Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Macai Jacket

Bought this jacket 2 seasons ago. Have skied 45 days or so since purchase. Mostly advanced, expert terrain. I'm 6'4", 220 lbs, XL helmet. Pros: 1. Very warm. I only add another down layer if temp < -10 F. 2. Long sleeve and body. No gaps between sleeve and gloves. Powder skirt sits appropriately low on waist. 3. Good style 4. Despite some of the negative reviews, the jacket has been durable thus far. No tears or broken zippers. 5. Good, deep exterior hand pockets. Cons: 1. If the hood is pulled over an XL helmet (again XL sized jacket), it is very difficult to zip the jacket over my chin and face. If I do manage to zip it up, the neck/chin area is very tight and it's tough to turn my head. Even without a helmet, the neck/chin area is too tight. Many other reviewers have commented on this issue, so Arcteryx needs to address it. In my opinion, the neck need another 1 to 1.5 inches of circumference. 2. The jacket would benefit from an external chest pocket that can accommodate a cellphone. There is a weird little pocket under the left upper chest flap, but really useless. Great for lip balm but nothing more.

Love this jacket, but wish they made it in ALL BLACK!

I have worn this parka through much of this ski season. It is very warm and, for the most part, highly functional. Zippers are very stiff but suspect that is a function of their weather proofing and may improve with time. Only material issue is the hood comes off too easily because it snaps on rather than zips, have had it come off when just trying to snap it up on the lift. But for the most part the warmth of the jacket and wearing a helmet and buff has obviated the need for the hood. A "nice to have" would be an exterior chest pocket.

Happy with purchase. It was my Xmas gift to myself!

I got this hoody as a companion casual layer to the covert hoody, which shares similiar strengths and weaknesses. The elgan is certainly warmer, using merino blend fabric, and better closures on the wrist and waist. The hood is also more practical with its synching cords, rather than the scuba hoody of the covert. The fit of the hoody is slim, but also relaxed, and fits well over short sleeve shirts or collared shirts, which can be seen at the neck. However, after multiple washings a small tear has already appeared in the right shoulder (too small to sew or repair), and the fabric has pilled and attracted lint at the sleeves below the wrists, where the stitching is. I use a gentle wash with cold water, so I don't know what the issue is. Regardless,a good hoody for casual use and a good layer for activities such as winter hiking.

I got this hoody as a companion casual layer to the covert hoody, which shares similiar strengths and weaknesses. The elgan is certainly warmer, using merino blend fabric, and better closures on the wrist and waist. The hood is also more practical with its synching cords, rather than the scuba hoody of the covert. The fit of the hoody is slim, but also relaxed, and fits well over short sleeve shirts or collared shirts, which can be seen at the neck. However, after multiple washings a small tear has already appeared in the right shoulder (too small to sew or repair), and the fabric has pilled and attracted lint at the sleeves below the wrists, where the stitching is. I use a gentle wash with cold water, so I don't know what the issue is. Regardless,a good hoody for casual use and a good layer for activities such as winter hiking.

This is a great jacket and I would recommend it. However, I cannot keep it after buying it because it is too big on me. Please consider making an XS for next year! Much thanks!

This is a great jacket and I would recommend it. However, I cannot keep it after buying it because it is too big on me. Please consider making an XS for next year! Much thanks!

I have used this jacket now in second season. We usually go to Alpes. When very cold - we had minus 17 - it is superbly warm. However, during strong cold winds the wind gets through front and vent zippers. The front could easily be covered with an extra layer to be buttoned over zipper (suggestion alert). The vent zips are a lesser problem as arms can cover when in lift for example. In moderately cold weather its almost too warm though and the vents come in handy. I am 183cm and bought a large which fits snug but the arms are just long enough and an extra centimeter or two would be great. Overall i like the jacket. It feels great and it has a quality to it in terms of material, design and aesthetics.

I have used this jacket now in second season. We usually go to Alpes. When very cold - we had minus 17 - it is superbly warm. However, during strong cold winds the wind gets through front and vent zippers. The front could easily be covered with an extra layer to be buttoned over zipper (suggestion alert). The vent zips are a lesser problem as arms can cover when in lift for example. In moderately cold weather its almost too warm though and the vents come in handy. I am 183cm and bought a large which fits snug but the arms are just long enough and an extra centimeter or two would be great. Overall i like the jacket. It feels great and it has a quality to it in terms of material, design and aesthetics.

This has become my go-to hoody after buying it almost a year ago. I was at first nervous cleaning (concerns about the garment loosing its shape) but have not experienced any issues. While the quality is definitely there, this is one of the more expensive options out there.

This hoody looks very cool and futuristic. However, it reminds me more of a veillance product since it is not very technical and a bit overpriced. I would recommend if you want a hoody that is comfortable and looks cool around town. 5'11'' 165lbs and small fits well

This hoody looks very cool and futuristic. However, it reminds me more of a veillance product since it is not very technical and a bit overpriced. I would recommend if you want a hoody that is comfortable and looks cool around town. 5'11'' 165lbs and small fits well

I have this top and think it's great! It's warm, feels soft, and looks great. A really good urban style top for Autumn. I particularly like the depth of the hood and love Caper as a colour. It is not a high performance outdoor / hiking top, so don't expect the same level of performance, but then it looks a lot nicer than performance gear. It could be a bit thinker and a bit more fitted but these are miner issues to an otherwise great top that I have ready used lots.

I have this top and think it's great! It's warm, feels soft, and looks great. A really good urban style top for Autumn. I particularly like the depth of the hood and love Caper as a colour. It is not a high performance outdoor / hiking top, so don't expect the same level of performance, but then it looks a lot nicer than performance gear. It could be a bit thinker and a bit more fitted but these are miner issues to an otherwise great top that I have ready used lots.

It took me three tries- until I found the right Macai. First one was mislabeled. I was sent a medium rather than large. I ordered an XL which was way too big. Second try at large was just right. I'm 6'3", 195. Coat was great on first ski trip. I heat up fast on long bump runs and cool down fast on long lift rides. It was easy to make many adjustments - with the exception of pit zippers. They are angled oddly and I needed fellow skier to help. The hood fit easily over my helmet. For what it's worth, I love the blue coat. The black one has an ugly brown color on inside.

The workmanship, overall design and materials is as always with Arc'teryx superb. Probably the best there is. The jacket is very light. You almost don't feel that you are wearing it. You are just warm and snuggly. The cut of the jacket is perfect. However the jacket as some drawbacks. First it is does not have the "Slide 'n Loc" system. Since this is a ski jacket I would have expected this. You need to back it up with a neck gaiter or high collar sweater on cold windy days since the neck is a bit wide. I would not want it designed in any other way tough. The pocket configuration is seldom the best on Arc'teryx. But on the Macai it is poorer than usual. The breast pocket is only usable for a pack of chewing gum (you can get an iPhone in) but in all it is too small. It would be interesting to know why this design was chosen. If I were to choose I would add a pocket on the right arm as well. Overall the jacket is very good and warm. It will fulfill it intended purpose very well.

I do like this jacket. I don't find it as warm as the previous reviewer. I also hail from Alberta and grew up in Winnipeg and I now live in Fargo North Dakota. Although I am relatively athletic, I suspect I am not as young as the previous reviewer and I do not run as hot. Consequently, I love this jacket on days when I am out snowshoeing and otherwise active. For cold days, particularly with the relentless North Dakota wind, I still have to resort to my Fission SV or even my Canada Goose Snow Mantra. Don't let the thermometer fool you. It's often colder here in Fargo because of the higher wind and almost as cold as Winnipeg. I think I could get by with this coat in Edmonton but I have to lean on the other coats in my closet for better wind blocking capabilities here in Fargo. I also agree that, if you're at all active in the Canada Goose, it does not have the same kind of venting and breathing characteristics of an Arc'teryx product. Also, because of some nerve injury in my extremities, I have to make sure that I run a little bit on the warm side otherwise I am often really sensitive to the cold. I find that the fit on this is a little snugger then the Fission SV (all three vintages of the coat that I own).

I have used this only a couple of times, fits perfect and very warm. High quality material and construction. Only 3 stars because the outside chest pocket is too small for a phone and the inside chest pocket zip is too small to grab with gloves on.

I have been trying to buy this jacket in medium black for 3-4 weeks. In Vancouver the stores only have them in Yellow and brown. Online only Yellow and brown clearly you should be making more jackets in black. I have left my email to receive if any available and have gotten nowhere.

Bought this as a winter upgrade to existing Arcteryx jackets. As expected, the quality, look and feel is great. However, the arms are ridiculously long - a good five inches for me ! Especially as a winter sports model where gloves would also likely be worn, it seems odd, and poorly thought out at pattern making. Disappointed as had very high hopes for the Macai.

Overpriced. Arms are too long. Sleeves are too wide. No cuff to serve as a snow guard inside of sleeves. Jacket is warm but it's a bit of a loose fit in my opinion. I expected more at the price. Hood fits with a helmet but is a little awkward without.

I have had great experience with brand and jacket generally fits well. But for a fully priced product, it has two obvious flaws: the hood is bulky and awkward, and sleeves need an inner cuff lining. Returned because of sleeves.

Sizing was a bit abnormal. I am 5'9", 170 lbs and purchased a medium. The sleeves were about 2" too long and the jacket was snug in the shoulders and neck. Due to this, I was unable to remedy by sizing up or down. Quality itself was good.

I ordered this jacket online, comfortable in knowing that the many Arcteryx jackets I have owned over the years in a size Large fit me perfectly. There are definitely things I like about the Macai jacket but in the end, the fit is very unusual. Very long arms and a very tight fit around the collar. The arm length is just strange. But the tight neck and collar makes it too uncomfortable for skiing in cold weather. The very time this jacket is intended to be used.