As I climbed the tough slope of Mount Mansfield’s Sunset Ridge Trail, my calf muscles protested as a howling south wind whipped up my right side. Wind gusts were felt at more than 80 mph, and a cloud-like fog enveloped the area, making it difficult to balance. As I managed my pace and tried not to push myself too hard, I thought about what I had gotten myself into. I was competing in the Mozo Double Up, a mountain race that climbs the highest peak in Vermont twice, climbing about 11 miles and climbing about 5,000 vertical feet.
The climb up Sunset Ridge was approximately 2 miles with a gradient of about 20% to 40%, and its end marked the halfway point of the race. The first part of the trail was narrow, rocky, and overgrown with roots, but then the path gave way to open rock formations that climbed skyward. As I neared the top, I wondered if my pace was on target, if my nutrition plan was correct, and if I would be able to achieve my goal finish time. But there was one thing I was confident about. It was trail running clothes (and shoes).
Heading into the Mozo Double Up, I was concerned about the grueling nature of the race and wanted to gain any advantage I could. I contacted Arc’teryx and they set me up with the latest in trail running kit from head to toe. Find out how it performs and why it’s a step ahead of the competition.
Arc’teryx Apparel I Tested: Specifications and Prices
Mark Leaf of Mount Elmore, Vermont Mark Leaf/The Manual
The Mozo Double was a mountain race that I had never competed in before. After starting at the base of Stowe Mountain Resort, we climbed, traversed, back-crossed, and returned through a variety of mountain terrain. It was technical and demanding, from narrow forest trails to climbing up and down open rocky areas.
I knew in advance that it would require strength and strategy, so I beefed up my gear locker with the best of Arc’teryx. This is what I wore.
Little bird hat ($50)
Polyester plain wave fabric Spacer mesh sweatband Fully adjustable closure Classic ball cap style Weight: 2.1 oz
Norvan 7 Best ($160)
Breathable mesh construction Dual 500ml flasks Multiple drawcord adjustments Multiple powernet stretch mesh pockets Rear storage holds food, helmet, and technical alpine tools Weight: 7.2 oz
Cormac Arc-Bird Logo Shirt ($70)
100% recycled Phasic LT material Breathable, moisture-wicking mellow stitch Steam construction for added comfort FC0-DWR (durable water repellent) finish Full-length Arc’teryx logo on back Weight: 3.9 oz
(Note: The Arc’teryx US website currently only features the Cormac rear logo)
Norvan 5 inch short liner ($70)
Fortius Air 20 stretch mesh fabric Low profile seams reduce chafing FC0-DWR (durable water repellent) Finish Anatomical shape, 3D patterning Weight: 1.6 oz
Norvan 7 inch short ($90)
100% recycled Diem fabric External drawstring Rear zipper pocket Split side hem for freedom of movement FC0-DWR (durable water repellent) Weight 2.8 oz
Merino wool low-cut socks ($24)
On-target cushioning Cotton-like feel Ultra-fine merino and polyester yarn Moisture management Weight 1.3 oz
How Arc’teryx apparel performed during training and racing
Mark Reif in Mozo Double Up Mark Reif/The Manual
From the moment I put on the Arc’teryx kit I knew this was different. From the design to the materials, they felt and functioned better than anything I’ve worn before. Here’s how it worked during my training runs and during the Mozo Double Up.
The Small Bird Cap is a blend of style and function, whether you’re on a long run or in a casual environment. I found the Spacermesh sweatband to be particularly useful as it draws sweat from my forehead and transfers it throughout the hat. The plain weave polyester material blocks sunlight and wind, so even in direct sunlight and gusts of wind, I didn’t feel hot or cold. However, it’s not a super lightweight hat, so if you’re running an ultra in 90-degree weather, you might want something more minimalist.
The Norvan 7 vest easily accommodated essentials like my phone, keys, hydration, and food. The customized fit and bottle design greatly reduced bounce. The vest pocket is reminiscent of a kangaroo’s pouch. There was always a little more stretch and space to put in extra energy bars or tuck your phone in. I was able to keep my keys in the zippered pocket.
But what stood out about this vest was the bottle design and snug fit. When you look at the bottle from above, it has an oval shape, unlike the typical circular outline. When viewed from the side, it tapers from top to bottom like an icicle. This provided two benefits: reduced bounce and faster pit stops. The oval shape allowed me to keep the bottle close to my chest, and the tapered shape made it easy to remove, refill, and reposition the bottle at aid stations.
Unlike previous vests, the Norvan 7 felt like a tailored suit through the shoulders and the sides hugged the torso. It made it feel like a part of me, rather than an unwieldy addition. However, I would have liked the back panel to be a little more breathable, as running in hot weather tends to trap heat.
The Cormac Arkbird Logo Shirt felt light and airy, unlike any other T-shirt I’ve ever worn. Phasic LT material wicks moisture quickly and allows plenty of airflow for added comfort. I love the neon yellow Arc’teryx fossil logo that covers the back. It gives the shirt a stylish flair on the trail. The only downside is that the inner fabric is a little rough.
While trail running, I’ve found that linerless shorts paired with another liner are the best setup. This allows each part to function better, including ease of movement and moisture wicking. So I turned to the Norvan 7” shorts and Norvan 5” liner.
The shorts had a last-minute feel, the Diem fabric moving with my stride, flowing and minimizing restriction. It leaves no moisture behind and has a light and silky feel that reduces fatigue. On the other hand, the shorts were on the large side, and my usual size L fit more like an XL. To Arc’teryx’s credit, their website reflects those dimensions.
The Norvan 5-inch liner is moisture-wicking and breathable, providing a comfortable fit and excellent support. Fortius Air 20 stretch mesh fabric wicks moisture and is independent from the shorts for increased freedom of movement. On the downside, the liner had a tendency to ride up my thighs and I had to reposition it from time to time.
Lastly, the merino socks surprised me with their cushioning and comfort. They’re like putting a sweater on your feet, and the targeted cushioning keeps you out of the way on the trail. If you buy the Arc’teryx Sylan trail running shoes (and you should), these socks will give you extra cushioning on your long runs. The downside is that running in streams can trap moisture in your socks and take a long time to dry.
Notice a theme? Each piece was lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking. The entire kit weighed 18.9 ounces. Even as the climbs got steeper and fatigue set in, these qualities kept me comfortable and allowed me to explore my limits.
These pieces also had a sleek, sleek appearance and finely tuned construction. The fossil logo (a reference to Archeopteryx) signifies continued evolution, and the gear reflected that in its performance. Each seam and material was above standard and worked better than I usually find.
My Arc’teryx kit was at a premium price and cost $464. But if it fits your budget, it’s great to know you’re using the best gear available, especially when you’re going all out in a demanding environment.
Arc’teryx Mountain Running Apparel Gives You an Extra Edge
Mark Leaf of Mount Elmore, Vermont Mark Leaf/The Manual
At the recent F1 Singapore Grand Prix, the difference between the top eight cars in qualifying was less than one second. Lando Norris of McLaren Mercedes qualified with a lap time of 1:29.525. RB Honda RBT’s Yuki Tsunoda came in 8th place with a time of 1 minute 30.354 seconds. This is a barely perceptible but measurable gap. However, the top car had a special edge at the front, whether it was the rear wing design or the suspension setup. I believe the same is true when comparing Arc’teryx apparel to other brands.
From the light weight to the moisture wicking to the feel of the fabric, the Arc’teryx apparel I wore was a little better than other brands. It made me happy every time I wore it, and I knew it would help me feel better and perform at my best even during the toughest training sessions and races. It looked cool too.
Arc’teryx gear is expensive, so you need to decide if it’s right for you. But if you take the plunge, you can end up with mountain running gear that lasts longer and performs better than anything else out there. As fall approaches in Vermont, I continue to enjoy this kit and look forward to using it for runs and races.
