Author
Field Mag may receive a minor commission from purchases made via affiliate links.
Widely known as a leader in high-quality, durable, and exceptionally well-designed outerwear, Arc'teryx has become a staple in cities and high peaks alike and continues to push the outdoor gear design to new frontiers with nearly every product it releases. At the top of the brand's pyramid of performance driven outdoor gear sits the Alpha line, with the Alpha SV shell being he most well known king of the mountain. But the brand's new Alpha Parka is a force of its own, continuing the tradition and serving as a physical, highly insulated testament to what makes the dead-bird brand unique.
The Alpha Parka isn't totally new, and it has gone through many renditions over the last 20 years, but the Canadian brand set out to deliver big on the newest iteration of the jacket. As it has in the past, the belay parka provides cold-weather comfort through wind and water resistance without impeding efficiency or mobility. Even with the best gear, winter conditions can be unforgiving, especially while in the middle of a highly technical climb, but that is where the Alpha shines.
The new round of updates starts with a breathable two-layer Gore-Tex Infinium fabric stuffed with 850-fill European goose down, plus synthetic insulation mapped to moisture-prone areas. The combo makes the Alpha Parka the warmest insulated jacket Arc’teryx has to offer. (Check out our guide to down fill power to see what all that really means)
Topping it off is Hadron LCP, the Alpha's shell fabric, which includes a fine-gauge grid of highly abrasion-resistant liquid crystal polymer that makes it durable far beyond its weight class. This ultralight, ultrawarm, proprietary-designed material adds a new element to the Alpha Parka, redefining lightweight warmth and alpine durability.
The Alpha Parka runs in two colorways, Dynasty (we'll call this one red), and Black (only offered in men's). Although it's designed for extreme alpinists, you don't have to be one to appreciate its features. You probably can't find better protection against frigid city snowstorms.
Price: $1,000
Published 11-23-2021
