Men's Polartec® Alpha™ Hooded Jacket

I had high hopes of this jacket, but it has a couple of flaws that make me reduce it form 5* to 3* (and this is aside from the utterly useless customer service that Jottnar have adopted or the errors on their website). The polartec alpha is a great insulator so is a good choice, but the pocket is too high on the jacket so is impeded by any rucksack or check strap that is used. they ahem also given the zip on the pocket a card- like the main zip so when you reach to undo a zip you invariably get the wrong one - yes would could remove the cord from the zip but they have not used the right zip for a pocket so it will then be hard to find. My assessment is that they have gone cheap instead of quality. Another issue is that the pockets are not fully lines - so keys tend to snag in the potartec Alpha - a detail that could have bee prevented by doing some field testing and adding some lining to the pocket. The main zip is undersized (god only knows why so many brands so this). So for a jacket that sells at £289 it's a poor show. On the plus side, instantly warm, very light and good outer fabric make is easy to shove in a bag if you get toward or to carry as a layer if you need one. Light rain beads off easily - but I would expect that when new - will see what happens after a bit of use.

Great weight. Excellent as a mid layer. Used under a shell.
Also used in dry cold weather with the Asta gilet.
Excellent quality

A top midlayer. However, if Jottnar could upgrade it from 90 Alpha to 120 Alpha , strengthen the wrist cuff, and stiffen the hood rim it would be perfection!

This is the second Asger I have owned - gen 1 and 3 (if this newest 2025 version is a 3). The gen 1 was my absolute favourite go to jacket for everything. I’ve worn it layered up the depths of Norway to the butts of Barry Buddon and everything in between! It’s by far the best jacket ever when used in a layering system.

I’m now on the gen 3 and it’s everything my original has been and a few an extras to boot!!

Excellent jacket - buy it!!!

Absolutely fantastic jacket, quality design makes for a great fit.
Think and light but very warm.
Recommend