Polartec Alpha KoolAid Thread

EM-Chiseller

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
I've seen Alpha tear at a stress point over a pocket, my old deviator has seen heavy daily use at work And on the hill with no signs of tearing inside its sheathing.
My alpha direct Norrona has amazed me with its durability so far again its had daily work wear aswell as on the hill and is going strong.
 
S

spiderbro

Hiker
Isn't the Alpha seconds that MillYardage offers Alpha Direct, though? (If that's what we're talking about)
It's style 4004, which is listed as "Alpha Direct" on Discovery Trekking Outfitters.
 
S

spiderbro

Hiker
I would assume they might just list every Alpha with similar description. But I don't even know if the style number refers to an exact product.
 
EM-Chiseller

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
Hiked with a lite pack,. Up. The stiff 1st section of Skiddaw this. Morning. Norrona raw and montane micro allez thingy as under layers beneath the montane Hydrogen .
-5 out of the wind... Strong winds on the tops... According to met office. - 14.
All. Worked very well. No complaints.. Aware my back was sweating a little. When the pack was removed... Never felt chilled.. Never felt over hot until the decent when the wind dropped between Skiddaw and little man.
Worked a treat. If it wasn't for the slow pace due to my bad back and swmbos knee, I dare say I'd have been comfortable with just the raw or the allez as a base...
Keep saying it... Baby Bears Porridge. ..
Just reyt 20190128_100743.jpg
 
G

Gneiss Boots

Trail Blazer
Mrs GB has beaten me to it! She is now the happy owner of an OR Ascendant Hoody. Wonderfully light and cosy, a good layer as well as inevitable use dashing to/from gym etc. While there seems to be quite a bit of Outdoor Research Alpha out there at the moment (is it end of season, new colours time?) I sadly could not justify it but have been impressed by its weight and pack size so am slowly being converted...
 
EM-Chiseller

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
Testing Alpha in high temps. ..
Hiking up towards the summit of. Dodd body tempreture 31deg before changing Into just the Norrona 60 .
150m of. Accent after, little to no breeze, 5kg (estimate) pack ... IMG_20190421_125153.jpg

At the summit, body tempreture 33deg, no more perspiration, than when I was just wearing a thin omni-freeze hot weather specific running shirt.
IMG_20190421_130520.jpg

Resting tempreture (laid. In the sun, gentle breeze) 37 deg. (that could be partially due to the watch being exposed )
 
oreocereus

oreocereus

Thru Hiker
Struggling to make my way through the marketing spec. I lost my 100wt quarter zip fleece the other day :( and my mother is meeting me in a few weeks coming from NZ, and it occurred to me i could ask her to pick up the macpac alpha top... but I’m not sure what makes it better than my former TNF quarter zip fleece that I picked up for a quid at a charity shop?
 
oreocereus

oreocereus

Thru Hiker
I would offer if I didn’t have to cycle them back from south of Marrakech ;) although maybe I’ll get the ferry from Bilbao.
 
Arne L.

Arne L.

Thru Hiker
oreocereus said:
Struggling to make my way through the marketing spec. I lost my 100wt quarter zip fleece the other day :( and my mother is meeting me in a few weeks coming from NZ, and it occurred to me i could ask her to pick up the macpac alpha top... but I’m not sure what makes it better than my former TNF quarter zip fleece that I picked up for a quid at a charity shop?
Click to expand...

I’ve used the exact same TNF 1/4 zip for over 5 years.

@craige wore his Norrona Alpha Raw on our CWT & raved about it. I had one at home but decided on taking my trusty old TNF.

In september I took my Norrona to the Pyrenees. It’s a lot warmer for the weight, is more packable and the fit is better; for me.

It vents very well since it’s very airy. If the wind picks up you’ll need a rain/windshell but I also needed that with my TNF.

I don’t think it’ll be as durable but Craig’s happy with his as it has seen more miles then mine.

It has definitely replaced my trusty TNF.
 
H

Hd8ekownio24ugh5

Thru Hiker
oreocereus said:
Struggling to make my way through the marketing spec. I lost my 100wt quarter zip fleece the other day :( and my mother is meeting me in a few weeks coming from NZ, and it occurred to me i could ask her to pick up the macpac alpha top... but I’m not sure what makes it better than my former TNF quarter zip fleece that I picked up for a quid at a charity shop?
Click to expand...
The Tnf being solid is far warmer for me, all the time.
 
Last edited:
oreocereus

oreocereus

Thru Hiker
So one report of warmer one report of cooler than regular 100wt fleece? Hah. Personally I don’t really want a warmer midlayer for most of my hiking, I tend to get pretty sweaty, and sometimes the 100wt is too much for active movement.
 
H

Hd8ekownio24ugh5

Thru Hiker
Also Macpac have two Alpha tops the Nitro and one in the clearance section which is much heavier that has the outer skin. You can make your own better version as I mentioned pairing with 60-70 CFM $20 fauxdini.
 
oreocereus

oreocereus

Thru Hiker
Lamont-Cranston said:
Also Macpac have two Alpha tops the Nitro and one in the clearance section which is much heavier that has the outer skin. You can make your own better version with the $20 fauxdini.
Click to expand...
Yeah looking at the nitro. Not into outshells on fleece. Loses the versatility, for my needs anyway.
 
Enzo

Enzo

Thru Hiker
I'd always pair an Alpha garment with a windproof if I actually wanted to be warm, advantage is if you do get hot or sweaty take the shell off and you'll dry in no time. Very versatile
 
EM-Chiseller

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
I've been cycling home the past couple of nights in my Rab alpha jacket... Yesterday I had nothing under, and a thin wind shirt over and then a reflective bib. Backpack was xpac and carried around 4kg.
Cycled hard, near freezing temps...
When I stopped, my back was soaked, but didn't feel it.
I took off the wind shirt, walked up the hill to the pub... Felt comfortable and warm enough.
At the pub, my back was still damp but dried very quickly stood at the bar.

Tonight, I wore a Brynje under the Rab.
No noticible difference in comfort level and just as sweaty.
Didn't feel the need to take the rab off once I was in the house.
I just rolled my sleeves up and got stuck in to doing the dishes.
By the time I'd finished...myback was bone dry as was the brynje....
 
Clare

Clare

Thru Hiker
Enzo said:
I'd always pair an Alpha garment with a windproof if I actually wanted to be warm, advantage is if you do get hot or sweaty take the shell off and you'll dry in no time. Very versatile
Click to expand...

Enzo and I teamed up to share shipping on Nitros. I have hardly taken mine off since it arrived. It's so light and I put a wind shirt on top when cycling. So far only used it for cycling and running. Bit hot for running after a while even though pretty cold out right now but it's so light and thin, I just tie it round my waist without feeling bulked up. Love it.
 
craige

craige

Thru Hiker
The norrona (for me) is definitely warmer under a shell, but without a shell, in no wind while walking is probably similar to 100wt fleece but it doesn't hold onto sweat as it's so breathable. I got a MH Kor preshell wind jacket to pair with it because it's super breathable and in strong wind I can feel it coming through. With a waterproof added it's an incredibly versatile system that will see me through pretty much anything I want to do.

I'd love a nitro though, as realistically that would probably be enough for me for 70% of my trips.
 
oreocereus

oreocereus

Thru Hiker
Mm ok thanks team. Might have a sip of the kool aid then..

@Chiseller i love my Brynje top. I was amazed how dry I stayed in 0-5c drizzly welsh weather when I used it last. Usually I don’t go out in the sort of weather that justifies it. I wish there were a more socially acceptable summer type level one. I suppose that’s similar to cycling tops..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top