Hi.
Here is my impressions and review on arcteryx jackets and pants.
lets start with the old α LT.This was the first expensive rain jacket I have bought. I bought it back in 2012 as a gift to myself when i finished my 5year long academy I wanted to buy something good that could keep me dry in heavy rain during hiking and hunts. I did a lot of searching around before i decided on the LT. Back then alot of the products that still exists today had just been lunched but there was not a ton of long term reviews of garments on the internet. I talked to another mountaineer that had used arcteryx gear for a long time. Knowing that it was made from the same inner fabric. I decided to buy it.
This is back in 2012 , something special when walking days in rain. And when you get above the clouds the sun is shining.
If you want the short of it.
Pros
*Will keep you dry if you move in slow speeds during rain.
*Light weight.
*Packs small
*IMO great colors, Hiking and hunting, traveling, and local supermarket, Allowed at work.
*can take some abuse, but only from light gear.
*clean cut, does not Yell, HELLO LOOK AT ME I AM TACTICOOOL ( f ucing hate all this velcro shit and pockets everywhere. Clothing In work Yes, back and forth from the local bakery not so much)
Cons
*If you push it you will get wet from inside
*Inner fabric has a tendency to feel "wet" due to its absorption characteristics.
*Not especially easy to fix if you get a tear.
*noisy asf(not prefect for close stalk)
*abit finicky to get the fabric to be optimized, i.e. shed rain and breath.
*there are a lot stronger jackets out there. If you want a tank, This is not it.
Conc.
In my onionin. If you want a jacket that can do it all. There are a few that is on par with the alpha LT.
Clean cut, Clean colors, keep you dry in heavy rain. Packs small, works well with helmet if you need it.
Will you get wet if you move quickly during rain. Depending on outside temperature. Yes you will get wet.
In cold rain, 0-5c 30-40F, it will work. Even running.
However its not heavy weight, it will break after use. specially if you use a lot of heavy belts, chest rigs, winter gloves.
If you are going to use it only when it rains, and not like me spending so much time on gravel it will last a looong time.
In long
Lets assess damage and draw some conclusions after that.
The two most noticeable things is that the outer fabric have started to come loose from the inner. I noticed this early on at some places.
Specially on the elbows and around the neck. I suspect this is from prone shooting and backpacks.
The other is that the inner fabric have frayed and worn down or lose as well.
all other joints or welds are in somewhat good condition.
the waist strap "channel" have completely worn down. I think this is due to wearing a lot of belts. Always dragging and pushing the lower part of the jacket against heavy canvas pants.
the other is from gloves.
The cuffs inside of the jacket is starting fray, the velcro is still good. which is odd. I really thought that would be the first to breake.
the hood has also seen better days. The inner fabric starts to come loose and the welds are braking apart. However they are still holding together.
and the Dloop is missing.
On the outside, It is remarkable how good the seams on the outer fabric on these jackets are.
as well as the zippers. The only part is that you notice that the outer fabric has debonded from the inner.
okey. So the big question.
Does this jacket still work, not as a windbreaker but as a rain jacket?
Yes it actually does. So 3years ago when i recived my alpha gen2 this jacket got replaced.
however I'm a bit curious, How many 1000s of hours of use can it take before it just falls apart. 20years?
so I have kept using it sometimes every day, sometimes once a month during rain weather
I must say that i I'm impressed by arcteryx, this jacket is not free from flaws but its really good for what it is designed to do.
When i say i have used this jacket alot, I really mean alot. Its good. If you cant make up your mind i would say this.
If you are going to use it as a rain jacket during light hikes/hunts go for it. You will not be disappointed.
if you can live with all the pros and cons that comes with goretex. go for it.
If you are heavy user on gear, use carriers, heavy backpacks. climbing gear. This is not for you. There are better options for you.
Next up its bigger brother, Alpha Gen 2.
Here is my impressions and review on arcteryx jackets and pants.
lets start with the old α LT.This was the first expensive rain jacket I have bought. I bought it back in 2012 as a gift to myself when i finished my 5year long academy I wanted to buy something good that could keep me dry in heavy rain during hiking and hunts. I did a lot of searching around before i decided on the LT. Back then alot of the products that still exists today had just been lunched but there was not a ton of long term reviews of garments on the internet. I talked to another mountaineer that had used arcteryx gear for a long time. Knowing that it was made from the same inner fabric. I decided to buy it.
This is back in 2012 , something special when walking days in rain. And when you get above the clouds the sun is shining.
If you want the short of it.
Pros
*Will keep you dry if you move in slow speeds during rain.
*Light weight.
*Packs small
*IMO great colors, Hiking and hunting, traveling, and local supermarket, Allowed at work.
*can take some abuse, but only from light gear.
*clean cut, does not Yell, HELLO LOOK AT ME I AM TACTICOOOL ( f ucing hate all this velcro shit and pockets everywhere. Clothing In work Yes, back and forth from the local bakery not so much)
Cons
*If you push it you will get wet from inside
*Inner fabric has a tendency to feel "wet" due to its absorption characteristics.
*Not especially easy to fix if you get a tear.
*noisy asf(not prefect for close stalk)
*abit finicky to get the fabric to be optimized, i.e. shed rain and breath.
*there are a lot stronger jackets out there. If you want a tank, This is not it.
Conc.
In my onionin. If you want a jacket that can do it all. There are a few that is on par with the alpha LT.
Clean cut, Clean colors, keep you dry in heavy rain. Packs small, works well with helmet if you need it.
Will you get wet if you move quickly during rain. Depending on outside temperature. Yes you will get wet.
In cold rain, 0-5c 30-40F, it will work. Even running.
However its not heavy weight, it will break after use. specially if you use a lot of heavy belts, chest rigs, winter gloves.
If you are going to use it only when it rains, and not like me spending so much time on gravel it will last a looong time.
In long
Lets assess damage and draw some conclusions after that.
The two most noticeable things is that the outer fabric have started to come loose from the inner. I noticed this early on at some places.
Specially on the elbows and around the neck. I suspect this is from prone shooting and backpacks.
The other is that the inner fabric have frayed and worn down or lose as well.
all other joints or welds are in somewhat good condition.
the waist strap "channel" have completely worn down. I think this is due to wearing a lot of belts. Always dragging and pushing the lower part of the jacket against heavy canvas pants.
the other is from gloves.
The cuffs inside of the jacket is starting fray, the velcro is still good. which is odd. I really thought that would be the first to breake.
the hood has also seen better days. The inner fabric starts to come loose and the welds are braking apart. However they are still holding together.
and the Dloop is missing.
On the outside, It is remarkable how good the seams on the outer fabric on these jackets are.
as well as the zippers. The only part is that you notice that the outer fabric has debonded from the inner.
okey. So the big question.
Does this jacket still work, not as a windbreaker but as a rain jacket?
Yes it actually does. So 3years ago when i recived my alpha gen2 this jacket got replaced.
however I'm a bit curious, How many 1000s of hours of use can it take before it just falls apart. 20years?
so I have kept using it sometimes every day, sometimes once a month during rain weather
I must say that i I'm impressed by arcteryx, this jacket is not free from flaws but its really good for what it is designed to do.
When i say i have used this jacket alot, I really mean alot. Its good. If you cant make up your mind i would say this.
If you are going to use it as a rain jacket during light hikes/hunts go for it. You will not be disappointed.
if you can live with all the pros and cons that comes with goretex. go for it.
If you are heavy user on gear, use carriers, heavy backpacks. climbing gear. This is not for you. There are better options for you.
Next up its bigger brother, Alpha Gen 2.
