User Review: Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket

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

Reviewed January 1, 2002 by David

Rating:
Fabric: Gore-Tex XCR 3 Layer Laminate
Price Paid: $650 Canadian

First and foremost, I would never pay 650 dollars for a jacket, and I was lucky to get this piece of NASA quality gear for 312.98! I remember trying on the jacket for the first time and I had a "wow" feeling. The jacket looks stylish, but the fit and construction is what makes this jacket so special. The main zipper is really cool - it's a water resistant no storm flaps design (Arc'Teryx was the first to create these zippers 10 years ago!) while Patagonia and North Face copies it with failing results. The hood is the highest quality I've seen on any jacket, though it is a little on the large side, but it's designed to be worn with a helmet. I wish there's a hide away hood feature but there isn't one.

As with all Arc'Teryx outwear, they tend to run a little short so it won't interfere the climbing harness. The only pet peeve about the jacket is not the price, but the shoulder pocket zipper - it's IMPOSSIBLE, well, almost impossible to unzip with one or even two hands if you're wearing the jacket. Believe or not, I never successfully unzipped the shoulder pocket zipper when I was wearing the actual jacket! The only way is with the jacket off, on a coat hanger, or carefully unzipping it with two hands while holding the actual jacket. I discovered that the position of the shoulder pocket zipper is too high and the water resistant zippers are a little too rubbery and stiff. As a result, zippers might be a little difficult to unzip but they're the highest quality I've seen in the world of zippers, errrmmm, water resistant zippers. Arc'Teryx claims that after 35,000 zips and unzips, there wasn't any significant problems.

More news, Salomon (the crappy Outdoor company) owns Arc'Teryx now, which is a downside. Salomon makes some of the shoddiest outdoor gear on the market. I just hope Salomon doesn't design and implement the quality control on Arc'Teryx apparel and gear. BTW, Arc'Teryx makes the finest Gore-Tex XCR apparel in the world. They make the finest apparel period. Now, Patagonia and North Face looks more like Fisher Price! The North Face SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!! The North Face is like Nike!!! Nike sucks!!!!! Expensive and crappy in quality. Patagonia is better, but not even close to Arc'Teryx. Mountain Equipment Co-op is the closest thing as for quality but it doesn't compare to Arc'Teryx as for the fit and innovation. Ironically, many of the designers who work at Arc'Teryx once worked at MEC. I discovered that pre-1998 MEC apparel was stylish and quality. After 1999, MEC apparel and gear still retains its quality but the styling and design went down the drain. It seems if some of the high end MEC gear is knocking off Arc'Teryx.

Heck, I'll stop the rambling, Arc'Teryx is still elite gear. Who said Arc'Teryx isn't cool? - Arc'Teryx Alpha SV jacket was worn by actors in the movie VERTICAL LIMIT!

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Where to Buy

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

Store

Product Description

Price

Backcountry.com

Alpha SV Jacket - Men's

$598.95

Buy Now

Oregon Mountain Community

Alpha SV Jacket - Men's

$418.95

Buy Now

Moosejaw 2 purchase options:	Women's Alpha SV Jacket	$449.25	Buy Now
Moosejaw 2 purchase options:	Men's Alpha SV Jacket	$599.00	Buy Now

Altrec Outdoors

Men's Alpha SV Jacket

$499.99

Buy Now

REI

Alpha SV Jacket - Women's

$599.00

Buy Now

Backcountry Outlet 2 purchase options:	Alpha SV Jacket - Women's	$269.53	Buy Now
Backcountry Outlet 2 purchase options:	Alpha SV Jacket - Men's	$419.27	Buy Now