This is a purposeful and focussed ski jacket that is less about style and more about practical application.
It’s a Gore-Tex shell that’s optimised for performance in difficult conditions so it’s highly breathable, completely waterproof, and windproof. All seams are of course taped and all zips water resistant, which isn’t always the case but is something you should expect from a £600 shell jacket.
Features include the usual powder skirt as well as a small array of practical pockets. The two chest pockets are just the right size to hold phones and wallets and the hand pockets aren’t needlessly cavernous. Inside are two additional mesh dump pockets, one of them also has a zipped section. The lift pass pocket sits on the upper arm and has a RECCO reflector sewn in just below it.
The fit is perfect for freeriding, whether skiing or snowboarding, giving you plenty of room for layering without being overly baggy. There’s a great feeling of freedom of movement inside the Micon, testament to well thought out articulation in key areas. Coverage from the hood is good and the adjusters allow you to cinch it over a helmet or bare head. This is Arc’teryx longest cut ski jacket at the hem, a cautious nod towards an aesthetic favoured by some freeriders. It’s still more a serious jacket than a young bucks jacket, but the look is on point for serious freeriders who don’t want tight, athletic looking clothing.
We felt that the cuffs worked well over or under gloves, the opening is big but can be quickly and easily reduced using the Velcro adjuster. The material folds into itself perfectly so remains comfortable no matter which way you decide to wear it.
All the adjusters and zips on the Micon jacket are top quality. This makes a difference to the feel of the jacket in use, you don’t want to be worrying about poor quality hardware on your ski jacket when you’re trying to enjoy a day on the mountain.
Gore-Tex is highly waterproof and durable but is inevitably a bit stiff and crinkly. This is the case with the Micon but there’s a C-Knit backer inside the jacket which softens things up a little while also contributing to a lighter weight than standard Gore materials. The face fabric is N80p which is a dense, durable weave that has high abrasion resistance, in other words this jacket is built to last, even in tough conditions.
Overall, another solid performance from Arc’teryx. There isn’t a lot to complain about in the Micon jacket, it performs pretty much flawlessly in every aspect. It’s a shame about the price of course, but try finding a ski jacket with this spec and build quality elsewhere for less and you’re likely to be disappointed. In which case you should lower your expectations or suck it up and crack open your wallet.
