Polartec Alpha KoolAid Thread

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
I recently stumbled across 66North's Hrannar top recently. Pricey, but the only other pure Alpha top that I'm aware of, along with the Nitro.
I like that, but it looks less adaptable as it appears to be 120 PA? And those colours :banghead:
I'm sure 66 north gets sold by tkmax sometimes.... We may see a cheaper tag in the future?

I love the chewbacca highloft. Hoody they do... Damn pricey though for what I see as a casual garment?
 

Leslie G

Day Walker
You can often buy both Alpha and Alpha Direct, in various GSM from Discovery Fabrics dot com
Alpha is meant to be a lined sandwich layer between a waterproof shell (example Polartec Neoshell) and a light liner. Alpha direct can be made into a stand-alone mid layer jacket as Rab did a few years back, or a next-to-body liner of a shell fabric. Alpha doesn’t absorb any water so when you sweat it evaporates very quickly, so stay much dryer. If you want warmth and are not active (someone standing around in cold weather) then alpha isn’t the best choice. There are some great online articles that explain alpha in better detail. I googled What’s the difference between Polartec Alpha and Alpha Direct, and got some good results.
 

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
For the Alpha fans out there Extremtextil have Alpha-isolation in stock 80g and 130g.

www.extremtextil.de/en/search?sSearch=alpha

Now all you need is a willing sewer :D.

well, I'm planning to start making some clothes once we've gotten our house and settled in. I did 3 years of tailoring in college, although I never worked as one. But that was 25 years ago, so am very rusty.

I do have a few unique clothing ideas I want to try out.
 

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
For the Alpha fans out there Extremtextil have Alpha-isolation in stock 80g and 130g.

www.extremtextil.de/en/search?sSearch=alpha

Now all you need is a willing sewer :D.

Just received 2 meters of the 80gsm Alpha Isolation.
Compared it to my Macpac Nitro (which is 90gsm) - The mesh fabric has much much much bigger holes in it and the pile is nearly twice as long as the Macpac (estimate).
Not sure I 'like' it - mmmh. :unsure:
The colour is quoted as "dark teal" by Extrem - I'd call it "Petrol" or "Slatey Blue" - I'm not that bothered colourwise but thought others might want to know.

The 130gsm Alpha from Extrem is fine and just as I expected it to be :thumbsup:.
 

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
Just received 2 meters of the 80gsm Alpha Isolation.
Compared it to my Macpac Nitro (which is 90gsm) - The mesh fabric has much much much bigger holes in it and the pile is nearly twice as long as the Macpac (estimate).
Not sure I 'like' it - mmmh. :unsure:
The colour is quoted as "dark teal" by Extrem - I'd call it "Petrol" or "Slatey Blue" - I'm not that bothered colourwise but thought others might want to know.

The 130gsm Alpha from Extrem is fine and just as I expected it to be :thumbsup:.

What are you planning to make Cathy?
 

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
What are you planning to make Cathy?

I was putting the fabric by for the moment with the thought of a Nitro replacement maybe (?), sometime in the future.
I got my Nitro very inexpensively :D - in the sale and brought back by my daughter as my B'day pressie (- she did her medical elective in NZ).
I don't expect to be able to buy another quite that cheaply :cautious:.

PS. But having seen it now I'm not so sure and if anyone wants to buy some off me I'd be happy to deal.
 

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
I was putting the fabric by for the moment with the thought of a Nitro replacement maybe (?), sometime in the future.
I got my Nitro very inexpensively :D - in the sale and brought back by my daughter as my B'day pressie (- she did her medical elective in NZ).
I don't expect to be able to buy another quite that cheaply :cautious:.

PS. But having seen it now I'm not so sure and if anyone wants to buy some off me I'd be happy to deal.

@Chiseller might be interested, I'm sure he's mentioned a project to me in the past, I think he's just disappeared to the Lakes for a few days though
 

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
I was putting the fabric by for the moment with the thought of a Nitro replacement maybe (?), sometime in the future.
I got my Nitro very inexpensively :D - in the sale and brought back by my daughter as my B'day pressie (- she did her medical elective in NZ).
I don't expect to be able to buy another quite that cheaply :cautious:.

PS. But having seen it now I'm not so sure and if anyone wants to buy some off me I'd be happy to deal.
Could be your huckleberry :whistling:
 

Toby

Summit Camper
Just received 2 meters of the 80gsm Alpha Isolation.
Compared it to my Macpac Nitro (which is 90gsm) - The mesh fabric has much much much bigger holes in it and the pile is nearly twice as long as the Macpac (estimate).
Not sure I 'like' it - mmmh. :unsure:
The colour is quoted as "dark teal" by Extrem - I'd call it "Petrol" or "Slatey Blue" - I'm not that bothered colourwise but thought others might want to know.

The 130gsm Alpha from Extrem is fine and just as I expected it to be :thumbsup:.

Have you got any pictures of the nitro vs the 80g/sqm alpha fabric? Was also planing on sewing something similar out of this fabric, but your post got me thinking!:) Do you feel that the bigger holes will increase breathability but it will shed more fur since the pile is longer?
 

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
Have you got any pictures of the nitro vs the 80g/sqm alpha fabric? Was also planing on sewing something similar out of this fabric, but your post got me thinking!:) Do you feel that the bigger holes will increase breathability but it will shed more fur since the pile is longer?
th
 

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
Have you got any pictures of the nitro vs the 80g/sqm alpha fabric? Was also planing on sewing something similar out of this fabric, but your post got me thinking!:) Do you feel that the bigger holes will increase breathability but it will shed more fur since the pile is longer?

No pics ATM but my impression is that on it's own the 80gsm would let so much vapor/air thru' it wouldn't give much warmth.
But with the long pile it might be very effective sandwiched between 2 wind proof layers.
 

Toby

Summit Camper
No pics ATM but my impression is that on it's own the 80gsm would let so much vapor/air thru' it wouldn't give much warmth.
But with the long pile it might be very effective sandwiched between 2 wind proof layers.

Ordered a free sample of it from extremtextil to check! More breathability for a mid/baselayer is often good though!
 

Toby

Summit Camper
No pics ATM but my impression is that on it's own the 80gsm would let so much vapor/air thru' it wouldn't give much warmth.
But with the long pile it might be very effective sandwiched between 2 wind proof layers.

Got my sample now! It certainly looks very airy and I think that's because it's Polartec Alpha and not Alpha Direct which sets it apart from the nitro. So it should be used sandwiched which kinda defeats the purpose of it for me.
 

Mole

Thru Hiker
So , from a couple of years ago, @Gadget did a group order of Alpha. Just before we knew about the Nitro.
I didn't get round to using mine. Due to getting a Lofoten and us both getting Nitros...:whistling:

So I'll put it on offer here if anyone interested?

1.5 yd of 90gsm. The salmon side of red...:whistling:
Cost me £23.

I'll post it second class for £20

I think it's the same as in the Nitro really.

46928380661_7f10f554e1_c.jpg 46947627201_c0471fdfb1_c.jpg


Edit: SOLD!
 
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