This is the second of four articles sponsored by Arc’teryx LEAF to educate readers on softshell fabrics used in their garments. In the last article we covered Tweave, a product of Gehring Textiles. What better way to learn about how Arc’teryx combines world class design and materials like Tweave Durastretch and Durastretch LT than to actually wear them? So, this time we are going to give away a set of Sphinx Halfshell and Pant.
The Sphinx Halfshell combines both weights of Tweave Durastretch. It is an armor compatible design that features articulated arms with roll up sleeves that stow for a short-sleeve option. A mandarin collar and bicep pockets top this technical version of a combat shirt off. The Sphinx pant also features softshell construction and an articulated fit for comfort and mobility. These pants are designed to be worn over the top of hiking and mountaineering boots so they incorporate an internal gaiter. The Sphinx pant also includes a knife/tool loop as well as an ingenious reinforced knee construction with an internal pocket for hardshell kneepads which allows you to still use the kneepads’ straps for added stability.
For your chance to win, in the comments section of this posting on SSD, tell us what product you’d like to see Arc’teryx develop. Use your real email address to enter because that is how you will be contacted in case you win. You posting may have to be approved so be patient of it doesn’t show right up. Only one entry per email address. The contest closes at 1200 GMT, 27 April, 2012. At that point, SSD will randomly draw a winner from the entries. We will then pass the name and email address of the winner to the Arc’teryx LEAF team and they will contact the winner and arrange shipment.
Void where prohibited.
Tags: Arc'teryx, Arc'teryx LEAF, Tweave
I’d like to see them develop a dedicated, low profile medical pack in either multicam or coyote brown.
I would love to see a paired top and bottom offering that is designed for use while wearing a pack or while mountaineering/climbing with a harness. I find it difficult to utilize the pockets and vents on most jackets/tops while wearing a pack, and it would be nice to have something designed for that purpose. The pants should also be useful while wearing a harness in terms of pocket placement and gussets for flexibility.
Key Features:
Jacket:
– Waterproof & Breathable
– Light- to mid-weight
– Athletic cut/fit
– Hooded
– Zipped pit vents with longer “pulls”
– Pocket layout optimized for use with a pack (ie: arm pockets and side angled pockets)
Pants:
– Waterproof & breathable
– Light- to mid-weight
– Athletic cut/fit
– Gusseted for mobility
– Pocket layout optimized for use with a harness (ie: multiple cargo pockets with dividers and rear slash pockets with hook-and-loop or flap closures)
– Slotted interior knee pockets for use with slip-in knee pads
I would like to see some three seasson (spring, summer, autum) waterproof tactical gloves.
I like the idea of small tactical packs. Everything from a low profile, 12 hour pack for specific mission essential gear up to a little bigger one, say a 24/36 hour pack. I find the 3 day packs to be a bit too big for missions. The low profile designs work better by cutting down the swing weight and bulk while clearing rooms or even riding the ATV into or out of a site.
I’d like to see an iPad case/sleeve and development in socks.
I’d love to get some of these
I’d love to see a product similar to the Shagmaster hoodie by TAD
I would honestly LOVE to see some Combat shirts and pants that can be pushed out to MIL/LE and them be able to afford or acquire them more easily. One sent for Summer one set for winter. In the appropriate patterns. The Crye gear and propper Combat shirt and pants arent holding up very well at all in most if not all conditions and fall apart very easily and when supply chains go down for whatever reason your stuck running the same 3 kit and before long your left walking out of the wire with close to nothing. Then winter rolls around and you stuck wearing the same torn up kit with no water resistance and they arent meant for colder conditions so you have to layer up further making the issue even bigger.
Would be great to have some kind of tactical pants with integrated gaiters which you just pull over your boots to easily cross thru water, but non of these plastic material shit…
Sphinx or Drac is exactly that!
Ruck pack in multicam or atacs. Both patterns are great. Maybe hardshell rain jacket in either pattern as well.
I would like to see some development of smaller tactical backpacks, specifically for short missions.
I’d love to see a competitor for the Shag master hoodie by TAD. Theirs is overpriced and more importantly, NEVER in stock.
Make a Drac pant w/o the kneecaps setup. The pockets for those really set off the pants as ‘different’. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes not. The kneecaps already have the best attachment system ever seen.
Cold Gear! Chilly where I am.
I’d like to see an expanded belt line beyond the H-150 that could include a convertible belt/harness combo and a standalone non-rigger option as well.
Socks, also a more budget friendly product line.
More hoodies would be nice!!
I am 6’3″, and all Legs! I would Love to see the best Outdoor clothing Company come out with pants that fit slender, long legged folks such as myself, who serves in Tactical Enviroments, with built in Knee pads. Something in the 34″ waist, and 38″ Inseam. Your stuff is Top notch!
– light waterproof laptop bag
– more civilian looking clothing
I would like to see some of the modern hunting patterns incorporated into bdu/tactical blouse/trouser sets. The patterns are practically invisible. The material could accommodate the weather.
I would like to see them make an elbow pad version of their Knee Caps.
I am all for boots and shoes. Also, I very much like the idea of small tactical packs.
I’d love to see my arctic & 3-season gear
I would like to see some clothes with CCW in mind be developed.
Also FR options would be nice as well.
Also,
A pack designed to move a heavier load that doesn’t require the use of a waiststrap. Something you could dump in a hurry on a patrol
I would like to see Arc’teryx develop a more affordable “smock”. Unlined. Water and wind resistant. Something to be used in temperate conditions. I don’t want to see it be form fitting or too tight. Something that can be pulled over and zipped up in a hurry… thus not having to remove chest rig / belt. Roomy and hangs below your belt. draw cord around bottom. Velcro cuffs. Good sturdy reinforced elbow. High quality zippers. Plenty of pockets, pit zips, hood (not form fitting hood but has draw straps / pull tabs. I’ve been searching high and low for something affordable to wear for precision rifle competitions and most of the options break the bank. This is something that is going to get beat up, so needs not snag and tear. I’ve been let down by high priced name brands that fall apart in a season or two (cuffs frey, elbows wear out). I’d like availability in a folliage color, coyote and multicam. I’d like to see some velcro tabs on the shoulders. Perhahaps a few slots / sub compartments inside the main 2 pockets for 10 round AI style magazines and 10rd Sako TRG mags.
I would like to see more products developed with the Wolf and Black colors.
Ideally, the development of an Alpha Jacket or Parka with side zippers for use with duty holsters would be outstanding.
I’d like to see an Arc’teryx plate carrier using your light weight and breathable materials. I’m sure R&D could come up with something durable enough. I would like to see a general cross-over of materials used in backpacking to be utilized in soldier uniforms and gear. The weight carried is a huge threat to safety. This Leaf stuff looks nice.
This isn’t an idea for a new piece of gear but an improvement on the current Sphinx pant. I use the Sphinx top and bottom teaching maritime interdiction (ship attacks) so I’m constantly transitioning from a cold, wet, and windy environment to a hot, dry, stale environment. The materials and design used in the Spinx set are perfect. The only thing I’d like added is a velcro closure on the bottom cuff of the Sphinx pant. When transitioning from a small boat to a large container ship, I’m climbing up small caving ladders and without the pant legs secured, I step on the cuff, making an already dangerous and dynamic situation slower and more cumbersome. If the cuff could be secured, which I do now with riggers tape, the cuff would stay out of the way.
A chest rig or plate carrier and their accessories.
a B.A.C. Cap that actually fits on jumbo-sized domes
Hey, i’d love to see a good CCW set. (Top, bottom, and outer layer) Something that looks like modern civilian clothing, that isn’t bulky or obvious.
I would love to see a industry competitive chest rig from you guys that has an internal molle system, anything that is water resistant is great too.
I would like to see a camo jacket and pants system with a zipper on the back of the jacket and the leggings of the pants. The zipper area would house a half ghillie suit which would be able to cover the wearer while laying down.
I would like to see an elbow protector along the same lines as their existing knee cap pads. Low profile, comfortable, simple.
I’d like to see some tactical oriented cargo shorts. Stuff for range days when it’s hot out. Knee pad extensions of some sort etc
I would like a Gamma LT equivalent in Wolf.
Actually, I’d like to see a small assault pack along the lines of the old Bora 30. That was an excellent approach/climbing pack, and would do well for a combat pack with little change.
Lightweight, breathable undershirts with subdued logos!
I’d really like to see a harness that truly integrates as a riggers belt then leg loops can be stowed and stashed away like the offerings from CTOMS.
Matching combat shirt and pants with built in pads.
I would like to Arc’teryx to develop some Smock jacket in a new “noiseless” goretex.
I would like to see expansion in to boots and maybe in the future vest / plate carriers.
Looking for new over whites to replace the 1960 or earlier issue ones that the 10th MTN is still using.
Check out the Wraith. They produce it in white……
I’d like to see an iPad case
I would like to see Arc’teryx develop moisture wicking socks.
Since the iPad cover was already mentioned, I would enjoy seeing some iPhone cases. Close to the MagPuls in price!
More tactical pants.
LT and XLT size shirts
A Sphinx with an integrated map/key phrases forearm panel would save some bulk and weight on the forearm and prevent snags on current mapboard straps. I can learn as much key Pashto as I want, under stress I tend to forget it all, and having to constantly check, reposition and retighten my current mapboards straps is damned annoying. I use a forearm board for key Pashto because checking the stock for any printout Ive taped there moves focus further from any threat than my reaction forearm. I can keep the gun up, maintain better periphery and still tell everyone to calm the @#$% down.
I would love to see Arcteryx develop some waterproof, low-profile shooting gloves, a new large pack and a 3 day pack.
I would also like to see a chest rig/mountain harness hybrid-type of a rig.