The whole jacket is constructed from Arcteryx's own N100p-X nylon fabric, an upgrade from last year, improving the durability and overall making the jacket a lot more burly and abrasion resistant. The textile is tightly woven to give a flat, smooth face fabric that sheds water amazingly well, reducing the amount of re-proofing required. Combine this amazing fabric with Gore-Tex Pro and you get probably the best mountaineering jacket available today. Fully featured and virtually indestructible, the Alpha SV is a long term investment for serious end users who demand the best.
Sleek and stylish by design yet fully technical, it has been stripped to the bare essentials to reduce weight without compromising performance. Traditional bellows chest pockets sit high enough to avoid a climbing harness or pack belt, the hugely adjustable storm hood fits over any climbing helmet, yet can be cinched down with single handed cord adjusters. Adjusting the hood is simple and easy enough to adjust, even with the use of thick gloves or mittens. The ingenious HemLock inserts stop the jacket riding up when wearing a harness.
For 2016, Arcteryx have changed a few aspects of the jacket, one being the seams. Strategically placed 8mm tiny seam tape massively improves breathability for a start as moisture can't easily pass through tape, the less tape used without compromising durability, the more breathable the jacket becomes. On top of being more breathable, it also decreases pack size and weight.
WaterTight pit zips have been added to further increase breathability and ventilation, meaning in faster moving activities there are more options to keep cool.
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New updated and more durable N100p-X face fabric
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Micro 8mm seams to increase breathability, pack size and weight
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Anatomical shape
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Articulated patterning for unrestricted movement
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Articulated elbows
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Pit Zips for increased ventilation
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Fully helmet compatible Storm Hood with a laminated brim
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Cohaesive hood adjustments for ease of use with gloves or mittens
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Watertight external zips
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Drop back hem
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Sleeve poclet with wateright zip
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Internal security pocket and one dump pocket
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Adjustable cuffs
Care and maintenance
To keep your outdoor clothing and equipment in tip top condition and performing to its maximum we recommend the use of Nikwax products. We have been using Nikwax products since day one (26th March 1986) and have found them to be totally reliable, dependable and effective. Today’s Nikwax treatments contain environmentally friendly elastic water-repellent polymers that bond to fabric fibres, leaving the spaces between open and breathable. These stretchy polymers are able to stretch and move with the fabric so they stay put for longer and work better.
Nikwax treatments will not change the look or feel of the fabric and they are all water based, environmentally safe, non-flammable and contain no nasty Fluorocarbons. Nikwax products can be used to clean, re-proof and revitalise all your outdoor technical clothing and equipment.
Waterproof breathable clothing has a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish applied to the face fabric during the manufacturing process. The DWR forces water to bead up and roll off the surface therefore preventing the fabric from absorbing moisture. If the outside of your jacket is soaked in a layer of cold water, the warm damp air within can’t escape and will condense on the inside. This makes the jacket feel cold clammy and can make you think that it’s leaking. The DWR finish is not permanent and needs to be maintained and revitalised to optimise performance.
This three layer waterproof jacket should be cleaned regularly with Nikwax Tech Wash; I wash my jacket about once a month, or more often if it gets really filthy. Regular washing with Tech Wash will maintain the DWR for longer and remove salts and oils that can contaminate the fabric, and it will keep your lovely jacket clean and smelling fresh. Washing can be done in a machine according to the manufacturers care guidelines (on the internal label). First clean out any detergent and conditioner residue from the machine dispenser and then add the required amount of Tech Wash and away you go. Hand washing is also suitable but be sure to rinse the garment well.
When you notice that rain/water is no longer beading up and rolling off it’s time to re-proof. Nikwax TX Direct will re-instate a long lasting DWR to completely rejuvenate your jacket. Re-proofing can also be done in the machine once a garment has been washed. Just add the TX-Direct and use the same programme you used for washing. You can also use the spray-on product on a damp garment that has just been washed.
You wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and never have it serviced, so make sure you regularly wash and re-proof your quality kit.