This past summer, Sporting Life, in conjunction with Arc’teryx, launched a new program to showcase the Arc’teryx brand in our stores. This program provides you with a dedicated Arc’teryx in-store contact, an “Arc’tech” (Arc’teryx Technical Product Expert), who you can directly learn from and ask questions.

So, what does this this means for you, our customer? We spoke with our new team of Arc’techs to find out just that.

So…What exactly is an Arc’tech ambassador?

The Arc’techs are Sporting Life staff members who share the Arc’teryx ethos with customers and fellow staff members. Through product-focused experiences, the Arc’techs bring Arc’teryx to life in our stores. They create inspiring and informed educational opportunities for their colleagues and memorable Arc’teryx product moments for our customers.

What does it take to be an Arc’tech ambassador?

An ambassador shares knowledge about Arc’teryx, local adventures and activities with both customers and staff. They are fluent in all things Arc’teryx and often are gear junkies! They work hard to ensure the department and store are merchandised, and they’re trained on the product and brand of Arc’teryx. They also partake in Arc’teryx activities, discussions, and product testing!

How can you find an Arc’tech ambassador in store? Does every store have one?

Arc’techs can be found where you find Arc’teryx products. The program is currently in our following locations: Collingwood, Brentwood, Market Mall, Markville, Hillcrest, Yonge, Yorkdale, and Sherway.  Feel free to ask any of our staff members for the local Arc’teryx Arc’tech and they will be able to direct you to the right person.

How are the Arc’techs trained on Arc’teryx

1. In Person Training at the Arc’teryx Academy
2. In Person Product Knowledge Sessions inc Gore-Tex ie. the Toronto Super PK  
3. Online Training Modules via App

At the Arc’teryx Academy in Squamish, what were some of the mountain highlights you experienced?

The Arc’tech team has the opportunity to take the Sea to Sky Gondola up into the Coastal Mountains around Squamish. Views were endless and the team had a hands on training with some of the Arc’teryx advanced concepts design team! The team also had a chance to hike the famous Stawamus Chief First Peak hiking trail which looks directly down to Squamish and gives a great views of climbers on nearby rock faces.

You also had the opportunity to visit Arc’One, the manufacturing and distribution facility that Arc’teryx has in New Westminster near Vancouver, what was that like?

Visiting ARC’One was one of the highlights of the trip. Seeing the jackets being hand made by people was inspiring and showed us how much time, detail and work goes into each and everyone. The space was huge and we had the opportunity to walk the product journey from raw fabric to cutting, construction, seam tapping and more until the final product was assessed and deemed ready to wear. The effort and fine details that goes into making the product is amazing!

What’s one thing you learned on this trip about the brand that surprised you?

The design team builds and tests everything in their own building in North Vancouver before the product even hits production. Additionally, the team of seamstresses and tailors who create these prototypes, saw no lost days of work due to COVID-19. If that’s not commitment — I don’t know what is!

One thing that surprised me while visiting the ARC’One facility was the time and effort dedicated by their expert manufacturing team to the Arc’teryx ReBird™ program. This program extends the lifecycle of Arc’teryx products by repairing warrantied goods to create beautiful one-of-a-kind garments and give them a second life for a discerning, sustainability-minded Arc fan.

What’s next for the Arc’tech ambassadors?

Now that we are trained on the brand and the products we will be putting our experience into practice in store! We will be continuing our product training throughout the season and will be finding unique was to activate with colleagues and customers in store.  Come and find us on your next visit.

If you can’t make it to one of our stores to connect directly with one of our Arc’teryx Arc’techs, check out our wide range of Arc’teryx products — from jackets to backpacks for men and women – Arc’teryx has you covered!