User Review: Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket

Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket
Above: The current Alpha SL Jacket, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed January 2, 2009 by Cg

Rating:

I've owned an Alpha SL for several years, and it provided great service for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking... as well as around town on rainy days. It was easily the most frequently used item in my collection of gear.

So light and compact, great to pack along on bike trips as a wind/rain shell, and also very warm due to the tight closures. The hood is wonderful, easily fitting over a bike or climbing helmet... easy on, easy off. Don't worry about the hood being too bulbous, it has several adjustments that make it fit and keep it out of your line of sight. It also tucks down into the neck if you don't need it (not very aesthetic, but certainly functional).

The one weak point is the zippers: though they are a very light design for a waterproof closure without flaps, they are also somewhat vulnerable to wear. The front zip and pocket zip on my jacket eventually gave up and became unreliable... separating unpredictably.

I sent the jacket back to Arc'teryx for repair, but they decided to replace it with a new Alpha SL instead... so their great customer service more than made up for the zipper failure.

I'm looking forward to many more years with my replacement SL!

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Where to Buy

Buy Online We found the Alpha SL Jacket at 7 online stores:

Store

Product Description

Price

Backcountry.com 2 purchase options:	Alpha SL Jacket - Men's	$299.45	Buy Now
Backcountry.com 2 purchase options:	Alpha SL Jacket - Women's	$299.45	Buy Now

Oregon Mountain Community 2 purchase options:	Alpha SL Jacket - Men's	$298.95	Buy Now
Oregon Mountain Community 2 purchase options:	Alpha SL Jacket - Women's	$298.95	Buy Now

Moosejaw 2 purchase options:	Men's Alpha SL Jacket	$299.50	Buy Now
Moosejaw 2 purchase options:	Women's Alpha SL Jacket	$299.50	Buy Now

Altrec Outdoors 2 purchase options:	Men's Alpha SL Jacket	$299.45	Buy Now
Altrec Outdoors 2 purchase options:	Women's Alpha SL Jacket	$299.45	Buy Now

REI

Alpha SL Jacket - Men's

$299.50

Buy Now

RockCreek 3 purchase options:	Alpha SL Jacket (Women's) Spring 09	$198.95	Buy Now
	Alpha SL Jacket (Men's)	$298.95	Buy Now
	Alpha SL Jacket (Women's)	$299.95	Buy Now