Terra UL Gear Alpha Direct Hoodie Review

tThe Terra UL Gear Alpha Direct Hoodie is a lightweight, breathable insulated layer that features a balaclava-style hood. Designed to keep you warm alone or as part of a layering system, it compresses smaller than a Nalgene bottle for easy packing.

Terra sells gear in drops, so you need to act quickly if you want to buy anything from their latest batch. Terra’s Christmas launch went live today at noon.

Terra Ultralight Gear

Terra UL was founded by a pair of PCT hikers who met at mile 119 last year and bonded over a mutual passion for DIY gear. Terra boasts that all of their gear is handmade, making each piece slightly different and special, «like every trail, every hiker, and every trip.»

Recommended RRP: $111
Weight: 120g/6.3oz (Size S/120g/m2)
Materials: Polyester Polartec Alpha Direct Fleece/Elastic sleeves, hood and hem
Flag: Grey, pink, orange, black, red/white
Fabric weights: 60 g/m2, 90 g/m2 or 120 g/m2
Sizes: unisex S,M,L

Review circumstances

I used the gray 120gsm Alpha Direct Hoodie as my main insulating layer while hiking Canada’s Great Divide Trail. It was a particularly wet and cold summer, with mornings that made getting out of the sleeping bag a difficult and often miserable task. I also carried an ultralight puffer jacket and a synthetic jacket, and most nights I ended up wearing all three layers to bed, as the condensation inside the tent made things even colder.

This was the first time I used the Alpha Direct on a backpacking trip and I was really surprised at how warm, breathable and comfortable it turned out to be.

Features of the Terra UL Gear Alpha Direct Hoodie

Key Features:

• Alpha Direct: exceptionally light, fluffy and highly insulating material; breathable and not bulky.
• Key part of a layering system (best combined with a windproof layer)
• Fitted balaclava hood
• Choice of fabric weights (60, 90 or 120 g/m²)
• Fitted hem and sleeves.

direct alpha

Alpha Direct has been around for almost a decade. This material was first used as an inner insulating layer in an Outdoor Research hoodie, where it was combined with a wind-blocking outer fabric. The idea was simple: let the outer fabric cut the wind while Alpha Direct took care of insulation, breathability and moisture wicking.

Eventually, the ultralight community got hold of the fabric and began making surprisingly lightweight garments entirely from Alpha Direct. This gave hikers the freedom to pair it with whatever wind layer best suited the conditions.

A hoodie made solely from Alpha Direct is incredibly lightweight and surprisingly warm on its own. However, because it is so breathable, wind passes through it, making a windproof shirt or jacket an essential combination in most situations.

That’s why this type of hoodie should be considered part of a layering system rather than a standalone piece, although I definitely wore it alone at camp and around town. But when paired with a windproof layer, it can rival the warmth of a puffer jacket at a fraction of the weight.

Balaclava hood

All Alpha Direct hoodies come with a standard or tighter hood. While balaclava-style hoods offer better wind or under-helmet protection, they tend to be less comfortable when camping or inside a sleeping bag. The Terra Hoodie doesn’t include cinch or buttons, so I often ended up wearing the hood as a hood and relying on the hood of my jacket when I needed more warmth.

Choice of fabric weight

Terra offers a variety of fabric weights: 60, 90 or 120 grams per square meter or gsm. The 60 g/m² material is the lightest and therefore the least insulating.

For this review, I tried the heavier weight (120gsm) and found it works well at rest as I tend to get cold. It was a little hot when I was moving. Next time I’ll probably go for the 90gsm, which seems like a good balance between warmth and breathability.

Elastic cuffs and hem.

The elastic is durable and gives the hoodie a stylish look. The fit of the sleeves was perfect, although the hem sometimes rode up from my hips to my waist. I don’t think getting a size larger would have helped as the overall fit was perfect. But for curvy women, the fit can be a little uncomfortable.

Pros of the Terra Ultralight Alpha Direct Hoodie

Ultralight and ultra breathable: As advertised.

High heat-to-weight ratio: Especially true when paired with a windbreaker jacket, but even alone in non-windy conditions, I found the 120gsm hoodie warm enough (and sometimes too warm to walk in).

Soft and comfortable: Alpha Direct feels exactly as smooth as it looks in the pictures.

Accurate size: As mentioned above, the small size overall was the perfect fit, although the hem did tend to ride up.

Exceptionally fast drying: In keeping with the material’s high breathability, it also dried quickly, a valuable feature during what ended up being a very rainy hike.

Versatile: It can work as a standalone piece but also works well in a “system” with a windbreaker or top, allowing you to adapt your layers to the conditions.

Cons of the Terra Ultralight Alpha Direct Hoodie

Low durability: The material is very thin and can be easily snagged. Prolonged use under a backpack is also likely to wear down the material anywhere the straps might rub against it. On a related note, I learned the hard way that it sticks to velcro and is easily damaged.

Zero wind resistance and not very warm on its own: It requires an additional layer to function optimally, adding weight, cost, and complexity to your setup.

The hem goes up if you are curvy: As I mentioned above, this was the only issue I experienced with the fit of the garment.

Without pockets: It’s a balance between weight and functionality, but not having pockets to store small items or warm your hands is a drawback to keep in mind.

Conclusion

Adding the Terra UL Alpha Direct Hoodie to my backpack was a game changer in more ways than one. It became my secret weapon against the cold. Ultralight and very foldable, it proved to be one of the pieces of equipment that did not absorb moisture.

But more than anything, its soft, fuzzy comfort gave me something to look forward to after long days of dragging mud, jogging through swamps, and jumping over obstacles along the Great Divide.

The Terra UL Gear Alpha Direct Hoodie is now one of my favorite pieces of clothing, don’t leave home without it.

Buy the Terra Ultralight Alpha Hoodie Direct

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