The most basic of shells that Arc'teryx makes. If you're looking to buy an overbuilt city rain jacket, this is the one. But it's also a top-of-the-line hiking shell because of its light weight and incredible GORE-TEX waterproofing.

One step up from the Beta is the Beta AR, which the brand kits out with lighter and more durable GORE-TEX PRO. This is the shell you go to when you graduate to more serious adventures.

Oh, and it's our first look at the acronyms. Arc'teryx loves its acronyms. "AR" is one of the ones you'll see most commonly because it stands for "all round," meaning it's less purpose-driven gear. This is a shell that works for a hike, rock climbing, and even lighter mountaineering or winter sports.

Beyond that, this is the Stormhood version, which has a one-piece hood area. I suggest most people go with the Stormhood, as it gives more complete protection when you're using the hood, and it does a better job of giving you some peripheral vision.

This is where you get into the shit that's actually made for climbing mountains. The Alpha series is the brand's flagship line for alpine pursuits like rock climbing and mountaineering. That means it's another step up in terms of durability from those Beta models.

The SV means this is a severe weather model, so it's even tougher than the standard Alpha shell, with GORE-TEX PRO throughout the jacket not just in high-wear areas. Unless you're really concerned about pack weight, I'd always recommend the Alpha SV. The extra weight is worth it for the durability. On fast and light trips, you won't notice a few extra ounces. But you'll definitely appreciate the springing for the SV when conditions get real shitty.

The Rush is the brand's ski shell, and it's one of the best options on the market. A GORE-TEX PRO build makes it exceptionally tough and lightweight, and touches like the ski skirt and stormhood are nice features to have on your descents.

One note I'll make here is that I'd recommend going for a this shell with a mid layer as a ski setup. Although there is an all-in-one Insulated Rush Jacket, take a note from the pros and just layer. There's nothing worse than being hot on the mountain and not being able to shed excess insulation.

Now let's talk layers! For maximum heat, you want a synthetic mid layer. I'd suggest no hood, because unless it's actually frigid, you're just adding more fabric. Plus, going shell-hood-up-mid-layer-hood-down is always a weird feeling.

The only downside to the Atom Jacket is that it works too well. If temps aren't getting above freezing, you'll be glad you have it. But if it's getting warm during the day, or you're heating up on your climb, you'll be unzipping pretty soon.

For those trips where the Atom is too much, go for a fleece mid layer. The Kyanite is the best Arc'teryx has, because it's got a little bit of stretch build in. It keeps you nice and warm, but it moves with the body like a base layer (that is, extremely comfortably).

And when you're starting to sweat, fleece is just a bit less heat-trapping than synthetic insulation. It offers you versatility—perfect for those milder trips, or strenuous winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.

Down mid layers are a bit funny. They are, without question, the best when it comes to warmth to weight ratio. But high fill down—like the Cerium's 850 fill—is often too much warmth for when you're active. Put this on for a hike and you'll be sweating after a few minutes.

So what's the ideal use for a down jacket like this? Camp. If you have to overnight on a mountain, down is your friend. If you're doing a pre-dawn summit push, this is your mid layer. If you're on a ski trip and a crazy cold front blew in, this is your lodge jacket.

Of course, you need to understand the limitations of down. 1) It's not great for blocking wind. In the city, it might be OK as a standalone layer, but its main use is as an insulating mid layer. 2) It cannot get wet. If it does, it loses it's fluff and almost all of its insulating capabilities. Plus, it gets a wet dog type of smell. If there's a chance of rain, always have a shell.

The Squamish Hoody is one of the most well-loved jackets in the Arc'teryx arsenal, all down to its versatility. It's insanely light. It's decent at blocking wind. It's surprisingly durable.

It's built for weird transitional days and the crazy temperature fluctuations you get while rock climbing or alpine hiking. That also makes it a great city jacket. Wherever you are, toss it in the bag and know you'll be OK if temps drop 10 or 20 degrees throughout the day.

No we're in to the Arc'teryx fashion lines. System_A is the newest venture, and one that nails everything cool about the look, with roomy cuts and more fashionable colors. This Moroz shell features a cropped cut that's perfect for the city. Plus, this "Arabica" brown is just fucking beautiful.

Be wary though, it's more of a windbreaker than a rain shell. It'll handle some rain, but don't turn to it in a downpour.

Veilance is the brand's beloved city line. Minimalist in cut and color, the look is sleek and urban. That said, it's more rugged than the System_A stuff. Veilance jackets are built with a lot of the same specs as mainline Arc'teryx gear.

What that gets you is stuff like this Monitor coat. It's warm and totally weatherproof, the one coat you'll wear for the whole of winter.

And when spring comes, there's the Deploy LT. (LT meaning "lightweight" in Arc'teryx abbreviations.) This shell is really similar to that Beta AR at the top of the list. Except the Deploy is lighter, slimmer, and features an ergonomic zipper that curves away from your face. Oh and it only comes in black or a seasonal color.

God, there is so much... Here is are the basics:

Outdoor layers: For outdoor clothing, you have three layers—base layers, mid layers, and shells. "Jackets" comprise the whole of mid layers and shells. Mid layers are insulators—fleece, down, or synthetic. Shells are crisp-to-the-touch protection from wind and rain—your GORE-TEX things.

GORE-TEX: Speaking of, what the fuck is GORE-TEX? It's a proprietary membrane that gets added to shells, the industry-standard for wind and waterproofing. On Arc'teryx shells you'll also find versions called GORE-TEX PRO (waterproof, windproof, and extra durable) and GORE-TEX INFINIUM (windproof but only water-resistant).

All those acronyms: Arc'teryx uses a bunch of seemingly annoying abbreviations, but they're actually quite useful. They are as follows

• AR - All round, versatile, good for a range of lower-stakes activities
• SV - Severe conditions, the hardest wearing gear the brand makes, for actual mountaineering
• LT - Lightweight, gear that prioritizes pacakbility, most of the brand's offerings get tagged LT
• SL - Superlight, beyond LT this one denotes gear that is meant to be extremely packable, ideal for quick-changing climates
• MX - Mixed Conditions, Softshells made for conditions that range from cold and dry to cool and wet
• FL (not featured on this list) - Fast and light, jackets for milder temps and less extreme conditions