Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket

This thing is nuts. I live in Oklahoma. It gets cold here too. I've layered this over a combination of a synthetic baselayer, a delta lt fleece, an atom lt midlayer, and a Gamma MX softshell. Obviously, barring the end of the world, I don't need all those at once. However, it's nice to know that I can throw a basically a mobile shelter over whatever I'm wearing, at a moments notice, regardless of the climate. This thing is light. It's bombproof. It's also super loud, especially with the hood up. But what sold it to me is that it's totally weatherproof, more than any of its competitors, and while it won't be as breathable as thinner Arcteryx shells, it can keep you a lot more dry than an umbrella in a sudden downpour, even if its 90f out. Unzip the pits, Drop the hood, you're good. And if you wanna climb K2, this will do that too.

Took it out on a high mountain ridge during a blizzard. It was the wrong place at the wrong time, but things would have been much worse without this beast of a jacket. I stayed dry and lived to see another day. There was some off-trail route finding required to get back to civilization, and a few times I was worried about the thick brush and tight trees possibly doing damage to the jacket. My concerns were unwarranted. Jacket showed zero signs of the brutal stress test I put it through. I also couldn't believe how extremely breathable the jacket is. This shell is a true work of art and genius.

Great all round jacket for ski touring and lift skiing. Highly breathable, waterproof protection. Light enough for summer use. Check the size carefully as the sizing changed a couple of years ago and the Large and XL sizes are much larger now so you may be a size smaller than previously.

I love a great multipurpose jacket. I wear it daily in the rainy season in the Pacific Northwest to work. I use it for skiing in the winter and it has kept me warm and stylish, which I love. It is easy to pack, light weight and It is always part of my carry on backpack on trips from Europe, to Mt. Rainier to Hawaii.

I've been using mine pretty heavily for 5 years now (and taking good care of it) and it still works like new. I've never had a more durable jacket that I can rely on in harsh conditions.

I bought this jacket to take hiking in the Swiss Alps. It rained the first three days we were there but I was toasty and dry..

I have the lighter version for the warmer months, which has held up to the drills and deployments I have subjected the light one to. I got this for the winter season. I need to remain as light as possible to be able to assist in the aid of others. GREAT QUALITY GEAR!!!

I recently bought this jacket as part of my mountaineering layering system. I'm looking forward to it rugged materials and workmanship.

This is a well made goretex jacket with great features. The sizing of the jacket is different than I expected. I normally wear a large size but in this jacket the medium fit better. Overall I am pleased with the design

Arc'teryx Jackets are THE best. My previous AR Jacket lasted 10 years! It was finally time to move on, so I went with the SV, mostly because I liked the color options more. But is a phenomenal, sturdy material (though maybe a little loud). It does however run large (this seems to be across the board with Arc'teryx now. I've essentially had to size down every article of clothing from what I had perviously gotten. The new Small SV fits exactly like my old Medium AR.

This jacket is hard shell perfection! I don't need to go on about how tough this jacket is, as this has been commented on many times. What really impressed me was how light and packable this jacket is for its capabilities! I will not likely use my mid weight hard shell again. As expected, water proofness is a non-issue. Breathability is great. The fabric is very stiff, but not uncomfortable or problematic. This jacket does fit large. I almost always wear a size large in Arcteryx jackets. I could likely have gone for a medium. I swim a little in this jacket unless I have an insulating piece under it. Im 6'2" and 190 lbs. Overall, I love it. Highly recommended! Buy it and love it forever.

This product could actually be excellent if you actually expanded the size options to include XXXL

My old jacket, the pocket ripped the Gore-Tex was damaged. Your company's customer service is excellent. You gave me a full refund of my original jacket witch almost paid for my new jacket very fair very reasonable. I am super satisfied. You have a customer for life.

I bought this for my trip to Oslo and Rome. It kept me so dry in Rome when it rained and was perfect with an Arcteryx liner in Oslo.

Bought new in 2013 and it has exceeded my expectations. From Alpine climbing to less demanding activities it has never let me down. Warm, dry and sometimes overkill, I know I made the right choice especially when I see current retail prices! I did have one issue with the bottom hem starting to delaminate after 9 years of use but Customer Service came through and after sending it in to be repaired it's now like new. Turn around time was not unreasonable. I empathize with my brothers who have had issues with this jacket but I can only give a fair and honest review which for me has been all positive.

I bought this item (Large size) a few weeks ago, and the fit was a little bit dumb, so I reordered a medium size, and I am very satisfying the item right now. For reference, my chest circumference is 43 inches and my weight is 185 lb. Never mind others' reviews. Just follow your gut. Because you can refund it freely.

I bought this a month ago and absolutely love it. It is bullet proof and looks awesome on me!

This shell is an absolute tank. Despite my best efforts to destroy it over the past two ski seasons, it appears to be brand new. It functions in a few capacities for me: 1. Midwinter shell in my touring pack. While not breathable enough for uphill travel unless its seriously windy or stormy, the shell is perfect for descents, slower technical climbing with skis involved, and the sharp, tree-lined exits here in SW Montana. I've run nearly full speed into trees and rocks, and the shell shows... nothing. In the spring, I switch over to either the Alpha FL or even Squamish, but this is a perfect midwinter shell. 2. Resort use. I only ride chairs 3-4 days/year, so this is perfect for me. No need for a dedicated resort shell. If you are a frequent resort skier, you might want more features and comfort (powder skirt, neck liner), but this shell even has an arm pocket that functions as a pass holder. For me, at 5'7", the hem length is more than adequate to keep me dry. 3. Extreme weather layer when alpine climbing. On a typical day, I will hopefully not need it. But when I do, it's indispensable - the storm hood and general weather resistance can prevent a good day from becoming very uncomfortable. I am normally a S, and am comfortably XS in this shell. This fit still allows for layering a base / mid and insulation under. For most folks on most days, this shell is likely overkill, but if you want to absolute best and most hardcore shell, look no further.

Amazing quality made in Canada . I definitely want another , as mine is showing signs of wear. I WISH THEY MAKE ONE ALL BLACK INCLUDING THE LOGO !!!!!

Bought this jacket twice, first for myself and the second for my dad. We're both are very happy with the material quality and performance of the jacket. In case anyone is wondering if there's a big difference between Beta and Alpha, there is, and it's worth paying the price difference.

Just bought this a few days ago came fast excellent color, comfortable

I just picked up the Alpha SV jacket in the new Bordeaux color. Really loving this jacket! It provides great protection against snowstorms and high winds, which we have had a lot of this winter here in northern Nevada. The craftsmanship is timeless. I feel this jacket will last a lifetime and then some. The features are also what you would expect from Arcteyx. Pocket layout, zippers and seams, and the pull-tie designs to ensure a snug fit are all top shelf. This jacket is well with the money! I'm 5-6 and 150lbs and it fits great. On a cold miserable day with temps in the teens, heavy snow, and winds 45+mph, I was feeling perfect with a base and mid layer. Loving this!

I just received the new jacket. My 2012 served me well and was a good investment. So far the fit is almost identical and I do like some of the upgrades on the newer model. The zippers pulls are nicer then before, but time will tell if they last. The jacket is much lighter and the construction is near perfection. I am looking forward to putting it through the tests on my upcoming trips.

I am very happy as usual with the quality and fit of this Arc'teryx product. Easy to order and delivery was very timely

Everything I need from a jacket for outside in the elements activities