LEVE Alpha 120 Hoody

I have heard the hype for a long time about alpha direct, and figured it was about time I tried it out myself. I figured it really wasn’t more expensive than a nice fleece so why not give it a try. I didn’t want it to hike with, I wanted it more for camp, so that is why I went with the 120 over the 90 and also wanted it more for colder temperatures like shoulder season and winter. I have had it out on maybe 6-7 trips and really like it. I am a warm person so with a wool base layer and the 120 with a wind jacket I can easily sit around camp around 30 and last week it was around 20, I had my base, 120, ghost whisperer and wind shirt and was comfortable. I am 5 foot 8 inches and 190 pounds, the large fits me pretty well. Athletic fit. I probably would get the extra large just to have a little extra room if I had to do it again. Mine weighs just under 7 ounces. My normal fleece that isn’t as warm, for cold temperatures weighs almost double. Mine is a really light blue. Didn’t really have a choice. When available you have to grab 1. They even sent a hand written card which is a nice touch. I am really happy with my purchase. Thanks LEVE.

I have used this fleece for winter backpacking trips on the AT. I wear a Capilene base layer and this fleece with a wind jacket to hike in the 20’s. Great wicking ability and keeps me comfortable on those hard climbs. I usually shed it in the high 40’s. You can’t beat the warmth to weight ratio. I strongly recommend this fleece.

This is the best layer I've worn for cold days and rigorous workouts. It lets the heat and moisture out but keeps the coolness from getting in. Works super well.

I have to preface this review by saying I was skeptical. I am an older (68) guy who has been a backpacker, climber and skier since the late 70s. "Ultra light" did not exist for many years. For me back in the 80s and 90s a light backpacking trip meant carrying a 45-50 pound pack. If I was climbing or on a winter ski trip, it was more like 60. Anyway, staying warm in the mountains meant a lot of layers, which added up. I picked up my Alpha 120 hoody a few days ago. I was shocked at how light it was in the plastic bag, and how soft the material is. It is listed at 7.5 oz - it came in at 6.9 oz on my scale. Today I wore it on my morning dog walk down by the river - the temperature showed 30 degrees in my car. And that is a COLD DAMP 30 by the river. The Alpha 120 was AMAZING. I wore it over a short sleeve cotton tee shirt and under a super light Patagonia synthetic puffy hoody. I do this walk about five times a week, so I have a lot of clothing combinations to compare it with. I was amazed at the warmth it provided under the light jacket I was wearing. This thing is great! I could see taking the 120 with another Leve layer, a lighter one like the 60 and my super light down hoody that weighs about 10 oz - and staying warm at night in the high Sierra on one of the fall trips I used to love. Temps sometimes get down in the mid-teens at night on those trips. With those layers and a rain shell I would be good to go and I would be saving about two pounds compared to the regular layers I would normally take. And the hood (which I was really skeptical that I needed) works great - it makes the hood on my jacket WAY warmer. Great product! Well made and made right here in the town where I live. I'm looking forward to wearing it under my ski shell this winter. Thanks Cameren! And Leve!

If you have been on a deep dive of the 90 vs 120, the 120 is not as hot as people say, can easily do activities and not overheat, it is however incredibly warm with a shell. One of my favorite jackets of all time.