Arc'teryx Sabre SV Jacket Review

Arc'teryx Sabre SV ski shell is one of a kind. Outfitted with Gore's most protective Pro membrane that features their Most Rugged Technology for added durability, this jacket is built to handle extreme weather and rough use both in and out of bounds. It's also competitively lightweight, breathable, and features a stylish freeride fit that makes it easy to layer underneath. I wore the Sabre SV for a full season of very wet skiing in the Pacific Northwest and came away impressed by its well-rounded design—great for resort and backcountry skiers alike. You certainly pay a premium for the jacket's top-notch weatherproofing and quality, but there's little to fault from a performance standpoint. Below I outline my experiences with the Sabre SV. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our article on the best ski jackets.
 

Table of Contents

• Weather Protection
• Breathability
• Comfort
• Build Quality and Durability
• Weight and Packability
• Key Features
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Weather Protection

Simply put, the Arc'teryx Sabre SV's “severe weather” designation is well deserved: This rugged, 100-denier (D) shell is outfitted with Gore's most stalwart Pro membrane, making it well suited for truly wet and rowdy conditions. The extreme rainy and windy weather I faced at Mt. Baker Ski Area proved to be ideal for testing the jacket's weatherproofing, and I'm happy to report that it performed admirably. I was especially glad to have the Sabre SV while transitioning on a backcountry ski tour that was interrupted by a downpour. Along with the proven Gore-Tex membrane, the jacket's fully taped seams and highly water-resistant zippers helped create an effective barrier against the onslaught.
 

The Sabre SV comes equipped with a host of other weather-ready features. For starters, the Velcro cuffs were easy to adjust both over undercuff-style gloves (the Hestra Fall Line) and underneath a pair of gauntlet gloves. There's also a powder skirt that paired nicely with my ski bibs for comprehensive coverage when riding deep powder, along with a hem cinch for sealing out drafts and moisture at the waist. I'm also a big fan of the Sabre SV’s StormHood, which easily fit over my ski helmet and effectively shielded my neck and face from rain and wind. Finally, the long back length (33.7 in. for a men's large) kept my backside protected on soggy chairlift rides without negatively impacting mobility.
 

Breathability

Since I run warm, I usually avoid wearing Gore-Tex shells while exerting on the skin track, but particularly wet conditions this past season had me reaching for the Sabre SV frequently. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the thick fabric breathed better than most 3-layer hardshells I've tested. Plus, the 14-inch pit zips and two-way front zipper made it easy to dump excess heat. While I wouldn't call any hardshell truly breathable (waterproofing and breathability are inherently at odds), the Sabre SV stands out as an above-average performer and was a great companion for ascending in wet and stormy weather.
 

Comfort

The Sabre SV gets solid marks for comfort. The "regular" fit—which definitely leans toward a looser, freeride style—provides ample mobility and coverage, while the gusseted underarms and articulated elbows minimize restriction when bending over, reaching overhead, etc. As a result, I had no issues adjusting my ski boots and bindings during transitions. I also found the two-way front zipper helpful when sitting for extended periods, allowing me to unzip the jacket from the bottom up to create more room while still maintaining good coverage. My only complaint is that the Sabre SV lacks a soft backer (like the flannel backer found on the flagship Sabre Jacket), which results in reduced next-to-skin comfort. For this reason, I always paired the jacket with a long-sleeve baselayer or midlayer.
 

Build Quality and Durability

Arc’teryx is known for their premium build quality, and the Sabre SV is an excellent example. With a 100D shell, the jacket is incredibly confidence-inspiring, even when worn around sharp equipment or haphazardly stuffed inside a ski backpack. I've even used the shell as a picnic blanket on alpine rock and snow and wore it while pushing my way through dense alders, all of which resulted in zero issues. The exterior continues to repel moisture, the Velcro adjustments and drawcords are in excellent shape, and there are no loose threads or other signs of wear. The only issue I've run into is a somewhat finicky front zipper, but it's a very small annoyance and not uncommon for a water-resistant, two-way design.
 

Weight and Packability

The Sabre SV is relatively lightweight and packable for such a bombproof ski jacket, checking in at 1 pound 6.5 ounces for my size large (it's listed at 1 lb. 5 oz., which is likely for a size medium). For comparison, Norrøna's similarly intentioned Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Jacket clocks in 2 ounces heavier despite using a thinner (70D) shell fabric. Another confidence-inspiring design we love is Trew Gear's Cosmic Primo Jacket, which is considerably heavier than the Sabre SV at 1 pound 14.1 ounces. There are certainly lighter options available—including Arc'teryx's own Alpha SV Jacket, which weighs just 1 pound 1.1 ounces—although you can expect to make sacrifices in features and/or durability (in this case, the Alpha omits hand pockets to keep things streamlined). And while the Sabre SV doesn't have a dedicated stuff pocket or stuff sack, it can be packed into its own hood and compressed to about the size of a 1-liter Nalgene bottle, making it easy to stash in a ski pack.
 

Key Features

StormHood

Arc’teryx’s StormHood is a top-tier design, and I was elated to find it included on the Sabre SV. The hood paired nicely with a ball cap and my Giro Tor Spherical helmet, and it’s easy to adjust the fit with glove-friendly drawcords located at the front and back of the hood. Additionally, the laminated brim and high collar provide excellent coverage from the elements. And perhaps best of all, the hood doesn’t restrict side-to-side movement or limit peripheral vision—I had no issue looking over my shoulder or skiing downhill at high speeds with it on.
 

Storage: Pockets

Overall, the Sabre SV’s storage layout is practical and well designed. With seven total pockets, I found it easy to divvy up a full day’s worth of essentials whether I was skiing at the resort or in the backcountry. The two hand pockets are large enough to accommodate gloved hands or even a spare camera lens in a pinch, and they’re positioned high enough to remain accessible underneath a climbing harness. You also get a small pocket on the left bicep for stashing a ski pass, ID, or credit card, along with an exterior chest pocket that’s nicely sized for storing a smartphone or satellite messenger. Inside, there are two mesh dump pockets that can swallow ski goggles or climbing skins, along with a small zippered pocket on the outside of the left dump pocket that I’ve found handy for stashing a binding adjustment tool. The only notable omission is a zippered chest pocket on the interior, which I often use for securely stowing a wallet or car keys, but it’s not a dealbreaker by any means.

Powder Skirt

The Sabre SV's powder skirt was a welcome feature while skiing deep snow at Mt. Baker Ski Area. It features a grippy elastic lining and two sets of snaps for tweaking the fit, and I found the combination to be very effective at sealing out the elements, even when taking several crashes into fresh powder. The skirt is also compatible with Arc’teryx ski bibs and pants for those looking for a seamless, integrated fit. Added up, it's yet another high-performing feature that aligns well with the Sabre SV's intentions.
 

Fit and Sizing

As I mentioned above, the Sabre SV’s "regular" fit is very comfortable with ample mobility for resort and backcountry skiing. I normally wear a men's large, and that size in the Sabre SV fit me as expected: The looser, almost freeride-esque cut allowed me to comfortably layer both a baselayer and midlayer underneath, and the long length (33.7 in.) prevented them from sticking out underneath the shell. Importantly, the Sabre SV never felt overly baggy regardless of my layering combination, nor did I experience any restriction to movement. All told, it's a versatile and flattering cut that only adds to all-around appeal.
 

Sustainability

Arc’teryx is among a growing number of outdoor brands making a market-wide push for more sustainable manufacturing practices. In this case, the Sabre SV Jacket employs a couple of the key measures we look for, including a partially recycled construction (at least 30%) and bluesign-approved materials that have been deemed safe for workers, consumers, and the environment. There’s still room for improvement—we’d love to see a PFAS-free DWR coating or fully PFAS-free construction in a future update, as the current model contains these harmful “forever chemicals”—but we nevertheless appreciate the steps they've taken thus far.
 

Other Versions of the Arc’teryx Sabre

I tested the Sabre SV jacket for this review, which only comes in a men's design. Arc'teryx doesn't offer matching pants or bibs, either, although the wider Sabre collection is fairly extensive. The flagship model is the Sabre Jacket, which retails for $750, features a standard Gore-Tex (no "Pro") construction, uses a thinner (80D) shell fabric, and tacks on a thin flannel backer for next-to-skin comfort. The women's version is called the Sentinel Jacket, and the two styles are largely identical apart from differences in fit, weight, and colorway selection. Arc'teryx offers both the Sabre and Sentinel in several variations, including matching pants and bibs, as well as a men's anorak and an insulated jacket for women.
 

What We Like

• Top-notch protection thanks to Gore’s top-end Pro membrane and a host of protective features that make it easy to batten down the hatches.
• Shell is noticeably thick and confidence-inspiring—we have no qualms about it holding up over the long term.
• Surprisingly breathable and competitively lightweight for such a protective and bombproof design.
• Comes with a full suite of premium features, including a highly protective StormHood, seven total pockets, a powder skirt, and adjustability at the cuffs and hem.
• "Regular" fit makes it easy to layer underneath without feeling overly baggy or restricting movement.

What We Don’t

• Arc’teryx pieces don’t come cheap, and the Sabre SV is particularly spendy at $900.
• Decidedly overkill in both price and performance for casual skiers and drier climates that don’t get a lot of wet snow.
• No interior chest pocket, which we typically use to stash valuables like a wallet and car keys.
• Only sold in a men’s version.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

In many ways, the Sabre SV is in a league of its own, with its extreme-weather slant and burly construction targeting a very specific audience. With that in mind, not many jackets come close to matching the Sabre’s level of craftsmanship, but Arc'teryx's own Alpha SV comes close. Both jackets fall under the brand’s “severe weather” umbrella and feature 100D Gore-Tex Pro constructions for the utmost in wet-weather performance. However, the Alpha is more of an alpine-focused shell, resulting in some noticeable streamlining. This results in a reduction in weight (it’s around 4 oz. lighter than the Sabre SV), but you lose out hand pockets. This isn’t a big deal for ski mountaineering and other technical objectives when hand pockets will likely be obscured underneath a harness or hipbelt, but the Sabre is the more well-rounded piece. The Alpha is also shorter than the Sabre at 31.9 inches down the back in a men’s large. In the end, a final decision will come down to your objectives and preferences on storage and fit. 
 

Those who ski exclusively inbounds can save a lot of cash with Patagonia’s $499 Storm Shift Jacket, which features a 2-layer Gore-Tex construction. This results in a drop in breathability, but we’ve found the Storm Shift to be perfectly serviceable for lift-accessed terrain and short bootpacks into the sidecountry. The Patagonia is also extremely durable with a 150D face fabric and comes equipped with all the requisite features we look for, including ample storage, a powder skirt, a helmet-compatible hood, and pit zips for dumping excess heat. Patagonia also tacked on a thin fleece lining for next-to-skin comfort and a modest dose of warmth. However, in addition to being less breathable, the Storm Shift is heavier than the Sabre SV at 1 pound 12.8 ounces. In the end, both jackets have their strong suits, but we think most dedicated resort-goers will be perfectly happy saving with the Patagonia (for more info, see our in-depth Storm Shift review).

Moving back to 3-layer designs, Trew Gear’s Cosmic Primo Jacket is another wallet-friendlier alternative with more backcountry appeal than the Storm Shift mentioned above. For a more reasonable $499, the Cosmic has a similar fortress-like feel thanks to a quality 3-layer membrane and a host of protective features. The jacket is also very comfortable with built-in stretch (which the Sabre SV lacks), a relaxed fit, and a relatively soft and smooth interior, plus you get ample storage with eight total pockets (one more than the Arc’teryx). However, while Trew Gear included generously sized pit zips, the Cosmic Primo’s in-house membrane falls short in breathability compared to Gore-Tex Pro, making the Sabre SV the more backcountry-ready piece. The Cosmic Primo is also quite heavy at 1 pound 14.1 ounces. In the end, the Trew Gear is a solid all-around value for what you get, but the Sabre SV is the more versatile option for those who like to split their time in and out of bounds.
 

Finally, Norway-based Norrøna offers a quality competitor to the Sabre SV in their Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Jacket. As its name indicates, the Lofoten is also outfitted with Gore's most protective Pro membrane but swaps in a thinner (70D) face fabric. While this is a downside for durability, it does make the Lofoten more breathable than the Sabre. The Norrøna also retains a lot of the features we love about the Arc’teryx, including a long back length, adjustable hem, protective cuffs, high hand pockets, and a powder skirt—all for around $100 less. The Sabre has a more refined hood design, features two additional pockets, and checks in a little lighter than the Lofoten, which we feel makes it worth the added investment, but the Norrøna is a similarly strong performer for less.