Polartec Alpha KoolAid Thread

Gadget

Gadget

Thru Hiker
I've been using my Montane Allez, seems a good combo. I chuck on a MH Ghost Lite windshirt if things get chilly.
That's 209g for the Allez, 276g for the Flash and 85g for the Ghost Lite... 570g all in.
 
EM-Chiseller

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
slovhike said:
I think there`s a place for alpha but I am not sure how it`ll keep up with rucksack shoulder straps chew at it?
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My Marmot Isotherm has extra material in the form.of breathable softshell for wearing with a pack, and mesh inside for high heat areas .

gixer said:
So what baselayer goes well with this alpha stuff?

I've got a Rab Flash and it's proved to be warm and mega quick drying, but i've only worn it for normal day stuff so far, no hiking, running or cycling in it yet
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20190106_133746.jpg 20190106_140641.jpg
 
gixer

gixer

Thru Hiker
Gadget said:
I've been using my Montane Allez, seems a good combo. I chuck on a MH Ghost Lite windshirt if things get chilly.
That's 209g for the Allez, 276g for the Flash and 85g for the Ghost Lite... 570g all in.
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Have you ever tried the Rab Baseline top?

I'm wondering how the Allez compares cause i sweat like a yak in a sauna at 5c in just the Baseline

Chiseller said:
My Marmot Isotherm has extra material in the form.of breathable softshell for wearing with a pack, and mesh inside for high heat areas .



View attachment 15542 View attachment 15543
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Errrrrrrrrrr nope :wideyed:
 
craige

craige

Thru Hiker
gixer said:
Have you ever tried the Rab Baseline top?

I'm wondering how the Allez compares cause i sweat like a yak in a sauna at 5c in just the Baseline
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The baseline is much warmer. It's around twice the weight so you would expect it to be though. I don't have an Allez but have a haglofs LIM powerdry hoody with (I believe) the same fabric.
 
WilliamC

WilliamC

Thru Hiker
gixer said:
Have you ever tried the Rab Baseline top?

I'm wondering how the Allez compares cause i sweat like a yak in a sauna at 5c in just the Baseline
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The Allez is a thinner lighter top than the Baseline (I don't own an Allez but I have seen them in the flesh). The Rab AL is somewhere between the two, as I suspect it the newer Power Grid Pull-on.
 
Gadget

Gadget

Thru Hiker
gixer said:
Have you ever tried the Rab Baseline top?
I'm wondering how the Allez compares
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Sorry no experience of the Baseline, but the Allez uses POLARTEC® Power Grid™ and weighs in at 209g for my XL, compared to the Baseline that uses Polartec Power Dry and weighs in at 382g for the XL; so nearly double the weight.
 
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Enzo

Enzo

Thru Hiker
Imho alpha is leagues ahead warmth wise than grid. Disappointed to hear moles experiences with the rab alpha tops. I like the allez for sweat wicking and the way it works when warn under wet outers.
 
Robin

Robin

Moderator
Staff member
First impressions of the Paradox are good. Seems to be similar warmth to the Patagonia R1 but nicer feels against the skin. Sleeves are a little long. Won’t be able to test it properly until February.
 
Gadget

Gadget

Thru Hiker
Mole said:
Rab Alpha Flash.
...the non alpha stretch fabric parts really let it down. Not good when wet at lower temperatures. Wicks water up the sleeves from cuffs. Attracts sweat rather than passed it on like the Alpha. Takes 10+ times longer to dry than Alpha. I had to remove it in camp though the alpha parts were totally dry the stretch parts -sleeves especially were too damp to be comfortable when stopped. Powerdry or light grid fleece fabric would have been a far more useful choice (like the Rab Alpha Freak).

This was from under a functioning waterproof. The Alpha covered areas were drier/more comfortable than with a trad microfleece layer, the stretch parts far worse. Quite a discrepancy.
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I concur with Mole. Chucked them all in the washing machine (when the moggie starts to show uncalled for interest in your armpits, you know it's time). Dragging them out, after the spin, the Alpha Direct 120 panels on the Flash felt pretty much completely dry, but was let down by the unpleasantly damp stretch panels. The Power Grid™ on the Montane Allez was not as damp as the stretch panels on the Flash, and would have been tolerable to pull straight on.

Adds more impetus for me DIY'ing my own (as I don't see anyone selling a 100% Alpha Direct garment). Don't see any reason they need the stretch panels other than wear resistance, and for a slim fit (which I believe has more to do with fashion than function). I reckon I could make a couple of half zip tops from 3 yards of Alpha Direct90, to function as a either baselayer, or mid (or both together).

In addition to Discovery Trekking Outfitters, there is Mill Direct Textiles, but they only sell full rolls (their sister company MillYardage hasn't got it on their books ATM).
 
craige

craige

Thru Hiker
Yeah, the whole norrona Lofoten Alpha raw (needs a shorter name) dries very quickly. The power grid section dries a slightly slower but not to the point I'm disappointed in any way with it.
 
Mole

Mole

Thru Hiker
Gadget said:
I concur with Mole. Chucked them all in the washing machine (when the moggie starts to show uncalled for interest in your armpits, you know it's time). Dragging them out, after the spin, the Alpha Direct 120 panels on the Flash felt pretty much completely dry, but was let down by the unpleasantly damp stretch panels. The Power Grid™ on the Montane Allez was not as damp as the stretch panels on the Flash, and would have been tolerable to pull straight on.

Adds more impetus for me DIY'ing my own (as I don't see anyone selling a 100% Alpha Direct garment). Don't see any reason they need the stretch panels other than wear resistance, and for a slim fit (which I believe has more to do with fashion than function). I reckon I could make a couple of half zip tops from 3 yards of Alpha Direct90, to function as a either baselayer, or mid (or both together).

In addition to Discovery Trekking Outfitters, there is Mill Direct Textiles, but they only sell full rolls (their sister company MillYardage hasn't got it on their books ATM).
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If definitely ordering, pm me Paul?;)
 
Arne L.

Arne L.

Thru Hiker
craige said:
Yeah, the whole norrona Lofoten Alpha raw (needs a shorter name) dries very quickly. The power grid section dries a slightly slower but not to the point I'm disappointed in any way with it.
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I agree: the whole thing dries pretty fast.

It’s a amazing piece of clothing; wondering if it will be overkill on the CWT late april:D
 
EM-Chiseller

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
I still say my Deviator is the best Alpha garment in my arsenal....a great blend of alpha, and power grid... Works across a good spectrum of temps.
 
craige

craige

Thru Hiker
Arne L. said:
I agree: the whole thing dries pretty fast.

It’s a amazing piece of clothing; wondering if it will be overkill on the CWT late april:D
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I'm 90% sure I'll have mine. It's regulates well enough that it'll be fine imo. If we're forecast really warm weather I may take my haglofs LIM powerdry hoody instead but the chances of that are slim.
 
Gadget

Gadget

Thru Hiker
slovhike said:
Would be in for a yard of the fabric if ordering
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I shall look into it.
It's a bit galling paying retail $17/m (before shipping and import) when you see that Mill Direct sell 50m rolls wholesale for $4/m.
The fly in the ointment being they have a minimum order of $1000 !!
 
Gadget

Gadget

Thru Hiker
I just wanna check, @Mole sowed a seed of doubt.
You can't use Alpha as a plain fabric? Not strong enough on its own? Hence the development of Alpha Direct?
(as used in the Rab Flash and Freak)
 
WilliamC

WilliamC

Thru Hiker
From Polartec's website:
"Polartec® Alpha® Direct is an evolution of original Alpha® technology that eliminates the need for a backing fabric to create an enclosed fabric package."
So I think you need Alpha Direct.
 
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