FarPointe Alpha Cruiser 90 gsm – disappointingly fragile

[Jeffrey H]

I picked up this alpha fleece from Far Pointe from https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/alpha-cruiser-by-farpointe-outdoor-gear?variant=43620978557115

I was aware that alpha is less durable than your average fleece. To me this is more like a paper shirt than a fleece. Is it almost magically light for how warm it is? Emphatic YES to that. I wore it arround the house and in town for about a week before taking a quick 10ish mile day hike in it this past Sunday.

Walked far enough off a ridge trail to pee and walked back – very little brush. By the time I got back and started hiking I noticed one big and two small pricks on the fleece. I didn’t bother showing the smaller pricks in these photos as they are harder to see.

Then I had to do a tiny amount of off trail travel in a forested area with minimal brush but some scraping and well…the photos speak for themselves. I can only imagine what a little velcro on a jacket could do to this stuff. Probably no more that a 1/4 of a mile off trail with minimal light scraping against brush. I am dumbfounded at how weak this material is.

Maybe I should have known better but I was not expecting this level of damage so easily or I would have never purchased this.

Is all alpha like this or is this a FarPoint issue? The particular fleece I got is made of the 90gsm.

Anyone know if there is a way to repair this stuff? It feels like the fibers are one long piece all connected so just trimming the loose threads feels like it will cause even more damage.

Thanks in advance

[Ryan Jordan]

It’s definitely a limitation of Polartec Alpha, nothing to do with any of the manufacturers that make Alpha garments. I have a Farpointe Duo, it’s my favorite active insulation layer for winter. It’s holding up pretty well under pack straps (I wear it often without a shell), but I wouldn’t bushwhack in it. The Velcro on my pants’ back pocket flaps catches it, and that’s where I’ve seen some damage. I *loathe* Velcro!

[Tim H]

Alpha Direct is most definitely not a stand-alone outer garment. I carried (and wore nearly daily) a Macpac Nitro 90gsm on my 1000+ PCT LASH last year, and always wore that either under a wind shirt while hiking or as an extra sleep layer. The sleeves snagged occasionally on the Velcro opening of my HMG pack, and I accidentally burned a dime-sized hole in the right sleeve, but otherwise is still in pretty good shape.

if you understand the limitations of this fabric, and treat it accordingly, it will serve you well.

[Scott Emmens]

That’s just the nature of the fabric, not a reflection on the manufacturer.

I have had a Macpac Nitro for about two years and it’s still looking good but it does get snagged if I’m not careful. This is a utilitarian piece for me so a couple of snags are just par for the course I believe.

 

[Jacob]

I have the rab alpha jacket and reading your post I was honestly surprised when I scrolled down and saw it was only snagged. I thought bushwacking would put baseball sized holes and tears in it. I’m scarred of tearing it just putting it on.

I wouldn’t cut the snagged threads out of fear it will unravel more. Maybe try knotting them into a neat pile in hopes it won’t snag on anything again? I dont have experience trying it.

[Marcus]

<p>This is predictable and normal for alpha.</p>

<p>Alpha is essentially a spider web with fluff woven in. No form of Alpha direct will tolerate any abuse. Prickly brush and hook side velcro are a sure way to destroy alpha in moments. Even grass, seeds, and twigs get easily tangled in the open weave. My alpha never touches anything but skin or a stuff sack when I can help it.</p>

<p>It should never be worn as an outer layer where it could possibly get snagged. (Even short jaunts off trail require an outer layer as you found)</p>

<p>This is common to all Alpha direct garments and has nothing to do with the brand.</p>

<p>Next time you go pee, wear a wind shell over the alpha. It’s about the worst possible fabric for bushwhacking or anything but clear trails without an outer layer.</p>

<p>Being careful is the price you pay for the best performing fleece available.</p>

[Jeffrey H]

Sounds like I should have researched a lot more thoroughly. I watched several YouTube reviews and read several articles that mentioned it was more fragile than most fleece. However, fleece is normally one of the most durable fabrics so I just thought “slightly less durable than a very durable fabric” – not the case.

Anyway, to each his own. This is probably not for me since I impulsively jump off trail somewhat frequently and don’t want to have to think about taking it easy on my clothes. If anyone is interested in this one that’s clearly got a few picks DM me. It’s a larger and I wore it for a few days in town and one day hike like I said.

 

[Brett Peugh]

I have a Senchi Designs Lark 90g and a Far Point Duo.  Yeah, you have to watch it a bit but I have wearing both for about a year or so and will wear them around town and to work just by themselves.  I have had a few snags hear and there but it also maeks you more mindful of pointy things around you which is not a bad things with some of the fragile gear that we buy.

Some people are moving to Octa and I have got a piece of that in the last week and I would say that is slightly better at not being caught on things as the weave is tighter.

 

@Ryan, I also hate velcro and all of the things it snags on.

[Jeffrey H]

It’s a large

[Chris K]

Can anyone speak to the Patagonia Capilene Air?

It looks more durable, it comes with a lifetime warranty, it has perhaps better patterning, and for sure there is better availability.

[Chris]

FWIW, I have both. The capilene air has some excellent traits – it’s very comfy against the skin, stretchy, and has a nice balance of a little warmth with good breathability. It also doesn’t retain smell.

Pattern-wise, the two are pretty similar.

Durability is not the strong suit of either. I haven’t gotten any snags on the cap air, but it does show wear pretty quickly from pack rub. It may be a little less fragile than the alpha direct, but if you are looking for something more durable I’d jump to something like the capilene mid or thermal.

[Jeff McWilliams]

I think if you’re gonna impulsively jump off trail, you may be better served with something like the Patagonia Nano-Air Light or Arcteryx equivalent (Proton Lightweight? ).  You want that face fabric to protect the fluffy stuff from pokey/scratchy things.

[baja bob]

A $20 3 oz windshirt off Amazon would probably solve your issue. If it’s cold enough for  an Alpha hoody throwing a windshirt shouldn’t be a problem. Bushwhacking has consequences. Or use something else and probably overheat.

[Bill Budney]

A $20 3 oz windshirt off Amazon would probably solve your issue. If it’s cold enough for an Alpha hoody throwing a windshirt shouldn’t be a problem. Bushwhacking has consequences. Or use something else and probably overheat.

+1

(Or maybe a woven shirt, such as Columbia Silver Ridge Lite. Works similarly to a $20 Dooy windshirt; possibly more versatile and/or better-fitting. Breathes well, slows moderate wind, and can withstand light bushwhacking.).

[nunatak]

After looking close at AD with the intent to MYOG a base/middle layer I realized that my trips are too rugged and my attitude towards my gear is too careless.

The fabric sat for a year before I saw a friend’s Yamatomichi Alpha Anorak, a pullover style wind shell lined with Alpha.

I found some scrap 10d ripstop and made a 7oz clone of the Yamatomichi; and this has turned out to be a super useful  garment for my style of backpacking in the above freezing seasons. It’s warm enough for camp wear, cool enough to hike in when sun hoody and base layer doesn’t cut it and makes a decent pillow. It meshes with my tried and true layers, which I otherwise would have to abandon just to buy into the Alpha hype.

For me a winner, something I’m sure a straight up Alpha layer wouldn’t be.

View post on imgur.com

 

 

[HkNewman]

The stuff is known to be fluffy and delicate.  Great performance though for a little more than an oz, I could get a bit more robust Polartec Power Grid and maybe more packable.

windshirt

AD is perfect with a Montbell Tachyon windjacket (full zip, hand pockets, hood .. a little more than 2 oz).

[Adam Klags]

Wow that is a really sweet garment you made there, would love to have you make me something similar/the same but with zip pockets instead of bucket pockets… any chance you’d want to do that? :)

[nunatak]

Can we discuss it via email? Go to my site and use the contact form: nunatakusa.com

[Brett Peugh]

I like the idea of using a sun shirt instead of a windshirt and have been using mine more like that.

If you put a MH Air Mesh over the AD you get some protection from snags and wind and the combo becomes a reactor of warmth.  I think my XXL hooded AD Duo and XXL Hooded Air Mesh weigh 12.5 oz

[Richard N]

Ultralight Buffalo shirt in the making…

[Author]

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