UKC

Hopefully UKC/H hivemind can solve this.

Just got back from the Swiss alps and our guide had the most brilliantly functional Arcteryx top (so much so he had 4). But he had no idea 'which' Arcteryx jacket it was and searching through this years range hasn't brought anything up.

The key is that it had an external softshell type finish, with a fleece lined inside (rather than say the Atom which has a soft shell outer but the inside is also nylon in style.) Functionally this meant it was breathable, somewhat windproof but also with some insulation capability. 

A bit ike some of the patagonia R1 range.

Any ideas what this might have been?

Did it not have a label?

Did it have 4 pockets? Gamma MX ? 

Proton FL/Lightweight?

Practitioner AR maybe, it's a pro exclusive product but I love mine, very similar to the Proton though.

As Luke says, if he was a guide it may well have been the Practitioner AR which is only really available in the pro line, but can be found. They are pretty revered jackets, with a great fit and its a wonder why they haven't made them available normally.

https://arcteryx.com/gb/en/shop/mens/practitioner-ar-hoody

The newer Proton FL would be the closest thing on the high-street.

https://arcteryx.com/gb/en/shop/mens/proton-sl-hoody-9557

However, as you say it had a softshell outer then it may have been an Acto FL/MX which is another pretty unique (albeit pretty specialist) and awesome piece of kit which was a hardfleece.

Thanks, I've just looked in detail and this is the jacket. 

Looked amazing. Wish I could get one!

Yeah, it was definitely that, as you say amazing bit of kit, a great pity not available to the public.

pro line - that's some elite level marketing wank!

Absolutely, and these people get kit, super cheap to free. 
Oh xyz kit must be great, guides wear it, no, big corps have big marketing budgets and give it way to “influencers” so people think it’s the dogs.

4 in the cupboard and they do not know what it is, a jacket that costs £260, that because they did not pay for it, if they had paid they would know.

Feeling liverish today as it’s raining here in Mallorca, but I have spotted apparently one of the worlds greatest book shops and the public library, so things will improve.

I have a pro account with them as I'm an MR volunteer, the kit is definitely not free but they do offer a generous discount. Yes, some people will be sponsored and get it free though.

The practitioner is genuinely a fantastic jacket, makes a great outer layer in summer and midlayer in winter, I practically live in mine. Would happily (okay somewhat begrudgingly because I'm cheap) pay full price for one now I've used it, like others have said, just a shame it isn't available to everyone.

I have an older Proton that I bought before I had the pro account that is very similar functionally but doesn't have the fleecy feel inside, don't quote me on this but I think the newer Protons are practically the same jacket with slightly lighter weight fabrics and less pockets though.

Amazing isn't it. Which other industries could get away with this?

Pro line cabbages, vegetables only for chefs.

Best line I've read on UKC for ages,  really made me laugh out loud! 😆

I think you’ll find many “pro” line kitchen implements and many outlets of commercial cooking equipment are not that easy to access as a “amateur “ 😏 

exclusivity is a tried and tested marketing tool.

I live in my proton and would have got the practitioner but it came out the week after I bought the proton.

Ye I constantly see adverts on social media for some pans Ramsey has endorsed. I reckon it would fry my eggs so much better.

I do love an Arcteryx jacket. I'm in a sad position right now though that I've lost alot of weight and they're all enormous. I need a pro account to replace some bits!!!

If anyone has a medium 'dynasty' (orange/red in old speak) they want to get rid off then let me know

I have seen a couple come up for sale over the years but it's in the terms of the pro account that items can't be resold.