Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket

I got this jacket in March of 2018. I was immediately impressed by the construction, it is bomber in every sense of the word. The careful thought that has gone into the redesigns over the years is obvious. Simply by feel, it is a substantially burlier jacket than the Beta AR; from durable face fabric materials, to extended drop hem coverage, to hood design, to pocket configuration with a harness or pack, attention to detail is evident and appreciated. The only limitation(i don't consider it a drawback) is that I would say this is a 3-3.5 season hardshell, it has a limited amount of space for mid-layers, so don't expect to use it as an outer layer on colder(here in NW Wyoming) belays or skiing. When those conditions become the case, i reach for the same size Rush LT which accommodates the extra layers with ease. This jacket has been all over and has participated in a range of activities and fulfills it's role well. This is the shell I bring when I know the weather will be garbage and staying in is not in the plans.

I've had the Alpha SV jacket for two years now and have used it from wet weather around town to snowboarding Park City, Beaver Creek, climbing Mt. Rainier, hiking during snowfall in Sequoia, and Yosemite National Park during snow/rain in mid-November. This jacket is absolutely awesome. It's versatility and durability make it a perfect piece for winter backpacking/mountaineering/skiing/snowboarding.

I have bought other "high end" brands Gore-tex and "Better than Gore-tex" products and i stay dry for about 9 months then it's back to the same old soaking wet in a rain storm again. I finally invested in my Gore-tex Alpha and will never look back again dry, day in and day out

Incredible, Fantastic, Best Hard Shell Ever! Checked all the box's - Durability, Waterproof and Windproof. Keep up the great work Arcteryx!!

Incredible, Fantastic, Best Hard Shell Ever! Checked all the box's - Durability, Waterproof and Windproof. Keep up the great work Arcteryx!!

this jacket replaces 3 others I had before - works in alpine conditions as well as the city under cold & rain.

The new updates made to this jacket are excellent. Arc'teryx has knocked it out of the park again. In gusting winds with the rain coming down sideways, I remained dry and comfortable under the circumstances. The new Goretex Pro 2.0 breathes well and the N100p-X nylon face sets the standard for wear resistance. The jacket is "bulky" but I prefer it that way because it adds warmth when I'm in the back country and the temperatures drop. The zippers are watertight as always and the chest pockets are positioned for easy access when carrying a pack. If you're just looking for one jacket that checks all the boxes and will last for many seasons, this one does it.

I purchased size L stratosphere several weeks ago. I am about 6 feet, 180, 42 chest and 33 waist. Medium fits me everywhere except in the chest, hence the size L. The size L jacket can be cinched at the hips to be more form fitting for an athletic build. It can also fit a broader build. I have not yet had an opportunity to test this latest purchase in rain/snow. This is my fifth Alpha SV jacket - they only keep getting better in terms of durability, quality and appearance, with a wide range of new colors each year to match the traditional black and red. Stratosphere is an awesome color - a blue/gray. A number of Arcteryx products are now made in China. The Alpha SV jacket is still made in Canada - and the attention to detail and quality of Canadian workmanship shows. Although a number of changes to Arcteryx products over recent years have resulted in the loss of desirable features, the Alpha SV jacket only seems to get better every couple of years. It already seemed to be the most durable and weather proof garment in their line, and this year it is even more so. On the average I ski over 75 days a year, front side, back side, side country, backcountry. All my Arcteryx Alpha SV jackets have held up 100%, through scrapes with trees, branches, and quite a few tumbles on all kinds of conditions. The hood has many adjustment cords and can fit just about any size helmet, or no helmet at all. I primarily ski in the Pacific NW. I have never once been wet on the inside of the Alpha SV jacket through storms and blizzards. The jacket is solidly windproof - it is not uncommon for us to see winds pushing 75 miles an hour at one of the resorts at which I ski. Sleeve length runs long - the jacket is designed to be used for ice climbing when arms need to be outstretched. Don't let this stop you from purchasing the items if it is the only drawback. Cinching up the arms with the velcro wrist fasteners essentially makes the arms wear shorter. It is hard to imagine there is a more awesome jacket on the market. I have turned on friends to purchasing Alpha SV jackets and they rave about their jackets. I have friends who have purchased it just for City use in NW rain, because of water and wind resistance and overall appearance.

I purchased size L stratosphere several weeks ago. I am about 6 feet, 180, 42 chest and 33 waist. Medium fits me everywhere except in the chest, hence the size L. The size L jacket can be cinched at the hips to be more form fitting for an athletic build. It can also fit a broader build. I have not yet had an opportunity to test this latest purchase in rain/snow. This is my fifth Alpha SV jacket - they only keep getting better in terms of durability, quality and appearance, with a wide range of new colors each year to match the traditional black and red. Stratosphere is an awesome color - a blue/gray. A number of Arcteryx products are now made in China. The Alpha SV jacket is still made in Canada - and the attention to detail and quality of Canadian workmanship shows. Although a number of changes to Arcteryx products over recent years have resulted in the loss of desirable features, the Alpha SV jacket only seems to get better every couple of years. It already seemed to be the most durable and weather proof garment in their line, and this year it is even more so. On the average I ski over 75 days a year, front side, back side, side country, backcountry. All my Arcteryx Alpha SV jackets have held up 100%, through scrapes with trees, branches, and quite a few tumbles on all kinds of conditions. The hood has many adjustment cords and can fit just about any size helmet, or no helmet at all. I primarily ski in the Pacific NW. I have never once been wet on the inside of the Alpha SV jacket through storms and blizzards. The jacket is solidly windproof - it is not uncommon for us to see winds pushing 75 miles an hour at one of the resorts at which I ski. Sleeve length runs long - the jacket is designed to be used for ice climbing when arms need to be outstretched. Don't let this stop you from purchasing the items if it is the only drawback. Cinching up the arms with the velcro wrist fasteners essentially makes the arms wear shorter. It is hard to imagine there is a more awesome jacket on the market. I have turned on friends to purchasing Alpha SV jackets and they rave about their jackets. I have friends who have purchased it just for City use in NW rain, because of water and wind resistance and overall appearance.

I've had the jacket a few months and it has been amazing. I previously had a Beta SL Hybrid and although it worked fine, it never felt as strong or durable as this Alpha SV, particularly on the mountain or hiking in heavy weather. The hood has 3 adjustable cords so you can fit it perfectly to your head, even with a ski helmet on. The small zipper pocket on the arm is great for a ski pass, as well as the interior pockets. Obviously it's not a cheap purchase, but so far I've been extremely happy, and with the lifetime Arc'Teryx warranty I'm very confident it will last a long time. Try it on before you purchase if you can, as I initially bought an XL as that's what I had in my old jacket, and it was way too big. The Large fits great (I'm 6"4, 220lbs).

I've had the jacket a few months and it has been amazing. I previously had a Beta SL Hybrid and although it worked fine, it never felt as strong or durable as this Alpha SV, particularly on the mountain or hiking in heavy weather. The hood has 3 adjustable cords so you can fit it perfectly to your head, even with a ski helmet on. The small zipper pocket on the arm is great for a ski pass, as well as the interior pockets. Obviously it's not a cheap purchase, but so far I've been extremely happy, and with the lifetime Arc'Teryx warranty I'm very confident it will last a long time. Try it on before you purchase if you can, as I initially bought an XL as that's what I had in my old jacket, and it was way too big. The Large fits great (I'm 6"4, 220lbs).

Have had this jacket for the last 5 years and was waiting for a new color! Hard wearing and clearly a high quality product.

I bought this jacket 23 years ago and it finally wore out after being used intensively for 12 years and then a bit sporadically thereafter. When the welding on a seam came off, Arcteryx replaced it for FREE. This is such a great jacket that sometimes I like going out in the rain to stand and watch other people get wetted through in crummy coats. Fits a bit small if you're not a skinny mini, so think about ordering a size up. The jacket is totally bomb proof and I have never gotten wet even in the most torrential downpour. Especially great in the shoulder seasons, and I wear a light down jacket as an extra layer on cold, wet winter days.

Had mine for a couple of years. Used for MRT and Scottish winter climbing. Not sure there's a tougher test: granite chimney mixed climbing tests durability like nothing else. 6ft 80kg, Medium great fit with couple of layers underneath but it's definitely looser than an Alpha FL. The face fabric in all Arcteryx waterproofs I've used is the secret weapon: it's density and slick surface I think really helps the water to bead.

While my Gamma MX Hoody is by far my most favorite and versatile piece of gear that I own, when heading out on an ice-climbing or alpine adventure, I never leave home without my Alpha SV Jacket. Yes, it's expensive, but this is the hard-shell jacket that all other hard-shell jackets should be measured by. Having worn this in a number of harsh, alpine environments while climbing, I always wear this ice-climbing to keep the ice, snow, and wind out. The lightweight, articulated construction allows me to easily swing my tools and the Velcro sleeve closures helps to keep me dry. All in all, this is an extremely lightweight yet very rugged, breathable, and waterproof jacket with so many other features like the helmet compatible stormhood that you pull out of your pack when the weather turns on you (like all zippers, the seams are said to be watertight). Bottom line, you can't afford to be without this bombproof, ward-winning, Gore-Tex jacket when heading out into harsh, windy, alpine conditions.

This is a brilliant product. It is expensive but the quality comes with price. This one is definitely worth the price. I lost my first Alpha SV jacket at the airport. I bought it over 3 years ago. I only had one issue with it, namely the arm pocket peeled off inside the sleeve. It was still usable though. (It happened when I washed it with pockets opened). Otherwise I was really happy with this jacket. Never got wet even in torrential rain. So when I realized I lost it and won't be able to pick it up from the airport, I ordered a new one the next day. I know this is the quality I can trust. This jacket is what've been looking for for a long time. Something lightweight that can stand rain, wind, and cold. I wear it in winter (on top of a softshell), on rainy and windy days daily, and take it whenever I travel.

A great jacket from Arcteryx - it does come up slightly large (A normal S in my Beta AR is a far truer fit) but this makes complete sense when needing to layer. First wearing, when combined with a Cerium found it snug and warm.

It's all true. If you want the best start here. If it's too slim get the beta sv. The alpha works better with allof the mid layers arcteryx has like the proton lt or atom ar. If you get a cerium sv, I could see going with the beta sv. As it is however it's perfection and that n100pX holds a dwr better that any other fabric I've seen. Though it doesn't pack as well as the n80pX. Good for tall guys even. If you have any of the arcteryx midlayers an like the fit, get this. It works absolutely perfect as a system. U won't do better.

I was concerned about spending that much on a shell but it turned out to be the best money ever spent on any of my gear

I absolutely love this hard shell, it's extremely versatile if you layer properly so 4-seasons is definitely in the realm of this shell, especially if you utilize the pit zips. It's very durable, I've taken it climbing several times and it took a beating with little to no sign of it. The storage is perfect, I love the mesh compartment for when I stop on the trail and need to store my gloves somewhere warm. The hand pockets are a good design for climbing purposes, kind of annoying for daily use but I've grown accustomed to it. I got the color Cardinal solos because it stands out in nature and in the case of an emergency would definitely be a help to S&R. Overall I love this jacket I primarily wear it with a merino T-shirt for summer, add a mid weight for spring/fall and add an Atom LT for winter, can't get enough of this thing and I for see it having years of use ahead of it.

If you are going to be in severe weather and will only ever buy one shell, save and buy this one. Very durable and extremely hardwearing. Fits just a tad larger for layers underneath, and is very well thought out. The very best shell Arc'teryx makes. I got a medium and it can fit a thin base layer, a Fortrez Hoody, an Atom LT Hoody, and a Cerium LT all underneath without looking too poofy or being too constricting of movement. For days without all the layers, there is a chest sinch to keep fit slim. This shell is articulated very well and has handled everything I've been able to throw at it. Not a complaint but it's not as paper-thin as other Arc'Teryx shells so for casual daily use I'd recommend something from the FL or SL line of Arc'teryx shells.

My favorite jacket lower draw string sleeve came appart so I contacted Arc'teryx to see if it could be repaired. The jacket was close to 10 years old but was well cared for. They asked that I send it back and after about 5 weeks the jacket came back with a complete overall. Not only was the lower draw string sleeve replaced, all zips were changed, new interior pockets were welded in and work was done to the hoodie. The jacket basically looks almost new again. Wow! Thanks Arc'teryx!

Wind proof total goretex package worth more than you folks charge no clothing better period

The Alpha SV Jacket is Arc'Teryx flagship gem with a long history of proven performance and hardcore fans. With several iterations since its introduction in 1998, the Alpha SV Jacket has been evolving in a symbiotic relationship along with the sports that people are using it for. Over these 21 years, the Alpha SV Jacket has helped the people who wear it, and their respective sports to go further. In this review, I will look at several different aspects of the Alpha SV Jacket: Fit, Function and Comfort (with layering and stand-alone) Construction and Durability Attention to Detail Fit, Function and Comfort: The Alpha SV Jacket is a regular fit, hip length jacket that allows plenty of room for layering. With wearing a mid-weight merino wool base layer and an Arc'Teryx Cerium LT mid-layer, I was able to slide into the Alpha SV without issue. I did not find mobility issues anywhere. Performing movement overhead was not hindered by the sleeves creeping down my forearms or binding with the mid-layer. There was still enough room between the shell and the mid-layer and I didn't feel like I was stuffed inside there. I stepped up layering to see if I could max out mobility by over stuffing myself as well as find the insulating limit of this performance shell. With my Arc'Teryx Cerium SV mid-layer, the torso portion of the Alpha SV fills out, but there is still some volume left through the arms. Arm movement and mobility overhead was not restricted. There is a minute change to stuffiness in the pits. If you need more insulation like a Ceres SV jacket for example, I would recommend sizing up one size else you will risk the shell creeping up your mid layer risking water intrusion and heat loss. Conversely, if your intended use for the Alpha SV is city use or mountain use where you will not need a lot of layering, I would recommend sizing down. Wearing the Alpha SV as a stand-alone gives the impression that I made a poor sizing decision and that I need to size down. There is simply too much room in the arms for this thing to not look like I'm wearing a sack of Gore-Tex. The zipper pulls and pocket placement are intuitive. With goggles, a helmet and gloves on, I don't have to hunt for the zipper pulls or where the pockets might be. I can grab without looking. One change that I would like to see are the zipper found on the Arc'Teryx LEAF Cold WX/SV and WX/SVX jackets. These respective zipper pulls are just that much more reassuring that my fingers (with gloves on) have grasped the right object. Along the same tangent as the last paragraph, the internal waist draw cords are a bit too small and fidgety to navigate with gloves on. The removal of gloves in a sub-zero alpine environment to adjust a waist draw cord is poor execution. I need to be able to roll the jacket hem at my left or right hip, find the cord and clasp and make adjustments with the jacket on and with gloves on. I will gladly accept the draw cord system found on the aforementioned LEAF jackets for a few grams in additional weight of the garment. Construction and Durability: Construction of the Alpha SV Jacket is an impressive thing to behold. When you have the chance, lay one down on its back, unzip the front zipper and open the jacket up all the way. Look at all those micro taped seems and the internals of the e3D patterning. Such great attention to detail and craftsmanship. There is not one seam, tape or bond out of place. Look at the backsides of the water tight zippers to see how well they are bonded to the inside of the shell. Regarding the front face of the zippers, I find the absence of the zipper garages interesting. These were part of the Alpha SV since 1998 and sadly removed from the jacket after this most recent generation. The 'WaterTight' zippers are water tight until the very top of the zipper where it tops out at the fabric. This hole will allow water into the pockets. If there is something you need to keep dry and carry on you, use the internal pocket. With a constant rain, you run the risk of ruining whatever may be in the front pockets because they will take in water. The WaterTight name is pure marketing and misleading, so keep that in mind. The N100p-X 3L Gore-Tex Pro is claimed to have exceptional durability-to-weight ratio. I believe this to be true. This is a 100 denier polyester plain-weave fabric that weighs 0.01111 g/m with an overall garment weight of 490g. Conversely and as an example, the Alpha AR jacket uses N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex Pro that weighs 0.0044 g/m with an overall garment weight of 400g. As the denier number increases, so too does the durability and the weight. Additionally, as the denier number increases so does the 'crinkle' noises of the fabric and stiffness of the garment. The N100p-X face textile will take a beating while the other layers keep water out. In summary, the Alpha SV jacket can be essential for those of you who need a very high quality waterproof shell that can take abuse in rough environments. While an extremely well made jacket with great craftsmanship, keep in mind that the outer pocket zippers are not truly water tight and the zipper draws may be awkward for some if wearing thick gloves.

I'm loving my jacket. It's nicer than the North Face Summit Series Pro yet only slightly more expensive. The fabric is quieter and more supple in feel, the collar and hood feature are better but most importantly the zippers are easy to use and it keeps the rain out.