Arc’teryx Macai Ski Jacket Review

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Sitting atop Arc’teryx’s ski lineup is the Macai: a Gore-Tex-equipped, down-insulated ski shell built for frigid conditions and serious resort use. Two of our testers put the Macai through a season-long test in Washington State and found it capable and versatile. While it’s overkill in mild weather and a major hit to your wallet, the Macai is supremely warm and truly luxurious on cold days, and its design crosses over well for daily wear. Below, we break down our experiences with the Macai Jacket and see how it stacks up to the competition. For more, see our articles on the best ski jackets and best winter jackets.

Editor’s note: This guide was swept for accuracy and product availability on Dec 8, 2025. We tested the past-generation Macai Jacket for this review, and Arc’teryx has since updated the design. A slightly roomier fit, thicker synthetic insulation along the shoulders, side panels, cuffs, and hood, and a fixed powder skirt are all new features. In addition, the shell has changed, from a 40-denier 3L jacket to a 100-denier 2L jacket. The result is a better-featured, even lighter jacket, and we call out these additional details as needed.
 

Table of Contents

• Weather Protection
• Warmth
• Comfort
• Everyday Use
• Breathability
• Build Quality and Durability
• Weight
• Key Features
• Fit and Sizing
• Sustainability
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Weather Protection

With a price exceeding $1,000, we set lofty expectations for the Arc’teryx Macai Jacket. Using a 2-layer Gore-Tex construction, it performs like a full-on hardshell, just lined with cozy goose down. The premium face fabric and durable water repellent (DWR) coating effectively shed moisture, the jacket feels nearly impervious in strong winds and blowing snow (a real joy when sitting on a frozen chairlift), and the adjustable hood fits nicely over a ski helmet and snugs down securely.
 

That said, Arc’teryx did make some concessions in performance to balance the Macai’s casual appeal. First, the collar is short, only reaching my lower lip. Moreover, this area was surprisingly snug, making it difficult to bury my face in blustery lifts. Further, the jacket isn’t particularly long with a back length of 30 inches—bending down to adjust my boots brought the hem up to my pants’ belt line (I’m 5’9” and had the medium size). The powder skirt does a decent job sealing around the waist, and you have dual cinches at the hem, but the jacket is more vulnerable than most premium designs to moisture creeping through the bottom in a fall or deep powder. Finally, we found it difficult to get a good seal around the wrists when wearing undercuff ski gloves. There’s no insulation at the end of the sleeves, so we had to secure the Velcro tightly to seal out cold air (this will be a non-issue with gauntlet-style gloves).
 

Warmth

Using a creative mix of down and synthetic insulations, the Macai is a cozy place to be on even the coldest days. Around the core and sleeves, you get a healthy dose of high-quality, 750-fill down, which maximizes warmth while limiting bulk and weight. And in areas more vulnerable to moisture—including the hood, shoulders, underarms, cuffs, and hem—Arc’teryx included their well-regarded Coreloft synthetic fill. In practice, the combination was warm enough for me to comfortably wear only a baselayer while lapping groomers on cold days that dipped into the low teens Fahrenheit (and felt far lower, given wind chill). We didn’t experience any truly frigid conditions during testing to push the jacket’s limits further, but I suspect it would’ve kept me comfortable down to 0 degrees without needing to add any additional layers. 

The downside to all that warmth is that the jacket is overly insulated for mild temperatures and sidecountry hikes. In practice, I found myself reaching for the pit zips to open them on windless days with temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s. With the pit zips open, I stayed comfortable, and the mesh covering the zipper openings did a nice job of keeping snow from streaming through (a common problem with opening pit zips while skiing downhill or in gusty, snowy weather). All things considered, the Macai is hard to beat for frigid on-piste days, but unless you run cold or only ski in below-freezing temperatures, you’ll need a second ski shell in your quiver for mild weather.
 

Comfort

Ski shells typically are functional pieces that prioritize protection over outright luxury, but the Arc'teryx Macai Jacket is an exception. Slipping it on is like putting on a premium down jacket. The soft baffles along the interior slide easily over a baselayer and have a high-end feel, and the jacket’s trim fit hugs you in warmth (Note: The latest version is roomier than the design we tested, which we cover in “Fit and Sizing”). Additionally, all the touch points are well-executed. There’s a small patch of fleece at the front of the collar, and the back of the neck and the interior of the hand pockets have a smooth, plush lining. Finally, the well-tailored design features nice details, such as gussets under the arms to enhance mobility. All told, we had zero complaints about the Macai's comfort.

Everyday Use

Of all the ski shells I’ve tested, the Macai stood out as the most serviceable everyday winter jacket. It looks the part with clean lines, a fairly trim fit that isn’t bulky or long when worn over just a t-shirt (again, the latest Macai is roomier than the version we tested), and Arc’teryx even went so far as to include small fabric flaps over the hand pockets and exterior chest pocket. Moreover, the hood cinches down evenly, isn’t cumbersome when only wearing a beanie or no hat at all, and is removable when the weather is favorable. One of the only features that gives the Macai away as a true ski shell is the sleeve pocket and its exposed zipper. In my opinion, this widespread appeal helps justify the jacket’s price.
 

Breathability

As an insulated resort shell—and one that includes down insulation—the Macai is a poor ventilator. As with most insulated designs, I found myself needing to unzip the front of the jacket to dump heat, even on short sidecountry hikes in windy conditions with temps in the mid-teens (with the pit zips open from the start). The pit zips do a decent job keeping you comfortable—and I relied on them heavily throughout the season—but the sheer amount of insulation limits the jacket’s appeal to those who stay within the ropes. Of note: Arc’teryx now offers the jacket in an uninsulated version that’s considerably lighter (1 lb. 11.3 oz.) and more breathable.

Build Quality and Durability

Sitting atop Arc’teryx’s already spendy ski shell lineup, it came as no surprise that the Macai Jacket delivered from a quality standpoint. From the moment you put on the jacket, it has a special feel, from the plush, cozy interior to the sturdy, smooth zippers. We haven’t had any hiccups in terms of reliability, either: All the zippers and drawcords are functioning well, and after a couple of wash cycles, the shell still looks and performs like new. Arc’teryx lists the Macai’s face fabric as 100-denier, and the 2-layer design, combined with the thick insulation underneath, gives it a burly feel. In the end, I was confident enough to ski in trees and around sharp gear. Along with the high-end insulation, this is the kind of shell that should have a long lifespan.
 

Weight

I typically avoid insulated jackets because of their bulky, somewhat sloppy feel, but the Macai bucks that trend. The combination of its excellent fit and mobility, lofty down and synthetic insulations, and premium shell and lining materials makes it feel lighter than its listed 2-pound-.8-ounce weight. For reference, it’s lighter than Helly Hansen’s Alpha 4.0 (2 lb. 8.6 oz.) while stacking up competitively to lesser-insulated designs like the Norrøna Lofoten Gore-Tex Insulated (1 lb. 14 oz.) and Patagonia Insulated Powder Town (1 lb. 14.7 oz.). Clearly, this is not a jacket you’ll be stuffing into a pack and bringing into the backcountry, but its weight is a non-factor and won’t hold you back on full days at the resort. 
 

Key Features

DropHood

Taking a closer look at the features, the Macai uses Arc’teryx’s DropHood design, which means that there is an internal collar inside the hood. It fit nicely over our medium-sized helmets (Smith’s Level and POC’s Obex) and stayed in place even in inclement weather. Peripheral vision was also good, although we did find side-to-side movement was more restricted than we’ve experienced in some other Arc’teryx ski shells (including the popular Sabre Jacket, which uses their upgraded StormHood design, known for providing a wide field of vision). The upside to the lower-profile design is that it cinches down well for use without a ski helmet, adding to the jacket’s everyday appeal. And for bluebird days or warm spring outings, the hood can be removed with a series of buttons along the sides and back of the collar.
 

Pockets

Organization is another strong suit of Macai’s design. The jacket includes two large hand pockets, which fit gloved hands, and the right-hand pocket stores a fabric goggle wipe. Hidden under a flap on the left side of the chest is a small zippered pocket, just about perfect for storing a credit card or other compact items. And rounding out the exterior, you get a sleeve pocket that’s positioned for RFID ski passes. On the inside, there’s a large zippered pocket that swallows a smartphone and a mesh dump pocket on the other side for stuffing gloves or ski goggles.
 

Powder Skirt

As with most ski-specific shells, the Macai includes a powder skirt to seal out snow in the event of a fall or deep powder. The skirt features a silicone-like band to keep it in place and two sets of buttons to tune the fit. Given the jacket's shorter cut, I was inclined to use the powder skirt a fair amount to keep the cold and wet out, and it proved effective and stayed in place. It’s worth noting that the skirt isn’t removable on the latest Macai—our jacket’s skirt zipped out for easy streamlining—but it’s still a practical and well-executed design.
 

Fit and Sizing

Both of our testers (6’0” and 165 lb., and 5’9” and 155 lb.) wore the past-generation Macai in a size medium and found the fit spot-on. That said, despite boasting the same “regular” cut designation, the latest version has a revised fit that’s roomier through the chest, waist, hips, and thighs. For reference, the model that we tested was moderately snug and ideal for wearing with just a baselayer underneath, but recent reviews indicate that the updated fit has some intricacies. According to Arc’teryx, the medium size remains unchanged, while smaller sizes fit tighter, and larger sizes fit looser. We’ll update this review with our take once we test the latest Macai.

Sustainability

The latest Macai Jacket is certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), which ensures that the geese were treated humanely and not subjected to practices such as force-feeding or live-plucking. The Macai also uses Bluesign-approved materials, indicating they’ve undergone thorough testing and are deemed safe for workers, consumers, and the environment. The updated shell material is now PFAS-compliant, meaning that the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (what we colloquially know as forever chemicals) is now restricted.
 

What We Like

• A mix of down and synthetic insulations provides top-notch warmth for truly frigid conditions.
• Exceptional comfort, clean lines, and refined fit give the Macai everyday appeal.
• Feels lighter than its weight would suggest.
• As expected from Arc'teryx, build quality and attention to detail are second to none.
   

What We Don’t 

• At a whopping $1,100, the Macai is one of the most expensive ski jackets out there.
• Runs too warm for mild temperatures and sidecountry hikes.
• Hood restricts side-to-side movement more than we've experienced with other Arc'teryx ski shells.
• Not the most impervious shell we’ve tested: The collar is fairly short, the jacket’s hem isn’t long, and we found it tough to get a good seal at the wrists when wearing undercuff gloves. 
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

Arc’teryx’s Macai is a top-notch resort ski jacket that can double as daily wear. For a step down in price, Arc’teryx also offers its popular Sabre Jacket in an insulated version that shares the excellent build quality and attention to detail, though it's less everyday-friendly. In this case, Arc’teryx opted for a 2-layer Gore-Tex shell with a moderate (80g) dose of Coreloft synthetic. Along with a drop in warmth, this makes the Sabre more breathable, although neither option is ideal for frequent backcountry use. Other differences include a slightly thinner shell, a less restrictive (but not removable) StormHood that has no internal collar, and five total pockets (the Macai has six). Again, the Macai is better suited to around-town use, but we consider the Sabre the superior all-rounder due to its cheaper and less-insulated build.
 

Moving outside of Arc’teryx’s lineup, Helly Hansen’s Alpha (recently updated to the “4.0”) has been our top-rated insulated resort shell for years. What we love about the design is its stretchy and extremely comfortable fit. The cut is trimmer than the Macai, but the tailoring is excellent, and the construction has plenty of give for active use. In addition, Helly Hansen nailed the details, with plenty of pockets, a highly adjustable hood, lots of color options, and quality extras like a dedicated insulated pocket for a phone (for more, see our in-depth Alpha 4.0 review). It’s true that the Alpha 4.0 is not as warm as the Macai with 80g PrimaLoft synthetic fill, but it’s not far off in either respect and saves you over $600.
 

A final option to consider is Norrøna’s Lofoten Gore-Tex Insulated Jacket. The Lofoten has a more technical look than the Macai but offers reliable waterproofing thanks to its 2-layer Gore-Tex construction. It also includes thoughtful and functional touches, such as stretch hand gaiters and a goggle wipe. In addition, the jacket is more versatile for a range of temperatures with less insulation in the design—in fact, the hood and hem forego insulation altogether. Taken together, the Norrøna is better suited to active skiers who head off-piste and hike, but it lacks the cozy, luxurious feel of the Macai in frigid conditions.