August 3, 2026 Arc’teryx System 0: a circular design framework for outdoor gear

Arc’teryx has introduced System 0, a framework designed to embed circular design across the full product lifecycle. Its first test case is the Sperro SV, a mountain-grade hardshell built to be repaired and then broken down for regeneration.

Arc’teryx Equipment has introduced System 0, a framework that it says rethinks how products are designed, manufactured, used, repaired and ultimately regenerated. The company presents System 0 as the next step for sustainability in the outdoor industry, saying it embeds circular thinking across a product’s entire lifecycle while maintaining the brand’s performance standards.

Sperro SV: the first System 0 product

The first product introduced under the System 0 platform is the Sperro SV jacket, a multisport mountain-grade hardshell that Arc’teryx says is engineered for durability, repairability and disassembly at end of life – the stage the company describes as traditionally the greatest challenge to circular design. Built with Gore-Tex Pro fabric featuring the ePE membrane, Sperro SV was developed with Gore-Tex’s testing expertise to meet its waterproof, windproof and breathability standards. The jacket’s nylon face fabric and backer are separately designed for recyclability in partnership with Aquafil, the manufacturer of Econyl regenerated nylon.

Sperro SV is available globally since September 4, 2026, through Arc’teryx stores and the Arc’teryx online store. Arc’teryx calls it its most advanced hardshell jacket and says it shows that a circular approach can be integrated into technical apparel without compromising performance.

Stuart Haselden, Chief Executive Officer of Arc’teryx, says:

“System 0 represents a fundamental shift in how we build and scale our business with circularity front of mind.”

“For decades, Arc’teryx has built gear that’s meant to be repaired, not replaced. This is the next step forward. System 0 challenges us to consider the entire process of creating products so they can remain in use longer and ultimately be regenerated into something new. Our vision is a future where gear doesn’t end up in landfills but instead continues to have a purpose beyond its first life. Today moves us closer to that vision.”

A new certification for circular design

Sperro SV is the first product to be certified under Testex Circularity, a standard Arc’teryx says it co-piloted to fill a gap in circular product standards. According to the company, the certification confirmed that the jacket is built for long-lasting wear and easy repair, and that it can undergo a chemical recycling process designed to maximize reuse of materials.

System 0 builds on ReBird, Arc’teryx’s existing program of wash, repair, trade-in, resale and upcycle services. The company says that following years of research and engineering, System 0 integrates these principles into every stage of the business, from design and sourcing to repair and end-of-life recovery, with the aim of making circularity a scalable operating model.

Designed for repair and chemical recycling

Sperro SV has been tested by alpine professionals, including search and rescue teams from Vancouver’s North Shore Rescue. The jacket is reinforced at common failure points and features the brand’s first easily replaceable zipper slider. It comes with three years of unlimited, out-of-warranty repairs through ReBird.

When Sperro SV can no longer be repaired, a chemical recycling process grinds up the fabric and separates the nylon from the Gore-Tex membrane. The material is then returned to Aquafil to be regenerated into new Econyl yarn, which Arc’teryx describes as virgin-grade. According to the company, the jacket is built to remain in use as long as possible.

Why System 0 starts with a hardshell

“At Arc’teryx, we design products to perform for the long-term. System 0 asks us to think even bigger,” shares Katie Becker, Chief Creative Officer of Arc’teryx.

“It represents a mindset shift for our entire design team and a powerful evolution in how we innovate. We deliberately started with one of the hardest problems – a hardshell, the most complex product we make. If we can solve circularity here, we believe we can apply what we learn across our entire system. And we know we’re just getting started.”

Haselden adds:

“As a society, our expectations for what premium products can do are growing rapidly.”

“And we believe circularity will increasingly become a part of what defines premium performance. The future is not a choice between technical excellence and environmental responsibility – we should expect both. System 0 represents our commitment to advancing that future.”