Polartec Alpha durability

You and I have probably used our Stratas about the same. Not having it shoved in a pack is a plus, IMO, has the insulation isn't getting compressed.

The outer shell seems a lot more resistant to wear than most synthetic jackets, and that suggests to me it's been designed to use when wearing a pack on top.

How will the insulation hold up in that case? Good question. I suppose time will tell. In the meantime, I'm psyched to have something that is flexible enough to let me wear it on the move. It's what the market's been missing.

You hit the nail on the head Stuart, for me it replaces both a mid layer fleece and a booster synthetic.

In terms of breath ability and warmth ?
Is it any better than 200 wt fleece under a wind shirt ?

I think it's nearly as breathable as fleece and as warm or warmer as 300wt. The 80gm
Strata is about as warm as 40gm2 primaloft pieces I have had but far more breathable.

Hope that helps.

From which temperature-range you start to use it ?

I have only used it for day hikes and not
carrying a big pack so used it frpm about 8c, wearing a 12pack
I would guess -5c.

When you say Alpha is nearly as breathable as fleece, does this mean Alpha lets the wind blow through nearly as much as fleece too ?
Do you usually need a wind shirt with alpha ?

It's only a guess but I see that often Pertex Quantum/Microlight is used as a shelllayer, and I believe the more breathable versions of those have a cfm of 15 to 20.

I did not have to use a windshell over the Strata, but I don't recall
it was very windy any time (Maybe 15mph)

It really depends on what outer fabric is used.

Stephen, the Strata is listed as a "trim" fit, what's your opinion on that? I've tried on a Xenon before and felt more comfortable in a large, when I typically wear a medium in other jackets. I'm curious if the fit is similar between the Xenon and Strata.

Hi Chad,

I went for an XL and like the fit, room enough to put an R1 hoody underneath it but totally fine with a base layer also. I had a Xenon a couple of years ago but to be honest cannot remember what the fit was like

I normally wear Large in US brands such as Patagonia and Mountain Hardwear.

Stuart D (Lotuseater) who posted earlier has both if you want to Pm him about it.

Cheers,

Stephen

I tend to carry a windshirt when I'm out with the Strata, because it is more air permeable than most other synthetic jackets I've worn. And that's the secret of its success as a layer to be worn when moving. Unlike the Marmot DriClime shirt I have worn in the past, this doesn't get clammy. The windshirt only goes on when I stop, or in a really stiff breeze.

As for fit, I'd say it's true. At 5'9" / 180lb I wear the Large and it's comfortable. A similar fit to my Rab Demand. The Xenon I owned was XL, to layer over the Strata. But it had a lot of space underneath even when layering, so I believe the Xenon has a baggier fit.

Anyone have any comments on the durability of Alpha.

I’ve been wearing a Westcomb Tango for about a year and a half now as an outer shell for casual wear and as a mid layer in really cold/windy backcountry conditions and other than some pilling on the face fabric, it is holding up great. I started out with the Marmot alpha jacket (forgot the name) and the face fabric on that broke down really fast and the interior mesh snagged and puckered. The alpha seems to outlast the fabrics around it.

That’s great to hear it hold up well. I have only used mine for day excursions so far but plan to use it more for trips.

Been using a Strata a lot for over a year now.  Just as warm as day 1 in my subjective opinion.  I like it more the more I use it.

I am thinking the same Dave.

I have just over two years on a westcomb tango for skiing, hikeing and running and around town use in winter and it is still going strong though the face fabric is pilling. I’ve also washed it more then a few times as it does get smelly from use as an active layer and it doesn’t seem to have lost much if any warmth.

I tend to use it with a soft/wind shell but more for the flexibility of using the shell without it when active in windy conditions. For example last weekend on a day where the high was probably in the teens (F) we skied five thousand feet up/down a peak. I wore a cap 4 on the way up adding a softshell over it when it got windy then put the westcomb over both at the top and skied out to the car like that. I like this system a lot since it means I don’t have to strip down and expose myself to the wind to try and add a midlayer.

Its good to know the fill is durable (unlike other synthetics)

Synthetic insulation that is woven, is going to have more inherent structure and therefor be more durable than more loose synthetic insulation like primaloft.

It would be interesting to see a comparison of Alpha and Apex as far as durability/loft loss.  I suspect that Alpha is probably a bit more durable, but probably not by much.

I would like to try out an Apex parka at some stage.

Forgot to ask if any compression from pack straps.