Men's Alpha Aura Jacket

I took a trip to Africa and was limited to only 33lbs of luggage with all my camera gear and clothes. I wanted a jacket that was light, looked good, breathed, and comfy. This checked all the boxes. Was perfect for this trip and fit all my future backpacking and hiking trips in the future. Might need to be et a different color and make it 2.

Awesome Jacket

I have been wearing the heck out of this jacket since I first got it. I have had other jackets made with Polartec Alpha in the past, but this one has been superior because the design is better (love the pockets) and the hardware is more robust (great zippers). If I could change one thing, I would choose a quieter face fabric for the reinforced hood and shoulders. The face fabric is very loud in my ears, especially when I have the hood up. I gave this five stars anyway because it just feels so good to wear it. Bottom line - on a recent trip to Minnesota, it is the only jacket I brought.

This is not my first Alfa Direct garment. However it is the best. I can wear this alone in the low 40s while hiking and be comfortable. If there is a breeze a very light windbreaker over this jacket and be comfortable to the mid 30s. This also has pockets and shoulder pads. What’s not to like.

Bought this as a heavier alpha material mid layer for colder days when my thinner ones are a bit too light. However, I’ve noticed something with Beyond’s sizing. Despite the size charts matching most outdoor retailers, Beyond’s jackets tend to ride very low on the hips. This especially so-it’s down to my inseam. Way too wide around the middle, too. I bought a regular large (my usual Beyond size). I’m 5’8” and about 170lbs and 31in waist. I don’t think a medium would fit my arms or chest and would end up being constricting. Agree with other reviews noting how it bunches up underneath layers. It’s kind of frustrating, especially seeing the way it fits on the ectomorphic models. Had the same problem on some other Beyond products, but inconsistently so. Overall, nice quality alpha jacket, but sizing isn’t for athletic builds.