Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket

Hello!! This is a staff review. I work for the company, but I'm also a climber and adventurer. The Alpha SV is my price piece! I like it so much, I even wrote a review about it on our blog. Check it out: http://blog.arcteryx.com/prize-piece-alpha-sv Have fun, and be safe out there! --Robbie

light weight, storable, rugged .....superb hood and collar from rain forests in New Zealand to Alaska met my requirements

Im 5'8 150, and the medium fits great. I have had this jacket for a couple months now, and i can't say there is anything that I don't like about this jacket. The pockets are fantastic, the cut is great, the length is perfect and the colouring is great! I went with the cayenne, and I get so many second glances because of the bright colour. The thing that I love most about this jacket is the abbrasion resistance. I have used the Alpha SL pullover the last couple years, but since purchasing the SV, as soon as you put it on there is no going back. I can't say I am the most avid ice or rock climbing because I live on the praires (I have used it rocking climbing accouple times) but this jacket has so many great advantages still. It is fantastic for hiking because of the accessible chest pockets, and the abbrasion resistance when going through thick brush is amazing. I use this jacket mainly for fishing, mostly on stormy days. It is absolutely the best feeling to come in after 10+ hours on the water in a heavy downpoor, and be completely dry. Another HUGE advantage is the ability to layer with this jacket, Living in the praires with -50 windchills, this jacket is fantastic. I can fit two relatively large softshell jackets underneath, and still have no restriction in my ability to move I garentee that you will be 100% satisfied with this jacket, don't look at the price, just buy it, it is so worth it PROS everything CON .....nothing Spend your money - do it

I feel like I'm just going to repeat what others have said, but I'll go ahead anyway. I have had many top-tier jackets from the top-tier brands, but none come even close to this jacket. Yes, this jacket is more expensive than any other jacket that I have ever even looked at, but I would gladly buy this jacket again, again and again, however, I don't feel I'll have to for a very long time. Looks I don't think the images do it justice. Its just beautiful. Just by looking at it, you know that you're good to go into the unknown. Size I have a 42/43 inch chest and the medium fits absolutely fine. Its like a freakin' tardis, it doesn't look baggy, yet I can fit even my biggest down jacket under it, comfortably. Cut Perfect. If I had asked my tailor to design a jacket, I'd be lucky to get such a wonderful, athletic fit. Function Its like your body is in a totally different place to the rest of you: There is no chance that the outside world is getting to you. I've worn this jacket in freezing, biting winds of up 100Mph+ with no problem (other than wanting more weight to weigh me down), I've spent hours and hours in heavy, relentless rain, with not a spot of rain getting through. Durability I've slid down rocks without any sign of damage. The only thing that has succeeded in damaging it was a poorly placed crampon. Yikes. Goretex repair patch fixed that little slit. Weight I don't notice it. So, Pros - Light - Durable - Weatherproof - Looks great - Packs well - Great athletic fit - Couldn't ask for anything more from it Cons - None Many would say price, but I'm more than happy with the price, as it performs so well. If the image comes up: A pit stop at the top of Snowdonia, during 60mph winds with 90mph gusts, bringing with them plenty of airborne ice during a blizzard - I wasn't a bit phased thanks to the Alpha SV. Its the one bit of kit that I would never consider changing for any other. At all. Ever.

Although this review is for the previous 3L Gore-tex Pro version, I have no reasons to doubt the "new" Alpha should be anything less. This jacket has kept me dry during at least 7 days of continued rain in Tibet. And I mean RAIN. Pouring down for hours on end. Fellow travellers were getting wet shoulders, but I was dry. And I mean DRY. I also used it when Climbing in Nepal and in the Alps. Never had any problems and the jacket performed just as advertised... Which is pretty remarkable nowadays.

Alpha SV Fits Very Nice, Only thing i can say is.... AMAZING JACKET!

My wife said It is great and smart outlook. The fitting is excellent. When it is stand alone. It looks trim and very fit. The length is just fit. When i add layers (can be 4 layers!!!) under it, it is roomy and does not hinder mobility. I have tried beta AR , but the it is not as smart as the Alpha SV. The fibre is not only smooth but also strong and warm. It is really waterproof and windproof. Amazing product. However, one thing should be aware of. Oil or greasy substances will be stained on its surface and is not easy to eliminated completely

I give this 5 stars but, personally, I have some problems with this piece. The Good: The jacket is wind and waterproof and packs surprisingly well for how chunky it is. Excellent layer over the Arc' Atom SV for the cold days and goes well over a sweater for the mid-weather days. It will always end up in my packing pile wherever I am going and has held up well through backcountry, bike commutes, field work, and general wear for 3 years. The Bad: My normal jacket size is an XXL (including in the Arc' Atom SV, Epsilon AR, Gamma MX). I got the Alpha SV during the 1 year stretch when Arc' actually made "Tall" jackets (i.e. 38" sleeve on the XL and a bit longer on the XXL). I ordered both the XL and the XXL (my bank account took a major hit until the return was processed) and I ended up torn between the two. The jacket tapers excessively to the point where my chest and arms were swimming in the XXL but my waist was a bit constricted in the XL. I ended up going with the XL and I'm happy with it, still use it, and like it. Just wish I had about 2 inches of room at the bottom. Side note, I recently tried on the non-Tall version and the sleeves were too short for my liking (I like to cover at least part of the hand). I wish that Arc' would go back to making tall jackets.

I have North Face, Marmot, Patagonia and MontBell technical shells. I've trekked and climbed for over forty-five years, in the Sierra Nevada, at Ranier, the AT, Bryce and in Alaska. If you want to go further, faster, lighter this is the kind of gear you need. The SV is professional grade, remarkably well designed and perfectly constructed. Our home is on the southern Oregon coast where winter winds routinely run at seventy to one hundred miles per hour with heavy heavy rains. The zippers of this shell do not let in water or wind. The hood is flawless and remarkably better than those of other shells I own. The sleeves are wonderfully articulated to fascilliate overhead reach without lifting the torso of the shell. There are no front pockets at hip level to get in the way of the climbing harness. The bottom hem of the shell has a foam strip sewn into it to prevent the shell from riding up under the harness. I'm sixty-five, trek five miles a day, five days a week, twelve months a year, going on two multi-week treks in the summer. In my opinion this is the finest technical shell ever made, hands down.

I like the strength of the jacket, how it is completely waterproof, and how well it keeps me warm

I got my Alpha SV in 1998. It's been everywhere, in all sorts of weather. I use it as a raincoat and a shell. Pushed through heavy brush and been wadded into packs. It's held up like nothing else; I've worn out cars since getting it. The zippers are still good, the stitching is good, the tape is still good. What more could you ask?

So there's a preconception that this jacket is made only for mountaineers, etc.. But I like having top quality everything, so this jacket suits me well while hill climbing in Alaska, wearing around town in rainy weather, etc.. I also like that it's Fabrique au Canada. I've worn it this past Summer in Alaska during rainy hill climbs which turned very windy and cold up toward the top of the peak, and it performed perfectly. It was unobtrusive, and was like having my own mini-shelter (I didn't feel any of the elements to be honest). Highly recommended.

Within the first few seconds of trying this jacket on, you instantly realise the difference between this and just about any other shell on earth. The superiour fit, movement, and incredible attention to detail is immediately obvious. Take it out on the hills and mountains of the UK and Scotland, and this initial impression is reinforced more and more with every passing minute. Durable isn't the word. It feels like a second skin, only one too tough to punctuate. Everything is put exactly where it is needed. The pockets, pit zips, hood adjustments, everything is perfect. The hood is the best I have ever used, and I have used most. The performance of the fabric is considerably better than other three layer Gore-Tex constructions I have ever used. A costly investment, but given the level of consistency of performance, consistency which has so far lasted years, still a very, very prudent one. Cannot rate highly enough.

I have had this jacket about 4 years and it has been an absolute bomb shell. I have used it in every kind of weather from cold blustering wind and snow, to torrential downpours. The fit and function of this jacket is so perfect, there really isn't a situation that i am often found without it. On that history alone i would highly recommend this product, but I want to highlight how great Arcteryx is for standing by there product as I recently had an issue with some seems delaminating, which Arcteryx rectified by replacing my garment. Now i have many more seasons of weather abuse to put the alpha sv through. This jacket may be expensive compared to some, but for the most important peice of kit you will ever own i urge you to never buy anything less than what this is - the best jacket you can ever own.

It was 5-6 years ago when i decided that I wouldn't be wet anymore. And I stumble against arcteryx on slovenian climbing web page. I liked the design. I realy didn't know what is 3 layer gore-tex... And today after 5-6 years i was standing on the roof mounting the solar panels and it pours rain. I was standing on the rain for four hours and i was dry. Only on the side near hip I was little bit wet because I didn't close vent zipper all the way. ;) After 5-6 years of all season use it only become moist over the seams. Can someone tell me how does it work impregnator sprai or washing detrgent. How does it infect on gore-tex xcr. And which product can i use to extend the alredy long life span?

It's an awesome jacket that I use for everything from skiing to hiking.

If I didn't know any better I'd swear this jacket was made out of Kevlar. This is the most durable feeling jacket that I have ever used. The fit and attention to detail is simply amazing. Watertight zippers, just the right amount of pockets and a hood that actually makes sense. I can't tell you the number of times people tell me how great this jacket looks. Sure they are expensive but by the feel of it I'm sure this baby will last for years. Don't think about buying one, just buy it and stand out from the crowd, you deserve it.

This jacket is the roughest/toughest jacket I have ever worn. It will protect your from anything mother nature has to throw at you. This jacket will do anything from climbing a 70ft ice wall to protecting you from a downpour, there is not one condition I believe the Alpha SV can't handel. I is constructed of Gore-Tex 3L Proshell which is the highest level of protections, so you can do anything and the jacket will handle it. I recommend this to anyone looking for an awesome weather proof shell.

I have the "pelican" color I snagged in LA when I was at USC. I was at an outdoor store being a north face fan back then in 2002. The person helping me said to forget TNF and to check out a newer company out of Canada. Im so glad I did and Ive been an Arcteryx junkie since. The XCR on mine has been a perfect shelter from any storms Ive skied or boarded in here in the San Juan Mtns of Colorado. The jacket is 10 years old now. I havent noticed any fading, zippers still work perfect, love the hood, seems to be bullet proof to anything mother nature dishes out. Im 5'11" 195 lbs and I love the XL Arcteryx jackets. Room for a mid layer. If I had to get another shell today, Id go with this Alpha SV...especially since they are proshell now.

Wow, this jacket is awesome. I really like the Alpha jacket's design and I first looked at the SL version which costs about half as much. In short I think the SV is definitely worth the price premium. First, the Gore-Tex Pro fabric is really tough and it feels and looks the part. Whereas the Gore-Tex Paclight feels it could easily tear during a routine hike, the Gore-Tex Pro's ruggedness gives the wearer a kind of confidence that is in itself worth a small premium. I also like the SV's Expedition Fit over the Athletic Fit of the Alpha SL in that it gives the wearer more options. Whereas the SV can be worn comfortably as a standalone in the summertime and as a hardshell in the wintertime, I felt the SL's sizing was too restrictive over my Atom SV (though as a standalone it's very good). As some other reviewers have mentioned, I also find some of the zippers to be a bit stiff and challenging to operate efficiently. As well I have found the fabric to be a bit on the noisy side but these small inconveniences are minor and so they won't affect my affection for this piece of gear. Finally, I'll end by saying that this jacket is really handsome and I really enjoy wearing it around town. Cheers. PS. This jacket is the only piece of Arcteryx gear that I have that is made in Canada-which is a real plus for me. I would very happily pay a premium to have my gear be made locally and I hope Arcteryx decides to make more things in Canada in the future.

This jacket, like most Arc'teryx products, definitely stands at the head of the pack in terms of conditions-specific gear. Below are some thoughts I have regarding this jacket. For sizing purposes, I am 6'1", 150lbs, and wear a Medium in this jacket. The front hem falls about 1.5 inches below my beltline and the rear hem hits about mid-butt. I'm a skinny dude, and there is plenty of room to layer under, even with the nice trim cut of the jacket. The sleeves fall to about mid-palm. I'll start with the cons of this jacket: 1. Noisy! This jacket is seriously crinkly. If you ever want to be quiet and spy on anyone, leave the Alpha SV at home! Also, with the hood up, it is difficult to hear things going on around you due to the crinkly nature of the fabric. 2. Expensive! Seriously expensive. Even on sale it is more expensive than most shells I have seen. 3. Pulls are a little difficult to work, particularly with gloves on. I have not yet been able to locate and effectively pull the drawstring pullcords located in the pockets with gloves on. Maybe with more practice... 4. This jacket is clearly made with specific mountaineering activities in mind. As such, if you are an urban dweller looking for an around-town jacket, there are a few things that will drive you crazy, including: (a) location of external pockets (too high/centrally located to put hands in), and (b) size of hood (particularly when hood is down and you are sitting on train or in car and the brim rubs the back of your head). Now to the Pros: 1. Overall feeling of invincibility and quality! This jacket simply feels "heavy duty". I feel like I could slide down a mountain made of sandpaper and cheesegraters and this would not be ripped. 2. Amazing detail/craftmanship! The stitching is perfect, the seam-sealing is perfect. 3. Hemlock (a piece of foam tubing about 4 inches long located on the right and left side hips) is nice for keeping the jacket from riding up, particularly because this jacket is not very long. 4. Zippers are completely watertight (I have pooled water on the main zip and none has leaked through). They do require a little extra "umph" to pull, but it is worth it for the water protection. Also, the pit zips are nice and long! 5. So light (and packable)! No extra flaps, stitching, pockets, lining, etc. Very minimalist = very light = very comfortable. 6. Arm pocket fits a cellie tellie no problem! (but the zipper is tough to work 1-handed). 7. Everything is extrememly adjustable. The hood can be sinched down in 4 different ways, I believe. And there is a hem drawstring and a torso drawstring to seal out the weather. The cuffs are easy to adust also with the elastic. 8. I'm just gonna say it... it is nice to be one of the few not sporting a TNF jacket now adays... there, I said it! Overall I am very satisfied with the performance and styling of this jacket! I am excited to use it for many years to come!

The jacket is completely waterproof and is great with a harness outside. The foam inserts ensure that the jacket will not ride up your harness or pack belt. Pckets are well placed for pack and harness use. The hood is excellent, as it is completely adjustable and have used it with an extra large helmet for snowboarding and just hiking in a blizzard. Adjustment of the hood just takes a few seconds. Elastic closures on cuffs make closures comfortable and tight enough so no snow will get in. Pockets internal and external are easy to use with -40C rated gloves with a single hand with exception of the sleeve pocket which is a little more difficult to operate. External pockets are also spacious and face down, so things are not likely to fall out easily when open. Material is smooth and non-abrasive at all times and chinguard is comfortable with a stubble of a couple days without shaving as it will not catch and irritate your skin. Have taken the jacket to blizzards at 12000 ft in Colorado at -15F with 50mph winds and just needed to add a thin primaloft layer on top of a synthetic base layer to stay comfortable. Stayed dry at all times in Colorado mountain blizzard conditions as well as in torrential downpours in Sequoia National Park. Interior materals are smooth and non abrasive and do not catch layered. Have taken falls with the jacket on Ice, snow, and bushwhacked my way through thick undergrowth without visible damage. All in all an excellent jacket which allows you to concentrate on your goals instead of worrying about damaging your gear. Worth the full price of the jacket that I paid.

If Batman would have to wear rain protection, this would be his choice! I took an XL although L would have been enough. But the advantage is, with the xtra room available, you can use a warmer insulator (like Atom SV). My comparison is: A class of it`s own... Maybe some cons: ...haven`t found them yet. Enjoy

I have two of these jackets and they perform perfectly. Great material and freedom of movement without beeing bulky. I Also have 8 other goretex jackets from other manufacturers, but this one is by far my favorite. Way to go Arc'

Amazing performing jacket. Super durable. It's the do-anything shell. This jacket fits very large, especially in the chest and shoulders, then tapers to the hips. If you have large hips this may not be a great fit, or you may have more room than you need in the shoulders with a larger size. This shell is completely worth the price, as it's a lifetime investment.