Arc'teryx Men's Alpha SV Bib CZ

Cesar C. Elejalde - 2009-10-09

Outstanding Bibs!
Man, I am very impressed with these bibs! Quality of construction, materials, attention to detail. The fit is true to size and comfortable, no baggy stuff, but still room enough to layer comfortably. I love the long zipper that essentially allows you to take care of "nature business" without having to remove the bibs. And I lucked out with this pair: they were made in Canada.

Was this Arcteryx Alpha SV Bib CZ Review Helpful? - Yes - No (1 of 2 liked this review)

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James LeMieux - 2009-01-06

Even short people play in the mountains (5'6
It's the first pair of mountain bibs that fit and they performed superbly. Spendy,but worth the money. I live in 4'to 5' of snow, I slip on the bibs and sneak out the back door whith skiis on return hours later and slip the bibs of and go about the rest of the day, "how simple"

Is this Handy? - Yes - No (2 of 3 liked this review)

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Anonymous - 2009-01-02

Not perfect, but dang close!
The ALPHA bibs are designed more for alpine mountaineering and ice climbing. The THETA bibs are designed more for Skiing or Boarding, backcountry or inbounds, tele, or AT. The SV signifies "Pro-shell" which is more abrasion resistant than last years SK "XCR". Both are Gore-tex, but SV's are will run $100 more and worth it considering how often you're buying snow pants. I chose these bibs for 2 reasons. 1) size matters and because I stand at a lofty 5'4" and weigh 175 lbs, I needed something with short legs. 2) weight matters when your doing a multiday winter ascents and ounces count. I wore these bibs nonstop for 2 weeks in the mountains of Idaho and Montana and I dig them. I love the fact there is no internal gator (saves weight and clutter) but thanks to an internal shock cord around the cuff, the gator is not needed. I just wish there was one or two more farther up the shin. Gromit holes on the cuff allow for a shock cord to go under your boot to keep them from getting pushed up. A front cuff hook lets them latch onto boot laces and along with the shock cord tricks eliminate the need for external gators too which is so nice. Didn't snag my crampons once. The pockets in the chest are a great size. Big enough for GU, glasses, camera, and yet small enough to keep you from over stuffing it. I wonder why the internal pockets aren't mesh, for glove/sock drying options. Aside from that, they are very basic bibs. Knee pads rock on vertical ice, and they keep your knees just a little warmer while kneeling in snow. The side zipps stop below harness leg loop level for comfort and zip down for ventelation. They are the envy of my mountaineering partners, and my top pick after going through several other pairs of snow pants from North Face, patagonia, and others.

Is this Useful? - Yes - No (1 of 2 liked this review)

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> Read All 5 Reviews

Cesar C. Elejalde - 2009-10-09

Outstanding Bibs!
Man, I am very impressed with these bibs! Quality of construction, materials, attention to detail. The fit is true to size and comfortable, no baggy stuff, but still room enough to layer comfortably. I love the long zipper that essentially allows you to take care of "nature business" without having to remove the bibs. And I lucked out with this pair: they were made in Canada.

Was this Arcteryx Alpha SV Bib CZ Review Helpful? - Yes - No (1 of 2 liked this review)

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James LeMieux - 2009-01-06

Even short people play in the mountains (5'6
It's the first pair of mountain bibs that fit and they performed superbly. Spendy,but worth the money. I live in 4'to 5' of snow, I slip on the bibs and sneak out the back door whith skiis on return hours later and slip the bibs of and go about the rest of the day, "how simple"

Is this Handy? - Yes - No (2 of 3 liked this review)

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Anonymous - 2009-01-02

Not perfect, but dang close!
The ALPHA bibs are designed more for alpine mountaineering and ice climbing. The THETA bibs are designed more for Skiing or Boarding, backcountry or inbounds, tele, or AT. The SV signifies "Pro-shell" which is more abrasion resistant than last years SK "XCR". Both are Gore-tex, but SV's are will run $100 more and worth it considering how often you're buying snow pants. I chose these bibs for 2 reasons. 1) size matters and because I stand at a lofty 5'4" and weigh 175 lbs, I needed something with short legs. 2) weight matters when your doing a multiday winter ascents and ounces count. I wore these bibs nonstop for 2 weeks in the mountains of Idaho and Montana and I dig them. I love the fact there is no internal gator (saves weight and clutter) but thanks to an internal shock cord around the cuff, the gator is not needed. I just wish there was one or two more farther up the shin. Gromit holes on the cuff allow for a shock cord to go under your boot to keep them from getting pushed up. A front cuff hook lets them latch onto boot laces and along with the shock cord tricks eliminate the need for external gators too which is so nice. Didn't snag my crampons once. The pockets in the chest are a great size. Big enough for GU, glasses, camera, and yet small enough to keep you from over stuffing it. I wonder why the internal pockets aren't mesh, for glove/sock drying options. Aside from that, they are very basic bibs. Knee pads rock on vertical ice, and they keep your knees just a little warmer while kneeling in snow. The side zipps stop below harness leg loop level for comfort and zip down for ventelation. They are the envy of my mountaineering partners, and my top pick after going through several other pairs of snow pants from North Face, patagonia, and others.

Is this Useful? - Yes - No (1 of 2 liked this review)

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Donald Pickering - 2000-01-31

Best bibs I ever did own!
These bibs were certainly a significant investment but were definitely worth every penny. As an avid snowboarder ans skiier - I've had my share of bad experiences with ski pants and bibs. Most common is the material tearing or ripping when striking trees and branches. The Arc bibs not only are lightweight and breathable but sturdy as well - which is a big plus considering how scrappy my backcountry experiences tend to be. The best feature of the bibs is the full length waterproof zippers on the legs - I can take them on and off without undoing my boots.

Was this Arcteryx Alpha SV Bib CZ Review Helpful? - Yes - No (1 of 2 liked this review)

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Hilary - 2008-11-04

Mostly great pants
Most of these pants are great. I love the crotch zip, and the sealed zippers are great. My only real problem...WHERE ARE THE SNOW CUFFS?!?! With such expensive pants, that are made for the outdoors and snowy conditions, they should really have a snow cuff. But, Altrec people were really helpful, and if these are the best crotch zip bibs on the market, I guess they will have to do.

Is this Handy? - Yes - No (1 of 2 liked this review)

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