Online: www.REI.com
URL for this product:

From the U.S. and Canada — Call 1-800-426-4840
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT.
International — Call 1-253-891-2500
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT. English language only.

Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's

A new version is available

View now

The product you searched for is no longer available.

Shop similar products:

Men's Rain Jackets

Arc'teryx

$Arc\'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men\'s$

Designed for ''light and fast'' fanatics, the streamlined Arc'Teryx Alpha SL delivers complete weather protection without excess weight and bulkiness.

Appointed with all the essential backcountry features, this compact jacket provides take-anywhere storm security
Gore-Tex® PacLite® is durably waterproof and highly breathable
The lightest, most packable fabric from Gore-Tex, PacLite uses a durable, unlined membrane to keep you dry in the wettest conditions
Micro seam allowances are sealed with narrow Gore seam tape
Underarm zippers allow ventilation and have WaterTight™ zippers that eliminate the need for zipper flaps
Helmet-compatible laminated hood includes a one-hand-adjustable cinch system for easy fitting
Includes a hem drawcord, a quick-dry chin guard and laminated, die-cut rip-and-stick closures on cuffs
Features two hand pockets placed so they won't interfere with pack straps
Includes laminated WaterTight front and pocket zippers
Features no-lift gusseted underarms and a hip-length cut

Please note: Arc'teryx products can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.

Imported.

Item 763782

REI Membership

REI Membership $20.00

Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's

4.2

(based on 13 reviews)

85%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Lightweight (11)
Waterproof (10)
Durable (8)
Breathable (7)
Stylish (7)

Cons

Poor ventilation (4)

Best Uses

Backcountry (8)
Casual wear (8)
Hiking (7)
Wet weather (4)

- Fit:
- Feels too small
  
  Feels true to size
  
  100%
  (4 reviews)
  Feels too big
- Sleeve Length:
- Feels too short
  
  Feels true to length
  
  85%
  (11 reviews)
  Feels too long
- Chest Size:
- Feels too small
  
  Feels true to size
  
  100%
  (13 reviews)
  Feels too big

- Reviewer Profile:
- Advanced (5), Avid adventurer (3), Intermediate (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (4)

Reviewed by 13 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-10

Previous | Next »

Sep

2012

5.0

Super light, super awesome...

By Church

from Lander, WY

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Durable
Lightweight
Warm
Waterproof
Wind Resistant

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry
Casual Wear
Hiking

Comments about Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's:

This shell is impressive. I have owned it for about 3 years now and have never had any leakage. Sometimes in a heavy rain for extended period of time it feels clammy but my clothes never get wet. The windproof quality is excellent, too. I've stayed warm with just a long-sleeve hiking shirt and this jacket over top in 45 degrees and high winds; anything colder and I'd recommend a sweater. It's very light and packs easily. I've run into stobs, branches, and even whacked it with a fly while fishing and thought I'd ripped the jacket, but no rips and barely any scratches. In all I'm super impressed with the jacket; durable, light, water- and wind-proof. I'm 5'11" 155 lbs and got the large which is a little big but that's what I wanted. Def get it, especially if you can use your dividend or the 20% off coupons they throw out every so often.

Comment on this review

Oct

2011

4.0

Great 3 Season Jacket

By Brt570

from Chapel Hill, NC

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Lightweight
Waterproof
Windproof

Cons

Poor Ventilation

Best Uses

Backcountry
Cycling
Hiking

Comments about Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's:

Bought this to replace a well-worn Patagonia Torrentshell that was only a year old and already leaking, ripped and moldy from bad ventilation (I gave this jacket 5 stars a few weeks after buying it, now wish I could retract my review).

This is a far improvement for Fall/Winter/Spring. The summer this jacket just doesn't seem to breath well enough– despite the PacLite material– if you're going to be doing aerobic activity. So far I've been really impressed with the jacket. Even in The WIndy City I feel no wind through it, and with a heavier layer (Arc'teryx Atom SL or SV jacket) underneath, it'll take you through some pretty cold temps. I've also taken a few nasty spills on my bike with only a couple of scuffs, no tears.

It might not be the best breathing or overall warmest of the Arc'teryx line, but it's a solid, well constructed and designed shell and for the price it's MILES better than anything else on offer.

Comment on this review

Sep

2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Excellent for what it is

By MG19

from MD

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Austere
Breathable
Durable
Lightweight
Waterproof
Wind Resistant

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry
Casual Wear
Hiking

Comments about Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's:

Excellent lightweight, easily packed spring/fall wind and waterproof Goretex jacket which works for me in winter, and works well as a summer packable raincoat. Excellent hood for the rain, also keeps the neck warm in the winter. Fits without much trouble in a BDU trouser-sized pocket, and can come out and lose its wrinkles fairly quickly. Durable construction and material for what it is (though of course the heavier forms of Goretex are inherently more durable).

I dropped the Arcteryx Beta SL for this (I also wrote a review of that here at REI), and I view them as almost the same (the slim fit, pocket, and value for the money comments I made there apply to this Alpha too). The differences with the Beta SL are the additional pit zips and then the hood design. This hood is much more thorough, it's continuous with the rest of the jacket (as opposed to the Beta which is an add-on to the jacket). The hood narrows down to near-ninja slit thinness. I can walk in sudden summer heavy rain with glasses and not have to worry about getting the glasses wet (nor are fogging or clamminess a problem, at least for me).

And to reiterate from the other review, since it's only a shell, it's a pain as a casual jacket since you have to pack another layer with it for warmth. It also only has two large pockets, not all the little pockets most jackets have for your hands, cell phones and the like.

To address some of the other comments: I can't judge its suitability for serious wintersports since we don't have a serious winter here, and my Southeast Asian metabolism makes staying warm in the winter much more difficult than cooling down. I find it perfectly usable for winter day hikes.

Comment on this review

Mar

2011

(3 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Seriously Disappointed

By jlmma

from Maine / Mass

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Stylish

Cons

Not Durable
Not Waterproof
Poor Ventilation

Best Uses

Comments about Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's:

I read all the good reviews and thought I would try this jacket. Seriously Pathetic from Arcteryx. I have a Theta AR which is the best jacket I have ever bought. Bought this expecting the same thing. Laminate started peeling and cracking within the first two weeks of getting it. Website advertises it as a rain jacket but it DOES NOT BREATHE and I got soaked. I dont understand how people could write good reviews for this jacket when the first rain storm I wore it in I got wet in less than 15 minutes. I Called Arcteryx to complain and they said I wasnt using it properly. I dont understand that since I was wearing it in the rain without a pack and got wet. The guy told me that its an emergency shell. I would have been better off with a garbage bag. Still love their stuff but this jacket was junk buy it at your own risk. Still love their goretex proshell stuff but I think Paclite is junk. This jacket is made in China where as the Theta AR and Alpha LT are made in Canada. I am going to try the Alpha LT.[...]

Comment on this review

Nov

2010

(4 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Superlight but did not breathe.

By PACNWClimber

from Portland, Or

About Me On The Mountain

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Waterproof
Wind Resistant

Cons

Poor Ventilation

Best Uses

Backcountry
Casual Wear
Hiking

Comments about Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's:

The jacket was superlight and packable. However, my experience climbing in mixed snow/rain here in the Pacific NW was less than ideal. The condensation build up from perspiration on the inside of the jacket, even with pit zips opened, was enough to make my mid-layer very very damp. In my estimate, it was too much moisture for the altitude (9K'), and the weather (rain/snow mix and light winds) which could lead to a dangerous situation. Overall, I would consider it great for spring/summer/fall hikes where there may be a bit a rain, but if your looking for a bomber shell for four season use I would consider another jacket.

Comment on this review

Aug

2010

(0 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

great jacket But fit could be better

By Hadd13

from Newington, CT

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Durable
Stylish
Waterproof

Cons

Felt a little big

Best Uses

ALL AROUND
Backcountry
camping
Casual Wear
Hiking
Skiing
Snowboarding

Comments about Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's:

I have to start by saying I have yet to find a company that truly makes something that fits correctly. everything I find fits great if you are 5"6' and weight 130 lbs I am only 5"9' and weight 190 and I have to get the x Large because the large with 1 layer underneath gets a little tight and restrictive so hence the bigger size but I really think all they needed to do was taper it in a bit and that will be fine. Sure I can pull in the hip draw cords, but thats not what I want to do with all the time the jacket But it really is bomb proof very breathable durable and it does fit pretty good.Did I mention that I paid [$] on close out at REI killer deal or what? If you find it on sale or closeout be sure to grab it, But to pay [$] no way in hell

Comment on this review

Feb

2010

(15 of 20 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

WOW!!....but hold on there skippy

By Screen Name Was Taken Already

from Dirty South

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Stylish
Waterproof
Wind Resistant

Cons

Poor Ventilation

Best Uses

Backcountry
Casual Wear

Comments about Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's:

I was so unbelievably excited to take this jacket into the backcountry. This is the first Arc'Teryx Jacket that i have owned and right off the bat i was in love with it..i wore it around campus with just a light fleece under and was comfortable down to the mid thirties.
This past weekend i took it aid climbing in north carolina (The Looking Glass). There was about 12-18 inches of snow on the ground and the trees were covered in ice (ideal conditions for arc'teryx gear if you ask me - Cold and Wet). Well on the approach with only my base layer underneath I found that an incredible amount of condensation accumulated on the inside..even with the pit zips open and the front half open...the next day after some light activity (jugging up fixed lines) it had soaked my fleece jacket with the condensation (which then froze)...

I was very disappointed..my REI E1 jacket from six years ago still breathes better than the name brand one that is double the price.

So in conclusion...buy at your own risk...i'm going to see if i can come up with another 200 bones to get the pro shell version..if that doesn't work then who knows what the world is coming to...

Comment on this review

Jan

2010

(3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

As good as it gets

By TaylorN2

from San Jose, CA

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Durable
Lightweight
Stylish
Waterproof
Wind Resistant

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry
Casual Wear
Hiking
Skiing

Comments about Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's:

Very light weight and very waterproof (so far). I wear it as a outer shell with a soft shell and windshirt in below freezing weather when backcountry skiing. In spring and fall rainy weather I wear it with just a windshirt hiking or walking our dog. I was getting tired of proprietary waterproofing that would eventually leak through. Other than a minor gripe regarding the small brim on the large hood, I see the jacket as the perfect light weight, waterproof shell. I also looked at a few eVent jackets, but I'm pleased that I paid a bit more for the Arc SL. The quality is excellent.

Comment on this review

Dec

2009

(2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Happy Camper

By x1zz1x

from Chicago IL

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Stylish
Waterproof
Wind Resistant

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry
Casual Wear
Hiking

Comments about Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's:

Went hiking/camping for 4 days. Experienced rain and snow, this thing kept me dry. My layers were dry. ventilation is also good. For the price, this thing performed well, still expensive.

Comment on this review

Sep

2009

(2 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

It works

By NJHiker

from Ridgewood, NJ

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Lightweight
Waterproof

Cons

Best Uses

Wet Weather

Comments about Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's:

It's so small it's always in my pack but I haven't had much opportunity to test it, living in Southern CA now. It came in real handy at the Jimmy Buffet concert in Alpine Valley though - I was the only dry/warm one in my group after hours of cold rain.

It's a bit of a tight fit wihtout much room for many layers underneath. The hood is a little large if worn without a baseball hat. The pockets hold plenty.

It's a great jacket for anything that might be wet or windy inclduing hikes, concerts and ball games.