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Arcteryx soft shell pants

Original Post
Joe B · · nyc · Joined Dec 2019 · Points: 125

Thinking of upgrading my 2018 NF L4 Pants to an Arc’teryx model. Is there any major difference between the Gamma AR and Sigma AR? My uses are general alpine and ice climbing.


thank you! 

David Maver · · Philadelphia PA · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 0

From a question on the Arc’teryx website:

"The Gamma AR pants are more durable and abrasion-resistant all around, whereas the Sigma AR Pants use the same durable fabric only in the reinforced, high-wear areas. As a result, the Sigma ARs are a little lighter and a little more air-permeable than the Gamma AR pants.

In addition, because the Sigma ARs are designed for alpine and ice/mixed climbing, they are more tapered at the lower leg. They also have grommets at the cuff for installing gaiter cords."

I started wearing the Gamma AR pants last year for ice climbing last year and they were great. I thought that they had a good feature set. One of the best benefits of the Gamma AR is that it comes in multiple inseam lengths.

Matt S · · Milwaukee, WI · Joined May 2018 · Points: 0

I'm interested to hear if anyone has the Gamma ARs and uses them for ice climbing.  I need the long inseam so this was one of the few that might fit the bill.   I'd be replacing the cirques which i thought were great from a weather proofing standpoint but I can always add a little more baselayer to compensate.  It sucks that so many of these pants don't come in a long.  

Mike S · · Dallas, TX · Joined Sep 2020 · Points: 0
David Maver wrote:

 One of the best benefits of the Gamma AR is that it comes in multiple inseam lengths.

That’s worth the price of admission right there for those of us who aren’t blessed with 50th percentile 32” inseam.

David Maver · · Philadelphia PA · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 0
Mike S wrote:

That’s worth the price of admission right there for those of us who aren’t blessed with 50th percentile 32” inseam.

It is. I love not having lots of pant leg bunched on the tops of my boots waiting to catch a crampon.

David Maver · · Philadelphia PA · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 0
Matt S wrote:

I'm interested to hear if anyone has the Gamma ARs and uses them for ice climbing.  I need the long inseam so this was one of the few that might fit the bill.   I'd be replacing the cirques which i thought were great from a weather proofing standpoint but I can always add a little more baselayer to compensate.  It sucks that so many of these pants don't come in a long.  

Worked well for me last year in NH with just a light baselayer underneath. I wasn't in any gnarly conditions, but some cold days and they did a nice job.

Tjaard Breeuwer · · Duluth, MN · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 16

Mammut has most of their better softshell pants in a long inseam too.

AlpineIce · · Upstate, NY · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 255

Best softshell pants ever made for cold ice routes = Psiphon AR Pants.  Of course they'd discontinue them, though.

Linnaeus · · ID · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 0
Matt S wrote:

I'm interested to hear if anyone has the Gamma ARs and uses them for ice climbing...

I don't, but Raphael Slawinski does or has in the past.

Zach L · · Northern Vermont · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 10

I have the sigma ARs and the sigma FLs. The FLs are the best fitting pair of technical pants I have ever put on, and I the fabric is surprisingly burly, water and wind resistant. They are awesome climbing pants. I use them for cold weather alpine rock and mellower ice climbing days.


The Sigma ARs are more winter softshell weight. They are a thicker material, and they have a zipper cuff to expand for ski boots. I use them winter ice climbing and ski touring. They are great, though the fit is not as tapered as the FLs. I would go with the Sigma line - the gamma pants are gonna be baggier and less climbing specific. and that is just asking for a crampon puncture. And They are marketed for hikers. You're not a hiker are you?

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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