ShanghaiApril 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The new thematic exhibition of professional outdoor sports brand Arc’teryx, titled “Born in the Mountains, Rooted in People: The Craftsmanship Behind Arc’teryx,” will officially open on May 1 at the Arc’teryx Museum in Shanghai. The exhibition turns its gaze to the people and stories behind the brand since its inception: from the founding team in North Vancouver, to the legendary athletes who explore alongside it, to the ever-growing global Arc’teryx community, unfolding their shared spirit of exploration and path of progression across four chapters. They seek inspiration in the folds of the Coast Mountains, refine every detail through dialogue with the high peaks, and achieve each breakthrough while climbing upward.
Arc’teryx New Thematic Exhibition ‘Born in the Mountains, Rooted in People: The Craftsmanship Behind Arc’teryx’
Inspiration, Born from the Coast Mountains
The high mountains are not only Arc’teryx’s source of inspiration but also the proving ground where gear is born before its creation, and the starting point of all stories. It all began in the Coast Mountains of North Vancouver, Canada. The Pacific Ocean to the west brings abundant rain and snow, while the complex terrain creates rapidly changing weather here. Amidst the unpredictable forces of nature, from design prototypes to athlete field testing, every piece of gear is born to respond to the real challenges of the alpine environment. Stepping into the first space, immersive imagery and spatial installations transport visitors to the very scene where design inspiration first emerged.
Craftsmanship, Tempered Through Repeated Trials
As the focus shifts from the mountain environment to the creation of people and gear, the exhibition moves into its next chapter. Since its founding, Arc’teryx has continuously pushed the boundaries of design, aiming to enable alpine athletes to journey further, more efficiently and with greater determination, at critical moments. In the harsh alpine environment, every detail is crucial. After designers complete their designs, they personally take the gear outdoors for testing, gaining first-hand experience on the rock faces; then, returning to the design center, through a direct feedback mechanism between designers, athletes, and guide teams, they make rapid corrections, allowing every detail to be repeatedly refined.
This design logic also shaped one of the brand’s most iconic products—the Alpha SV. A brand that had never developed or produced an outdoor jacket, driven by the founder’s persistence in finding the “best” outdoor solution, from securing a breakthrough GORE-TEX license and partnership, to the entire R&D team’s relentless refinement, launched the groundbreaking Alpha SV after two and a half years. The entire jacket weighs only about 708 grams, approximately 300 grams lighter than other outdoor jackets on the market at the time.
1998 Alpha SV (left) and 50-50 Test Prototype Replica (right)
The R&D and design teams have grown and evolved over time, but the unwavering commitment to continuous advancement remains. In the exhibition hall, a 50-50 test prototype is displayed separately—a sample garment made from half new and half old fabric, embodying this philosophy. In recent development cycles, such samples undergo repeated laboratory testing before being handed to top climbers, who take them into real outdoor environments to endure the trials of wind and snow, comparing protective effects and wearing experience, ensuring that every evolution withstands the test of nature.
This exhibition also showcases the brand’s very first product—a harness. From the first rock climbing harness developed by founder Dave Lane in 1989, to each successive generation of innovative products created by the team, what changes is the accumulated experience and technology, while what remains unchanged is the craftsmanship that always starts from human needs and continuously improves.
Another highlight of this exhibition is the recreation of the brand’s design center office atmosphere. In the early days of the brand, designers and climbers often gathered in the office after work to exchange ideas, where bold concepts constantly emerged, giving rise to the thermoforming technology applied to harnesses. This atmosphere continues to this day.
Replica of Arc’teryx Designer Mike Foley’s Office
Mountain Academy, Where Passion Resonates
Craftsmanship extends beyond the workbench, spreading to broader horizons and deeper into the wider mountain community, continuously driven by people.
Through platforms like the Mountain Academy, Arc’teryx brings together outdoor enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds, using professional gear to support their outdoor explorations. The Arc’teryx International Mountain Academy has taken root in multiple destinations worldwide, offering courses in professional outdoor activities such as high-altitude climbing, alpine climbing, backcountry skiing, and trail running, providing like-minded mountain enthusiasts with a safe, fun, and encouraging environment to learn, explore, and refine their alpine skills together.
From the establishment of Arc’teryx’s first climbing community in China in 2015, to the first landing of the Arc’teryx International Mountain Academy in Yangshuo in 2023, the Mountain Academy has gradually built widespread influence within China’s outdoor community over the past decade. Rooted in the Coast Mountains of Canada on one end and extending to China’s diverse alpine landscapes on the other, two major mountain communities meet here. Climbers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world gather, connected by the mountains, and go further because of each other.
Mountain Academy, Where Passion Resonates
A Continuously Evolving Future
Craftsmanship is not only about looking back but also pointing toward the future. As the times accelerate, Arc’teryx’s design approach continues to evolve. The brand believes that everyone has the opportunity to step into the high mountains. Born for the mountains, built for climbers—this is Arc’teryx’s original intention. Based on this philosophy, Arc’teryx collaborated with the SKIP team in 2024 to design the MO/GO, a movement-assist exoskeleton embedded in Gamma softshell pants. Equipped with a motor system at the knees, it enhances users’ endurance and stability while reducing fatigue, further unlocking the potential of mountain experiences. This exhibition marks its first appearance in China, allowing more people with mobility limitations to encounter the high mountains and experience the freedom and joy of outdoor exploration.
Arc’teryx Partners with SKIP to Launch Revolutionary Exoskeleton Softshell Pants
One person travels fast, but many travel far. From the founder to the gradually expanding team, to athletes and community members around the world, they are not only users of the gear but also key drivers of its evolution. Arc’teryx is born for the mountains, progresses with the mountains, ensuring that the charm of the high mountains bestowed by nature endures for a long time.
Reservations for the “Born in the Mountains, Rooted in People: The Craftsmanship Behind Arc’teryx” exhibition will officially open on April 28 via the ARC’TERYX official mini-program. The journey of craftsmanship is about to begin—stay tuned.