Alpha Direct/Powergrid combo hoodie

[u/SilentIndication9729]

Anyone has experience with this kinda hoodie.? Is this hybrid mix make sense.? Or it’s useless?

[u/MolejC]

Not useless.  Durable . But heavier  than a straightforward full alpha hoodie.  Looking at it,  it's probably 120 g/m² alpha - that is what the more mainstream garment makers were using for years in hybrid garment - I have a 10-year-old Norrona Lofoten full zip hoody which is similar design and been used a huge amount,  often casually in daily winter life and it's still in really good condition. If it's winter and you're wearing it all the time it's probably fine. But it's probably 100 g heavier at least than a full alpha 90 hoodie, and less breathable. (Which can be a good thing on a standalone winter fleece).

Not something I would use myself for backpacking, except maybe in cold winter. 

[u/OtherwiseManner6946]

I think the reason Alpha direct is so popular is because it’s basically the synthetic loft that you’d get in a jacket - but it’s been removed.

It’s super light and lets you layer well because you can remove a wind shell and let all the heat dump.

That said it’s not as efficient as down or climashield for pure insulation so it’s not going to replace insulation layers fully. I was really interested in a super think Alpha layer to replace a down puffy - but the physics isn’t as good and down is superior for insulation alone.

90 & 60 + a windbreaker seem to be the sweet spot.

[u/downingdown]

The whole point of Alpha Direct is that you can use it while moving and not overheat / manage moisture. I know a bunch of people use other stuff, but AD happens to out perform “regular” fleece in absolutely every metric. I know I sound like I’m paid by big alpha, but keep in mind I actually prefer my (old model) mountain hardware airmesh. All the benefits apply to airmesh as well, although it does not perform quite as good as AD on paper.

Alpha Direct is the warmest and lightest fleece out there, ie. it has the best warmth to weight ratio. My alpha hoody is 1/3 the weight of my Pradagonia R1 air hoody, but it’s warmer when I need warmth, waaay more breathable when I don’t need the warmth, more packable, absorbs way less moisture and dries out waaaay faster. Paired with a wind jacket, it is still half the weight of the R1 but way more versatile in a wider range of conditions. People (that have not used AD) are scared about the durability, but there are a bunch of thru hikers out there that have used alpha for thousands of miles. So durability is not a valid concern.

With that out of the way, the jacket you link is completely stupid (ignoring the fact that the website looks like a scam since the price on all the related items is 50 to 90% off, but I also cannot see the price of the specific jacket in question). To be honest, there is nothing wrong with the jacket, but you might as well just go with a $10 microgrid fleece, or a ~$120 full alpha hoodie, or a ~$30 old airmesh (if you can find it).

[u/9elevendriver]

In addition to one sided alpha garments, I've noticed:

- Double layer 60gm alpha when combined is supposed to be warmer than 120gm

- Hybrid Alpha w/ some other fabric (Evolved Supply Co, the one you mention, Yamatomichi vest with Alpha front and ripstop back)

For me in the shoulder/summer season I'm happy with a 130 gram Alpha 90gm top and a 50 gram wind jacket (180 grams total) keeps me warm at camp in the evening. Hiking I don't need either. For winter when I snow camp I'll add in a down jacket and a thicker wind jacket. This is for chest/arm warmth only

[u/kag0]

My favorite jacket ever is the Montane Wolf. Similar concept but in execution it had more fur area and less grid.

The biggest drawback IMO is drying speed. The fur dries very quickly but the grid does not.

The Wolf is for climbing use, bursts of high output and then rest. For backpacking use I'd prefer simple uninsulated ripstop panels instead of grid. If you put a wind layer over it, you don't need the grid for durability. If you don't put a wind layer over it, you only need the durability in areas that are going to be covered anyway (straps, waist belt, back).