Description
The Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket allows you to go light in the mountains and on the trail without sacrificing much-needed storm protection.
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Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket - Men's
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Better windbreaker than rain jacket
PAUL UDOVIC
Member since
I have not had great luck with Paclite. During heavy rain I have been soaked through the shell fabric on 2 occasions- with 2 different paclite shells. To test the jackets and rule out condensation, I did the shower tests with both cold and warm water and again both were wet inside. They seem to handle a drizzle of rain but when the water comes down in buckets I head straight to pro shell.
Alpha SL is a nicely made paclite shell. It is really lightweight and nicely constructed. 2 large volume hand pockets with watertight zips. The fit is nice but could be a bit more trim in the chest (like the FL series of jackets). Nice length in front and back providing ample coverage. hood fits nicely and has lots of adjustments to cinch down when not using a helmet.
Overall nice jacket but expensive. The Alpha SL hybrid is only a bit more expensive and has Pro shell in the shoulders and under the arms, plus has a better front zipper (Watertight Vislon #3 ). The other option is to look into a proshell like the Alpha LT
I'm 6'1, 200lbs with an athletic build. I...
Thomas Weston
Member since
I'm 6'1, 200lbs with an athletic build. I don't want this jacket to be too loose, but I want to be able to wear a fairly thick sweat underneath it. What size would people suggest? I was thinking large...
Matt Towner
Member since
What is your chest measurement? I'm 6'1" 180lb with a 40.5" chest and the large fits me well with a couple layers underneath. The medium just fits if I have only a tshirt on. A large would probably work well for you, but double check you chest size first to be sure.
Thomas Weston
Member since
I have a 42" chest so I'll probably go for the large. Thanks a lot for the quick responses.
Pat Palmer
Member since
I'm 6'0", 210 lbs 44" chest. when I tried one of these, the Large left a little room for layering, but was a hair tight across the shoulders. Not enough to be a deal breaker, but enough that I got a better fit from Columbia's shells.
steezy ski jacket
boyp482251
Member since
This jacket is dope yo! I wear it all the time and am like wow this jacket is exceeding my expectations. Everyone should buy it for skiing.
I'm confused about all the Arc'teryx...
inbp97931
Member since
I'm confused about all the Arc'teryx jackets. I've looked here, on REI and at their site and I'm still confused. What are the major themes? Why do two seemingly similar ones have a huge difference in price? I can't figure out how to put them in some kind of logical order.
I'm looking for a rainproof yet breathable jacket for hiking and backpacking that I can wear in all temperatures.
inbp97931
Member since
I just found the page where they explain their naming scheme so I'll go study it. Still seems overly complicated, but at least there's a guide.
Stephen Sramek
Member since
The Alpha SL is a great jacket for hiking and backpacking in all temperatures. Prices differ depending on the materials used and features offered.
Paclite is light.
Andrew Swindle
Member since
This jacket is lightweight and packable. If you are in the amrket for a lightweight rain jacket that can stand up to snow and a lot of use, this is the piece. The Paclite material is great when variable conditions are present, it's easy to stuff in a pack when not is use. If you plan on wearing a backpack the majority of the time, I would look at the SL Hybrid Jacket as well.
Impressively light
Jamie
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
packable, and omni-proof. But it's not a detail perfection stuff, and looks fragile even though last weekend hiking proved I'm wrong. One star for the fluff of the edge , four star for the rest good .
jump
Jamie
Member since
I'm 5'7 and 170 lbs, and recommendations...
Stephen Morente
Member since
I'm 5'7 and 170 lbs, and recommendations for size? Will use it with at most a midweight fleece..
Geoff Conner
Member since
I would lean towards a medium. However, I would measure your chest and double check it against the size chart.
Riffle
Member since
You are roughly 10lbs above the average for your height so you might need to size up, depending on your physique and arm legnth. My experience has been that if you have average sized shoulders and arm length, then the Arc'Teryx measurement guide is dead on, but if you have very broad shoulders then the athletic cut may call for sizing up even though you fall within the measurements for a particular size.
In addition to measuring your chest, make sure you get an accurate measurement of your arm length and when in doubt, size up, particularly with the athletic cut garments.
I find an Atom LT fits perfectly under this shell, but not much more than that.
Versatile and Bombproof
Riffle
Member since
This is an excellent product that has yet to fail me.
I'm very hard on my gear and am unwilling to baby anything I own. I have used it hiking, running, snowshoeing, around town, and as my go to jacket when fly fishing--it is during this activity that the Alpha SL gets put to the test, as I'm constantly bushwacking through all kinds of tough undergrowth, branches, prickers, thicket, etc., to get to secluded fishing holes, often when it is pouring since fish tend to be more active then. I have even taken spills on rocks and slid down gravel riverbanks and this jacket just laughs at it all.
I have never had a problem with breathability, or leakage, and the hood is real nice on windy days, once cinched properly.
I get full range of motion which is important for casting properly with a fly rod.
As for fit, I'm 6'1" about 188lbs with very broad shoulders, a 45" chest and a 77" wingspan (the equivalent of a 6'4" person of average proportions) so the XL works perfectly for me with plenty of room for layers without feeling too baggy. The Large fit well around the waist but was tight in the back and upper torso with layers on and the arms were a bit short. If you are of average build and my height with a normal wingspan (take 1.023 times your height in inches to see what the average is for your height) then a Large will probably work fine.
A note about layering: I also have the Atom LT hoody in XL and this shell is a perfect match for this jacket, giving you the perfect kit for 75% of your outdoor activities. The Atom SV will fit underneath, but it is a just little too snug in the shoulders and arms for me given that the Alpha SL is an Althetic cut.
You simply can't go wrong with this piece, it does exactly what its designed to do and is amazingly durable.
I recently bought this jacket at REI. I...
Deke
Member since
I recently bought this jacket at REI. I was looking for a light weight ski jacket that I could layer. I'm an expert skier in the northeast and will probably put up 25+ days this year. My only concern with this jacket is durability. Let me know your thoughts. Thx in advance.
Tester
Member since
I had paclite, its pretty thin but it wont tear. What you should be concerned about is how it breathes. Paclite,like on my theta sl would have a lot of condensation build up when going hard.
Stephen Sramek
Member since
I'd return your jacket to the REI and pick up an Alpha LT from BC.com. The Alpha LT is a great 4 season piece durable enough for skiing in the winter and breathable enough to wear in the spring/summer seasons.
I am trying to determine whether this shell...
fmap140252
Member since
I am trying to determine whether this shell is sufficiently durable, windproof and waterproff for skiing in the Lake Tahoe area. We get lots of high 30's, low 40s type of wheater and I tend to run hot so i dont care for insulation. The temps can get in the high 20s, low 30s but rarely much colder than that in daytime.
WILLINGHAM259668
Member since
This jacket offers almost no insulation. It's not going to keep snow out either, the bottom doesn't cinch up as it has no gaiter. As fair as windproof, it's really good, not excellent. Rainproof, excellent. Not really a ski jacket.
Adam
Member since
You can use this jacket for skiing, but you'll need a fleece 100-300wt depending on how cold it is outdoors and how warm you want to be.
Not good enough
barry.mach325822
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
Good jacket BUT and its a big But,even in light rain the pockets fill with water as I FOUND OUT TO MY COST i.e. a water logged car key.The pockets are water proof as they do hold the water .Its a poor reflection on Arcteryx as their products are expensive.Time to look else where.IT'S NOT WATER PROOF.
Brian Stave
Member since
Yeah weird. Never have had this problem and live in the PNW. I have had this jacket for four years and never experienced this.
Bomber.
MGlowBlue
Member since
This shell is impervious to rain, snow, and wind AND it stuffs into that small cranny left in your pack. What more could you ask for?
Does anyone know where I can get one in...
Daniel
Member since
Does anyone know where I can get one in Aus?
Does anyone know why my jacket might look...
mar4606323
Member since
Does anyone know why my jacket might look as though it has a grease stain on it?
I have only worn this jacket 3 times, in light rain and it appears these is a grease stain on it.
I washed the jacket in Nikwax (and followed arc'teryx's instructions on washing and drying) however the stain has spread further.
I have attached a photo however it is hard to see, but the colour change is quite noticeable.
Does anyone have any cleaning tips etc to help me?
Thanks, Mark
Dave Marcus
Member since
It's very tough to see in the picture, but it sounds like your jacket may be delaminating.
Does the outer fabric move independently over the membrane in the "grease spot" area? If so, it's a warranty issue. Arc'teryx has phenomenal customer service. They'll take care of you.
Quick question on sizing. I'm a small guy,...
chris hamilton
Member since
Quick question on sizing. I'm a small guy, and I tried on a small theta sl with a puffy underneath, it fit great. I'm also looking at the alpha sl. My question is both the alpha sl and the theta sl are athletic fit, will they both be cut the same size and fit the same in the chest, arm, and waist. I know the theta will be slightly longer. Just want to know if they are the same otherwise. Any help would be great
Andrew Wike
Member since
Yes, the chest, arm, and waste fit will be the same between those two jackets. The Theta runs a bit longer.
Review flagged as not relevant to the item itself. the one-star rating is for the backcountry website itself, and should not be included in the product rating. Click here to view.
how does this compare to the alpha sv
Dick Todd
Member since
how does this compare to the alpha sv
Arthur Debowski
Member since
Similar cut and fit but significantly less durable. The SV is made of ProShell which holds up to abrasion and hard use better than anything else I have used. Paclite garments like this pack very well and tend to live in the bottom of my pack but don't take abuse like the SV by any stretch of the imagination.
would you wear this jacket in the Columbia...
Anders
Member since
would you wear this jacket in the Columbia Mountains, heliskiing in MArch? scale of 1-10..how warm is it with a few underlayers?
Steven Jones
Member since
This is strictly a shell, so no insulation, but with the right insulation layers it should work like a charm. You could do a lot worse than taking this along.
If I am looking for just a simple warm...
roy4434529
Member since
If I am looking for just a simple warm weather rain jacket and not worried about abrasion is this jacket enough? Lots of good reviews but then lots of reviews saying get the ProShell and not pac-lite.
Gone Fishing
Member since
Roy, this is a decent and lower price option if you want to get into a Arc'teryx jacket. It will do the job but without all the options of the more expensive jackets. As for being warm, you are going to depend on your baselayers or outer layer for that, this is only a shell.
Mads
Member since
Hey Roy. It sounds like you're looking for a simple jacket that withstands normal wear-and-tear - and the Alpha SL works great for that and more. I wear mine all the time for mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, backcountry skiing, and just walking around in the wind or the rain. I'm pretty tough on my gear and it has held up fantastically. However, I know that if I take a harsh fall against some rocks or stab an ice tool into it one of these days, it will probably be time for some repairs. As long as you know you're buying something that works great in withstanding normal wear-and-tear and light abrasion, and you're willing to take the chance you might damage it on the unlikely occasions you abuse it beyond that, I'd recommend this jacket for you.
Adam
Member since
Mads, a quick question for you.. What jacket would hold up to being stabbed with an icepick? I didn't realize gore-tex made a bat suit ;)
Roy, gore-tex paclite gets a lot of flack on reviews, but honestly a proshell jacket will rip in the same situation a paclite will.. It's just for general wear and tear over the years, a proshell will hold out longer.
View all contributions... Be patient, it might take a while.

wojp160331
Member since