I've been looking at both this jacket (SV) and the Beta AR, and I can't decide which jacket will fit my frame the best. I'm looking for a jacket that goes slightly below the belt-line and will be roomy enough to comfortably fit one or two more layers underneath. I'm 5'6" weighing at 150lbs with a short torso. My chest is about 34" under the armpits and my torso (from where my typical belt-line is to where my neck starts) is roughly 47cm measured from the front. Again, I would like for the jacket to hit mid-butt and a bit below the belt-line.

The features on both jackets are roughly the same to me, and the price is not an issue as long as the jacket fits well. I would just like to know which jacket will fit my frame the best. Thanks!

I'm 5'7" and as I said, it hits mid-butt. For you, it will hit about 1" lower than my mid-butt. Based on your chest measurement, I would say to go with the medium. I have about 38-39" chest and layering a fleece and t-shirt would restrict motion around the chest/armpit area. You seem pretty slender, so you'll feel that there is quite a bit of room around your waist area. You'll need to cinch down the drawstrings to make it a tighter fit. However, the Alpha SV is cut pretty nicely so even if it's slightly bigger, it won't feel too bulky and cumbersome. Let me know how the medium fits.

I just took another measurement of my chest: 39". I must've measured it wrong the last time. Would the recommendation still be a small Alpha SV? Again, my upper body is rather short, so I don't want the jacket to fall too low. I would like to fit a shirt and a fleece underneath. Thanks.

I will third the SV because it will hit mid butt. I am 5'8" and it hits mid butt. I tried the Beta AR and it is above mid butt (by about an inch). Go for S. My chest is 38-39" and I fit medium. I can BARELY fit a S with just a t-shirt on. Armpits were a little tight. Given that your chest is 4" smaller, you should be able to fit at least a base layer + mid layer in there. Hope that helps.

Do you guys think I should go for a small or a medium? I'm leaning towards a small right now, but I wanted to make sure before I made a purchase.

I second Mike's suggestion-Alpha SV;

I think the sv will fit best.......