My Marmot Isotherm has extra material in the form.of breathable softshell for wearing with a pack, and mesh inside for high heat areas .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?
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
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.
My Marmot Isotherm has extra material in the form.of breathable softshell for wearing with a pack, and mesh inside for high heat areas .
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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
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.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
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.Have you ever tried the Rab Baseline top?
I'm wondering how the Allez compares
I've found it surprising odour resistant, folk around me, may have a different opinion ?I’m going for counselling after those pictures
What’s Alpha like for smell resistance?
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.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.
If definitely ordering, pm me Paul?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).
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.
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
I shall look into it.Would be in for a yard of the fabric if ordering