Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Brands

Apparel

Toughest Gear: Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket

This Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket is overkill when you need it.

Arc’teryx bills this Gore-Tex Pro Shell jacket as “our most durable shell”—and we could almost end the review there. That’s because our testers know two things about this company:

1) It builds some of the sturdiest stuff ever seen in the outdoors, and 2) It doesn’t do hyperbole. The Alpha SV gets our nod for the same reasons that Western Mountaineering (at right) earns high praise for its sleeping bags: Obsessive attention to detail, from the smallest seam reinforcement to the functionality of each cordlock placement, plus a penchant for achieving lightweight durability. When you get five years down the line and find yourself on some remote Alaska peak in a howling storm, you’ll be glad you spent the money. $599; 1 lb. 1 oz.; 4 men’s and 4 women’s sizes; arcteryx.com

When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission. We do not accept money for editorial gear reviews. Read more about our policy.