Alpha vs Beta SV vs ???
Hi everyone. I currently own a Patagonia Calcite jacket, which is 2.5 layer GoreTex Paclite, and it is a great jacket, but I'm in need of something burlier. I'm spending more and more time in the backcountry on multi day trips, where I'm starting to face more winter alpine conditions. I mostly just trek, but am starting to get into a bit of mountaineering, which is what I eventually want to spend most my time doing.
I live in NZ, so winter conditions are wet snow or driving rain in the mountains, and this is where I'll spend most of my time. I do travel a bit to do hikes though. For reference I am 5'10, 211lbs, amateur strongman build and I run hot when working hard. The only Arc jacket I currently own is a Nuclei FL in large and it is a snug fit.
So which jacket will be better for my needs? I can get my hands on an older Alpha with GoreTex most rugged on the Arc website locally, but nowhere to try it on. What is the fit like? Reasons to get or avoid? Do these suffer from delamination at all? My Calcite is almost 5 years old and no issues, washed once a year. I should mention that the Alpha is 40% off.
I am going hiking in Scotland, Italy and Austria in a month, where I will be able to get my hands on a Beta SV. Will this be the better jacket for my needs? I will be paying full price for it tho, which makes the Alpha more appealing. I'm not sure if the new ePE membrane in the Beta SV is a pro or con.
As I will be in the UK and Europe for a while, I can try on a few of their local brands like Mountain Equipment, Rab or Mammut. They seem to make some really good waterproofs. I may also be able to try on some of TNF Summit Series stuff, that also still uses the old GoreTex Pro.
Ultimately I want a jacket that will handle heavy packs, sustained rain and snow, some scrmabling/climbing and last years to come.
Thoughts and opinions appreciated. Thanks for reading 👍🏽 Cheers!