I hope the availability of alpha direct clothing will get better over time. Maybe the fragility of the fabric makes it hard to produce a lot quickly, not sure but it seems quite rare. Only managed to get one piece and the sizing was so small it felt more like a base layer than a mid.
Yes! This is very much a downside. The material is expensive to manufacture, hard to work with, and difficult to find. We hope to see better availability in years to come.
Glad to see a video from you after all this time! Polyester fleece sweaters are so cheap from Decathlon. I'm hoping the price of polyester fleece alpha goes down soon
Certainly Polartec brand fabrics like AD are more expensive than most. But likely the larger part of what makes these hoodies seem so expensive is that they're nearly all made in USA by cottage industry.
Hey Alan, would love to see videos of your adventures. Your expertise would be a great value to the community. Gear is important and new tech is exciting but commercialism can be exhausting. Do you have another channel by chance that im missing?
I am wondering what weight Alpha Direct fleece you are using? (60,90,120?). I have just purchased a 90 weight Senchi hoody (4oz) with half zip and first impressions are very good but I need to accumulate experience with it. I am pairing it with an Arcteryx Squamish windbreaker (5.5oz). The combination seems to layer well with my Montbell sun hoody. This saves 9 ounces from my usual fleece/rain parka combination and breathes much better for active wear. The windbreaker doubles as a bug shirt.
Great question! Glad you like it so far! We have a strong preference towards the 90gsm weight, so glad to hear that's what you chose too. 60 gsm feels a bit too airy/not warm enough to be all-purpose, and we'd limit use of 120gsm to shoulder season/winter.
Yes, we realize. Alan prefers the Houdini Air, but the original Houdini is still available, and while less breathable than the Air, it is a bit lighter weight as a consolation prize. And the overall layering system doesn't change as a result either way.
Get the Dooy, now that breathes. The non air Houdini has terrible breathability, it's a static layer. Have both. I use the Dooy over airmesh which is often on sale, a low cost version of Allan's set up
I have the Enlightened Equipment Copperfield wind shirt in 7D which has 35 cfm breathability, perfect. Works great with my different Alpha Direct hoodies.
Have you tried the Mountain Hardwear Kor Airshell Warm? It's essentially the same as your setup. It's their Airmesh combined with their Kor Airshell. I absolutely think it's the single greatest lightweight, highly breathable jacket ever made!!
Have not tried, but looks like a sweet one. We have used jackets like this, such as the out-of-production Outdoor Research Ascendant (which was alpha direct + pertex quantum air). Same idea, great result. Liked it a lot. But in general, we find Alpha Direct is slightly superior to Airmesh, because it lofts on both sides of the textile, and thus has a slightly higher warmth to weight. What's more, the modular system, as opposed to built-in, gives the ability to divorce the liner from its shell increases versatility and comfort range in moderate conditions when you don't need/want the shell. Lastly, because the AD hoodies are coming out of cottage industry, the system is lighter than what you get from mainstream brands. An Alpha hoodie might weigh 5 oz, and 3 oz for a windbreaker for an 8 oz total package, 50% less than the 12 ouces for a kor airshell warm. If you like the Kor Airshell warm - which we agree is a good product - you would love an AD hoodie plus windbreaker combo.
@@adventure_alan_co yeah, I also have the Airmesh and the Airshell by themselves for this very reason, but I agree warmth to weight could be better which is why I'm interested in this AD hoody you have here. I absolutely love my Kor Airshell by itself (being made with Pertex Quantum) and think it's a suitable Houdini replacement, but I really like the idea of switching out my Airmesh for the AD! Thanks again for posting such great and informative content!
We think you'd find alpha direct to be a slight upgrade to the Airmesh, but it's not major improvement. But both are great and it sounds like you already have the same system going and all of the right ideas. The double-sided nature of alpha direct makes it loft puffier (and thus warmer) under a wind shell. There's just like an extra millimeter or two of puff volume, but it all adds up.
I’m using the air mesh as a base layer shirt. I’ve got the air kor windbreaker too. I would never have bought either if they weren’t 50-60% off. I could see using the polar tec alpha as my mid layer. Between those layers I can probably drop a 1/2 pound.
Good question. Obviously, that depends on a lot of factors, including how long you're sitting around, is it windy, humidity level, personal body heat output and warmth preferences. This system is warmer (and lighter) than your typical fleece but less warm than a standard down sweater-weight puffy jacket. So somewhere in between there. If we had to say a number, probably as low as mid forties Fahrenheit.
By itself, an AD hoodie runs a bit of mosquito interference, but the lattice weave is so open that once they a find a landing spot in between lofted tufts, they can def bite through. If you have a windbreaker overtop though, you're pretty much mosquito proof.
The main problem i find with this system is the durability of the alpha without a shell when you're wearing a daypack. Puts me off wearing it a lot of the time.
Yes, it is certainly less durable than average. That being said, an overwhelming majority of hiking is done in just a base layer, and the AD hoodie only comes out a small amount of the time while on the move, such as chilly mornings and descending passes, and it can easily handle that.
Yes, always used with a base layer, such as OR Echo Hoodie underneath. Despite the best-in-class breathability, an AD hoodie would be too warm to use as a base in warm/hot conditions. It's also not UPF material.
Yes and no! As Helium is a light-duty rain jacket, it would be more protective from the elements, but far less breathable, less comfortable, and less movement-friendly than the type of windbreaker we're referring to here.
In our experience, the performance delta between most ultralight windbreakers is pretty flat, Houdini Air being something of an exception RIP. The two ounce models are a bit more plastic-y feeling a bit less breathable, a bit less durable. The four ounce models are twice the weight, but have a more pleasant handfeel, a bit more durability, a bit more breathability. Currently testing the Katabatic Gear Crest Windshell and liking that one a lot. That said, we haven't done extensive comparison research into it.
Nice to see these short reviews here, thanks!
Good to see you back Alan!
I hope the availability of alpha direct clothing will get better over time. Maybe the fragility of the fabric makes it hard to produce a lot quickly, not sure but it seems quite rare. Only managed to get one piece and the sizing was so small it felt more like a base layer than a mid.
Yes! This is very much a downside. The material is expensive to manufacture, hard to work with, and difficult to find. We hope to see better availability in years to come.
Glad to see a video from you after all this time!
Polyester fleece sweaters are so cheap from Decathlon. I'm hoping the price of polyester fleece alpha goes down soon
Certainly Polartec brand fabrics like AD are more expensive than most. But likely the larger part of what makes these hoodies seem so expensive is that they're nearly all made in USA by cottage industry.
Hey Alan, would love to see videos of your adventures. Your expertise would be a great value to the community. Gear is important and new tech is exciting but commercialism can be exhausting.
Do you have another channel by chance that im missing?
New adventure Alan content? Fuck yes
I am wondering what weight Alpha Direct fleece you are using? (60,90,120?). I have just purchased a 90 weight Senchi hoody (4oz) with half zip and first impressions are very good but I need to accumulate experience with it. I am pairing it with an Arcteryx Squamish windbreaker (5.5oz). The combination seems to layer well with my Montbell sun hoody. This saves 9 ounces from my usual fleece/rain parka combination and breathes much better for active wear. The windbreaker doubles as a bug shirt.
Great question! Glad you like it so far! We have a strong preference towards the 90gsm weight, so glad to hear that's what you chose too. 60 gsm feels a bit too airy/not warm enough to be all-purpose, and we'd limit use of 120gsm to shoulder season/winter.
I was sad to see the Hoodini pants no longer available.
Enlightened Equipment Copperfield Wind pants are a good alternative, even lighter. Pair with alpha direct pants for a similar effect.
Unfortunately the Houdini Air is no longer available. Patagonia discontinued it.
there still the Houdini.. can't be that much different. Plus a bunch of other ones that are just as good, check his link above.
Yes, we realize. Alan prefers the Houdini Air, but the original Houdini is still available, and while less breathable than the Air, it is a bit lighter weight as a consolation prize. And the overall layering system doesn't change as a result either way.
Get the Dooy, now that breathes. The non air Houdini has terrible breathability, it's a static layer. Have both. I use the Dooy over airmesh which is often on sale, a low cost version of Allan's set up
I have the Enlightened Equipment Copperfield wind shirt in 7D which has 35 cfm breathability, perfect. Works great with my different Alpha Direct hoodies.
The EE Copperfield is definitely one of our favorite windbreakers. Agree with you 100%.
Have you tried the Mountain Hardwear Kor Airshell Warm? It's essentially the same as your setup. It's their Airmesh combined with their Kor Airshell. I absolutely think it's the single greatest lightweight, highly breathable jacket ever made!!
Have not tried, but looks like a sweet one. We have used jackets like this, such as the out-of-production Outdoor Research Ascendant (which was alpha direct + pertex quantum air). Same idea, great result. Liked it a lot. But in general, we find Alpha Direct is slightly superior to Airmesh, because it lofts on both sides of the textile, and thus has a slightly higher warmth to weight. What's more, the modular system, as opposed to built-in, gives the ability to divorce the liner from its shell increases versatility and comfort range in moderate conditions when you don't need/want the shell. Lastly, because the AD hoodies are coming out of cottage industry, the system is lighter than what you get from mainstream brands. An Alpha hoodie might weigh 5 oz, and 3 oz for a windbreaker for an 8 oz total package, 50% less than the 12 ouces for a kor airshell warm. If you like the Kor Airshell warm - which we agree is a good product - you would love an AD hoodie plus windbreaker combo.
@@adventure_alan_co yeah, I also have the Airmesh and the Airshell by themselves for this very reason, but I agree warmth to weight could be better which is why I'm interested in this AD hoody you have here. I absolutely love my Kor Airshell by itself (being made with Pertex Quantum) and think it's a suitable Houdini replacement, but I really like the idea of switching out my Airmesh for the AD! Thanks again for posting such great and informative content!
We think you'd find alpha direct to be a slight upgrade to the Airmesh, but it's not major improvement. But both are great and it sounds like you already have the same system going and all of the right ideas. The double-sided nature of alpha direct makes it loft puffier (and thus warmer) under a wind shell. There's just like an extra millimeter or two of puff volume, but it all adds up.
I’m using the air mesh as a base layer shirt. I’ve got the air kor windbreaker too. I would never have bought either if they weren’t 50-60% off. I could see using the polar tec alpha as my mid layer. Between those layers I can probably drop a 1/2 pound.
@@stevewright2241 Nice! Unbeatable value to performance ratio if you can get it that steeply discounted. Great come up.
What would be the lowest temperature you would wear this combo sitting around camp (static use)?
Good question. Obviously, that depends on a lot of factors, including how long you're sitting around, is it windy, humidity level, personal body heat output and warmth preferences. This system is warmer (and lighter) than your typical fleece but less warm than a standard down sweater-weight puffy jacket. So somewhere in between there. If we had to say a number, probably as low as mid forties Fahrenheit.
How does it do against mosquitos? Can they bite through it?
By itself, an AD hoodie runs a bit of mosquito interference, but the lattice weave is so open that once they a find a landing spot in between lofted tufts, they can def bite through. If you have a windbreaker overtop though, you're pretty much mosquito proof.
The main problem i find with this system is the durability of the alpha without a shell when you're wearing a daypack. Puts me off wearing it a lot of the time.
Yes, it is certainly less durable than average. That being said, an overwhelming majority of hiking is done in just a base layer, and the AD hoodie only comes out a small amount of the time while on the move, such as chilly mornings and descending passes, and it can easily handle that.
Do you use it with or without a baselayer?
Yes, always used with a base layer, such as OR Echo Hoodie underneath. Despite the best-in-class breathability, an AD hoodie would be too warm to use as a base in warm/hot conditions. It's also not UPF material.
1:05 you contradict yourself didn't you? If it is wicking then that means it absorbs moisture.
Would the OR Helium pair well?
Yes and no! As Helium is a light-duty rain jacket, it would be more protective from the elements, but far less breathable, less comfortable, and less movement-friendly than the type of windbreaker we're referring to here.
@@adventure_alan_co Makes sense. Thanks! Have you done any comparisons to the Patagonia, like the Ventum (Zpacks) or the Copperfield (EE)?
In our experience, the performance delta between most ultralight windbreakers is pretty flat, Houdini Air being something of an exception RIP. The two ounce models are a bit more plastic-y feeling a bit less breathable, a bit less durable. The four ounce models are twice the weight, but have a more pleasant handfeel, a bit more durability, a bit more breathability. Currently testing the Katabatic Gear Crest Windshell and liking that one a lot. That said, we haven't done extensive comparison research into it.