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Uniqlo’s Soon-to-Be Viral Jacket Delivers Arc’teryx Vibes at Costco Prices

Available in September, the Japanese retailer’s upcoming rain shell nails it on performance, looks and price.

Uniqlo jacketUniqlo

By Jack Seemer

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Uniqlo wouldn’t be the brand it is today without the cosign of many high-profile collaborators, including Jil Sander, JW Anderson, Engineered Garments and dozens more.

But it’s the retailer’s unofficial pairings that has style insiders flocking to its thousands of storefronts all across the globe.

Earlier this year, Uniqlo delivered a $30 dupe of a $625 Porter-Yoshida shoulder bag. Then it followed with an ultra-affordable take on Carhartt’s famed Detroit jacket.

Neither were official collaborations, however, that didn’t stop them from blowing up on social media.

Now, the Japanese giant has an answer for anyone interested in outfitting their closet with an Arc’teryx rain shell but not missing next month’s rent.

Uniqlo jacket
The upcoming Uniqlo : C Blocktech Parka comes in three colors — green, dark brown and black.
Uniqlo

As noted by one Redditor, Uniqlo’s upcoming Blocktech Parka boasts similar pockets, colorways and technical features (such as sealed zippers) as those found in jackets across the Arc’teryx portfolio.

It also has water-repellant coating by way of Uniqlo’s fan-favorite Blocktech fabric, which has featured in jackets from previous seasons.

Uniqlo jacket
Blocktech fabric and sealed zippers offer ample weather protection for city wear.
Uniqlo
Uniqlo jacket
A spindle cord drawstring lets users dial in the fit to keep the wind out.
Uniqlo

“I’ve thought for a while the Blocktech line is like baby’s first Veilance,” one Redditor commented, referring to Arc’teryx’s urban-focused (and ultraexpensive) sub-brand.

“Uniqlo synthetics are really nice bang for buck. Unbranded and nice sleek look. I wear my rain shell from Uniqlo more than my Arc light shell,” said another.

Uniqlo jacket
The fabric is a 2.5-layer construction with a textured inner lining for comfortable skin contact.
Uniqlo

Just for looks?

To be clear, Arc’teryx jackets carry a premium for a reason, and its legions of fans seem happy to pay it season after season.

The brand builds its products to handle harsh alpine conditions, not city wear. Plus, they’re backed by ample amounts of testing, decades of R&D and some of the most sustainable manufacturing processes in the industry.

Uniqlo jacket
Unlike your typical Arc’teryx jacket, the Blocktech Parka isn’t designed for alpine conditions. But it looks perfectly capable — and equally stylish — off of mountains.
Uniqlo

But for shoppers who don’t summit peaks on the days off, it’s easy to see the appeal of a rain jacket that delivers the “Arc” look for a fraction of the cost, especially if it can hold up to your standard rainy commute.

The new Blocktech Parka, officially part of the Uniqlo: C collection, carries a price tag of just $99.90.

Available in early September, it comes in three colors — green, dark brown and black.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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