Can't decide between the Gamma Hoody and the Gamma Lightweight for a jacket you can wear all day? The Arc'teryx Gamma Hoody is a softshell you can keep on all day in fall and winter mountains: a 186gsm abrasion-resistant double weave with a brushed lining. For fall/winter 2026 it gets two chest pockets and a single hood adjuster. It's my top pick for anyone walking windy ridgelines who doesn't want to keep swapping a shell in and out. But I've only tried the Gamma Hoody on in a shop, and I haven't worn it on a mountain. What I checked in the fitting was the stretch and lightness of the fabric. I haven't bought it, because my current midlayer is enough.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The outer fabric is a double weave with no membrane, so it blocks wind while letting sweat vapor escape. That's why, if you want one layer to wear all day on a clear fall or winter ridge, I recommend this Gamma Hoody over a rain jacket.
Key points
- 465 g, ¥47,300. 139 g heavier and ¥3,300 more than the Gamma Lightweight
- 186 gsm face fabric (the Lightweight is 136 gsm), about 1.37 times as heavy
- ¥102 per gram, less than the Lightweight (¥135)
[New for Fall/Winter 2026] Arc'teryx Gamma Hoody Review | 465 g, ¥47,300, vs the Lightweight
Gamma Hoody price and weight: 465 g and ¥47,300 in a thick double weave
The men's Gamma Hoody is ¥47,300 including tax and weighs 465 g (16.4 oz). Sizes run XS to XXL, in five colors: Black, Cloud, Sea Salt, Ultima and Vitality. The model number is X000009905.
There's no waterproof membrane like a rain jacket has. It's a softshell with a DWR finish that sheds wind and light rain and lets sweat vapor out.
How I judged it
The first thing I looked at was the thickness of the outer fabric. At 186gsm (186g per square meter), it's about 1.37 times thicker than the Gamma Lightweight's 136gsm. Next I lined up weight and price: it's only 139g heavier and JPY 3,300 more. That 139g is where I hesitate. I still recommend it because the lining is brushed and warm, and the price per gram is a low JPY 102. If in doubt, take the Gamma Hoody. The reason is that the gap to the Lightweight is JPY 3,300, and the outer fabric is 50gsm thicker.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Arc'teryx Gamma Hoody Men's
Lowest new priceJPY 47,300AXAS Co. ONLINE COLLECTION
From Rakuten Ichiba search results, tax included. As of Nov 9. Check the shop's page for shipping, stock, color and size.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
Gamma Hoody specs
| Item | Gamma Hoody (men's) |
|---|---|
| Release date | New for fall/winter 2026 (on sale in Japan) |
| Price (incl. tax) | ¥47,300 |
| Weight | 465g |
| Outer fabric | Recycled nylon double weave (Wee Burly), 186 gsm. 88% nylon, 12% polyurethane |
| Lining | Brushed warp-knit mesh. All polyester |
| Water repellency | FC0 DWR with no added PFAS |
| Hood | Helmet-compatible StormHood, single-point adjustment |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand pockets, 2 chest pockets |
What changed on the Fall/Winter 2026 Gamma Hoody?
I'll be blunt here. The two chest pockets are the change that matters most on the trail. Once your pack's hip belt is buckled, the hand pockets tend to get blocked, but you can still reach a map or snacks from your chest.
The hood now cinches with a single pull, so you can tighten it with one hand. The face fabric is a double weave with more recycled content, and the DWR no longer uses added PFAS. The cut is trimmer than before, too.
Compared with the Gamma Lightweight and the Beta Jacket
| Model | Weight | Price (incl. tax) | Per gram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beta Jacket (waterproof) | 375g | ¥68,200 | ¥182 |
| Gamma Hoody | 465g | ¥47,300 | ¥102 |
| Gamma Lightweight Hoody | 326g | ¥44,000 | ¥135 |
It's ¥20,900 cheaper than the waterproof Beta Jacket and 90 g heavier. Against the Lightweight, the gaps are 465 g − 326 g = 139 g and ¥47,300 − ¥44,000 = ¥3,300. If you want to wear it in summer too, or keep your pack light, go Lightweight. For a layer you'll leave on through autumn and winter, the Gamma Hoody with its brushed lining is the one.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Arc'teryx Gamma Lightweight Hoody (men's)
Lowest new priceJPY 42,900ACTIVE BOARD SELECT
From Rakuten Ichiba search results, tax included. As of Nov 9. Check the shop's page for shipping, stock, color and size.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
For a waterproof layer on rainy days, I compare options in the Beta Jacket review. For a midlayer underneath, the Kyanite Hoody review is a good match.
How does the Gamma Hoody fit?
It's a regular fit, with a 73.5 cm (28.9 in) center back length in size M. The articulated cut makes it easy to raise your arms, and the cuffs are stretchy molded cuffs. If you plan to wear one fleece underneath, your usual size is enough.
What I like
The outer fabric is a 186gsm double weave that stands up to abrasion. The inside is a brushed warp knit, so it's warm enough for autumn and winter ridges.
At ¥102 per gram, it's cheaper than the Lightweight (¥135). It also has a helmet-compatible hood and sleeves cut to let you raise your arms, and it comes in five colors.
Things to watch
Without a membrane, it won't keep out steady rain, so you'll need to carry rain gear as well. At 465 g it's also clearly heavier than a wind shell, and it runs warm as a summer hiking layer.
What I learned in an 8-minute try-on, and why I didn't buy it
In October 2026, at a mountain gear shop, I tried on the Gamma Hoody in size M (172 cm, 65 kg) for about 8 minutes. I tried raising my arms, squatting, and putting the hood on, and I did not shoulder a pack.
The lining is a soft brushed fleece that feels good against the skin, with no prickliness. Pinching the fabric, I could feel the sturdy thickness of the outer fabric, and the stretch was good. The zipper ran smoothly, and the cuffs fit snugly around the wrists.
The scene where I picture wearing it is while moving, from November to March, at about 0 to 8°C. On breaks and at the tent site, I would use a mid layer. I have not decided whether to buy, so this is a plan.
What troubled me with my current mid layer was in December 2025, on a 2,500 m-class day hike, when I stopped for 10 minutes at lunch on a ridge at -5°C with 6 m/s wind and my back got cold. I layered a Montbell U.L. Thermawrap Parka on top, and that was enough. I have never found it bulky, and that was the only day that cold was a problem.
The mid layer I use now is the Thermawrap Parka (about 320 g as measured). The Gamma Hoody (465 g) is 145 g heavier, and I felt the Thermawrap was warmer when I stopped. The Gamma blocks wind and is suited to wearing while moving, so the roles differ, and I am not buying it while what I have is enough. What I cannot praise is that at 465 g it is 139 g heavier than the Lightweight, and it costs 102 yen per gram. People whose mid layer is already enough do not need it.
Who is it for?
It suits people who want to keep one layer on all day to cut the wind on clear low peaks and ridges from autumn into winter. It's also a good fit if you often scrape against your pack or rock on scrambles. If you'll wear it a lot in summer, the Lightweight is another way to go.
How to choose the Gamma Hoody, and my conclusion
I use three criteria: 1) outer fabric thickness (186gsm or 136gsm), 2) weight (465g or 326g), 3) rain protection (there's no membrane, so carry rain gear separately).
Conclusion: if you'll keep it on all day on a clear ridge in fall to winter, get the Gamma Hoody. If you also want to wear it in summer, pick the lighter Gamma Lightweight.
About the writer and sources
I hike in Japan and abroad, and I'm a gear nerd who collects gear.
Published 2026-10-24 / Updated 2026-11-05. I checked the numbers on 2026/11/5. The source for each number is listed right below the table it appears in.
FAQ
How much does the Gamma Hoody weigh?
The men's is 465 g (16.4 oz). The Gamma Lightweight Hoody is 326 g.
How is the Gamma Hoody different from the Gamma Lightweight?
The Gamma Hoody has a thicker 186 gsm face fabric and a brushed lining. It's 139 g heavier and ¥3,300 more.
Can I wear the Gamma Hoody in the rain?
The DWR finish sheds light rain, but there's no waterproof membrane. In steady rain, put a rain shell over it.
Should I choose the Gamma Hoody or the Beta Jacket?
If you also wear it in the rain, take the waterproof Beta Jacket. It is 375 g, 90 g lighter than the Gamma Hoody at 465 g, and costs 68,200 yen against 47,300 yen, a gap of 20,900 yen. For long days on dry ground where you want to block wind and keep it on, the Gamma Hoody has no waterproof membrane, costs less and has a brushed lining.
Gear in this article
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Read next
- To compare within the same brand, read this too.Arc'teryx Atom Hoody Review
- For another pick from the same line, read this.Arc'teryx Atom SL Hoody Review
- To widen the choice within the brand, read this.Arc'teryx Atom SV Hoody Review
