This is a shell only, and it's more versatile because of it. The best hardshell with a little insulation is probably something along the lines of the Arcteryx Fission SL - it's pricey but it looks like a great jacket. Honestly though, the shell only gets you more flexibility - its plenty easy to add layers as needed (something like the Arcteryx Atom LT would be great if it is that cold), whereas there is no way to remove layers when the insulation is built in. Another jacket that I really like is the 2008 Cloudveil Hoback. This year's jacket uses Gore-Tex Performance for the shell and it is heavier and stiffer. Last year's was a Gore-Tex Pro Shell and I think its a really nice jacket, although it is only waist length and not hip length like this and the Fission SL.

Since you are looking for primarily a skiing jacket, I'd stick with the sidewinder jackets since they have powder skirts. The AV will have more durable materials than the AR and it also has gussetted, no-lift arms which the AR does not have. On the other hand the AR does have the stow hod which I think is a nice feature.

the lt stands for light, it weighs less than the other two, and has no core venting. also it has a more trim fit

the sv stands for severe weather

the sidewinder has a zipper that twists so you do not have the zipper on your chin.

if you read the box that has the tech specs you can find all the differences between jackets.

assuming i were willing to pay 500 for a gore pro shell (im not, there are plenty of things just as good for way less) i would go with the sidewinder, it was designed around skiing, the other two were not just for skiing, but climbing as well.

cheers

Alpha SV = 541 g / 19.1 oz

Alpha LT = 365 g / 12.9 oz

Try the Chat Now feature in the upper right hand corner of the web page to talk to a bc.com rep directly. My experience has been that they typically are not able to answer questions about when new inventory will be in stock though.

I'm surprised that a sidewinder in medium was a good fit for you, but you should definitely try the alpha in a medium then. The ascent jackets in the Arcteryx lineup are definitely cut trimmer than the snowsports-specific jackets so this could be a good solution for you.

The fabric will soften somewhat with wearing and washing, and will conform better when it breaks in.

You should go for Miro Blue! Black is so...colorless!

Its pretty bright, but not offensively so. The picture of the guy wearing it in the guru photos is a more true representation of the colour then the product photo is.

eVent and Gore-Tex are actually the same polymer. Basically, expanded poly tetra fluoride. -(CF4)- This polymer is not air permeable at all. (How would it be wind proof, if it was air permeable?) By itself, the material is very breathable, it allows, H20 to pass though, but only in gaseous form. The problem with the polymer is that it is easily clogged by salts form your sweat. Gore solved the problem 30 years ago by coating the inside with PU (poly urethane) which significantly reduces the MVTR. eVent recently solved the problem in another fashion which doesnt reduce the MVTR. And thus it is more breathable. I'm guessing that's why it needs to be washed more.

Durability only comes from the outside layer of woven nylon. This can be seen as the N rating, 580N, 380 N, etc. (Cordura is 1000N).

Unfortunately, I have no experience with eVent. Does anyone know, can you run in an eVent shell?

I have an eVent jacket and I definitely prefer it over Gore-Tex shells in warmer weather because it is noticeably more breathable than any Gore-Tex shell that I have. The one thing I definitely notice with the eVent though is that for cold weather activities you might need to use either an extra layer or a heavier layer underneath the shell as compared to Gore-Tex because heat isn't trapped as well - it's a trade-off for the more breathable fabric.

From researching on-line, I have seen some references to eVent not being as durable as Gore-Tex, and I've also seen references indicating that it has to be washed more frequently than gore-tex to maintain its breathability and waterproofness. I suspect that the durability of the shell has more to do with the manufacturer than the eVent. My own personal take: for cold weather activities I like Gore-Tex; for warm weather, I like eVent.

If you are shopping around, you might want to consider jackets made with Schoeller's c_change material too - it seems to be the real deal, and a good compromise between Gore-Tex and eVent. Look at the Cloudveil Koven Plus, or some jackets by Mammut.

as others suggest in the reviews, goretex does not actually breathe that well. it is waterproof, but event is far more breathable. event actually allows air to pass through, air permeable. other water proof breathable laminates are not air permeable, or compare in moisture vapor transfer rate (MVTR)

only describing the face fabric. the 480 is heavier, tougher, and stiffer. the 320 is lighter, less stiff (but still crinkly and noisy), and less durable.

in practical use, if the end use is skiing trees, ice climbing, or alpine climbing the heavier fabric is better to take the use, and abuse of abrasion, snagging, and tree impact.

if the end use is more touring, used as wet weather only and a softshell is primary shell, hiking, backpacking, the lighter weight material, better packability, is more appropriate

not really, they revamped the thickness of the material near the zipper so it doesnt snag as much but other than that tis the same. i have the 08-09 and it is wonderful. friend has the newer one and no real difference in the actual materials other than that one feature. both are equally powerful at doing their job and are composed the same way.

I am 5'9'' and 165 lbs. I have the medium but I layer with a thick fleece or down sweater. If you plan on using one or two thin layers I would go with the small. My only hesitation would be on limiting yourself on how much you can layer in very cold weather. Hope this helps!

If you like a trim fit, and don't need thick fleece under, you can wear a Small in the Alpha SV, and still have room for layers. I'm 5'11,175 and a Medium fits me perfectly. The Arc'teryx cuts aren't based on which fabric is used, but which family it lives in, Ascent (climbing-more trim) or Whiteline (ski/board-more full cuts), this is an Ascent jacket. Enjoy!

Got a medium candy apple red and it fits like a glove. Thanks for the help fellas!

Hey I am your exact size and I have the Medium. It fits great and like cash and brandon said there is room to layer. If you went with the small there would not be enough room to wear a fleece under it. Go with the medium. Hope this helps!

I am 5'8" and 165lb. My chest is 40". I wear a medium and have enough room to put a softshell or 200 fleece underneath. It all depends on your chest size. Keep in mind that if you go with small, the jacket will be a little shorter too, and for your height, that would not give you enough coverage on your behind.

The fit on the alpha sv is loose, but would not be considered baggy. It actually fits the body very well despite the fact that it has room for layering. I don't have a super muscular build, but when I wear it, it does make it seem like I do!

I have tried on the small in the alpha, and it's definitely tighter, but not practical for layering.

In general, you do want some room to layer under a shell, because it's not going to keep you warm.

Dizzle, go medium. It will fit you perfectly, and have room for some layering, too.

I'm 6'4, 180, tall and lanky and have the Large in the Beta AR and it fits slightly baggy. From what I remember, this tends to be a tighter cut because its a more specific use. I'd say if you wanted to layer anything, the medium would be good, but you might be able to get away with the small as well.

Check the other stats in the sizing chart above-If you need a more full cut coat,you could also check the Arc'teryx Theta SV or AR.

I went for the SV because you never know what situation you will find yourself in and in my eyes tougher is better and worth the extra money!

The extra cost of the Arc'teryx Alpha SV is due to the face fabric. The SV uses a super durable face fabric that holds up to a ridiculous amount of abuse. The Alpha LT uses a lighter face fabric, that, while not as tough as the SV, is more durable than any other jacket for the weight. Buy the one that will fit your needs- if you're planning on wearing it daily, for years, go SV. I have the LT because I usually wear softshell jackets, and only pull out the gore-tex when it's really nasty.

What are you using it for?

I actually had the same problem sometimes when I bought this jacket. But, after owning it for a few months, the problem has slowly gone away. Some days were better than others but everything is fine now for me.

Thanks for the info. I don't think it has to do with hanging it a certain way because it doesn't affect how puffy the material is by the chin guard. If there is excess material (by like 2-3 centimeters) it will get too close to the zip. So unless you pull the zipper at a certain angle, it gets caught.

I guess I just got two poorly made jackets.

Elejaces switched the jackets. The Theta AR is more athletically cut than the Alpha SV. The Alpha has a longer collar. The Theta has a longer tail. Easy mistake.

The Alpha is definetly cut more "athletically" than the Theta, but they are definetely not snug, there is room to layer. The Theta has a collared neck, the alpha does not, so it depends on your preference. Finally, the Alpha is designed to be used with a harness, so the pocket placement is a bit different and it also covers your butt a bit more. I have a slight preference for the Alpha. I'd say the Alpha is about 1/2 to 1 inch longer on the back.
I hope this helps.

THIS IS NOT AN INSULATED SHELL! It is strictly a shell and designed to layer under it.

The SV is somewhat thicker weight material and thus designed for more severe (SV) conditions. The LT is made for lightweight enthusiasts, though still quite tuff (I have one). THe length should be similar between the too. Both the SV and LT are strictly hardshells with no insulation (though they stop cold wind like noneother). The fission is insulated.

The Arc'teryx Alpha SV is a superb all-year jacket. The breathability difference between the AR and LT version is minimal, and almost un-noticeable. For a jacket you want to use hard for years, the Alpha SV can't be beat.

The Arc'teryx Alpha SV titanium is the same color all over, no shading differences.

GO MEDIUM!!!

Write your answer here...Im 5ft 6ins I wear i70 lbs my chest size is about 33 and a half can I purchase a extra small

Buy a medium in the Arc'teryx Alpha SV jacket. This jacket is cut for climbing hence, the sleeves are cut longer than any other brands. It also has gusseted underarms so the hems don't creep up your arm, nor the hem up your waist. I have your same measurements and the Med. is perfect.

gear member said he weighed, 150lbs and was 5'6'' he wore a large and could do a layer or two, he suggested I go with a large, after check Arc's.com website's sizing charts I will happily buy the large;)

Looking forward to an epic '09/'10 year. I'll be spending the first half in Vail, CO, and the second half/first part of '10 in Costa Rica baby!

Be careful. Most companies don't put a waterproof pocket in because that would hinder the breathability. With it so close to your body your perspiration will drive the moisture right through a breathable material, so you'd have to have something much less porous like rubber, with wouldn't lend to a very breathable upper torso section. Your perspiration will get onto anything cold in that pocket. As long as the dewpoint is lower than your body temp, which it will be. The plastic bag idea will work, just make sure it is air tight and it will certainly be water tight also.

Never trust a "waterproof" zipper!!! They are weather resistant but do leak during extensive rain. I'd use a ziplock plastic cover for any electronics if there's a chance of rain.

I always put my wallet and cell phone in a little zip lock bag in the pocket if I think there is a chance of them getting wet. Has not failed me yet!

The inside pockets arent waterproof on this jacket, but im sure the pocket on the left sleeve would be perfect for an iphone. it will be it dry for sure because its surrounded by gore-tex and has a waterproof zipper on it.

thanks Bee Cee

Go with a large for sure.

ok thanks Michael.. another question above :) Oh and by the way i'm more like 174 pounds.. I rounded up because i usually use kgs here :D

I've had this jacket since 2004 and when I'm skiing in it I just roll the hood away and cinch the draw cords around the hood to create a nice seal around my neck to keep the warmth in and the snow out - so yes you can is I think the answer to your question. (However when I'm hiking in the jacket I just let the hood sit flat as I don't need such a good seal.)

Ive had this jacket for quite some time and i just tried to roll it up to see how it works and its kind of uncomfortable. but, it is possible to roll it up and kind of tuck in into the jacket, but comfort-wise, i wouldn't recommend it.

My jacket is made in Canada and the quality looks the same as the China made ones. But honestly the Gore-Tex material has probobly been made in China for a while.

Just to clarify, this is Canadian built. Arc'teryx has factories in many countries, and it's mostly based on where the textiles are manufactured, and which factories can attain the quality that Arc'teryx requires. They are still making many products in Canada (and will continue to do so), but realistically, there is absolutely no difference in quality based on country of manufacture (the warranty return rates have remained below 1%).The perception that Chinese built always equals low quality is naive.

My jacket says "Made in Canada" and I just bought it this month.

I'm no expert, but I just read an article about the company in a german outdoor magazine. Arc'teryx does have manifacturing in China, but they've tried to minimise the work done outside of Kanada to simpler, easier production steps. The complicated, important-to-quality work is still done in Kanada. Also, the factories in china that handle Arc'teryx products don't work for anybody else, as to keep thier industry secrets safer. I suppose that would insure a relatively higher level of quality too.

No more Arceryx for me.if they outsource i might as well by one of the other made in some where in Asia brands.
I bought Arcteryx for quality but also because they where made in Canada.
Since it was made in Canada it justified the high price.but if they outsource and do not lower the price the whole company is a joke to me

Everything is made in China now. By the looks of my Canadian built jacket next to a current China built jacket I wouldn't be concerned the build quality looks exactly the same.

All Arc'teryx garments will be made in China from here on out. It is a factory that Arc'teryx OWNS and operates to the same standards as Vancouver, they have decided to dedicate Vancouver to the AC^2 line, Bora line of packs, with very limited, if any clothing manufacture. I wouldn't fault the Bird for it, the price isn't because it's Canadian, it's because to make a coat like this it requires a lot of money in both materials and in the quality of work to make one last a lifetime.

Mine says made in Canada to.
I was wondering if they have started to make them in China as from now

The last Alpha SV I saw on a display rack in a store said "Made in Canada" on it. It was a current, Pro-Shell jacket.

The test results I've seen on eVent vs. gore pro-shell show that the breathablility on eVent is better initially, but since it doesn't have a protective layer on the membrane, regular use reduces this to lower levels pretty quickly. Also, vapor transfer is really the important thing to pay attention to. (breathability=air moving through the membrane; vapor transfer=sweat dissipating and moving through)Gore has better vapor transfer. Dont forget to take face fabric into account as that's your first level of protection.

event is totally waterproof and super extremely breathable, way more than gore tex (i want to say like 200 times more breathable, but i forgot the exact number)...its ultralight, and probably the only bad thing is that its paper thin and is not very durable, thats where Gore-Tex Pro shell excells, its bombproof, super durable

Gore-tex IS Teflon. Or rather, polytetrafluoroethylene. Which is the chemical name for Teflon. So ya, there's "teflon," but it's a laminate (a sheet) and not a coating (sprayed or applied on). Other than that, there's the DWR applied to the outside, and eventually, that WILL need to be refreshed. Arc'teryx does well to use a pretty high quality DWR combined with high quality fabrics that have natural water resistance due to the tightness of their weave.

FYI, the Beta LT is a completely BADASS jacket, being almost as strong as the hardiest fabric in the Alpha, but weighing WAY less. 320N pro shell is the best overall fabric in the line, and is also in evidence on the Alpha LT. 3 layer protection for less than an OUNCE more than the Alpha SL (paclite). AND pitzips...

The Beta LT is lighter and has a less durable exterior fabric than the Alpha SV. Also, the Alpha SV has a fixed hood, while the hood on the Beta LT is stowable. The Alpha SV is longer than the Beta LT as well.

Also, how does this differ from the Beta LT? Both are Gore Tex Pro.

Go with a small.

The arc'teryx sizing chart is pretty accurate, I'd take some measurements and go from there. One thing to keep in mind is though arc'teryx is relatively true to size their line has an "athletic" fit, so it fits people on the slender side of the spectrum.

Large!

The Alpha SV is made in Canada.

The newer model with the Pro Shell has Micro Grid Backer, which supposedly increases the breathability and internal abrasion resistance. I have the last version made with XCR and i think its an amazing jacket. I used it for everything: snowboarding, skiing, hiking, biking, campus use, etc. And for some reason the description above says "Arc'teryx added Underarm zips for ventilation in mellow conditions, so you don't overheat while breaking trail in two feet of new snow", but my older model has Pit Zips that are huge, so i dont know why thats there. Personally, i would save the money and go with the older version, but if you want increase breathability go with the new version.

Yes from what I understand the pro is the best that you can get as far as water proof and the shell will be the company that the pro is on the top they sell. the performance is very good also I own one and really cant see why you would pay and extra 1-200, it is usually what they jumpbut think its all a marketing thing .-----------Gore-Tex Pro Shell is Gore's newest 3-ply version of their Gore membrane. The main thing that distiguishes it from other Gore products is the lining material. The "Gore-tex Performance" material has a Tricot third layer, similar to the no-see-um mesh on a quality tent. The ProShell has a much more durable and lighter weight material for used as it's third layer to give the jacket greater packability, lighter weight, less bulk when on, and more abrasion resistance from inside the jacket. There is no difference in breathability or waterproofness between the two however. Both Performance and ProShell use the exact same membrane (its essentially Gore-tex XCR). If you want more breathability, I would seriously look into an eVent shell. Westcomb shells have quality on par with ArcTeryx and in some cases surpasses it. When eVent is utilized and produced correctly (Westcomb has patented processes to create similar durability using eVent as comparable Gore-tex jackets) you will get similar durability performance, but 30-200 times more breathability (this is according to Army tests performed on gore-tex and event materials). The question is do you want to sweat or not while wearing your $600 shell? This is incredibly significant.

James Jones,Arc'terx is my favorite jacket line. So Alpha Theta decision time besides the length.Both jackets are made of the same material and will give you the same level of protection. Other key features they both have is helmet compatible hoods and pit zippers. Alpha: pocket on left bicep, 2 internal pockets, 2 chest pockets, Laminated quick dry chin guard,Theta: stowable hood, 1 internal pocket, 2 chest pockets + 2 hand pockets, Based off your size and weight I would recommend a L (I am not that confident with my sizing suggestion YMMV). My friend is 6"1 165" and can fit a small around his torso but needs at least a medium for the sleeve length. Do you know your suit size? or chest size? Do you know your ape index? Mahalo, Sumo

Im not sure about the length compared to the Sidewinder AR but i do know that the Alpha SV is longer in the back. This jacket has the "Drop Back Hem" which obviously dropped further down than the front of the jacket. its a pretty sweet addition in my opinion.

better fabric, construction and design. It's a shell, and as such doesn't offer much warmth by itself but with appropriate layers you will be comfortable.It blocks 100 percent of wind, which is essential for cutting out cold drafts.

I think that a medium should work fine for you. I'm 6" 190lbs. and a large gives me enough room to layer comfortably. The key thing with this jacket is the arm length, you want to have a little extra room so that when you start adding layers it does not restrict your movement.

The drop back hem really does cover your rear pretty well. The SV is longer than models like the Beta AR, but not quite as long as the Theta AR. The front is near beltbuckle length, if not maybe an inch below. Kind of depends on your torso length.

The Theta has a collar "inside" the hood, so it is tighter around the neck. The Alpha has plenty of room around the neck, but can be cinched down a bit.(by pulling the hood tight around the neck)

I found them to fit the same personally. I had the same problem, mainly in arm length so I upped to the XL and it works great!

The Alpha SV has what is termed a "storm hood". As far as I know, this means that the hood and body are all one continuous piece. I have the gamma mx hoody, which has a similar design. It can be zipped up all the way, but at times the hood will draw the chin area back (slightly irritating to the neck, but minor) if the hood is not over your head but instead hanging behind you. The Theta AR hood is attached to the neck of the body, but will 'drop back' and allow you to zip up the body of the jacket without the hood drawing the chin area back and against your neck/chin (if it is not in use). That's the best way I know to describe it. If you compare the photos you'll see the difference. As far as performance and functionality go, both are helmet compatible, neither is able to be rolled-away/stowed. Other than that, if anyone else has additional info - please add.

That's the great thing about the Alpha SV. Although it's one of the toughest jackets made, it's still relatively light due to materials and construction. It will pack down the same as a Theta AR, and weight difference in nominal.

Jenn, this jacket IS a shell, in that it doesn't have insulation built in to it. Warmth is attained by layering fleece under according to the level of warmth you need.

The Theta AR uses reinforcements on high wear areas, the Alpha SV is made using the more durable fabric, throughout. The cut on the Alpha is more trim and will stay flat in the front because the way the waist cinch is anchored. the Theta AR is a longer cut, and may be more versatile as an everyday jacket because of the fuller cut (still athletic)

Its going to be a hardcore jacket. I have the sidewinder SV and it stands up to some treatment. Sorry for the short response plane is leaving to Manis!The Alpha SV is made using some of the most abrasion resistant face fabrics, and the whole jacket uses this fabric, not just the high wear areas, so you can be sure it will hold up better than any other jacket out there. It will outlast the Solstice you had, and probably weighs about half. Not to mention the fit will be much less boxy.

i have the alpha sv in size XXL i am 6'3" and have a 46" chest,i also weigh 230 lbs there is loads of room in this jacket,i tried it before i bought to make sure i could get 3 or 4 layers underneath and theres no problem,hope this helps. ATB Neil

This is high-end. It doesn't get much better. This isn't exactly the "snowboarder" style, but it will function very well. Be careful though, this is a shell, not much for insulation. You will need under layers. Also, no powder skirt.I have an older model of this jacket that i used for all of my days snowboarding last season. Like mike said, its not "snowboarder" steezy style at all, but its great for keeping weather out no matter what. To layer, i wear a soft shell underneath and then some other things, so thats what i would recommend to you. it does have a waist adjustment that you could toy with into a make-shift powder skirt if need be, but ive never had the problem of powder going up this jacket.

"SV" stands for severe weather. The AR features one slanted chest zipper while the SV has 2 chest zips that are vertical on either side of the zipper. The "AR" stands for all-around. This features top fabric from the SV and bottom fabric from their LT jackets (lightweight). SV jackets are less for all activities like skiing and hiking and are more centralized around ascents,or ice climbing-uses really durable fabric.

The hemlock is a small foamy pad that fits around the waist of the jacket. It works by adding just enough bulk around the waist that it doesn't slide up through the harness. This works if the jacket fits you perfectly. If you have a long torso you may just want to go with a Theta SV, which is cut a little longer.

I own the Spring 08 model, and it is made in Canada. I have done climbing, mountaineering, and skiing (New England backcountry and Colorado in-bounds) with it. It is the best jacket I have used for all of these activities, including skiing. However, it isn't designed specifically for skiing, like the Sidewinder and others, so it doesn't have the ski-specific feature of a snowskirt. This isn't a problem if you get the Alpha SV bib, too. Lastly, it has plenty of room for layers, but those who aren't trim will find it a snug fit. Sizing up won't help much in this case. Hope this helps answer your question.