>>2112689I'm one of Arc'Teryx top five reviewers on their website. I have off hand...maybe 17 of their jackets from Cerium's to Atom's to Alpha's to Zeta's and even the illusive military-issue Cold WX Parka SVX. Not bragging, never buy retail, but I do like their stuff. Irrespective of what you say, their technical garments are top quality and the lifetime warranty is superb. They of course, lost a lot of core people when they were bought out by Salomon Group some time ago, but Salomon has been pretty hands off regarding development. If anything the OG's WITHIN the company have lamented that the 24-line needs to fucking go, and I tend to agree with that...but a business exists to make money also.
North Face went that route too when they were bought out by Vanity Fair and you now literally see the brand in Costco and other 'fine outdoor retailers'. One of the only stipulations were that the Summit Series developers still retain full control over R&D and most aspects of that business model.
Patagonia is quite literally for rich hipsters and frankly do not like their stuff even though I tried for a few seasons. The owner is based, and still retains control over his company, but I don't find his stuff very innovative or comfortable.
I also rode Burton stuff for a really long time, and gave up when their AK 3L stuff was over done with pockets everywhere and they changed their warranty policy as well as the prices had reached or in some instances eclipsed more technical, streamlined jackets/pants from other companies with better warranties.
Lastly, you ask if Arcteryx will become mainstream, and I say they already have. You can walk into Nordstrom right now and buy a Beta AR or Alpha AR jacket and... of all places, REI now included the brand in their annual sales, which they didn't do a few years ago. To get Acteryx on sale, one had to use their one-time-use 20% an item membership coupon. Plus you now find them on Moosejaw, Campsaver and other online-only retailers.
