The wind and water protection of each garment is different which again effects how warm they are. None of them fit the same which is problematic when you are trying to make a comparison. SV is not the best choice to climb in, SL is. Hey Pat, warmth from what I experienced.rated warm to warmer. Best to find any of them on sale in late Spring or early Summer! Cost is more than a Kappa, and less than the SL. SV does have double breast pockets.which I really like. But it is water proof :) The Fission SV is longer, more weather proof and WARMER than either. The Fission SL is warmer, slightly bulkier, more wind proof "perhaps" and costs amore than dbl what you can buy a Kappa for. Kappa is the lightest least bulky, easiest to wear. Internal pockets on all of them are awesome! All three are solid cold weather jackets. External pockets? Not so much thought there was my opinion. Hoods as expected, are exceptional with or without a helmet. Cuffs are dialed! But also could be done better with just elastic like the Atom Series. Never a good situation when it required for a piece of my climbing kit. Not a fan of the big toothed zipper used although it does work well but hard to get started sometimes. I like the snap on the hem and zipper of all three jackets. Simply because it is the warmest most weather resistant synthetic insulation I own. But the Fission SV is the one jacket I wish I had when I really need a warm jacket. Kappa and SL are both lighter and cut to easily climb technical ground in. It is too heavy and frankly not cut for climbing. It is still not the jacket I would take climbing. Given the choices in cold weather jackets I have available that is saying a lot. And it is THE jacket I grab when I want to be warm and protected from the weather/elements on foot, on a horse or on a exposed 4 wheeler. When it is really cold and windy the length is perfect :) The SV is now the only COLD WEATHER jacket I have hanging in our mud room getting daily use. Glad all the SV jacket has a dbl zipper because when it is not really cold, the jacket is too long and too warm. OK I'd will admit I wish the collar was higher". Still not a big fan of the SV's fashion styling ( still undecided if I like the collar/hood design or not). For a climbing parka and really cold dry occasions (think of missing the Tram mid winter on the Midi) my impression is you can do better for warmth and weight (short of snow cave living) by going to one of the better down jackets intended for the same use. But I find it hard to justify the price when compared to the other two. The Fission SL (fully water proof Goretex as well) is a great climbing jacket for warmth and weight. And would now just for the extra protection. Goretex was not something I bought the SV for however. Never needed Goretex frankly other than rain gear but have found the water proof layer really nice when it has been needed here. And if you don't need fully taped and water proof Goretex. Although feature to feature IMO the Kappa is a better buy if it is warm enough for you. Kappa is a taped Goretex product but not warrantied to be water "proof". If you really need a cold weather jacket the SV is worth the extra price compared to the Kappa for warmth IMO. Not seen a warmer jacket that can take a real beating (day in and day out on the ski hill or in the barn) and still do the job just as well at the end of the Season as the beginning. I now know why you see this jacket on a lot of full time ski instructors in the Rocky Mtn States. The double chest pockets are handier if required. The SV is slightly longer, sheds wind much better than the other two and because of both the length and wind resistance, it is noticeably warmer. Mind you both of those Arcteryx jackets are really good cold weather pieces! But this is an honest comparison made by wearing all three day after day of multiple sub zero weeks this winter. The Fission SL, the "go to" hard core winter climbing coat, wasn't up to the task when the wind started blowing -25F any time of day. The Kappa, a trusted friend for winter climbing in the Alps and Canada wasn't warm enough most days early and late. Going on 60 days at or below freezing now. One of the coldest winters on record here. A life style new to me, but for the last 6 months I've been getting up just prior to dawn, rain, shine or snow to feed livestock for the last 6 months.
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