I bought the Alpha SV back ain Feb and the main use has been a ski/climbing trip to Mongolia. It kept the high winds out very well, very light, zip and cuffs work well. Excellent when it was really wet and windy. Great to own this level of quality.

Looking for a Gore-Tex hardshell? Look no further. This is my first season with the Alpha SV and it has not failed to impress (immensely so). Everything about this jacket is first rate - the construction makes all other shells (TNF, in particular) look like cheap crap. The design of the Alpha makes sense - from how the hood will fit comfortably over a helmet while still allowing for great range of motion, to how the pockets and zippers are all easily operable with gloves on. The stitching on the Alpha SV is excellent and upon visual inspection, vastly superior (higher stitch count and more precise placement) to any other brand shell I have owned.
Believe me, I too choked up a bit of food when I first looked at a shell with a $500 price tag. I got it at a bit of a discount, but it has been worth every penny, and then some. I have a nearly brand new TNF Ama Dablam shell and I don't know if I can ever bring myself to wear it again. Maybe if I had to go roll around in the mud and didn't want to get the Alpha SV dirty...

Great year-round jacket - I've only had this jacket for a couple of weeks and it's great. I've worn it through some windy thunderstorms and the hood stays in place and has kept my upper body dry. It's a very good year-round jacket.

Excellent jacket! All that I need in this extreme weather up here in the arctic. And..best of all: All the ladies just love me now...they want to touch me all the time...must be my new Alpha SV. And excellent service! I have told all my friends about your super cool web site...so I'm sure you will ship tons of stuff to all the Norwegians I know.

This jacket is awesome. Enough said. If you are thinking about buying this jacket or another..(like I was..) stop thinking and get this jacket. It's bomber jacket than I have had in awhile now..

Submitted to several different tests during a ski-odyssey in Chamonix.

Passed
- Strong winds
- Blistering cold
- Sunshine...and smaller amounts of prespiration due to longer hikes.

Failed
- Nothing...yet...

I especially like the high collar, the "air condition" in the armpits and the hood when it comes to functionality.
But when it comes to design this jacket is UNTOUCHABLE!
And well worth the "investment".

This jacket feels like it has no weight at all. Simple, functional, zippers close to where you can get to them—the optimal winter hardshell.

After using this jacket for only a few days I realized that it was one of the best. I have tried Patagonia for 12 years and I'd been very satisfied with the design and quality. But after 12 years the waterproof quality seems to disappear...

The new frontal zipper on the alpha jacket is a big approvement I believe.
Comparing to the before zippers, it runs smoothly and I hope it is waterproof.

I will return with a complete rewiev when the alpha jacket SV has been through some action....!

If you just want the info on the Alpha SV skip down, for a more full review read on.

Arc'teryx jackets are some of the best, if not The best. However, this is reflected in their price, so when looking at them I knew I had to be picky and get something that would last me twice as long as a jacket half the price.
I will admit up-front that a big part of my desicion was based on style/look and fit. So after looking awhile I narrowed my search to the Alpha SV and Theta AR. Both are very similar shells with differences in the color options and small differences in the cut/fit. They both use the heavier 2 fabrics, although the Theta uses more of it, and generally has more material in it. I tried on a Theta AR and really liked it overall. My only hesitation was that it was a little longer than I wanted. I looked around and could not find an Alpha anywhere, but really wanted to try one before deciding. I finally ordered one from backcountry figuring I could trade it for the Theta if it didn't work for me.

The Alpha SV:
is a great jacket, it functions great, it looks great, it fits great and it feels right. It's shorter than the Theta AR, which I like, the hood is a little bigger (for a helmet) but has more adjustments to compensate. When zipped up all the way it comes higher on my face, which I wasn't so sure about at first, but have grown to love as it keeps the wind out better. The new style water-proof main zipper it sports is nice, it zips easier which is great for gloved hands. I like the slightly tighter, more form-fitting, trim cut of the Alpha SV although it's minor. I liked the darker (eclipse) color the Theta offered, and it's small, but the no-elastic cuffs of the Theta are more slick. Which, however, is a good aspect to use to point out that the Alpha SV really is designed for technical use; the elastic cuffs don't look as nice, but are more practical. The elasticity of both shells is great for being non-restrictive and the water-proof zippers create less bulk; overall they are both awesome with slight variations depending on what you are looking for.

Have fun outside!

This is by far the best hard shell I have ever owned. I've hiked up teton pass in jackson,wy many times in the past month in every concievable type of weather and this jacket always performs. The fit is great, it never gets in the way of other gear. It is also indestructible. I've run into trees, rocks, and jagged ice and this jacket doesn't even show a scratch. I've used this primarily for backcountry snowboarding and it works great. I'll be interested to see how it holds up in spring and fall rainy conditions. Thanks for a great deal Backcountry.com.

I can't think of enough positive things to say about this jacket. Hiking around for hours on end on steep pitches in dense timber and brush during cold and rainy winters here in Oregon were definitely made more enjoyable due to the complete waterproofness, breathability and durability of Gore-Tex XCR and Arc'teryx craftsmenship. I own a Gamma MX hoodie, Alpha Comp hoodie, Fission LT vest, a Theta AR and now an Alpha SV, yes I am an Arc'teryx addict. The Alpha SV is yet another perfect example of Arc'Teryx quality and design. I'm sorry that others have had issues with the new zipper but I tested mine and it's 100% waterproof, not so much as the slightest bit of moisture got through after pouring a glass of water onto the jacket and letting it pool over the zipper and sit. As others have mentioned I like the shorter length of the Alpha SV vs the Theta AR, the new zipper is awesome as well. It definitely slides much smoother than the main zip on the Theta AR. I like the hood on the Alpha SV more than the drop-hood on the Theta AR. The one aspect that the Theta wins out is in storage and that the pockets can be used as hand pockets in less extreme situations but those are both minor. I'll still be using my Theta for some activities but overall I think the Alpha in the superior jacket. As with all Arc'Teryx gear you get what you pay for, which is top quality. My Theta AR still looks brand new after 2 years of continuous wear so i'm sure the Alpha will too.
These guys have awesome customer service and a top notch staff as well, very knowledgeable and helpful.

When I received the jacket, I was amazed by its weight and its thickness. It is ultralight weight but sturdy, thanks to Arc’teryx's welding tech. I love its welded waterproof zippers, which are definitely useful, lightweight, and attractive. Though the Alpha SV is priced equal to a Sidewinder SV, it came with neither the Opti reflective system nor the speedy hood. In addition, Sidewinder SV uses more durable nylon in the outer layer.

Hello guys, please check the new zipper before buying. I tested one in a shop with a glass of water, and it leaked considerably. I cupped the jacket and let the water sit in the well for a minute. I am not against Arcteryx, I have three Arcteryx items and they’re great, I’ll buy their stuff again. But that new zipper on the SV does concern me.

I don't understand why in heaven you would put 7 waterproof pockets on a jacket. The "new weatherproof" zippers leaked like hell. I just spent a fortune on this jacket and I'm not happy at all!

Right now I am very unhappy with this jacket. I sat out in the rain with high winds (40mph) for about 15 minutes and a considerable amount of water leaked right through the front zipper. This jacket is not "bombproof". It is not a "fortress". And if you trust it at 5000ft in the winter to keep you dry, you might regret it. I called Arcteryx and they told me to send it back through the retailer for testing, but after seeing all the other leak reviews on this site, I'm pretty sure it's going to pass their tests. I'm disgusted with this jacket and the money I spent on it.

After eyeing this jacket for the past year I finally ponied up the big bucks and pulled the trigger. I was very nervous because I have never spent anywhere near this kind of money for a jacket. Three days of skiing at Jackson Hole last week put this jacket to its first official test. Winds on top of the mountain approached 40 miles per hour and temperatures were about 10F. I am happy to report that the "Mountain Fortress" performed as advertised. I am thoroughly satisfied with this jacket. Its windproof and waterproof qualities are unrivaled. Furthermore the breathability of the XCR fabric performed well as I did not get cold from sweating while in the backcountry. If quality workmanship is a paramount concern you will not be disappointed with this shell.

The Alpha SV Jacket is the lightest most breathable shell I have used. The Arcteryx shell is the second XCR Gor-Tex jacket I have owned and breathes significantly better. I have snowshoed and skied in the shell and was comfortable in a wide temperature range. I was looking for a shell that works all year round in the Colorado mountains and so far I believe I have the right jacket. Fit and finish are excellent. Pocket volume is OK. The hood accomodates my old Petzl Helmet. Zipping the pit zips with one hand can be challenging. I will use the shell every week so the higher cost is well worth it. When I replace my shell pants, I will consider an Arcteryx product.

This jacket is great. The fit is perfect. The jacket just becomes part of you. It keeps 100% of all weather away from your body. It really does. It's simple and technical, featuring only what you need. I love it. Martin

Most high-end jackets you will find will have the best quality gore-tex, taped seams etc... but what really sets this jacket aside from the rest is it's storm hood. Unlike The North Face jackets, or even the Sidewinder SV, the Alpha SV provides significantly better protection for the face, and the hood fits any helmet (I wear a size 8 baseball hat -- 64cm). I have previously owned jackets (TNF etc) that will collapse in the front of the face at the top of the zipper providing no face protection during wind experienced while skiing...something you will not experience w/ the SV... and it's storm hood stood up to the challenge as violent winds rolled in while skiing La Grave. Hands down the best jacket out there. Incredibly warm, waterproof (water beads off it), comfortable, and overall just a damn good looking jacket. Mountain guides will tell you, it's the #1 jacket out there. Worth the extra price.

I have been a proud owner of the Alpha SV for 3 or 4 years now and have not been disappointed. The best thing about this jacket is the fit. Just the right amount of fabric for layering but no more, fits better than any other jacket I tried on. After many trips snowshoeing, mountaineering, and hiking the jacket still looks new, a testament to the durability of the fabric. The hood is easy to adjust and fits great with or without a helmet. Napoleon pockets are easy to access with a pack on and are quite large. I only have 1 minor complaint. The waterproof zippers slide a little tightly making opening the pit zips a little tricky (sometimes I need to hold the sleeve cuff with my non zipping hand). Haven't ever had any problems with the zippers leaking. I found mine for 1/2 price, but If I had the cash I wouldn't hesitate paying full price.

This jacket is fine. I just wore it in Utah for a week and was so glad I had a jacket that could handle those mountain winds.

Every time i put on this jacket I smile, the fit and finish is absolutely fantastic and second to none.
Arc'teryx decision to change the front zipper to one that is more coarse but still waterproof instead of the fine-tooth one they also use for the pockets is definitely an improvement.
The only "problem" is that loosening the Velcro-straps while wearing gloves is not easy but a minor problem.
Breast pockets are nice and roomy and will fit much gear and even big gloves.
All in all an excellent choice, would do it again, though price is a bit steep.

I can confirm what some of other reviewers posted here. The front zipper on Alpha SV leaks like hell. Contacted Arc'teryx 2 days ago, still awaiting the response. Could any of the owners of this jacket try the front zipper? Pour water over it and let us all here know. Maybe it's just a defective piece I got, maybe it's a more systematic thing.

awesome jacket. completely satisfied with my purchase.