Introduction
"All things considered, Alpha Direct is convenient and good."
Polartec® Alpha® Direct has already become a standard and indispensable material for clothing for outdoor activities. I myself have been using clothing made from this material for several years. It is a material that achieves an excellent balance of lightness, breathability, warmth, and comfort, so I have always wanted to use it at RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR. It is finally here, or perhaps it is a little late, but RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR will also be releasing products made from Polartec® Alpha® Direct.
The first of these to be released in 2024 is the Alpha Full Zip Hoodie. This hoodie was designed to be a "hoodie for action" rather than a hoodie for rest. Polartec® Alpha® Direct comes in a variety of thicknesses, but the one I chose this time is a slightly thinner type at 68g/m². Even though it's thin, you'll feel a gentle warmth right after putting it on, and you'll be amazed at how comfortable it is.
In 2024, as autumn slowly crept in, I used this material for my hike through the Northern Alps. It was a reliable material that didn't trap heat even when my body temperature rose, and yet kept me warm on the chilly ridges. It was an experience that really made me realize the true value of this material.
The breathability and moisture permeability are particularly noteworthy. It quickly releases sweat and heat even in scenes where you are moving a lot, keeping the inside dry and comfortable. It demonstrates outstanding performance in a wide range of activities, such as long-distance mountain climbing, trail running, and cycling.
However, because it is highly breathable, it may feel a little chilly when stationary or in windy conditions. In such cases, you can increase the warmth by layering it with a shirt or shell jacket to block the wind. This freedom of layering is one of the great attractions of this hoodie.
Even in the middle of summer, it can get surprisingly cold at night in the high altitudes of the Northern Alps. The Alpha Full Zip Hoodie is lightweight and compact, so just tuck it in the corner of your backpack and you'll be ready to go. It's perfect for relaxing at camp, chilly mornings and evenings, or unexpected temperature changes.
This is a piece that is easy to use not only in the mountains but also when traveling or going out for a short time. It doesn't take up much space when stored, so it's perfect for traveling or business trips.
The Alpha Full Zip Hoodie is lightweight, comfortable, and functional, making it suitable for a wide range of situations.
Spec
Material: Polartec® Alpha® Direct 100% polyester (68g/m²)
Sizes: (Men) S, M, L, XL (Women) S, M, L
Weight: Men / M approx. 139g
Country of origin: Japan Producer: Tokyo Pio Aomori Factory Co., Ltd., Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture
Material
This product uses Polartec® Alpha® Direct (68g/m²).
Developed because US Special Forces needed an insulation system that could adapt to extreme temperature fluctuations and cycles of movement and rest, Polartec Alpha® was designed to provide consistent warmth while being highly breathable even when you're active.
Polartec Alpha® Direct is an evolution of Polartec Alpha® insulation technology. This technology is designed to be in direct contact with skin or other fabrics, without the need for a backing. This improves the breathability and performance of the fabric, and refines the shape and size of the insulating fibers. Alpha® Direct's unique construction makes the product more breathable and reduces weight.
1. Thermoregulation Efficiently manages body temperature and retains warmth.
2.Quick-drying: Water-repellent and dries quickly.
3. Lightweight and compressible. Easy to carry and convenient for packing.
4. Excellent breathability: Highly breathable, making it ideal for active use.
[Heat retention]
JIS L 1096 A method heat retention tester used Temperature and humidity 20°C 65%RH → 41.0
[Breathability (cm3/(cm2・S))]
JIS L1096 A method → 432 or higher
[Moisture permeability (g/m2・h)]
JIS L 0199 A-1 method → 289
[Burst strength (kPa)]
JIS L 1096 A method → 232
[Pilling (class)]
JISL1076A method (ICI method) 5 hours → 4.0 Pill slippage
Design
The design is a box-shaped hoodie. It is a simple hoodie with raglan sleeves and a kangaroo pocket.
The opening of the hood is intentionally made non-stretchy. The AlphaL® Direct fabric used in this product is 68g/m² thin, which is not considered to be a very strong fabric. Initially, we considered using a stretch binder for the opening of the hood, but when we were using the sample, we noticed that the stretch binder was slipping off the AlphaL® Direct fabric (the fabric was tearing), so we decided to use a non-stretch design for durability reasons.
As explained above, the hood opening does not stretch, so when putting on the hood, please zip it down to your neck first. If you force the hood on with the zipper all the way up, it may cause the stitching at the hood opening to come undone. Please be careful.
The front zipper is a double zipper (reverse opening) so you can open only the bottom.
If you want to let some of your body heat out while wearing the hood, open the zipper at the bottom and adjust it.
A 2mm elastic cord is threaded through the hem.
The hem can be adjusted by pulling the pull tabs on both sides.
Under normal circumstances, the silhouette flares slightly towards the hem.
Air can also flow in and out through the hem, ensuring ventilation.
Depending on the situation, you can tighten the elastic at the hem to change the silhouette as shown above.
The cuffs have flat elastic on the inside, providing plenty of stretch.
Another feature is that it is sewn using a flat seam.
A "flat seam" is a method of sewing fabric together using a special sewing machine, as shown in the illustration above.
As the name suggests, the seams of the fabric are finished very flat, minimizing stress on the skin. This manufacturing method is often used for sportswear and babywear because it produces strong seams.
As an inner layer for the Basic Shirt
Alpha Full Zip Hoodie
+
『Basic Long Sleeve Shirt』
The layering is comfortable.
This combination feels like wearing a padded jacket.
The Basic Long Sleeve Shirt is water-repellent and can keep out light rain, so it can also serve as a light shell. The fabric has countless special micro-holes, so it allows air to circulate without trapping heat.
Both the ``Alpha Full Zip Hoodie'' and ``Basic Long Sleeve Shirt'' are highly breathable, making them the perfect combination for regulating body temperature while on the move.
The fibers come off easily!
This Alpha® Direct 68g/m2 is particularly prone to shedding, so care must be taken.
Please be aware of this in advance.
As shown in the image above, if you just pick up the cotton-like part and pull it, the fibers will come out. Please do not pull it intentionally.
Other things to be careful of include friction between fibers and hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro). I've been wearing Alpha® Direct products for the past few years, and I've just accepted that this is what Alpha® Direct is like. I think it's a fabric with the capabilities to make up for its disadvantages.
[About stock]
Since we share inventory between our stores and our online store, it may happen that an item is out of stock after you place your order. In that case, we will contact you as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.