Just by watching photos, i notice 2 big difference between this and the grade vii, collar is chin tall and the bum offset coverage shorter (vs nose tall and more bum coverage on grade vii) Now i want a grade vii more and there is no stock in my size :( Thanx for the review.
I'm torn between this and another parka with around ~300g fill for general mountaineering use (Alaska / Denali being the coldest aspiration for now...). Would you say this jacket is warm enough? I'm also drawn to it's weight - 675g is definitely on the lighter end for jackets in this sort of range, and I'm far more likely to use a jacket that packs smaller and is a bit lighter but offering the same warmth.
The weight and packability is definitely an upside for the AlpLoft, but yeah it’s totally warm enough. We got hit with -30° F weather and the AlpLoft was my main jacket for that weather and I was definitely warm with it on. For what you’re looking to do the AlpLoft would work great.
Do you think that is possible to put a shell on it? Or it’s too bulky? I’m looking for a jacket for belaying but also a jacket that can be used in a more “wet” clima.
It’s a little bulky and may just be at the point where getting a shell over it would be difficult. If you’re looking for a similar down option check out the Fitz Roy Down Hoody from Patagonia. It’s not as warm as the AlpLoft but it’s less bulky.
Who own both affirms that the g7 is better in every aspect and that the alploft is a downgrade....now that i see your video i m very skeptical...bought an old desing g7 days ago for 350€ and now the alploft is new in sale for 460€...have the option to send back the g7 tho. What do u think? I ll be use this in the alps and would like to go to denali also. Thx for the video👏🏻
So I love the AlpLoft, I think the warmth is amazing for being in such a lightweight package. Plus a big thing for me is the seamless baffles. The Grade VII had seamless baffles as well, but the way Patagonia did it for the Grade VII was by glued baffles. That didn't really sit well with me, as it's only a matter of time until the glue fails. So with the AlpLoft not using glue was a big plus in my eyes. BUT the Grade VII has a feature that I wish the AlpLoft had, and that's the double insulated hand pockets. Overall if you want the latest and greatest the AlpLoft is a great option, but if you already own the Grade VII I don't know if it's worth it to send it back. The Grade VII has been the standard in mountaineering bivy parkas for years, so it's a well tested jacket that will last you for many years. (Also both jackets were heavily tested for Denali)
I actually have a video where I have the AlpLoft on and I show how it fits. Here's the video, th-cam.com/video/MaQMu9X_80o/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Mruj38cJ6mdYq8LF&t=1084
Excellent information and great, simple review format.
Just by watching photos, i notice 2 big difference between this and the grade vii, collar is chin tall and the bum offset coverage shorter (vs nose tall and more bum coverage on grade vii)
Now i want a grade vii more and there is no stock in my size :(
Thanx for the review.
Great review. Thanks Kellen
I'm torn between this and another parka with around ~300g fill for general mountaineering use (Alaska / Denali being the coldest aspiration for now...). Would you say this jacket is warm enough?
I'm also drawn to it's weight - 675g is definitely on the lighter end for jackets in this sort of range, and I'm far more likely to use a jacket that packs smaller and is a bit lighter but offering the same warmth.
The weight and packability is definitely an upside for the AlpLoft, but yeah it’s totally warm enough. We got hit with -30° F weather and the AlpLoft was my main jacket for that weather and I was definitely warm with it on. For what you’re looking to do the AlpLoft would work great.
Do you think that is possible to put a shell on it? Or it’s too bulky?
I’m looking for a jacket for belaying but also a jacket that can be used in a more “wet” clima.
It’s a little bulky and may just be at the point where getting a shell over it would be difficult. If you’re looking for a similar down option check out the Fitz Roy Down Hoody from Patagonia. It’s not as warm as the AlpLoft but it’s less bulky.
Who own both affirms that the g7 is better in every aspect and that the alploft is a downgrade....now that i see your video i m very skeptical...bought an old desing g7 days ago for 350€ and now the alploft is new in sale for 460€...have the option to send back the g7 tho.
What do u think? I ll be use this in the alps and would like to go to denali also. Thx for the video👏🏻
So I love the AlpLoft, I think the warmth is amazing for being in such a lightweight package. Plus a big thing for me is the seamless baffles. The Grade VII had seamless baffles as well, but the way Patagonia did it for the Grade VII was by glued baffles. That didn't really sit well with me, as it's only a matter of time until the glue fails. So with the AlpLoft not using glue was a big plus in my eyes. BUT the Grade VII has a feature that I wish the AlpLoft had, and that's the double insulated hand pockets.
Overall if you want the latest and greatest the AlpLoft is a great option, but if you already own the Grade VII I don't know if it's worth it to send it back. The Grade VII has been the standard in mountaineering bivy parkas for years, so it's a well tested jacket that will last you for many years.
(Also both jackets were heavily tested for Denali)
I like your videos, can you show how it fits? Try it, to people had an idea, how it looks.
I actually have a video where I have the AlpLoft on and I show how it fits. Here's the video, th-cam.com/video/MaQMu9X_80o/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Mruj38cJ6mdYq8LF&t=1084
I'll be looking after my grade vii carefully... not a replacement.