Thoughts on the Arcteryx Alpha SL

I’ve been hunting too. There was a recent BPL podcast on minimalist mountain shells that got me Started and leaning toward a less flexible (heavier D?) fabric.

The Alpha was on my list but I happened to chat with an Arcteryx rep who pointed me back to the Beta SL for backpacking. He said the Alpha is really cut for climbers, and pointed out the Beta has pit zips, more pockets and he really likes the liner fabric. It’s heavier and doesn’t have GTX Pro, so I see the appeal of the Alpha.

I’m also considering other brands but would probably pick the Beta SL if choosing between these two.

https://youtu.be/Pcm7vjo0wlM?is=x6K_rexyVb6hXOK2

That Alpha SL has an impressive [low] weight, but if you’re hiking in warmer temps, I’d go with the Beta SL, which will give you pit-zips and handwarmer pockets. The bi-directional zipper is really only good for wearing your climbing harness under the jacket. So unless you’re planning to wear a harness, I don’t think the bi-directional zipper on the front will mean much to you – especially if you’re wearing the hip/waist belt of your pack… Opening the lower/front zipper will just allow rain onto your lower abdomen…

The Beta SL on the other hand, has pit-zips which will allow some moisture to escape, while not letting rain in. I’m a fan of hand-warmer pockets too, which it has.

Anecdotally, I’ve tried the Beta SL on in-store, and I thought it felt “okay.” The cut is slim, which is OK for me, but the fabric felt kind of stiff.

I still prefer the Patagonia Granite-Crest jacket, as being one of the most comfortable ‘wearing’ rain jackets that I’ve tried recently. It’s a 3L construction, but with a very soft hand-feel. It weighs in at 400grams / 14.1 oz. which is only slightly heavier than the Beta-SL. It has a generous & roomy fit. I would say that it breathes well, and also allows for plenty of layering underneath for colder temps.

Mountain Hardwear’s “Cloud Cipher” jacket is particularly interesting to me. It’s very light for a 3L jacket with pit zips, and high-placed handwarmer pockets that should be easily accessible while wearing a pack’s hip belt. I haven’t had the opportunity to try this one on, but it is 25% off right now, and is roughly $100 less than the Arc’Teryx jackets FWIW.

There are some other options if 2.5L is permissible to you.

I’ll probably just get the beta SL. I have an REI gift card that will cover the price.

Just saw this article by Ryan https://backpackinglight.com/dispatches/rain-jackets-for-mountain-minimalism/ that includes the Alpha SL as “mountain rainwear”. My ideas behind why I was considering it align with his points.

Not a fan of the washed out pale green chartreuse color or the white.

No pit zips, no way.

I recently had my Alpha SV catastrophically delaminate after a mountain summit. After submitting a ton of requested photos and information about how I’d been caring for it (their detergent, their wash and dry specification, their DWR specification) Arcteryx “support” told me I hadn’t been properly caring for the garment and denied my warranty claim. It’s now my crap weather mountain biking jacket with the logo covered up and I bought a Montbell hard shell to replace it.

I relate all that to simply give you a data point for making an informed decision. I know they won’t be getting any more of my money.

Devin, I honestly have thought about moving away from the dead bird. It’s a good data point to consider.