest and most packable.

Gamma pants

Worth a mention on their own. Softshell trousers are one of the most underrated pieces in outdoor clothing: warm enough for cold days, breathable enough to walk uphill in, stretchy enough to actually move, and far more comfortable than a waterproof overtrouser for anything short of a downpour. See the wider range in Arc'teryx pants.

Fit and sizing

Arc'teryx cuts trim across the board and Gamma is no exception, though the stretch in the fabric makes it more forgiving than the hardshells. It is designed to go over a base layer or a light mid layer, not over a thick fleece. If you plan to wear it under a Beta, take your normal size in both rather than sizing the shell up.

What to expect in the range

• Gamma jackets and hoodies: the core softshell layer.
• Gamma pants: for cold, active days where waterproof trousers are overkill.
• Weight variants: lighter for output, heavier for cold and wind.
• Men's and women's fits: subject to stock.

Why buy Gamma here

Softshell is the category people get wrong most often, usually by buying a hardshell instead and then overheating in it. We can tell you honestly whether Gamma is the right piece for how you spend your time outside, or whether you should be looking at a shell or insulation instead. Sometimes the answer is that you do not need this one.

See the full Arc'teryx collection, the jackets, or the Arc'teryx sale for reduced colourways.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gamma waterproof?

No. It is wind resistant and sheds light rain through a DWR finish, but it will wet out in sustained rain. That is the trade for the breathability.

Gamma or Beta?

Beta if rain is the main problem. Gamma if wind, dry cold and overheating are. Many people who are outside a lot end up owning both.

Can I wear Gamma under a hardshell?

Yes, it works well as a mid layer when conditions turn. Take your normal size in each.

Is a softshell warm?

It is warmer than a hardshell because the fabric itself has some loft, but it is not insulated. For static warmth you want an Atom over or under it.

Are Gamma pants worth it over waterproof trousers?

For most walking and cold-weather activity, yes. They are far more comfortable to move in. Keep a waterproof overtrouser in the bag for actual rain.

Shop Arc'teryx Gamma at Behind The Pines Amsterdam

Browse the Gamma range below. If you are working out which of the three Arc'teryx layers you actually need, come and talk to us, or start with the layering guide.