Polartec Alpha KoolAid Thread

WilliamC

Thru Hiker
So one report of warmer one report of cooler than regular 100wt fleece?
I think the Nitro is 90g/sqm and the Norrona is 120, which might explain it.
I've read that alpha is twice as warm per weight as fleece and half as warm as primaloft. Don't know which variants.
 

oreocereus

Thru Hiker
It’s a shame the nitro doesn’t have a zip. Lose the pocket for a quarter zip and it’d likely weigh the same but be a better layering piece.
 

Balagan

Thru Hiker
it’s not stretchy so you need a bit of space but not baggy. I bought up a size and seems good.
This alpine team NZ review may have been posted but I'll link to it anyway. The author says he sized up too.

@oreocereus for what it's worth the lack of zip is not an issue on the Nitro.
Ooh! I heard someone say the same thing about the Rab pulse hoody. Believe you me, having a 1/4zip is always better. No matter how breathable. ;)
 

Enzo

Thru Hiker
I have the Rab zipped 120g cardigan, it's 240g without a hood, the nitro is 100g lighter with a hood and 3/4 as warm. I think for me that's a better proposition. Especially as warmth on the go, and according to Mole better in the rain as alpha doesn't soak up water like the fleece stretch panels on the Rab.
 
Ooh! I heard someone say the same thing about the Rab pulse hoody. Believe you me, having a 1/4zip is always better. ;)
"Believe you me"- I was waiting for the -"you young whippersnapper"!:woot:
And I concur with my tramper colleague 100 percent on the Rab Hoody!:thumbsup::happy:
 
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this week a friend said “what’s punk rock?” “Proof that I’m old” I replied.
I remember the song I just posted on 'Music' when it first aired on TV in 1976 like it was yesterday!
Alpha keeps me young.
Sorry for the punkish digression.
 
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Dr Zarkov

Section Hiker
Having owned a few Alpha garments just thought I would sing the praises of my most recent purchase. ME Switch vest. I was after an Alpha gilet without a hood, a pocket on the front for my vape stick and a breathable / non alpha back. Up step the Switch with its 40g Alpha front and Pontetorto Tecnopile back and side panels. Lord knows what Pontetorto Tecnopile is but on a recent 2 week trip to Scotland I did not get a sweaty back with a baselayer underneath. The front was only slightly warm (I run hot) and cut the wind enough for me to basically wear almost all the time. The collar was fine (non scratchy on the beard) and the pockets were big enough and did not snag. I even like the dark blue colour. For me 40g is just about right for anything down to 5 degrees or so. Past that I have my Hydrogen Direct Jacket and Alpha Fux for whenever.
 
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EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
Having owned a few Alpha garments just thought I would sing the praises of my most recent purchase. ME Switch vest. I was after an Alpha gilet without a hood, a pocket on the front for my vape stick and a breathable / non alpha back. Up step the Switch with its 40g Alpha front and Pontetorto Tecnopile back and side panels. Lord knows what Pontetorto Tecnopile is but on a recent 2 week trip to Scotland I did not get a sweaty back with a baselayer underneath. The front was only slightly warm (I run hot) and cut the wind enough for me to basically wear almost all the time. The collar was fine (non scratchy on the beard) and the pockets were big enough and did not snag. I even like the dark blue colour. For me 40g is just about right for anything down to 5 degrees or so. Past that I have my Hydrogen Direct Jacket and Alpha Fux for whenever.

Pontero tech is a rival for polartec grid.... There was a fair old legal battle went off over it a few years ago. Switch is nice, but it's just ME ripping off the OR deviator. Deviator wins. Imho of course :whistling:
 

benp1

Trail Blazer
Adidas terrex has something similar too. I have the previous primaloft version but the new one is polartec alpha on the front

I wear my alpha cycling gilet for commuting to work most days
 

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
@Lamont-Cranston negative degrees...bit of windchill could have been around - 3 Brynje net shirt + Nitro + windshell.... Comfortable, even when static at the summit :thumbsup:
I'll be buying another when I can justify the spend. Maybe post brexit the customs will go down.... Or up??? :eggonface:IMG_20191202_204453.jpg
 

benp1

Trail Blazer
Does the nitro have any stretch in it? I wonder if that's one of the reasons why the rab alpha flash has the stretchy panels in the side. I know they don't breath as well but they do make for a very comfortable fit, more so than many other tops i find
 

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
Does the nitro have any stretch in it? I wonder if that's one of the reasons why the rab alpha flash has the stretchy panels in the side. I know they don't breath as well but they do make for a very comfortable fit, more so than many other tops i find
Natural stretch (not a lot) due to the very open weave...
 
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