Arc'teryx Alpha SV Bib - Men's

I have had these 7 seasons - they just will not quit, and that is a good thing. I sent them back to Arcteryx and they fixed the gators for free when they got beat up. Great for touring with the full side zip and the 2 way fly makes cold weather peeing a breeze!

I bought a pair of these bibs in 2005 to be worn as a do-it-all outer layer for wear in the mountains while performing law enforcement duties,including crawling over rocks,through brush,over and under vehicles while winching people back up onto the roads after they had slid off in the snow. I bought them larger that needed to allow for wearing mid-layers as needed depending on how warm or cold it was,and still allow me to wear by body armor inside to keep it dry. The full length chest to lower back
waterproof zippers come in handy for when nature calls...I don't even have to remove my gun-belt from around my waist.The side zippers from hip to ankles make it easy to allow for built up heat to escape and to stay cool inside my patrol vehicle. The elastic cinch-cords afford a quick and easy means to snug the pant legs tight around the ankles of your boots when in deep snow or when on snowshoes,skis,or crampons.With the small grommets on both the inside and outside lower edges of the legs,attach a piece of elastic cord to go under the arch of your boots,and you are as close as you can get to a gaiter.They're going on seven years of full-time winter use,and they look almost new. Clean and waterproof them with Nikwax or similar products designed for gore-tex as needed, and they will as warranted,last a lifetime.

I don't think it gets any better than this bib. Very well designed. Maybe the elastic cords could be more durable, but even those work perfect. Very easy to get in and out. And it will keep you dry.

My go to piece when I need full weather protection. Well cut and easy to climb in.

I bought these about 15 months ago and have used them many times. I do backcountry snow camping and snowshoeing. The bib has kept me warm and dry every time. It has several pockets; one where I keep spare batteries exclusively.
I use this bib as an outer as well as an inner layer. During the day when I'm on the trail I wear the bib as the outer layer (Only layer besides underwear). After I set up camp and am ready to lounge around, I just put on an over-pant and wear the Arc'Teryx bib as the base layer because Gore-Tex does a great job at keeping heat in.
The hem has a draw cord to create a gaiter set up and also has holes to attach cord to wrap under the boot like gaiters as well!

I have had this bib for a few years now and have used it in many severe weather situations. I have found that it works perfectly as a ski pant, rain pant, sailing bib, and all around tough pant. The only beef i have with this particular design is the excessive use of zippers, I know that this is built for intense ice climbing, but this is also the only high enough arcteryx bib to work for ocean sailing. The zippers are far from waterproof, even though they are laminated they still leak quite a bit when in contact with driving water or rain. This is a big problem since zippers run all the way down both legs and down the crotch and up the butt(this zipper looks very funny and will get alot of awkward remarks).

These bibs are fantastic for anything mountain. I use them above my soft-shell pants for mountaineering, ski-mountaineering, telemark skiing & ice climbing when weather & conditions dictate. The double zipper on the side zips are perfect as you can open them up to get great ventilation and breathability when chugging up-hill, and quickly close them if heading down-hill in powder when you don't want a snow drift as one of your layer's. I did replace the cords on the zipper with some longer accessory cord I had so that I could more easily pull them with heavy gloves on. Also love the keprotec on the inside of the ankle's. Could use that on the seat as well. Mine have an inner snow collar, so not sure when the version changed for the fellow who commented on that below. The only reason I don't give these 5 stars is the price tag.

Bought the large, fit perfectly. I have an average inseam and length was perfect as well.

It's the best bib i've ever had ! it's awesome everywhere !
I've used it in -35C with only a RHO AR BOTTOM under, and it kept me good and worm ! and the knee pads are awesome, u can sit down where ever u want without gettin' wet or cold !
and in the summer, just open the zipers on the side and it's perfect to the heet out !

These bibs rule. Like the jacket, they are perfectly designed. I am 5'10", 155lb., and small fits perfectly for jacket and bibs. The articulation is phenomenal, with no bunched up fabric whatsoever, but still plenty of room for layers underneath. For above-treeline winter trips such as the Presidentials I usually use two long underwear layers under these, but one is plenty for most other applications. There is definitely room for heavier insulating layers under here too.

There is a downside to the bib design (as opposed to regular pants): in order to fully take advantage of the bibs, if you stop to change upper layers, you have to remove the suspenders as well as your jacket to do so. However I don't consider this a drawback, because it is the only way that one might achieve such a high level of warmth and protection from elements. The alternative is to just layer over the bibs, but this sort of defeats the purpose. Picture yourself wearing a baselayer and thick fleece top with these bibs zipped up and over these layers. The bib top (when zipped over your upper layers) keeps all of your heat in while effectively blocking updrafts and snow that might make it past the hem-cinch of your jacket. Also, since the Schoeller softshell material has been chosen for this section, the breathe-through characteristics are as good as it gets.

I have been looking for good gore tex pro shell pants that I can wear skiing and also to sporting events in foul conditions. I like bibs for a number of reasons that I won't go into.

My decision came down to the Theta and Alpha SV. I chose the Alpha because they seemed more geared towards all around sports where the Theta is more tailored to skiing and snow boarding.

I have worn the bibs now for a number of activities and they are easily the most versatile bibs I have ever imagined owning. They are super comfortable and absolutely weather proof. I can tailor under garmets for any type of cool/cold weather.

I simply can't describe how well these bibs are designed. Perfect.

So yeah, these bibs cost more than my playstation 3 but ... if you need bomb proof protection and stellar performance across variable weather conditions then look no further. Construction is awesome! The crotch zipper and knee pads are just off the hook convenient!! These bibs are 100% waterproof. I'v had these bad boys out in freezing rain for +5 hours and stayed totally dry. The fit is typical Arcteryx, no extra or loose material anywhere. Im 6'1 ~175 lbs and I M/Tall fit perfect. The ultra-breathable Schoeller softshell upper is perfect with my Alpha LT in colder conditions. Iv tried other bibs like the Cloudveil Koven but the fit, weight, nor construction were anything like these. At any rate, these bibs are flat out great ... just look away when you pay the bill.

I think I tried on every bib BC sells, and these by far had the best cut/fit. In reality they've been super functional as well. An extra pocket or two might be handy, but that's splitting hairs in my book. Arc'teryx nailed it with these puppies.

I'm 5'7, 150, and the small is perfect. Shoulder straps are adjustable seemingly to any frame.

I have been looking for good gore tex pro shell pants that I can wear skiing and also to sporting events in foul conditions. I like bibs for a number of reasons that I won't go into.

My decision came down to the Theta and Alpha SV. I chose the Alpha because they seemed more geared towards all around sports where the Theta is more tailored to skiing and snow boarding.

I have worn the bibs now for a number of activities and they are easily the most versatile bibs I have ever imagined owning. They are super comfortable and absolutely weather proof. I can tailor under garmets for any type of cool/cold weather.

I simply can't describe how well these bibs are designed. Perfect.

These are great. I have owned my pair for almost 10 years. They still breath great, fit great and work like new. I wash and treat them a couple times a year with nikwax. I have no doubt they will last another 10 years.

I bought these and was really happy with their quality and waterproofness.

However, I snowboard and only after 20 days up this season, the back parts of my legs where the legs meet my high backs of my binding have worn away to the point of a hole developing. I have since had to slide the legs around 90 degrees in order to have the kevlar part reside where it meets my high back. So for future snowboard users, please move your legs around 90 degrees so they won't ware away. A trick I use is to clip the bottom of the legs (there's holes for gators) to my boot lace so it sits there nicely and won't slide back to normal. The kevlar should last much longer. Wished I thought of that first. Otherwise bomber pants!!!

Well, while I'm still pleased with the quality of this bib, it is not geared for a skier. I own both the Theta and was given this bib recently for Christmas (schwing). I really really wanted this bib to replace an much older TNF Mountain Bib that has been a mainstay for far too long for me. I purchased the Theta couple years back and it continues to impress me each time I'm out and about or on the slopes.

The main thing, IMHO, that you should know is this bib does NOT have an inner ski cuff to keep snow out.

It is extremely light weight and I have put it to the test recently with a 12" snow. This is a mountain bib, but not a skiers bib. The Theta rocks plain and simple.

Oh yea...I'm 6'2" 185lbs (34" waste 35" inseam) and the the Large-Tall fits great.

Perfect bib. Fits extremely good and a best buy.

I'll give my in-the-field opinion for later, but straight out of the box, I carefully pull one of the strings (which right away looks worn out) to adjust the waist and it breaks (or rather gets pulled out of some section which is supposed to hold it in). So I have to tie a double overhand on the elastic string so that it does not get pulled in through the plastic clip which is used to pinch it. Given the price of the gear, I am gutted. Pay 500 bux to get something that starts to rip straight out of the box is rather disapointing. It is doubly so given the reputation that this brand has and which is the reason why people are willing to pay more than other makers. I know there can be lemons once in a while, but c'mon guys! It does not stop me from using it but not the start I was hoping for...