The Alpha Direct 4004 Hoodie is an ultralight hoodie built with Polartec Alpha Direct 4004 fabric. Alpha Direct 4004 is the 90gsm variant. This is an excellent intense activity insulation layer that should be paired with a shell for a very light, modular system. The structure of the fabric is very open, with fluffy tufts between. With a shell to cap the air, the tufts create loft and the spaces create dead air. It keeps you very warm for its weight. Without a shell Alpha has very little insulation value, which is one of its benefits. By venting the outer shell and exposing the Alpha directly to the air, you can dump a lot of heat quickly without the need for inner layer zippers. You can change the outer shell to deal with different conditions while providing a huge and highly adjustable range of insulation. This can’t compare to a true static insulator like a down sweater at camp but it can sometimes be enough to get by with, while covering a giant range of conditions while active.
Approximately 4oz (small).
These hoodies are designed to be very minimalist and lightweight. The cross over hood allows for a snug fit around the head and neck, with really good coverage, while still allowing space to put a head through and room to pull the hood on and off without a bunch of excess fabric or a bunch of heavy drawcords. There needs to be enough fabric length around the face hole to have room to pull the hood on / off your head. This can be taken up by a drawcord or elastic, but that adds weight. The cross over builds in the fabric length to take it on / off, but when worn, it overlaps the fabric to keep the hood opening snug around the face. It also allows for really good coverage since the overlap can be pulled up towards your mouth and the overlap keeps your neck warm.
Pockets are intentionally left off of these since this fabric doesn’t have enough structure to really hold much weight and most of the time bare Alpha is used as a mid layer. Weight in pockets on an Alpha garment are bouncy and put a lot of stress on the light fabric. When using Alpha for warmth, you definitely want a shell over it, which cuts off access to pockets anyway. Really the only time it makes sense to use Alpha without a shell is when you are very active and need to dump heat or just want a little bit of really breathable insulation.
Zippers are also intentionally not included in this garment. The fabric has mechanical ventilation built into it such that a zipper doesn’t make much sense for most people in most cases. There are some folks and use cases that warrant a zipper so there will likely be an Alpha jacket coming along in our line in the near future.
Ron –
Though I worry a bit about the somewhat fragile nature of Polartec Alpha, this piece is great. I don’t really wear it while hiking because I’m afraid it will snag. I may press it into service in colder conditions underneath a wind jacket or puffy. I wear it at camp and to sleep in. It is quite warm for its weight and very soft. The hood is great when paired with a beanie of similar material and in warmer temps when I don’t use the Waterbear Balaclava, the hood provides a soft layer between the stubble on my face from not shaving and the material of my pillow. I own quite a few Timmermade pieces and they individually, and combined, have really brought the weight of my pack down during the colder months. If you are carrying around a heavier hoodie or sweatshirt, do yourself a favor and ditch it for one of these.
David welter (verified owner) –
Worth the wait/weight.
Got this a few days ago in the mail and tested it out that night in the backyard hammock. The idea being, if slept in, I can get by with a lighter quilt, and no hoodie(down to 40f).
I was using a 50° quilt/underquilt and the Temp dropped to ~40°f. Worked like a charm; I never woke up cold.(which had been a problem in the past unless I wore a hoodie to bed)
With rain gear that can act as a shell, I will be hiking without a hoodie and a few oz off the quilt until the temp goes below 40°.
So far, so good.
H. Harding –
This is my “go to” midlayer. Light and warm, great compressibility, fits a little slim so went up a size, which is perfect as I like a little space. Only wish a crew neck were available so I could wear in more formal settings. Overall a great polartec alpha product based on others that I own ( Rab, Outdoor Research, First Ascent,Norrona, Marmot, etc. – yes, I’m an Alpha kinda guy!).
AG (verified owner) –
I’ve enjoyed wearing this hoodie on my fall and winter hikes for the last six months. Going uphill, I usually wear a merino wool long-sleeve. I add the Alpha and/or a lightweight wind shell if it’s windy/cold and when going downhill. The Alpha is so light that its weight is almost negligible in a backpack and packs down tiny. If the temp is lower than 40F, I also pack an insulated lightweight down jacket and wear the Alpha underneath. Below 45F, I’ve learned that you really do not want to be caught sitting at the top of a mountain with just this, a merino long-sleeve and a wind shell 🙂
I also have a MH Airmesh hoodie. This hoodie is more breathable than the Airmesh and not quite as warm. I’m more worried about this hoodie snagging, but it feels much nicer on exposed skin, and the neck fabric is less constricting. Unless it’s extremely cold, I usually go for the Alpha.
I bought two because I worried the fabric would snag and tear when hiking. I haven’t been particularly careful with them, though, and no noticeable tearing still.
5/5
Dan R. (verified owner) –
A very versatile and lightweight hoodie. In addition to wearing it under a wind resistant or water resistant layer, I use it as a:
Pillow, rolled up inside its hood (can also leave the sleeves out and wrap them around neck and shoulders as a kind of draft tube),
Leg and /or foot warmer while sitting at camp and while sleeping,
On its own while my other clothes dry on the line.
A few small tufts came off on a recent bikepacking trip, but it’s holding up well.
Sizing: I got custom sizing including the neck hole (26) but it just fits over my XL head, nose and ears.