Arc'Teryx Gamma SV (Fall 2007)

Before I begin to discuss my dissappointment with this vest, and the direction that Arc'teryx is heading as a company that wants to make their goods in China but still sells them like they were made in North America...I want to share this.
Back in the summer 1994, when I kick started my outdoors lifestyle with a summer scholarship trip to the Colorado Outward Bound School I had no money, and being 14 yrs old at the time, my budget-minded parents bought my gear. I remember my first and favorite outdoor fleece vest. It was a $45 NIKE ACG Vest that was made for trail running but worked so well for everything else from 23 belowwinter camping in the Adirondaks to paddling the Rio Grande. For $45 the fleece was warm and held up for years of abuse and wear, before I sold it on eBay 2 years ago. I've been thru a string of fleece vests that never quite worked out(mainly Patagonia) since then.
Now last Autumn I noticed this piece from Arcteryx going for $175 retail and now that I'm a professional adult making decent beans I figure I'd pick one up (when the went on sale of course). So I got this vest for $140 on sale and patiently waited 2 weeks for it to ship to me from Toronto. I was stoked up until I put this thing on me and went for a chilly March run along the back trails in my hood. The following is my take on this Arcteryx Gamma SV

PROS: This slim style vest looks modern. High and warm fleece lined collar. Big pockets.

CONS: The arm holes are way big for the size and will let cold air get inside and swirl around behind the front. The vest also bunches up in this front chest area and keep pockets of cold air there if you are lent over while biking. Next big CON is the price! And I felt conned by Arcteryx! This vest is NOT WORTH $50 much less $175! Just looking at it in person, the quality is lacking and the fleece is not at all windproof. I'm sure it cost Arcteryx more money to hire a Canadian to type $175.00 on the sale tags that it actually cost to make this entire thing at a factory in China. I will forever look down Arc'teryx for fooling new online buyers of their brand in 2007/2008 (me being one) into thinking we are paying top dollar for quality stuff made in Canada. Only to get surprised by over priced gear made in China.
Sadly, I cannot return the vest because it was a closeout sale, so I will have to relegate it to my urban weekend wear or sell it to the next sucker on eBay.

For the price I will NEVER recommend this vest or any other Arc'teryx items that are Made In China but priced as if Made In Canada.
This is the Arcteryx Gamma SV! Notice the huge arm holes relative to the slim fit. Also notice when buying online you never see MADE IN CHINA from the picture. So BEWARE.