When Arc'teryx set out to improve upon its already legendary Alpha SV Jacket, the seemingly contradictory concepts of lighter and stronger instantly came to mind, seeing that it's the go-to choice for 100-day skiers, professional mountain guides, and alpinists scaling the world's most daunting peaks. The newest iteration of the Arc'teryx Women's Alpha SV Jacket leverages a 100-denier nylon face (what Arc'teryx calls N100p-X) over the previous 80-denier fabric for twice the abrasion-resistance and 50% more strength against tears. It retains the legendary Gore-Tex Pro 3-layer membrane for guaranteed waterproofing and high levels of breathability when you're making first tracks on waist-deep days or pushing up peaks in the worst conditions imaginable. This increase in strength comes with a slight weight penalty (approximately 2% increase) in the face fabric. Offsetting this minute increase, Arc'teryx decreases the jacket's overall weight with narrower 8mm Gore seam tape, eliminating zipper garages with the use of WaterTight zippers and RS sliders, as well as custom Cohaesive hem adjusters that replace the previous version's Harness HemLock insert. This obsessive focus on weight savings makes the Alpha SV a top contender for light-and-fast alpine missions where nasty weather is expected. Besides saving weight, the Cohaesive hem adjuster offers a snug fit around the hip that's ideal for pairing with a climbing harness on alpine missions. WaterTight underarm zips provide extra breathability without sacrificing protection from oncoming precipitation, while the StormHood accommodates helmets during skiing and alpine climbing. Moreover, there's a plethora of pockets along the chest and bicep for quickly grabbing and stashing items on the move. These features make the Alpha SV a veritable fortress against the world's most demanding alpine environments, all without sacrificing functionality or storage like many lightweight jackets on the market.