Arc’teryx Alpha Jacket Review
The most durable and waterproof among lightweight hard shells
November 15, 2023 – The Arc’teryx Alpha Jacket is what we would choose if our lives depended on staying completely dry in the backcountry. Alpha, previously referred to as Alpha AR, is reasonably lightweight, supremely durable, fully-featured, and completely weather-proof. Shop now.
- Weight: 13.1 oz
- Price: $700
- Fabric: 3L GORE-TEX PRO & GORE-TEX, 40d shoulder/hood/arms, 20d Hadron fabric with liquid crystal polymer ripstop torso
- Pros:Â Astoundingly waterproof. Incredibly durable. Large pit zips. Generous fit accommodates layers and large reaches with ease. Stiffened hood. Best-in-class zippers.
- Cons: Very expensive. Mid-weight and bulky to pack.
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Compare this to more great options in our guide to ultralight rain jackets.
Construction
First thing to know is that the Arc’teryx Alpha Jacket is a hybrid-mapped design. The shoulders, hood, and outer-arms (AKA high wear-and-tear areas) are made with a 40d nylon shell overtop of GORE-TEX PRO. Without going deep on the membrane tech, the main benefit of PRO is that it is more durable, more abrasion-resistant, and thus has a longer lifespan than standard issue GTX.
Alpha’s front and back torso utilize standard GTX with a 20d Hadron face-fabric. This is an ultralight nylon with a liquid crystal polymer ripstop grid. The product description states it increases breathability, which is likely due to the fact that it is a thinner textile, which correlates with increased-moisture passage.
We note the water-resistant front zipper with teeth (as opposed to coil). This zipper we consider to be best-in-class, and least likely to snag or become damaged. It is not a two way zipper, which may bug climbers but improves the experience for everyone else. The entire garment is masterfully seam-taped and every last stitch and is high precision. The Arc’teryx Alpha jacket exudes high quality.
If you like a hard shell that can accommodate layers, you’ve come to the right place. Alpha gives a spacious fit, and could comfortably be worn over a puffy jacket. The sleeves are long to accommodate large reaches, which is important in a static (no stretch garment). The hem drapes all of the way down to the seat, and will create a nice shingle effect when paired with rain pants – no gaps in coverage will be exposed, even during movement.
Features
Now onto the features, and oh boy, there’s a lot of them! Starting with the pockets, we have two very large low chest pockets. These are placed to situate above a pack’s hip belt but below its sternum strap. It is a very adventurer-friendly design, but slightly impairs casual use and these are not hand pockets. There is one interior chest pocket on the wearer’s left, large enough to store a phone.
We absolutely love the large pit zips, which should be worn open by default to maximize breathability. They are roughly 18″ in length. Too many brands have been skimping on pit zips, and we’re glad that Arc’teryx is not.
backcountry skiers and snowshoers will appreciate the added safety boost of a RECCO reflector. This increases the chances of being found in an an avalanche rescue scenario.
There are tons of ways to adjust the Arc’teryx Alpha Jacket for a customized fit. The Velcro wrist closures are exceptional in regard to their adjustability range, able to go from a very tight perfect seal, to a loose over-mitten fit. They will accommodate any wrist size perfectly. Dual hem-adjusters allow you to seal out wind, though we generally prefer to leave this open for air flow and to prevent ride-up.
Lastly, the large, helmet-compatible hood with stiffened brim features a crown adjustment cord on the back, and two hood-opening-adjuster pulls on the front. To use the latter feature, simply squeeze the interior tensioner toggles, located near your temples, while pulling down on the shock cords and it will compress the opening and hold the adjustment to your desired setting. Squeeze again to release. This is important to create a seal around your face in heavy rain. The hood also has a tall neck that can cover most of your lower face if you’d like max protection. Great in cold wind!
When to Choose Arc’Teryx Alpha Jacket
We say this lovingly, but for most folks, the Arc’teryx Alpha Jacket is simply too beastly to justify choosing as a daily driver for most hiking and backpacking scenarios. The level of protection it offers is overkill relative to its weight, bulk, and cost, when compared to many of our preferred ultralight jackets weighing half as much. Don’t choose Alpha if you’re expecting relatively dry conditions and well-maintained trails.
Do choose Alpha when you’re expecting torrential rain or heavy wet snow, because it is exceptionally waterproof. Definitely choose Alpha whenever durability is paramount. For human powered adventures where gear weight should be minimized but that still involve bushwhacking, tree-skiing, crawling, alpine climbing, trail work, etc, the Alpha would be perfect.
You may wish to upgrade to its even burlier bigger brother, Alpha SV, if durability is the only factor and weight and cost are not. Alpha SV is roughly 30% heavier and 30% more expensive, and less breathable. It’s built with 100% GORE-TEX PRO across the entire garment with a 100d face fabric, 2.5x the thickness of the baseline Alpha Jacket.
Arc’Teryx Alpha Jacket Review Conclusion
Arc’teryx Alpha Jacket is the burliest hard shell in our quiver – the most waterproof, and the most durable we’ve ever used. It offers a simply outrageous level of protection in all senses of the word, and despite the eye-popping price tag, the quality is so high and its lifespan so long that the value proposition is actually quite reasonable. This is truly a rain jacket to behold!
