The oft-coveted Arc’teryx makes a foray into the world of mountain bike clothing, with the Rhoam Hybrid Jacket handling the top half with a blend of soft and hard shell making it a hybrid.
When is a waterproof not a waterproof? When it’s an Arc’teryx Rhoam Hybrid Jacket that blends hard and soft shells for those days where neither is going to cut it. Does it actually work though? Pete has been finding out.
Photos by Pete Scullion.
Key features:
- GORE 3L ePE hardshell; 20d recycled nylon mini rip body
- GORE C-KNIT™ back
- Recycled stretch-nylon softshell under the arms
- This product is not fully waterproof (WINDSTOPPER® by GORE-TEX Labs)
- Die-cut Velcro® cuff adjusters
- FC0 DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish
- Adjustable StormHood™
- Chest pocket with zip
- Lower-back pocketing system
- Two-way front zipper
- XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL sizes
- £400.00 RRP
- Arc’Teryx.com
This might be our first proper run in with a ‘hybrid’ jacket as designed, and it’s no surprise that Arc’teryx did things slightly differently with their entry into the mountain bike world. In many ways, the Rhoam Hybrid takes the road concept of wind/waterproofing where its needed with the hardshell, then opting for a soft shell where appropriate for comfort and breathability.
GORE fabric makes up the Rhoam Hybrid, with a 3L ePE hardshell body, C-NIT back and recycled stretch-nylon softshell under the arms. An FC0 DWR coating sees off the elements for the entirety of the jacket. Velcro cuffs, StormHood, a two-way zip and two zipped pockets round out the features.
Crucially, this isn’t classed as a waterproof, so don’t go thinking this will see you through an alpine storm or prolonged wet weather. As the subtle sleeve embossing indicates, this is classed as a Windstopper by GORE. At 270g it’s certainly not going to be a heavyweight cold weather option either. It does pack down small and it’s silly light for a jacket too.
I had three very immediate impressions upon receiving the Arc’teryx Rhoam jacket. Firstly… Four hundre… Yes. This jacket is £400. Yes it’s Arc’teryx and yes it’s GORE, but £400 is about as expensive as I have ever seen a mountain bike jacket. “It best be good”, I thought to myself…
Second impression is that is the XS fits me like a glove. Fit is very personal, I appreciate but it’s always a treat considering going up or down a size instead doesn’t even factor into the equation. I have fairly short arms, so often get bunching above the elbow even if the body of a jacket is spot on.
My third impression was that the hardshell employed on the Rhoam Hybrid is really rather hard. Whilst it may soften in the wash or through use, the Rhoam is a crinkly jacket by nature. This is more evident when you’re on a smooth climb and you’ve not much else to focus on.
All this said, the Rhoam provided plenty of wind proofing on a somewhat cool mountain top or several, and out of the wind and in the sun, I never once felt like I was getting sticky. Once the ground turned downward however, I soon forgot I was even wearing the thing, and could batter on with attacking the rather splendid stalkers path ahead of me.
On top of this, on the odd occasion I needed to cross some wet ground, the Rhoam meant that I didn’t even notice as I continued onward. Under a light or passing shower, the Rhoam does exactly what it’s intended to do. As a hybrid jacket, therefore, it’s pretty good. The question remains, at £400, could you just buy a hardshell and a soft shell? The Fox Ranger and Defend jackets together come in under that price point and are quite excellent.
You can check out the Arc’teryx Rhoam Hybrid Jacket on their website here.
