Arc'teryx Women's Alpha SV Jacket

This jacket was designed for the true rough weather adventurer. The Alpha SV is bomb proof. Water literally beads and rolls off the jacket, even after several days in a brutal NorthWest downpour.

Arc'Teryx has managed to keep the weight down by developing waterproof zippers in the pit zip and outer pocket areas which eliminated the need and weight of storm flaps. The pit zips are almost the length of the jacket which allows for significant venting when necessary.

The hood is extremely large to allow for any headgear you might be wearing, and there are three adjustment pulls to make the hood conform to the exact shape of your noggin. The jacket has two internal pockets for water bottles, and there is midrift and waist adjustment that will retain body heat when needed.

This jacket is a superior design and the colors are calm compared with all the mango and guava jackets I see in the retail stores. Shadow, is a midnight blue, and the one I chose. The price is hefty, but this jacket should be the last one you'll have to buy, unless you get fat from inactiivity and it doesn't fit.

A tip if ordering over the internet, these jackets and pants are designed to conform to the body, and if you normally wear a large, order the XL so you can wear some things under the shell. One question to Arc'Teryx, is what were you thinking when you designed the outer pockets? The position and shape of the pockets make the user cross their arms if they want to use the pockets. Just a question I had to ask.

Now is this jacket perfect, no, but it comes extremely close.

Buyers note: I purchased the Theta LT, which is also extremely well built, but exchanged it for the Alpha SV, because the Theta has no internal pockets and the thing feels like a dress it is just too long. An XL Alpha SV is long enough to cover the backside and yet you aren't tripping over it when you need to climb a ledge or boulder.