Arc'teryx  Kyanite Hoody - Women's

I wore my old version of this hoody almost daily since I purchased it in 2020. Recently it started to look a bit old so I purchased this new one at full price ($200) anticipating another 5 years of wear. It arrived on Friday and I wore it for one full day on Saturday doing normal activities (shopping, walking). Today, Sunday, I notice there is bad wear and pilling on the fabric all the way on the underside of the right arm. I have absolutely no idea how this bad a damage is possible given the normal activities I was doing. It looks like I slid down a gravel embankment. Absolutely so disappointed in the quality of this product.

This is at least the 6th Kyanite hoodie I’ve bought since 2018, and I hate to have to admit that I’m really disappointed with the changes in quality and design of this jacket. I only ever hang-dry my Arc’teryx products, haven’t even taken this one out in nature yet, and even so, the new kyanite material seems far more prone to pilling than the older ones. The existing fit was already modern and functional, the new changes only add undesirable and unnecessary bulk to the midsection both when upright and while seated-especially while seated. It’s less breathable than it used to be, as well. I frequently overheat in this one even when indoors, but not in the older kyanite hoodies. The entire zipper area of the new ones is SO stiff now, spanning several inches to each side, and this is a full zip jacket with zip side pockets-so that’s a lot of unnecessary poofing as a result! The sizing is strange too. At 5’4 and 145 muscular lbs I normally wear a size 8, or a large in Kyanite hoodies, to be able to layer. A large in this new style is way too big for me, but a medium doesn’t accommodate my chest and shoulder area at all. I really wanted to love this one, but I’m really just grateful I still have the old ones. I feel the old quality is what enabled this item to fetch the money it does, and if you lose that quality, then it has lost much of its value and desirability for me.

I have been a huge fan of Arc'teryx gear, and have a few of these hoodies -- they are a wardrobe staple for me during the fall, winter and spring. The ones that I have are a few years old an have held up well but I wanted to purchase another since I literally have one on almost every day. So the pros - 1) I love the longer sleeves and the thumb keyholes, even though I didn't think I'd use this feature much; 2) LOVE the zippered pockets, these are fantastic, and they can hold a lot; be careful, though, because the netting on the backside of the pockets can tear (not too easily, but still - not great - I think my car keys were a culprit); 3) great weight, not too light nor too heavy. The reason I'm knocking off an additional two stars is this newest version is NOT STURDY. It is definitely not going to wear well long term. I've had it for two months now, have worn it several times a week, washed it a few times and the material on this new version PILLS LIKE CRAZY. The material is too soft. The pilling is ugly, and it's clear that this jacket will not wear well in the long term. I'm bummed, going to return and hoping that next year's version will be improved.

Received the jacket in a damaged box with no protective bag. Sleeve rolled up on one arm and very wrinkled.