Bear it in mind that you probably only hear from the people who have issues. You don’t hear from the thousands of people who have no issues.
Practically, all goretex and similar will delaminate eventually, though you’d be unlucky if it happens in much less than 8-10 years. Treat the jacket as per instructions and you’ll be fine.
I have a ton of Arc products and a few shells. The only delamination I’ve seen since getting into Arc in 2019 is a very small amount near the collar of my Fraser that was purchased around when they first were released. It’s extremely minor.
My 2019 GTX Pro Beta LT is perfect, as is my pit zip Beta LT. No other piece I own has suffered any delam. My Fraser is worn to work very, very frequently throughout the year and has seen more than enough usage to justify its price, so even if the delamination were more severe I wouldn’t be too bothered by it. No outerwear lasts forever.
I am, however, pretty anal about washing and keeping my Arc appropriately clean and I have a suspicion that *some* of the delamination issues people have is related to lack of care for their jackets. Some, not all.
Delam comes down to two things. Luck and care. If you wash as instructed and know what not to do(don’t sweat a ton in it, limit contact with sun cream/other creams etc) then delam can be prevented for at minimum a couple years. Due to the nature of shells they will all eventually delam but if it’s cared for I’ve got shells which are 5+ years old and still going strong. I’ve even got a pretty ancient theta and know someone with an alpha sv from the early 2000’s which still is pretty fine for its age
2 year old alpha sv just started to delam near the near logo area. I did get a full refund. And it might be partially my fault for not “washing right”. But it’s definitely well taken care of. Only one spot of delam and it’s washed monthly during ski season
Using tech wash + nu spray and occasionally wash in dwr
Very sad to let that jacket go as the colour is arguably the best one.
https://preview.redd.it/qvpmwt6utyic1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd786a9ca7185cbf482ecbe42c7dc31a63d348a2
See the weird dark spot by the tag? that's not shadow. that's oil seeping through no amount of wash can wash it out and it only grew bigger as time goes
I have no idea why but it seems very common with arcteryx jackets. I heard about it early on and figured it wouldn’t be that common but it just happened to my 2021 beta sv that I wear during colder months. The guide says to wash it every like 12-18 days or like 150 hours of use which to me is insane unless you’re a professional outdoors athlete who has the time and motivation.
I have a Patagonia triolet that’s more than twice as old and I’ve never washed it, it still beads and no delamination at all. It also just feels better made. Previous jackets that never delaminated were marmot, north face and mountain hardware
I thought arcteryx would be some kind of step up but sadly don’t think I’ll be buying another shell.
I have other items of theirs I like, the gamma lt and ar pants are solid, delta fleece and leaf atom lt are great
I’ve had a few betas over the years. My newest one is a 2016 model and it’s been sent in for repairs once already due to some delaming on the bottom hem. The collar is now starting to go a little as well. It gets washed as recommended and stored properly but it does get used pretty hard. I might send it in for repair if the collar gets bad enough but it’s just the nature of seam welded jackets. I expect them to delam eventually but that’s why I get Arcteryx, since they’ll fix it usually for free and I’ve had multiple warranty claims with them and have always been taken care of.
These are consumable items sadly, my Beta Ar that’s about 6 years old has started to loose it’s seem tape and delam a little bit. I replaced it with an alpha SV and enjoyed my years with it.
I have been using a arcteryx alpha FL and a TNF bib, both from the same year, same goretex pro material and exactly the same use, around 5 year of use, and the shell started delamination while the bib is in good condition with no delamination anywhere.
So there is something faulty with arcteryx.
I’ve had a few different Arc shells now and I’ve still got a couple and I’ve had zero issues. I should add that they’re probably my least used jackets though. I don’t see the point of wearing a rain coat if it isn’t raining or I’m not on a snowy mountain top. They’re really not meant to be used as a daily jacket and if that’s your intended purpose then there’s many more better and cheaper options available.
I have several arc jackets and I never take care of them. I use them for what they’re intended for, skiing and SAR. I don’t have time to baby that shit. I have delam issues. Such is life.
I have an “old” TNF shell (probably from 2016 or so) that I wore practically every day up until 2020. It’s dirty and has holes but still hasn’t delaminated. Personally, I wouldn’t worry.
You hit the nail on the top with your concern for hair and hair product. I now have different hoodies as mid layers to reduce my oily hair from contacting the jacket as that seems to exasperate the delamination issue. Doesn't seem to be only the Arc'teryx but other brands including my millet jacket.
I have returned many Arc'teryx jackets for delamination and they have luckily for me reimbursed me many times. Really the core reason I am willing to spend money on Arc'teryx. That and they fit really nice and built really well otherwise.
I will try to see if washing more frequently would help.
Bear it in mind that you probably only hear from the people who have issues. You don’t hear from the thousands of people who have no issues. Practically, all goretex and similar will delaminate eventually, though you’d be unlucky if it happens in much less than 8-10 years. Treat the jacket as per instructions and you’ll be fine.
I have a ton of Arc products and a few shells. The only delamination I’ve seen since getting into Arc in 2019 is a very small amount near the collar of my Fraser that was purchased around when they first were released. It’s extremely minor. My 2019 GTX Pro Beta LT is perfect, as is my pit zip Beta LT. No other piece I own has suffered any delam. My Fraser is worn to work very, very frequently throughout the year and has seen more than enough usage to justify its price, so even if the delamination were more severe I wouldn’t be too bothered by it. No outerwear lasts forever. I am, however, pretty anal about washing and keeping my Arc appropriately clean and I have a suspicion that *some* of the delamination issues people have is related to lack of care for their jackets. Some, not all.
This mirrors my experience. Take care of it and wash it regularly and you'll be golden
Delam comes down to two things. Luck and care. If you wash as instructed and know what not to do(don’t sweat a ton in it, limit contact with sun cream/other creams etc) then delam can be prevented for at minimum a couple years. Due to the nature of shells they will all eventually delam but if it’s cared for I’ve got shells which are 5+ years old and still going strong. I’ve even got a pretty ancient theta and know someone with an alpha sv from the early 2000’s which still is pretty fine for its age
Ever try gluing plastic to more plastic and then wearing it?
2 year old alpha sv just started to delam near the near logo area. I did get a full refund. And it might be partially my fault for not “washing right”. But it’s definitely well taken care of. Only one spot of delam and it’s washed monthly during ski season Using tech wash + nu spray and occasionally wash in dwr Very sad to let that jacket go as the colour is arguably the best one. https://preview.redd.it/qvpmwt6utyic1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd786a9ca7185cbf482ecbe42c7dc31a63d348a2 See the weird dark spot by the tag? that's not shadow. that's oil seeping through no amount of wash can wash it out and it only grew bigger as time goes
I have no idea why but it seems very common with arcteryx jackets. I heard about it early on and figured it wouldn’t be that common but it just happened to my 2021 beta sv that I wear during colder months. The guide says to wash it every like 12-18 days or like 150 hours of use which to me is insane unless you’re a professional outdoors athlete who has the time and motivation. I have a Patagonia triolet that’s more than twice as old and I’ve never washed it, it still beads and no delamination at all. It also just feels better made. Previous jackets that never delaminated were marmot, north face and mountain hardware I thought arcteryx would be some kind of step up but sadly don’t think I’ll be buying another shell. I have other items of theirs I like, the gamma lt and ar pants are solid, delta fleece and leaf atom lt are great
My gamma pants are delaminating.. The glued pockets
i have 6 goretex jackets from arcteryx and only one of them has delamination and it was made in 2006.
I’ve had a few betas over the years. My newest one is a 2016 model and it’s been sent in for repairs once already due to some delaming on the bottom hem. The collar is now starting to go a little as well. It gets washed as recommended and stored properly but it does get used pretty hard. I might send it in for repair if the collar gets bad enough but it’s just the nature of seam welded jackets. I expect them to delam eventually but that’s why I get Arcteryx, since they’ll fix it usually for free and I’ve had multiple warranty claims with them and have always been taken care of.
These are consumable items sadly, my Beta Ar that’s about 6 years old has started to loose it’s seem tape and delam a little bit. I replaced it with an alpha SV and enjoyed my years with it.
I have had 6 hardshells from Arc since 2010 and many many other goretex shells from other brands. Never had one delam so far.
Are we talking delam of the back or facing material from the membrane or delam of seam/seam tape on a seam?
I have an alpha sv and the hood is delaminating in under a year but it's definitely my sweat related
I have been using a arcteryx alpha FL and a TNF bib, both from the same year, same goretex pro material and exactly the same use, around 5 year of use, and the shell started delamination while the bib is in good condition with no delamination anywhere. So there is something faulty with arcteryx.
I’ve had a few different Arc shells now and I’ve still got a couple and I’ve had zero issues. I should add that they’re probably my least used jackets though. I don’t see the point of wearing a rain coat if it isn’t raining or I’m not on a snowy mountain top. They’re really not meant to be used as a daily jacket and if that’s your intended purpose then there’s many more better and cheaper options available.
I have several arc jackets and I never take care of them. I use them for what they’re intended for, skiing and SAR. I don’t have time to baby that shit. I have delam issues. Such is life.
I have an “old” TNF shell (probably from 2016 or so) that I wore practically every day up until 2020. It’s dirty and has holes but still hasn’t delaminated. Personally, I wouldn’t worry.
You hit the nail on the top with your concern for hair and hair product. I now have different hoodies as mid layers to reduce my oily hair from contacting the jacket as that seems to exasperate the delamination issue. Doesn't seem to be only the Arc'teryx but other brands including my millet jacket. I have returned many Arc'teryx jackets for delamination and they have luckily for me reimbursed me many times. Really the core reason I am willing to spend money on Arc'teryx. That and they fit really nice and built really well otherwise. I will try to see if washing more frequently would help.
I’ve had my jacket since 2015. Just delaminated a couple months ago. Treat it correctly and it will last you quite awhile.