A true blend of vintage styling with modern features, the AGV Sport ARC jacket is primarily comprised of 600 Denier polyester that has been aged to give it a look unlike most other jackets on the market. A wide assortment of zippers and layers give this jacket good sizing adjustability and flexibility in weather conditions.
Accordion stretch panels at the shoulders maximize range of motion, while Velcro cinches and zippered expansion panels allow for plenty of size adjustment at the waist. There are zippers all over this jacket, and most have a large pull tab with the AGV Sport logo. The styling of the pull tabs clashes with the overall aesthetic of the jacket, but it’s worth keeping them on for ease of use while wearing your gloves. You can easily remove the pull tabs if you think looking good is worth fumbling with the zippers. The remainder of the AGV Sport branding is minimal and it does not distract from the unique gray finish.
Inside the jacket, the short collar is fleece-lined and it is comfortable on the neck. Two internal pockets complement external hand warming pockets. The ARC features a weatherproof layer built from Reissa as well as a quilted polyester thermal layer. They are independent of each other so you can adjust for temperature and precipitation. When both layers are out, the jacket is very light and air circulation is maximized thanks to two air vents in the front along your biceps and two air vents in the back along the edges of your back.
A fixed soft mesh interior lining includes a zipper to secure to AGV Sport pants and contains a soft foam pad that should be replaced with CE-level back armor. Thankfully, the shoulder and elbow protection is CE-approved.
The styling isn’t for me but I appreciate that it’s unique. My only real complaint is the lack of any reflective material for increased nighttime visibility. For less than $200, this is an impressively flexible textile jacket that will work for 3+ seasons (or year-round if you’re in Southern California). If you want a jacket that looks different, the distressed gray ARC is worth your consideration.
Check out the AGV Sport ARC Jacket ($179.00) on RevZilla, where it is on closeout for $125.30.
Photos by Nathan May
The above review was written for a magazine after a month of frequent use. I was not inspired enough to keep using the jacket because I wasn’t interested in the style, but I do think it’s a well-priced jacket (especially on closeout!) that’s worth a close look if you like the distinct style.