Now that summer is winding down and fall is rapidly approaching, the colder months are closing in with the customary chilly air. Finding a great remedy for combating the cold that is both functional and comfortable is important. Luckily, Mountain Khakis has a new piece of outerwear that assist in this pursuit. The Alpha Switch jacket is a reversible jacket that locks in body heat that is lightweight and toasty. I took my Alpha Switch pullover on a recent vacation to Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington.
The Test
This time of year, Western Washington is notorious for its fickle weather. The cliché if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes befits this region of the country. The mornings tend to be cool and damp, and then the sun makes a cameo appearance just before light rain starts falling. In the morning, I took a post-breakfast walk on one of the nature trails on the lodge grounds. Wearing the Alpha Switch pullover was the near perfect jacket for the walk. It had rained overnight and air was humid. The pullover kept me warm throughout the hike, and I didn’t feel overheated. As I was analyzing the Alpha Switch in my head, I considered the possibility that on a colder or frigid day, it could even be worn under a heavier coat or fit underneath a rain jacket. To be fair, the Alpha Switch is already equipped to handle some rain. It can definitely handle the light, drizzly rain that Washington and Oregon usually produces.
The Features
Since this jacket is reversible, to my mind, the Alpha Switch is pretty much two jackets in one. In one mode, the jacket has a muff pocket in the front, chest-level zipper pocket, and 1/4-zip. The fabric is great at repelling the rain, and in this mode, the jacket dries quickly if it does become wet. The insulation in the jacket is Polartec Alpha—a fast drying material used in some standard-issue military apparel. In the reverse mode, there are three zippered pockets. Two of the pockets are for hands, and the third pocket is at chest level. They are surprisingly roomy. I fit in my smartphone, wallet, keys, and ID lanyard in these pockets. I like the feeling that they can be securely zipped up. The fabric of reverse mode is puffier almost like the cushy material of a sleeping bag. Of course, this also features the 1/4-zip on the pullover version. The Alpha Switch comes in two different styles—pullover and jacket. The jacket version features a full-length zipper.
The Takeaway
This is a really cool jacket with a clever design. It absolutely met my expectations creating a barrier between the moist, chilly air and my body. Even if I were walking around during a downpour, I am confident that the Alpha Switch can dry quickly. Also, I found it interesting that you can stuff the jacket into a small space. This means traveling with the Alpha Switch is made easier, because it can be fit into a backpack or daypack with ease.
The good:
• Stylish
• Two jackets in one
• Quick-drying
• Warm
• Breathable
• Roomy pockets
• Comfortable
• Collapsible
The bad:
• Not ideal for frigid weather
Alpha Switch is available on the Mountain Khakis website.
All photos by Mountain Khakis.
Note: Mountain Khakis provided me with a sample product for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by the company.