From design to end-of-life, the brand’s new approach takes shape in the Sperro SV, the first multisport hardshell developed according to the principles of circular design and certified TESTEX® Circularity
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Arc’teryx Equipment introduces System 0™, a new design approach that aims to rethink the entire product life cycle: from design and manufacturing, to use and repair, and even end-of-life material recovery. This evolution brings circularity to the heart of the production process and further raises the bar for sustainability goals in the outdoor world, while maintaining the high performance standards that characterize the Canadian brand.
The Sperro SV, a multisport mountain hardshell designed to be durable, repairable, and, above all, easy to disassemble at the end of its useful life, embodies the principles of System 0™. This phase represents one of the greatest challenges for circularity in the technical apparel industry. The jacket uses a GORE-TEX® PRO fabric with an ePE membrane, developed through the experience and testing of the GORE-TEX® brand to ensure waterproofness, breathability, and wind protection. The outer fabric and nylon lining were designed separately so they can be sent to separate recycling processes in collaboration with Aquafil, the producer of ECONYL® regenerated nylon.
Sperro SV is also the first TESTEX® Circularity certified product, developed together with Arc’teryx to define new parameters for evaluating circularity. The tests verified not only the jacket’s durability, but also its ability to be quickly and effectively repaired and recycled through advanced chemical processes, promoting the recovery and reuse of raw materials.
Uncompromising performance and repairability
The pursuit of circularity hasn’t meant sacrificing performance. The Sperro SV has been tested by professional mountaineers, including search and rescue teams from Vancouver’s North Shore Rescue. Innovations include the first Arc’teryx zipper with an easily replaceable slider, designed to address what was previously a common failure point. The construction is also reinforced in high-stress areas and includes three years of unlimited out-of-warranty repairs through ReBIRD™ service.
When even repair is no longer possible, the material recovery phase comes into play. The Sperro SV undergoes chemical recycling: the fabric is shredded and the nylon is separated from the GORE-TEX® membrane. The materials are then sent to Aquafil, where the nylon can be regenerated and transformed into new ECONYL® yarn. The goal is to extend the product’s useful life as much as possible and, subsequently, repurpose its raw materials. This principle is encapsulated in the Designed to Persist™ concept.
The Sperro SV will be available starting September 4, 2026, at Arc’teryx retail stores worldwide and on arcteryx.com. The new hardshell represents one of the most advanced projects in the brand’s portfolio and demonstrates how a circular approach can be integrated into technical apparel production without compromising reliability and performance.
To learn more about System 0, visit the dedicated page on arcteryx.com
“System 0™ is fundamentally changing the way we manage and operate our business by putting circularity first,” said Stuart Haselden, Chief Executive Officer of Arc’teryx. “For decades, we’ve been committed to making products that are made to be repaired, not replaced. This is a new step forward. System 0™ is challenging us to rethink our entire manufacturing process to keep products in use longer and transform them into something new. We envision a future where products don’t end up in landfills, but continue to be used even at the end of their life. Today, we’re one step closer to our goal.”
System 0™ was born from the experience gained with ReBIRD™, the Arc’teryx ecosystem dedicated to washing, repairing, exchanging, reselling, and upcycling products. After years of research and development, the new approach extends these principles to all phases of the business: from design and sourcing, to manufacturing and customer experience, all the way to repair and end-of-life material recovery. The ambition is to transform circularity from a collection of individual initiatives to a scalable operating model.
“Arc’teryx develops products that are built to last. System 0™ challenges us to think even bigger,” explains Katie Becker, Chief Creative Officer at Arc’teryx. “It’s a new approach for the entire design team and a major evolution in the way we innovate. We purposefully chose to start with a hardshell, the most complex product we make. If we can close the loop here, we can apply the same principles to our entire system. And this is just the beginning.”
“As a company, we expect ever-higher quality products,” Haselden added. “And we believe that circularity will increasingly be synonymous with premium performance. The future shouldn’t be a choice between technical excellence and environmental responsibility: we must strive for both. System 0™ represents our commitment to that direction.”
