Arc'teryx Alpha Comp Hoody - Men's

Bought this product for skiing throughout the season and it delivered. Used it on warm Tahoe 30 degree days to cold high teen Colorado days. You have to layer appropriately, but this jacket rocks. It's well cut to the body, super light and sheds water and snow. Makes me an Arc 'teryx fan.

This jacket has the best of both worlds! The softshell parts are for comfort and mobility, and the hardshell parts are essential for water- and wind-proofing. This is the lightest shell I have ever owned. The cut in the large is perfect for my 6 foot, 200 pound frame. If you are taller than average this jacket is for you because it is long enough in the back to accommodate for that.

this shell is amazing. light weight and cut perfectly making mobility effortless. long in the back where it needs to be. storm hood rules and has plenty of room for my helmet. great shell with immaculate wind-and waterproofing.

I have used this jacket in many environments and activities. Like all Arc’teryx jackets, this one is beautifully made and the fit is trim and athletic. This jacket is a hybrid so it is part hardshell and part softshell. The jacket has no problem with snow and light rain. It can stand up to medium to heavy rain for shorter durations. The jacket provides good stretch characteristics and is highly breathable which also means it is less wind resistant. Please note that this jacket is intended for active outdoor enthusiasts. If you are sitting idle in colder windy conditions, you will lose heat due to the highly breathable nature of this jacket. However, due to this same highly breathable nature, it is great for all high output activities. The jacket appears to be very durable. I love this jacket but I would not recommend it for around town use.

I have had this jacket for about a year now. I have used it in many environments and activities. Like all Arc’teryx jackets, this one is beautifully made and the fit is terrific. The cut is trim and athletic. I am 6’0”, 185lbs with a medium build and the large fits perfectly. In regards to layering, there is enough room for my Patagonia R2 underneath the jacket, but not much else. For more layering options, you may want to consider the next size up. Please note that this jacket is intended for active outdoor enthusiasts. It is made with a PTFE shell (Gore-Tex) on the shoulders, arms and on the lower portion of the jacket and a softshell fabric called Tweave Durastretch used throughout the center of the torso front and back. The PTFE is obviously waterproof and the Tweave is coated with DWR for a fairly water resistant finish. The jacket has no problem with snow and light rain. It can stand up to medium to heavy rain for short durations. The Tweave provides good stretch characteristics and is highly breathable which also means it is less wind resistant. If you are sitting idle in colder windy conditions, you will lose heat due to the highly breathable nature of this jacket. Since it has no insulation (shell only) is does not generate warmth for the user. However, due to its highly breathable nature, it is great for all high output activities. If you generate heat while active, this shell breaths and releases the heat to maintain a comfortable body temp. I can assure you that no direct venting, core vents or pit zips, are required. The jacket appears to be very durable. I love this jacket but I would not recommend it for around town use. In that application, the comfort zone is somewhat limited.

I wish I had the hoody but the non is ok too. the outer top fabric has been so nice for blocking rain and snow. The bottom is a really nice breathable fabric which makes this great for ski touring and hiking. low key pockets, no weird sizing, its basically two jackets in 1! I like how this doesn't have as much lining as say the gamma which gives it a good comfortable fit, rather then cutting off the circulation in your arms.

I've had this jacket for about a year now and have used it for skiing, hiking, snow camping/mountaineering, and just wearing around town. Top notch design and workmanship. It is a great lightweight jacket and the fit is great - it moves with you and allows some room for layering, but not a lot of excess material to get in the way. I have found it to be reasonably water resistant, but not waterproof. A couple hours in the rain and you will be wet inside. Also, with the softshell panels, it is not as windproof as a hard shell, but the breathability is great. I have never felt that it needed pit zips, for example.

I've had this jacket for about a year now and have used it for skiing, hiking, snow camping/mountaineering, and just wearing around town. Top notch design and workmanship. It is a great lightweight jacket and the fit is great - it moves with you and allows some room for layering, but not a lot of excess material to get in the way. I have found it to be reasonably water resistant, but not waterproof. A couple hours in the rain and you will be wet inside. Also, with the softshell panels, it is not as windproof as a hard shell, but the breathability is great. I have never felt that it needed pit zips, for example.

I think this is the best designed and cut jacket that I have ever worn. I would suggest ordering a size larger if you plan to wear a lot of layers underneath. But, if you plan to just wear it as a regular rain jacket it fits like a glove. I really like the two Napoleon pockets and the way the hood pulls work. Overall, a great jacket that I use for fly fishing, skiing, or just walking to class.

awesome coat. Well made, huge hood, more than helmet compatible. Used it as a shell/layer for skiing, ice climbing, and general use. It breathes like mad and keeps the snow off while skinning, and repels water when the ice gets warm. I have yet to be dissapointed.

Neg: No core ventalation, specifically in the chest area, price Positive: walked 6 blocks in face-wind pooring rain and showed up dry (even my head due to the quality of the hood/pulls); my unprotected pants even "felt" drier because of the confidence this good looks jacket has. Good fit, I ordered a large and I'm a solid The North Face medium. Like the unexposed in the hand pocket pulls for the power skirt base hem.

This is a great minimal jacket. Unfortunately it is not enough protection for me and is actually heavier than I thought it would be. I really just wanted to comment on the great service. You made returning the jacket simple and fast. Thank you!!!

The pictures here don't do this jacket justice in the least. Not only is it beautifully made but it feels both sturdy and light. I originally purchased the Gammma MX hoody but returned it because it felt too flimsy. I got this instead and I'm glad I went through the trouble. FYI it has no insulation but you can layer stuff under it so that shouldn’t be an issue.

I have a dozen pieces of Arc'teryx gear. I've tried close to two dozen pieces. This piece is the most underrated I've ever tried and purchased. It is light, fits close to the body (not like the Descent line which is all baggy in the body) and has a wonderful mix of stretch material where needed, and Gore-Tex. I recommend everyone to get this shipped to your house to at least try it on. It is a 3 season jacket.

This is a great jacket, it keeps out moderate rain, and all snow. The only problem with it is the new zipper system. I have a Theta AR, and with that zipper, you can put it right under the sink and it will keep out water. With the new zipper on the Alpha Comp, it leaks quickly under the same situation.

This hybrid is amazing! I wanted the waterproof ability of a Gore-Tex without the bulkiness of actually wearing a large hardshell. Freedom of movement and the combination of a lightweight shell makes this the best jacket I ever owned. Even in a freezing downpour this jacket kept me dry and had the versatility of being able to be used as a softshell. I wear this over an Arc'teryx Gamma MX and Maverick. It's never bulky heavy and it doesn’t get in the way. It's just a perfect size over my fleece and softshell. The adjustments with the hood are second to none. I just love what Arc’teryx did with it. The welded seams, soft inner lining, waterproofing, adjustable hood, and light weight of this hybrid is everything I wanted rolled into one. This is easily the best product I have from Arc’teryx.

This softshell is great. It’s waterproof, and it has a snug fit and great flexibility. I can see why it's a best seller here. You gotta love the soft inner lining. Pretty expensive for a softshell but it’s worth it. My only gripe is that the color black is not really all black, but the two front pocket panels is like gray. That's just my style, oh well. Definitely a great waterproof softshell.

I have been searching for an all round rain jacket/mountain jacket that can take all the weather and then some. I have been impressed by the quality and mobility of the Alpha Comp hoody. I would like to add that this jacket is compressible, lightweight, and breathes better than even a Gore-Tex XCR lined jacket. It took some abuse in Scotland and will continue to do so across Europe. Thanks.

I have last year's model and this thing is awesome. Keeps out the chill w/ minimal layers underneath (Duofold and a 200wt fleece vest, booted toes will give out far before you're torso gets cold), and still breathes great (first time I didn't have to shed layers when hiking) I wore this thing last summer in 80 deg. 90% hum. raining and stayed far dryer than I would have ever done in a hard shell. I've stopped carrying around my full Gore-Tex when backpacking, keeps out the vast majority rain sogginess, prevents the vast majority of sweat sogginess, and saves two pounds.

A well thought-out jacket that you can leave on through VERY vigorous workouts, but don't forget a down sweater or vest to put on under it when you stop for lunch; it doesn't add much warmth at all. The hybrid approach is the solution to the one-shell ski touring dilemma.

The best ski touring jacket I have ever owned. It's light weight,repels water, and it breaths.

An extremely light jacket with great breathability. This jacket is superior to all hard shell jackets in any weather but persistent heavy rain. I have travelled in the Arctic summer and winter and my experience is that Gore-tex jackets do not work well in very cold weather. This softshell jacket is a much better choice when all is frozen solid. The tight and athletic fit is very nice but be careful not to buy it too small if you want to wear heavy fleece jackets inside.

Ok first things first, I own the non-hoodie version, as I always am wearing either a helmet or an OR nor'easter. Secondly this jacket rocks my socks off. Lighter than any other shell I've ever laid a finger on, and it packs down small too. After getting caught for about three hours in a downpour, I can honestly say this thing (with an obligatory coating of TX direct) sheds water better than a family of ducks. Eventually the Schoeller wets out but for pete's sake it was a full on Nebraska T-storm (a tornado touched down 15 miles southeast, no joke), and my torso was still mostly dry. Breatheability is absurd, I can wear this when it's 80F out and still be comfortable. As far as winter performance, can't say, just got it this may, but I look forward to great things. Definitely will need an insulating layer of some sort, but so does every other shell in existence so whatever. When I first got this, I thought durability might be a problem due to the ridiculously lightweight nylon that the PTFE is laminated to, but so far I've had no problems. I'm watching the elbows though, they seem particularly vulnerable as they are entirely unreinforced.

The combination of a softshell on the bottom and hardshell on the top is awesome. I have stood in the pouring rain with this jacket and remained dry even under the softshell. The jacket is so light weight and cut to the body so well you almost feel like you are wearing an old T-shirt. Superb mobility and unbeatable performance for such a simple shell!

The Alpha Comp Hoody has turned out to be the perfect jacket for touring and sunny days in the resort. Plenty dry and windproof enough, but so much lighter and more breathable than my Marmot Goretex. Gets lots of style comments too. Good suggestion by BackcountryStore.com!

I work with O.G.A. (Other Goverment Agencies), Due to this I can not tell you what I do. But the jobs are quite demanding on my gear. For this reason I need a store that can deliver with fast response and have the right gear. I have never had a store perform like the Back Country Store has with me. On top of this the customer service has been polite and with outstanding knowledge. I will continue to use the Back Country Store for my gear and gifts to friends.