Alpha SV Jacket Men's

In 3 years, I have spent over 300 days in my Alpha SV. It has put up with every possible condition that I can living in Colorado. Rain, snow, sleet, hail, wind gusts well above 50 mph, and windchill down to -25 F. The jacket still looks new despite skiing fast through tree branches, rubbing against rocks, hard falls bombing down chutes, etc. Even with all that time spent in it and sweating up a storm, all I've had to do is tech wash it a couple times a season and reapply the DWR once a season (mostly necessary due to wearing a backpack and rubbing hard on the shell for hours at a time). Pit zips are great for dumping heat. The crossover pockets keep your center balanced. The laminated interior pockets are just as readily accessible. The left bicep pocket is great for a ski pass. The hood easily adjusts for ski, bike, and climbing helmets. Expedition fit allows for a layering. Waist and hem adjustments allow a streamline fit even without any layers. I can't speak for latest and greatest N100p-X Pro material, but if the N80p-X Pro material is any indication, what Gore and Arc'teryx has done is fantastic. At this rate though, I won't be buying another SV jacket for a few more years at least. I definitely recommend trying this jacket on with the layers you'd want to wear underneath them to figure out sizing.

I've read a lot of these 5-star reviews and they all hold up. I LOVE my Alpha SV Odysseus. It is absolutely beautiful and a great product. The reviews are true. The reason why I'm writing this review is to mention the repair aspect of the company. I've read great things about Arcteryx's warranty and how they replace and repair jackets if something goes wrong, but I had a problem that wasn't under warranty. I ripped my jacket in 3 spots and sent it in for repair. I had just bought the jacket so I was bummed that I was going to have to probably pay for a new one since I was pretty sure the damage was irreparable. However, the repair department told me they'd send me a new jacket and only charge me what it would cost to repair the jacket if it were repairable. I am so happy with Arcteryx and I can say their repair/warranty service is truly remarkable. I have bought 2 Alpha SV jackets since 2006 and will continue to buy Arcteryx products despite their high pricetag. You get what you pay for with Arcteryx and it pays off in the long run. P.S. My wife has the Alpha SV Mirage and she loves it. She's really into fashion so I was surprised how much she was into her "utility" jacket. It looks that good. Her only con is the Napolean pockets are too high for her, so she just wears gloves.

All my gear below this awesome shell gets wet when I'm out. I know it is a mountaineering shell, but I use it for skiing and as my daily raincoat and commuter in Portland, OR. To be honest, this thing is bombproof, with two caveats: 1: No Powder skirt. Snow gets up under it and melts 2: Face guard is too tight by maybe a half inch. This causes zipper to unzip while using the jacket 3: General bombproofness of jacket is of no use if moisture breaches through gigantic holes at neck and hip areas Verdict: Add a skirt and jacket will be worth its considerable penny

I've owned this jacket 10+ years and mine just started to fall apart after a wash. The seam tape is glued so there is the weak like in the overall construction of the jacket. Its travelled to many climates and many conditions over the years but if you have sticker shock on the overall price I can say that they do last and are by far the best product on the market

Very breathable, does not add warmth The jacket just defends you against the wind, rain and snow. The new face material is strong enough for backcountry use. 50° raining medium exertion level, when the rain stopped I removed the jacket and I did not become any cooler. 40° wind driven rain performed excellently for over an hour, one base layer. 20° dry but very windy base layer and lorum hoodie, seals out wind well. Typical hardshell paper crackly sound when the material is cold. Five pockets, plenty of storage for a day hike.

Had this jacket a couple of years already,but felt I had to mention this,first of all great jacket,totally bombproof.The only issue i now have is that the drawstring seams on the bottom middle and cuffs have separated from the jacket. I have carefully followed arcteryx washing instructions to the letter as this as happened previously with another jacket.(Alpha comp hoody)Which arcteryx repaired F.O.C. The seams around the drawstrings and cuffs are different to the ones on the rest of the jacket by the look of it. I have other arcteryx gear which up to now has been fine,maybe I've just been unlucky.

I had my alpha for almost 10 years before the gore tex at the cuff began to delaminate. This was nearly a decade of hard use skiing, alpine climbs, ice climbing, trekking and generally being abused. There were NO other flaws. The jacket was returned through the retailer and Arcteryx Replaced it FREE of charge. It's rare to find a company that backs its products after so long. Great product, great customer service, great company. If you're on th fence, buy arcteryx. It's worth the investment.

Simple it's the best jacket out there ok it's pricey but the years of garenteed satisfaction you will get !!! It's worth it

I live in UK and travel 15k miles a year on various motor bikes. I needed a waterproof jacket that accommodated my body armour during Spring summer and early Autumn. Read various reviews and bit the bullet on the Orange version. One year in and it is holding its own. waterproof, wind proof, versatile and packs small. The expedition fit allows armour and my rotund body to fit comfortably. I had a competitor jacket that gave up the ghost after 11 months. With my arc'teryx a machine wash and dry every month or so, WTD spray ..... and although it is showing wear it is a nice kind of wear with a patina that says it is holding up to a hard life well.

The really best in the market now; durable, useful, strong, comfortable in a few words perfect. I will put the powder skirt to just to use easily to snowboard or ski in the day without a bag pack

I had previously bought the Atom AR in size small and the jacket fits perfectly. According to Arc'Teryx's advice (not blaming anyone), I should buy the Alpha SV in size small too. After trying the Alpha SV over all layers (base, mid, and Atom AR), the general fit seemed correct but the sleeves are much longer, reaching the last phalanx of my ring finger. Now, it's possible to pull back the sleeve and attach it around my wrist and when I put gloves on, and it seems OK. There is still a little space between my insulation layer and the shell. So, I'm going to try the X-small but I hope it won't be too tight. I'll post follow-up pictures of the fit. For you info : I'm 172 cm tall (5 feet 8), Chest: 87 cm (34"), waist : 74cm (29"), back to wrist : 81 cm (32"). Thus, according to Arc'Teryx sizing charts, I should buy XS. I hope this helps y'all.

I love doing winter 14ers in Colorado. This jacket replaced my old North Face Mountain Light which was good, but no comparison to my Alpha SV. It's light, tough, and has kept me dry and warm in horrible winter conditions. I can't imagine being in the mountains in winter without it. It's their most expensive jacket and seems like a lot for a shell. But once you've used it in severe conditions, you'll understand the expense is worth it. I plan on it being a lifetime purchase, so the expense is definitely worth it.

This jacket is bullet proof. I am the envy of all my friends. They refuse to buck up for what is clearly a superior product. I am going to buy another one just in case they decide (it would be foolish) to discontinue it. I couldn't live without it.

I've used my Alpha SV for several years now. I've been in the worst conditions possible in Utah, Mammoth, and Tahoe...below freezing with wind, sleet, blizzard, rain...you name it, I've been in it. 12 years of ski patrol experience as well. I bought the SV specifically for the conditions I find/put myself in, and I must say that it's performed flawlessly. It seals down tight when needed, the fit is great. I feel like I'm in a bank vault. When the world around me is chaos, it's like my private oasis. So good, I got the Theta SV bib. Short of catching on fire, I'm not too sure what these two can't handle. I owned North Face, Patagonia, Marmot, and Mammut. All are great brands and great products, but Arcteryx is simply the best I've ever used on every level. It's pricey, but it's worth every penny IMHO.

So, I wanted to write this review after owning the SV for a while. I have now, for more than a year, and have bought a second one I love it so much. I had a rather bad fall this year, about 6' down off a ledge onto rock. I landed on my elbow, and hip and the jacket came through unscathed. Not a scratch on it. This jacket is my, no matter how ugly it gets I need something I can rely on life saver. It's not too pack-able, I will admit. It's hot when the temps warm up, across the shoulders and the back, but when performance counts, this jacket can be relied upon. Period. If you need something for a wide variety of conditions, and maybe not the ultimate durability, go AR. If you need something as solid and dependable as possible for your money, SV.

If you've looked around this is the most robust gortex shell available. Perfect cut perfect hood. It's arcteryx. What do you expect. For the guys at arcteryx, the napoleon pockets' openings are too small for a uk map. It's always been the only weakness of your jackets. It only needs a couple of extra cm/ins.

This is my first high end jacket, well, at least if you consider the price. Im one of those who cares a whole lot, probably too much, about the design and cut, but not to the extent that I would lower my expectations when it comes to usability, durability and anything else that really matters when you're out there in the wild. Even though I have a specific jacket for all my needs, I wanted a jacket that would cover 90% of them. With the Alpha SV I believe I've found that jacket. Its comfortable enough to wear on a low intensity hike, breathes extremely well, both in "hot" and in humid weather. The fit is roomy, without losing shape. I'm usually a size M, but this fit me perfectly in a Small. There is plenty of room for a thick mid layer, especially where it counts, over the chest and shoulders. The fabrics are soft enough to maneuver freely and comfortably, more like that of a single/two layer jacket. But then the wind starts bashing up against you the jacket is stiff and strong enough to make the wind go around you instead of moving the fabrics like a flag hanging freely. Tighten the hood well, and it moves with you instead of your head moving around inside it. Loosen it up if thats what you prefer... Easy, one-hand-adjustable cuffs. So far its proven to be a jacket that would rule them all. I guess the only thing I wouldn't use this jacket for is running and as a fine dining jacket in a country club...

The new Alpha SV is truly solid. Not that the previous generations weren't, they just made some great improvements. The new stronger face fabric is more supple than I thought it would be and as far as any more noisy, we might be splitting hairs a bit. All nylon face fabrics will make a sound. Soft shells can even be a little loud sometimes. I have the super lightweight Norvan Hoody and it just really seems to be a different pitch to me, but not really different in a bothersome way. Of course, if you have something like the Stingray Pant with the soft shell backer, it'll be quieter. But, when you have a mid layer on underneath the Alpha SV, it muffles the sound in a similar way. And, the trade off of feeling so well protected is definitely worth it. You feel a lot of confidence wearing it for sure. I just feel like I can bump into rocks and trees and have my snowboard hit it without any concern of the face fabric ripping. It feels so solid. AND, it's lighter??? Well done Arc'teryx! A side note: I'm 6'0", 180lb.s, 40" chest and 35" arms and I chose the small. I won't be layering more than an Atom LT under it and it has all the room I need. I'm a medium with the Atom, Fission SV, Norman, etc., I just won't be using the Alpha SV so much for alpinism as I will for snowboarding, hiking, scrambling, etc. The medium didn't look bad. I just liked the fit of the small better. P.S. The Odysseus color is an instant classic! ...unless they had it before I became a bird fan :)