Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket

This jacket can definitely take a punch, and still look as good as ever afterwards.

I bought the Alpha SV Jacket for both training and running in winter Obstacle courses. I was looking for a Shell that could withstand training in the winter, doing hill climbs on slippery conditions. I spent hours researching different brands and eventually found the SV. This jacket is my go to for winter training. The Gortex breathes very well, but more importantly this jacket is able to withstand severe abrasive forces. I have climbed over 8 foot wall obstacles, crawled under barbed wire in the snow, and have tumbled down slippery slopes on many occasions. This jacket has not shown any wear or nicks at all. I have washed the jacket in cold water with a mild soap and it comes out looking brand new every time. I have worn the jacket over a Arcteryx Proton for extreme cold along with Arcteryx Alpha AR pants and a base layer and have done Trail running and hill repeats in -9 below zero degree's Fahrenheit. Jacket is like a portable shelter. No wind or water gets through it. If you are looking for extreme durability this Jacket is it.

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.

Alpha SV is gradually evolution of perfect true armor to sever weather. As an alpine backpacker, light and efficient piece is essential for our choice. This Alpha SV, is indeed what it should be. Compared Alpha FL, Alpha SL, or Beta LT, those are trim fitted design, Alpha SV has more room and then easier layers on all of insulated gears outside to protect my body against strong wind, rain and other elements. With upgraded N100p, it is supposed to be heavier than older version, but it is not, even lighter then before. It is quiet amazing to me. Thanks god, I own this magic pieces for myself and protect for me all the time of my each adventure.

This is my second SV Alpha jacket, my first has lasted me five years before a few taped seems have come loose and the cuffs have come apart. I have managed to re-glue these myself. This jacket is now used for mountain biking. The new jacket appears to be better made than my first and can not wait for the ski season to start. My first SV was nearly bomb proof, this one looks like it will be. The jacket fits true to size, it also gives you plenty of room for layering. I have a size large, I am 6ft large build and fits perfect. I am a bit obsessed with Arc'teryx and own a lot of other jackets, base layers etc and I can not recommend this brand enough.

This is my second SV Alpha jacket, my first has lasted me five years before a few taped seems have come loose and the cuffs have come apart. I have managed to re-glue these myself. This jacket is now used for mountain biking. The new jacket appears to be better made than my first and can not wait for the ski season to start. My first SV was nearly bomb proof, this one looks like it will be. The jacket fits true to size, it also gives you plenty of room for layering. I have a size large, I am 6ft large build and fits perfect. I am a bit obsessed with Arc'teryx and own a lot of other jackets, base layers etc and I can not recommend this brand enough.

Alpha SV is gradually evolution of perfect true armor to sever weather. As an alpine backpacker, light and efficient piece is essential for our choice. This Alpha SV, is indeed what it should be. Compared Alpha FL, Alpha SL, or Beta LT, those are trim fitted design, Alpha SV has more room and then easier layers on all of insulated gears outside to protect my body against strong wind, rain and other elements. With upgraded N100p, it is supposed to be heavier than older version, but it is not, even lighter then before. It is quiet amazing to me. Thanks god, I own this magic pieces for myself and protect for me all the time of my each adventure.

I have the LEAF version of this jacket and it's great. It fits a little big in the shoulders but is otherwise very comfortable and able to do all I ask of it. Highly recommend.

Sehr gute Jacke selbst fr extreme Witterung und hochalpine Hhen, Westalpen etz. Lsst sich einfach an denKrper anpassen, mit oder ohne Zwischenschichten. Meiner Meinung einKleidungsstck,welches in einem Notfall noch die Reserven hat um das berleben zu sichern.Absolute Kaufempfehlung!!!

I've had my jacket for just over a year now and so far very pleased. The hard wearing material of the jacket is like having an armored skin on you. Stray branches that might tear or leave a hole in other fabrics is simply deflected. Rocks are not an issue either. I don't recommend getting any thrown at you anyway. :) In terms of keeping the weather out, rain or snow is not a problem and even the most fierce wind is kept at bay. In colder weather below -10C I use it over my Atom AR and it makes a nice layered system. Finally the fit of the jacket itself is amazing. Never uncomfortable and always moving with you in just the right ways. The only downside that I can think of is that this wonderful armored skin makes a fair amount of noise due to the crispness of the material. If the fabric noise bothers you I would suggest the AR version which uses a noticeably less crisp material. Overall highly recommended!

I just finished my first year with my Alpha SV and could not be happier. It is very well built and the material is extremely durable. I was hesitant at first with the price, but after seeing it perform in very harsh conditions, it is by far the best shell I have ever owned. This jacket has kept me dry after hours of heavy rainfall and has kept the weather away during strong winds and snowfall on the mountains. There are no hand pockets so it may not be the best for casual use, but it is excellent for those who are hiking, mountaineering or climbing. It also fits very comfortably with a harness. The arms are slightly long which is ideal for climbing and reaching without exposing your wrists. I strongly recommend this jacket, if you intend on enduring severe weather conditions, it will not let you down.

Arcteryx Alpha series jackets stand up to harsh Canadian winters. Worth the investment!

I've had my jacket for just over a year now and so far very pleased. The hard wearing material of the jacket is like having an armored skin on you. Stray branches that might tear or leave a hole in other fabrics is simply deflected. Rocks are not an issue either. I don't recommend getting any thrown at you anyway. :) In terms of keeping the weather out, rain or snow is not a problem and even the most fierce wind is kept at bay. In colder weather below -10C I use it over my Atom AR and it makes a nice layered system. Finally the fit of the jacket itself is amazing. Never uncomfortable and always moving with you in just the right ways. The only downside that I can think of is that this wonderful armored skin makes a fair amount of noise due to the crispness of the material. If the fabric noise bothers you I would suggest the AR version which uses a noticeably less crisp material. Overall highly recommended!

Built like a tank. If you want something that you don't need to worry about getting damaged, this is your jacket.

I bought this shell jacket before my trip to Mont Blanc. I needed something very durable with the best weather protection. I couldn't be more happy with Alpha SV. It's a bit expensive, but it just protects you well against strong wind, snow, rain. I really recommend this jacket.

Die Jacke hat mich trotz des hohen Preises berzeugt. Sie ist das Geld wert. Hat mich schon im heftigsten Regenschauer trocken gehalten.

Trs bon produit! Aucun doute sur la fiabilit et performance impressionnante en montagne!

Just picked it up. Live in WA so walked out into the rain... didn't even notice it. All features work as described. Durability you can feel ( have not tested yet). Looks great (pilot color) Glad I stepped up to the SV! Was a Marmot fan, now an Arc'teryx enthusiast.

Just picked it up. Live in WA so walked out into the rain... didn't even notice it. All features work as described. Durability you can feel ( have not tested yet). Looks great (pilot color) Glad I stepped up to the SV! Was a Marmot fan, now an Arc'teryx enthusiast.

After browsing and shopping for a decent goretex jacket for my type of hiking/alpine activities, I decided to purchase the alpha sv, and it has not disappoint me whatsoever since. I been in harsh changing environment where it kept me shelter from hurricane type winds up at summits and sideway ice pellets. I have trekked through wooded areas with annoying branches and this jacket has the durability to withstand it all. Even fell in jagged rocks and this jacket made no tear. Only bad side to this is the stiffness of the jacket but worth it for what I use it for.

This is the most amazing shell I have ever owned .... great warranty.

This is the most amazing jacket I have ever owned. I did the west coast trail and it rained almost the enter trip but this jacket kept me dry. from rain so heavy I couldn't see my hands to just wearing during a light drizzle this jacket has never let me down. it is a little on the heavier side but well worth the extra weight even when backpacking.

This piece is the equivalent to my mountain seatbelt, I hope I don't need it but it comes with me almost every day in the mountain just in case the weather turns and I need reliable protection from the elements. Has all the ingredients I need in a technical shell: excellent fit for climbing, breathability, functional hood and pockets that take what I throw at them.

Im not an alpine climber but I have been into shell jackets since junior high. I live in PA and use this jacket to keep me warm in the winter. If its less than 40 degrees out I wear the gamma mx jacket underneath. If it gets really cold ill throw on a pair of gloves too. That's really all I use it for. This jacket is so durable I'm used to babying my shells but this thing is seriously not ripping. But my favorite thing about this jacket is the way it looks. Its so sharp and its gonna last a while. When i heard about this n100 fabric I was sold. Not sure how i feel about the new chest zippers... i hope they hold up! I bought the jacket in black so it doesn't show dirt. I am 5ft 11in and weigh 185. I bought a medium and it fits perfectly. If i was gonna use this mountaineering with a down layer I would prob need a large. This jacket is really light too, cant forget to mention that. This n100 fabric is ridiculous!

This is an incredible piece of equipment-- well built, durable, and functional. I especially love the chest pockets and hood design, and the fabric is incredibly durable yet moves well and somehow nicely fits the gap between burly and lightweight. The same cannot be said for the Alpha SL and FL jackets, the fabrics of which have too easily scraped and torn while climbing rock or mixed climbs (although of the two the FL is more durable than SL). The only downsides that I have noticed are that none of the goretex shells is particularly windproof-- even with the SV it seems that any 50+kph wind passes through the main zipper, so when alpine winds have whipped up I have certainly felt them through the jacket, but of course you want it to also be breathable and waterproof (which it is). Also, this jacket is sized bigger to accommodate puffy layers, but even with the cerium SV and other layers underneath I felt this jacket was a little too oversized... I have a 39" chest and 31" waist and normally wear a medium sized top and small size bottom, but this medium jacket feels slightly too big, but at least there is room for more layers if I need them and it gives plenty of room for strenuous reachy climbing. The FL and SL feel smaller sized, i.e., more standard arcteryx fit and thus better for wearing around town or for lighter conditions with fewer layers, etc.