Material: Polartec®Alpha® Direct polyester 100%（68g/㎡）
Color: Warm Taupe / Sage Mist / Bear Skin / Forest Floor
Size:
(Men) S, M, L, XL
(Women) S, M, L
Weight: Men / M Approx. 139ｇ
Country of Origin: Japan
Producer: Tokyo Pio Co., Ltd.'s Aomori Factory, located in Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture, Japan
Introduction
"All things considered, Alpha Direct is just so convenient and great."
Polartec® Alpha® Direct has already become a go-to material for outdoor activity wear—an essential. Its exceptional balance of lightness, breathability, insulation, and comfort made Kurosawa Yusuke san want to eventually incorporate it into RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR products. It might have taken longer than it should have, but he is finally launching items that feature Polartec® Alpha® Direct.
In 2024, the first product launched was the “Alpha Full Zip Hoodie.”
This hoodie was designed not for rest, but specifically for active movement. Polartec® Alpha® Direct comes in various thicknesses, and for this model, Kurosawa Yusuke san choses the slightly lighter 68g/㎡ version. Despite its thinness, you’ll be surprised by how quickly it delivers a gentle warmth right after putting it on, along with exceptional comfort.
In the fall of 2024, as the season gradually crept into the Northern Alps, this hoodie proved to be an excellent activewear piece for mountain traverses.
Even during movement when body temperature rises, it doesn’t trap heat, while still retaining warmth on chilly ridgelines. It was an experience that truly demonstrated the value of this material.
The standout feature is definitely its breathability and moisture permeability. Even during intense movement, it quickly releases sweat and heat, keeping the interior dry and comfortable. This makes it an outstanding performer across a wide range of activities, including long hikes, trail running, and cycling.
However, due to its excellent breathability, the hoodie can feel a bit chilly during rest or in strong winds. In such cases, layering with a shirt or shell jacket helps block the wind and significantly boosts warmth. This flexibility in layering is one of its key strengths.
Even in midsummer, high-altitude areas like the Northern Alps can get unexpectedly cold at night. The lightweight, packable design of the Alpha Full Zip Hoodie makes it a reliable item to keep in your backpack for changing conditions.
This hoodie isn’t just for the mountains—it’s also great for travel or casual outings. Its compact, lightweight design makes it easy to pack, making it an ideal companion for trips or business travel.
Combining lightness, comfort, and functionality, the Alpha Full Zip Hoodie performs well across a wide range of situations. It’s a piece you’ll want to experience for yourself.
Material
This product uses Polartec® Alpha® Direct (68g/㎡), a material originally developed for U.S. Special Forces to handle extreme temperature shifts and varied activity levels. It offers warmth with excellent breathability and doesn't require a lining, allowing direct contact with the skin or other layers. Key features include efficient temperature regulation, quick-drying water resistance, lightweight packability, and high breathability—ideal for active use in dynamic environments.
Design
The hoodie features a boxy silhouette with raglan sleeves and a simple kangaroo pocket design. The hood opening was deliberately made without stretch. This decision was based on durability concerns: the 68g/㎡ Alpha® Direct fabric used is relatively delicate, and testing revealed that a stretch binder at the hood edge caused fabric tearing. To enhance longevity, the non-stretch finish was chosen.
As mentioned above, since the hood opening does not stretch, please unzip the front down to the neck before putting the hood on. Forcing the hood on with the zipper fully closed may cause the stitching at the opening to come undone. Be careful.
The front zipper is a double-zip (opens from both top and bottom), allowing you to unzip just the bottom for ventilation while wearing the hood. The hem also includes a 2mm elastic cord for fit adjustment.
You can adjust the fit at both sides of the hem using the pull tabs. The hoodie naturally flares slightly toward the hem, allowing airflow and breathability. Depending on the situation, you can tighten the elastic hem to alter both the fit and silhouette.
The cuffs contain flat elastic bands, providing a snug and stretchy fit. Another key feature is the use of flat seamer stitching, which joins fabric panels with minimal bulk using a special machine—reducing skin irritation and increasing seam durability, often used in sports and baby wear.
As the name suggests, flat seamer stitching produces extremely flat seams, minimizing skin irritation and making the garment more comfortable to wear. This method also enhances seam durability, which is why it’s commonly used in sportswear and baby clothing.
Credit: photos and description from Ridge Mountain Gear official website (https://www.ridge-mountaingear.com/)
*Product information translated and written by morimori
Material: Polartec®Alpha® Direct polyester 100%（68g/㎡）
Color: Warm Taupe / Sage Mist / Bear Skin / Forest Floor
Size:
(Men) S, M, L, XL
(Women) S, M, L
Weight: Men / M Approx. 139ｇ
Country of Origin: Japan
Producer: Tokyo Pio Co., Ltd.'s Aomori Factory, located in Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture, Japan
Introduction
"All things considered, Alpha Direct is just so convenient and great."
Polartec® Alpha® Direct has already become a go-to material for outdoor activity wear—an essential. Its exceptional balance of lightness, breathability, insulation, and comfort made Kurosawa Yusuke san want to eventually incorporate it into RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR products. It might have taken longer than it should have, but he is finally launching items that feature Polartec® Alpha® Direct.
In 2024, the first product launched was the “Alpha Full Zip Hoodie.”
This hoodie was designed not for rest, but specifically for active movement. Polartec® Alpha® Direct comes in various thicknesses, and for this model, Kurosawa Yusuke san choses the slightly lighter 68g/㎡ version. Despite its thinness, you’ll be surprised by how quickly it delivers a gentle warmth right after putting it on, along with exceptional comfort.
In the fall of 2024, as the season gradually crept into the Northern Alps, this hoodie proved to be an excellent activewear piece for mountain traverses.
Even during movement when body temperature rises, it doesn’t trap heat, while still retaining warmth on chilly ridgelines. It was an experience that truly demonstrated the value of this material.
The standout feature is definitely its breathability and moisture permeability. Even during intense movement, it quickly releases sweat and heat, keeping the interior dry and comfortable. This makes it an outstanding performer across a wide range of activities, including long hikes, trail running, and cycling.
However, due to its excellent breathability, the hoodie can feel a bit chilly during rest or in strong winds. In such cases, layering with a shirt or shell jacket helps block the wind and significantly boosts warmth. This flexibility in layering is one of its key strengths.
Even in midsummer, high-altitude areas like the Northern Alps can get unexpectedly cold at night. The lightweight, packable design of the Alpha Full Zip Hoodie makes it a reliable item to keep in your backpack for changing conditions.
This hoodie isn’t just for the mountains—it’s also great for travel or casual outings. Its compact, lightweight design makes it easy to pack, making it an ideal companion for trips or business travel.
Combining lightness, comfort, and functionality, the Alpha Full Zip Hoodie performs well across a wide range of situations. It’s a piece you’ll want to experience for yourself.
Material
This product uses Polartec® Alpha® Direct (68g/㎡), a material originally developed for U.S. Special Forces to handle extreme temperature shifts and varied activity levels. It offers warmth with excellent breathability and doesn't require a lining, allowing direct contact with the skin or other layers. Key features include efficient temperature regulation, quick-drying water resistance, lightweight packability, and high breathability—ideal for active use in dynamic environments.
Design
The hoodie features a boxy silhouette with raglan sleeves and a simple kangaroo pocket design. The hood opening was deliberately made without stretch. This decision was based on durability concerns: the 68g/㎡ Alpha® Direct fabric used is relatively delicate, and testing revealed that a stretch binder at the hood edge caused fabric tearing. To enhance longevity, the non-stretch finish was chosen.
As mentioned above, since the hood opening does not stretch, please unzip the front down to the neck before putting the hood on. Forcing the hood on with the zipper fully closed may cause the stitching at the opening to come undone. Be careful.
The front zipper is a double-zip (opens from both top and bottom), allowing you to unzip just the bottom for ventilation while wearing the hood. The hem also includes a 2mm elastic cord for fit adjustment.
You can adjust the fit at both sides of the hem using the pull tabs. The hoodie naturally flares slightly toward the hem, allowing airflow and breathability. Depending on the situation, you can tighten the elastic hem to alter both the fit and silhouette.
The cuffs contain flat elastic bands, providing a snug and stretchy fit. Another key feature is the use of flat seamer stitching, which joins fabric panels with minimal bulk using a special machine—reducing skin irritation and increasing seam durability, often used in sports and baby wear.
As the name suggests, flat seamer stitching produces extremely flat seams, minimizing skin irritation and making the garment more comfortable to wear. This method also enhances seam durability, which is why it’s commonly used in sportswear and baby clothing.
Credit: photos and description from Ridge Mountain Gear official website (https://www.ridge-mountaingear.com/)
*Product information translated and written by morimori
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