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.

I expected this shirt to be similar to my MHW and REI power stretch (PS) zip t’s. The fit is baggier, more of a casual/relaxed fit rather than athletic. I usually wear size large but ended up exchanging it for a Medium which still fits looser than my PS shirts, especially in the sleeves. The material is also different. My PS shirts are 60% polyester and 30% nylon whereas this shirt is opposite. It does appear to have a heavier nylon face which should prove to be more durable and wind resistant, but also has less polyester fleece inside so it may not be as insulating. Overall quality looks great, the shirt is comfortable, and the fit is good after sizing down.