Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's

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

This jacket is my workhorse. I wear it year round; as a shell in the winter and as a rain jacket in the summer. I also use it backpacking in the blue ridge mountains where it can get awfully wet and humid. This jacket delivers everything that arcteryx claims it can do. Yes, PacLite is less durable than ProShell(Gore-Tex Co. even admits this on their tags), but it also costs half as much as ProShell, weighs less, breathes better, and with Gore-Tex's warranty who cares? ProShell is bombproof so saying that PacLite is less durable doesnt really mean much. DO NOT get the impression that this jacket is cheap and flimsy. You'd have to roll down the Matterhorn or go climbing through razor wire to tear this fabric. I've snagged it and scraped it plenty of times and have yet to perforate the membrane.

As for the fit, I am 6'1" 180lbs. and the large fits like a dream. The back hem comes down just to where my glutes meet my hamstrings which is perfect. Any longer and you're wearing a dress; any shorter and you're exposing too much waist. Sleeve length is also perfect. As the other reviewer stated, the hood is large to accommodate a helmet but has three adjustments to easily cinch it down over a naked head.

Finally, I think this jacket has everything you need and nothing you dont. The two front pockets are ample space for a camera, snacks or whatever you need quick access to. They are also above the belt-line to accommodate a pack's hip belt. The pit zips have two zipper heads to accurately adjust the width and location of the pit zip opening if you should choose not to open it entirely (nice to have if it's pouring rain and you start to get hot). Some people believe this jacket doesnt have enough pockets. To that I have two things to say: A) Dont carry so much. If the two pockets arent enough, you probably dont need it. B) More pockets equal more weight and less breathable surface area.

Overall, this jacket meets all my expectations for a backpacking shell. I will use it until something compromises the integrity of the Gore-Tex membrane and then probably send it back to Gore for repair/replacement. This is the last shell I'll probably ever buy.

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...

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.

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.

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

This is an excellent jacket!!! It surpassed my expectations, but that's no surprise for this companies attention to detail and quality. It keeps you very dry and works great as a hard shell (I'm using it with a fleece for skiing). Please NOTE the big hood, I was taken by surprise how large it was, it's made to be helmet compatible. Although there are multiple draw cords to fix this. Although, this would not defer me from purchasing it. I enjoy the pocket placement. I enjoy the fit, it's a very good, athletic fit. I would defiantly recommend this to everyone!!!

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.

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.

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

This jacket is the best and the last rain jacket I will ever buy. I ordered a large (i am 5'11" 155lbs) so i can layer my primaloft under the shell to ski in. Keeps me completely dry and blocks the wind which keeps me warm as well. The zippers are great and the jacket is so light i can't believe it. Hood is extra big to fit my helmet. The length comes just to where my glutes meet my hammies in back and the gusseted arms means there is no lift when i reach. Best jacket ever.

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.

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.