sorry, another request for alpha direct 60 hoodie recommendation.

[Phong D]

Sorry if this is old news to you guys, but I seemed to have missed the alpha direct train.  The last post I saw about this was a year ago, maybe there’s new developments?

I’m considering an alpha direct hoodie paired with my cheap knockoff houdini wind jacket.  I currently carry both a synthetic Torrid puffy and the houdini, but I rarely use the Torrid when on the move.  Its too hot for hiking and only gets used at night for sleeping and around camp.  If the combo of houdini and alpha direct 60 is as warm as a Torrid for sleeping I get the benefits of layers and more use during the daytime I think that’s a win for me.  Plus the alpha direct and torrid fulfill similar needs (moisture resistant warmth).

Anyway, what do you guys think?  Any recommendations?  I’ve seen Senchi Designs and that’s what I’m leaning towards at the moment.

This is the knock off houdini I currently use and will pair the hoodie with:

[baja bob]

Alpha 60 won’t replace a Torrid. Two different uses.  The warmth of Alpha 60 is not close to a Torrid.

[Terran Terran]

I have an Alpha 90 hoodie from Vado. Very nice over a mesh base layer. I can zip it up over my nose. It stretches and doesn’t irritate my face even with a bit of stubble. Inside a quilt, I don’t need an additional layer and it’s fairly warm.

I disagree with the versatility. At least not for me. I think Ryan mentioned in his article , as I found out, due to the delicacy, it becomes more of a mid layer. I’m rough on my stuff. I’ve had it less than a month and I’ve gotten 3 or 4 small snags. Not a deal breaker. It’s not fragile, I don’t fear it falling apart or ripping, it just snags. The last one was on my coat zipper. Compared to an old R1 hoodie which is a bit heavier, but more robust. It’s held up to everything except a Rottweiler pup that chewed a couple zippers.

I’d buy it again. If I was starting fresh, I like it a lot, I use it a lot, perhaps the most comfortable,  it fits in with my layering, it wouldn’t be my first choice.

 

[Thom]

Eddie Bauer super sevens fleece . $74.25 .

[Matthew / BPL]

I have two AD hoodies and one has elastic bound wrists and hem. The other one does not. I have found that I prefer wearing the one without the bound edges. It’s more comfortable because the seams lay flat without any thickness.

 

[Adrian Griffin]

I’m looking into getting an Alpha Direct layer. My main use would be as something to wear under my Torrid puffy. A bit of extra warmth for cold mornings and evenings in the Sierra and for winter hikes in the California Coast Ranges.

I wonder, though, if Alpha Direct is a good material for the hood part. A hood is an outer layer, so needs to be partially windproof. A better choice might be an AD crewneck, combined with a fleece balaclava or a beanie-buff combo. Any thoughts, anyone?

That said, Adventure Alan recently did a review of AD tops. Main takeaway is that zips are not needed because AD is so breathable and that the front handwarmer pocket is not much use because AD stretches easily.

He came up with a series of bests–best with zip, best with pocket, etc. But most of the manufacturers make them in all styles. One thing I noticed when I checked out crewnecks, is that they have different neck lines. Farpointe is a true crewneck, while High Tail is more a half-turtle and Senchi is a quarter turtle.

[Gumbo]

http://www.adventurealan.com/best-alpha-direct-hoodie

 

[Bill Budney]

I have a Senchi 90 gsm hoody and a Mountain Hardwear Airmesh Half Zip. The hoody is often too warm for hiking above freezing, especially with a shell. I would prefer a full zipper, and insist on at least a half zip to dump heat. (Yes, it helps, even with AD/Airmesh’s excellent air permeability).

The Airmesh is thinner, less warm (which is more comfortable over a wide range of temperatures), and has a harder finish on the outside which makes layering slightly easier. AD is grabby on both sides; can’t be helped without spoiling some of the magic.

I can wear both, without a shell, while hiking, below freezing. I usually wear a shell with one layer instead, for easier on/off and pockets.

EDIT: Regarding hoods, I use the hood on my wind shell more often than the AD hood. The AD hood is like a super-warm hat; it’s nice when you want that, but is overkill most of the time. Personally, I prefer a mock turtle neck with no hood (with an AD hat in my pocket), as Adrian suggests. The hat is more flexible than the hood.

 

[baja bob]

I disagree about not having a zip with a hoody. I find with the hoody bunched up around my neck tends to make my neck get hot and sweaty while no other part of torso or my arms will feel the same.

[Terran Terran]

I like the zipper. It does help to vent. Mostly I can adjust the height of my collar . I find the hood handy as well. (90GSM).   My neck’s warmer than with just a beanie. I don’t mind layering hoods. I don’t miss the kangaroo pockets too much. They’d probably stretch  and maybe not as warm as I’d like. Using it as a mid layer, they wouldn’t be too handy.

[Adrian Griffin]

While on the subject of Alpha Direct, does anyone know of a source for AD legwarmers? On cold evenings, I like legwarmers under my light, but flimsy, Body Wrapper pants (3.8 oz). I have a pair of fleece (Support Plus) and a pair of knitted (from Ali Express), but alas they’re heavy—5.3 and 5.1 oz respectively.

A couple of the vendors make AD camp pants, but I don’t need pants, just legwarmers. My trunk’s warm enough, it’s my legs that get cold, particularly around the knees. Any ideas?

[Darryl C]

I have a Senchi and Superior Hoodie – actually two Superior Hoodies.  I am an L/XL and the Senchi was simply too small.  Something to consider.  I also bought the Farpointe pants and their cut is fairly slim.  (I have skinny legs)  The Superior Hoodies have two types of hood designs  this does not seem to be mentioned in the Alan review.

[Phil B]

I’ve got a couple of Alpha hoodies.  One is from Beyond the Trailhead, who only make 90 and higher weight ones.  It’s great construction and does have a few snaps you can open up.  The BTG hoodies are definitely large size so if you are looking for a looser fit would work well.  The 90 weight is meant for cooler weather.

I also have a 60 weight from a Taiwan manufacturer Ursus.  I messaged them out of the blue to see if they would ship to the US and they do.  ursus-ul.com is their website.   The 60 weight one from them has 1/4 zipper which is rare for Alpha Direct garments.  They also have some more interesting products like a alpha vest and a full zip hoodie, which I haven’t really seen from anyone else.  I also got their pants.  Being an Asian manufacturer sizes are definitely on the small size, so you need to size up 1-2 sizes.

Also have the Kuiu Peloton 97 which kind of sits in between the two.  Also nice, sometimes it’s hard to choose.

[nunatak]

My friend at Melanzana gave me a prototype 180 g/m Alpha mid layer hoodie to ‘wear out asap’. It is tailored like their iconic grid fleece

This is not a versatile all year garment! It is so warm that I had to rethink my winter layering to give it the heavy use requested.

My daily workout skiing has turned out to be well suited for 180g/m Alpha: Rolling forest tracks and some big climbs with the dog starting before sunrise. Single digits and no wind is the norm.

I wear the Alpha with a thin base layer and a first gen Airshed, a very breathable shell. After a few minutes, around when my hands warm up but before my beard freezes, I have to get the Airshed off.  Just the Alpha and base layer is ideal even for the longer downhills at those low temps.

Without a shell sweating is not a clammy affair due to the extreme air permeability; and it adjusts really well to the rapidly changing types of exposure felt on my type of cold weather skiing.

This weight of Alpha is not fragile at all – a totally different beast. I have skied thru tight trees, carried firewood, and given it daily wear working without any visible issues. 60 g/m would be in shreds

[Terran Terran]

I put a mesh top over 90GSM Alpha. Still breathable and somewhat fire wood safe. Dog friendly. With the double layer, any wind getting through has to shift gears and make sharp turns before it gets to you. Not straight through like a single layer. I think as a single double layer garment, it would work well.

[Jeff McWilliams]

I’m with Darryl C.  I have a Superior Fleece alpha hoodie and I love it.  But also, any sort of fleece typically does not replace a synthetic puffy jacket like the EE Torrid.  Fleece are typically classified as “active insulation” whereas puffy jackets (either synthetic or down) are static insulation pieces.

 

[Brad W]

How does the Alpha fabric compare to the Patagonia R1 Air?

[Terran Terran]

I can compare an older R1 to Alpha 90.

They both have alternating thin rows of fleece and rows of just knitted fabric. The R1 is horizontal while the Alpha is vertical. Weight wise, the R1 is maybe twice as heavy. Not quite twice as warm. I’d give the edge to Alpha for warmth to weight. Trying to be careful, I’ve snagged the Alpha a couple times already in a months time. Nothing major. I may be over concerned since it’s new. Unlike the R1, I cover the Alpha out of concern. I feel the R1 is more versatile as a mid layer or an outer layer. It’s softer. If I had to pick one, I’d probably pick the R1. If I was a jogger or walked city trails, the Alpha might have an advantage.

The R1 cost more, unless you don’t mind awful neon colors that often go on sale. I’m rocking a neon green. It was half price.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

I think a Patagucci R1 Tech Face hoodie would be excellent for Phong’s use – IF of course he wants to pay teh Gucci price.

Personally I like the R2 Tech Face hoodie and expect it to arrive at my local REI tomorrow. I want it mainly for alpine skiing in cold and windy weather where it will be under my light down sweater and eVent parka. The hood can be worn under my ski helmetmand offers good neck protection too.

As well I will likely use it on cold days when trail riding my E-mountain bike, again, hood under a helmet.

Normally I don’t buy Patagucci as I have other products that fill my needs with equal quality. But when Patagonia gets it right the really get it right. i.e.,  R1 hoodie, Capaline base layers, Nano Puff jackets, etc., and oh, yeah, R2 Tech Face hoodie.

[HkNewman]

Senchi .. small

Just got my XL today in 90gsm AD and wearing it it seems pretty true to size.  Think they read the  reviews and may have adjusted new models.  Got the zip hoodie and need to put it on with the zipper open.  Once on I can zip it with no restrictions. The zip is why I chose it over a new Airmesh to replace my old one (visually Airmesh is pretty different from AD).

My old Airmesh is pretty good as the scoop hood is pretty loose, but it’s not pet proof.  A couple more arm holes by the Fidos and I’ll turn it into a Airmesh vest..

[Terran Terran]

**** dogs…

[Eric Blanche]

I have handled/made and also used the various versions including AD 60, 90, 120, 150, 190 (180?), and Alpha 100 w/o lining.

IMO, the most versatile, without a doubt, is the 60gsm version combined with outer layer. 120+ starts to add a bit of sweater like insulation warmth while still maintaining superior breathability. You will feel the air walking at a normal pace without wind with 60-120.

190gsm is very warm. No concerns with fragility. As Nunatak mentioned, a totally different beast. I would not use these as active use base layers but more for insulating base/mid layers.

I am a little biased but I would look into Vado Apparel at https://www.vadoapparel.com/ Very high quality workmanship, a hood/fit you won’t find elsewhere, and a unique selection of materials for the 1/3 zip and pants.

Terran Terran, sorry to see!

[Terran Terran]

The R1 never was a fashion statement. It had too many pockets anyway.

I have the 90GSM Vado 1/3 zip along with the pants. I agree with all comments about quality. I might have preferred the top without the elastic, but not a big deal. It has its advantages. The zipper on the back pocket seems small. It is nice. Almost a shame to cover it up. I’ve been wearing the mesh top over it this last week under varying conditions. Down in the single didgets. It does feel “sweater  like”. I’m happy with the combination.

 

[Terran Terran]

A couple vanity shots.

[Terran Terran]

[Author]

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