Why anorak?, I asked myself when I first looked at the new Sabre from Arc’teryx. A minute or two of research revealed a host of backcountry riders who favour the anorak, which is a hooded jacket without a full front zipper. (The word is derived from Greenlandic annoraaq, the sealskin hooded parka worn by the Inuit when Europeans first encountered them in the 1800s.)

Arcteryx mens Sabre Anorak Oracle Daze — The Men’s Sabre Anorak. Photo: Arc’teryx

I’d never given much thought to why you wouldn’t want a full front zipper. But there are some compelling reasons, especially if you’re out in tough conditions for long stretches. For starters, an anorak cinches tighter around your waist, without bunching up around the zip. And on an anorak there’s no major zipper to fail in the middle of your mission. Plus: even the finest zipper on earth can let in a small amount of cold air and moisture.

Sentinel Anorak Habitat Forage Women s Side View Right — The WOmen’s Sentinel Anorak. Photo: Arc’teryx

The Sabre Anorak (and the corresponding piece for women, the Sentinel Anorak) is made for freeriding. Ultra-durable and -breathable, the three-layer GORE-TEX fabric shuts out storms, period. (It also fends off branches when you’re in glades, protecting your puffy layer underneath.)

Throughout the anorak, articulated patterning is designed to move with you as you shred, skin up, or bend down to adjust your bindings.

The helmet-compatible StormHood adjusts from the top and sides to maximize peripheral vision and coverage. It’s an oversized hood designed for a helmet and most often you will or should be wearing one. But if you’re not, you’ll need to really cinch the hood down hard around your head and face so it stays snug in windy conditions.

Sabre Anorak Phenom Bordeaux Pit Zip — Photo: Arc’teryx

My favourite feature is a full side zip (with snap closure) for easy on and off. This is the Sabre Anorak’s advantage over its run-of-the-mill peers. It means you don’t have to struggle to pull it on and off. This zip is on the right side and doubles as a pit zip for ventilation. The left side of the anorak has a conventional-sized pit zip.

The combination of fabric toughness, freeride/touring features and ultimate waterproof-breathability make the Sabre/Sentinel a premium layer for the ages.