So I've had 3 of these now, 2 of which I still own and one was expropriated by a family member. First, Justin does custom sizing. Second, the little hood flap is actually a significant boost in warmth when it's cold out and pretty sure he'll do one sans flap if you ask.
Now, on to the stuff that matters: if you actually hike and bring UL gear with you then your day will go something like this: hike until around dinner, get into camp and ask yourself "why the **** do I have 5 layers on but no pockets" about 10 times an hour until the sun goes down and then when you put your down piece on you will wonder "how is it that the one garment I have that has pockets actually has the shittiest pockets ever made that make me constantly wonder if I've lost my weed vape to the forest in an LNT tragedy?"
Luckily this hoodie solves both problems by giving you pockets designed by someone who actually hikes that actually do what they are supposed to. I routinely use this thing like a real kangaroo, and by that I mean all my babies go into this thing: my vape, my fishing reel, my soft flask. If it can fit in this pocket I put it in there and walk around camp thumbing my nose at the poor pocketloss souls and the poor souls who put their headlamp in their pocket thinking that it would be there in an hour when they needed it. And of course, I go to bed with a smile on my face listening to the soft thuds of my hiking partners' items falling out of their pockets as they set up their sleep system. I'm writing this review for you because you're already on the site and it's too late to stop you but if anyone asks me where I got it I tell them I got them at a consignment store from a guy who was into the teletubby look and went with a Senchi.
Bonus points that this thing, like other AD items, has an unbeatable warmth to weight ratio with a trivial increase in weight for more features than you find on stuff like a Senchi. I'm as weight conscious as the next guy and routinely leave the trailhead with a BW of ~8lb but I never leave without this thing, literally ever. It goes on every trip I go on. The only thing that changes is that when it's high season I take my secret 60gsm that I had Justin custom make for me and all other times I bring the 90. Any good layering system should have an AD piece in it and if you're reading this review then you're in luck because I'm better at the internet than you and I'm here to tell you to stop looking. You will not find anything meaningfully lighter or better and with more options to customize and a nicer dude making it. Just buy it and go back to doom scrolling ClimateTok like the rest of us.
This might be the best review I’ve ever read. I’m dying over here. The pocket rant is absolute gold, and I’m so glad the hoodie is doing exactly what it’s supposed to—keeping you warm, storing all your camp essentials, and helping you flex on your pocketless hiking partners. And major respect for rocking both the 60gsm and 90gsm depending on the season. Thanks for taking the time to write this—it seriously made my day. Happy trails (and no LNT tragedies)! – Justin
A well made Alpha Direct piece that does what it promises to do. Worth the investment!
Glad to hear you're happy with it! Alpha Direct really is something special, and I’m happy it’s working well for you. Thanks for your support! – Justin
Thanks to beyond the Trailhead Gear, I now have an incredibly lightweight and warm hoodie for all my outdoor adventures. The quality is amazing, I can’t recommend this small cottage company more!
Thank you so much! I'm really glad you're loving the hoodie and that it's keeping you warm on your adventures. I appreciate your support and kind words about my work—it truly means a lot! – Justin
Very well made and fits my long arms.
The elastic isn't super heavy which is good for this lightweight shirt, though it is still heavier than the (very light) fleece fabric.
Thank you for your review! Glad to hear the fit works well for you and that you appreciate the balance of lightweight fabric and elastic. I hope you enjoy many adventures in it! - Justin BTT
Super well made! I like the snap closure hood, it works great on cooler days. Just took it on a week long hiking trip and it worked great as an active layer and kept me warm at night. The fit is good too
Thank you for the great review! We’re so glad to hear the hoodie performed well on your hiking trip and that you’re enjoying the snap closure hood. It’s awesome to know it worked as both an active layer and for warmth at night. We appreciate your support—happy trails! – The BTT Team
I received a custom sown Alpha 120 black crew from Justin a few months ago. I just ordered another one in Tundra Green. I am a male at 5'10" with athletic build and the medium size fits perfectly. There is plenty of room to add a thermal base layer and the fit is trim, but not snug. It is so lightweight that you almost forget you are wearing it. I wear the crew every day when I walk the dogs in the morning. At 20-30 degrees, all I need is a base layer and a wind shell to stay warm. In colder weather, I just add a layer. The quality of the crew's design and construction is top quality. The added stretch fabric at the neck and cuffs allows the crew to be easily pulled on and off without squeezing the head. The appearance is very nice and I have received compliments about the cut from friends and family. This crew looks and feels like a sweater, not a sweatshirt. I guess since this is my second one, I obviously like everything about it. Thanks again Justin, another great addition to BTT gear!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! We’re thrilled to hear how much you love your custom Alpha 120 Crew and that it’s become a daily go-to for you. It’s awesome to know the fit, warmth, and design are hitting the mark, and we’re especially glad the added stretch fabric makes it so comfortable to wear. Your kind words mean a lot, and we truly appreciate your continued support with your second crew and all the hoodies! Thanks for being a part of the BTT family—wishing you and your pups many cozy morning walks ahead! – Justin BTT
Thank you for your feedback! We’re happy to hear the fit and quality worked well for your girlfriend. We appreciate your support and hope she enjoys it on many adventures! – The BTT Team
Recently wore my rip-back 90 hoodie on a long hike in the Catskills on a chilly December day. Hoodie was very comfortable, very breathable, and VERY warm! Was unbelievably impressed with the performance and how well it kept me warm all morning. Highly recommended!!
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear the Rip-Back 90 Hoodie kept you warm and comfortable on your hike in the Catskills. It’s awesome to know it performed so well in chilly conditions. We appreciate the recommendation and wish you many more great adventures ahead! – The BTT Team
This hoodie is just great. Alpha direct 120 fabric is light and packable. The cut was excellent. I'm either a M or L size, depending on the product. I got the large, and it was the right choice. Not too tight, but comfortable with an outer layer over it. The build quality is great. I wasn't sure about the design of the hood closure, but once I put it on, it all made sense. The bottom of the hood is not too tight, but small enough to keep torso heat from escaping around the neck. I have long arms, and the sleeves are sufficiently long. Overall, I couldn't be happier with the product. It took some time to receive after purchase, but it was worth the wait.
Thank you for the detailed review! We’re so glad to hear the Alpha Direct Rip-Back Hoodie is working perfectly as a mid-layer for you. It’s great to know the fit and design details, like the hood closure and sleeve length, are meeting your needs. We appreciate your patience with the production time—it means a lot that you found it worth the wait. Thanks again for your thoughtful feedback and support! – The BTT Team
Love this hoodie. Looks great, super comfy. Fantastic garmit with outstanding customer service. Thanks BTT!!!
Thank you for the kind words! We’re thrilled you love the Trail Zephyr and had a great experience with us. Enjoy your adventures!
In my opinion, this is a great Hoodie. Lightweight alpha direct material keeps me warm. Wear it over a merino baselayer. Love the royal blue color too!!
Thank you for your review! We’re so glad you’re loving the hoodie and its lightweight warmth. The royal blue is a great choice—enjoy!
Love this hoodie and it's versatility at 90 gsm. Very well made piece. I would buy again.
Thank you for your review! We’re thrilled you love the hoodie’s versatility and quality. Happy adventuring!
The Hoodie is a great addition to my backpacking layers. It’s very comfortable and a great fit. Love the drawstring at the base to keep the cold air out.
Thank you for sharing! We’re so happy to hear the hoodie fits great and is keeping you cozy on your adventures. That drawstring really does make a difference—enjoy every step on the trail!
Thank you for your review! We’re thrilled you love the hoodie and can’t wait to hear how it performs on your winter backpacking trips. Happy trails!
So happy with my new hoodie and can't wait to take it backpacking. I save 7 ounces over my regular fleece! Clearly quality construction and appropriate sizing. Hopefully I can add to my review after I use it in the field; I may even take it snow camping.
Thank you for the great review! We’re so glad you’re enjoying the lightweight warmth and quality of your new hoodie. Can’t wait to hear how it performs on your backpacking and snow camping adventures!
I didn't know anything about Polartec Alpha before I received the hoodie on my birthday, but how I wish I would've found it earlier. The hoodie is so warm and comfortable. The best active insulation I own. The fit is perfect- I am a male at 5'8" with average body size and the small fits as expected, slim fit and snug, but not too tight. With a single base layer underneath and a wind shell over the top, I stay warm in any weather. Although style and color is not as important as warm and functionality, I have had numerous people comment on the look and ask me where I got it. It is really nice looking for performance wear, which I guess is why you can wear it beyond the trailhead. I can't wait until my next birthday...hint...hint
Thank you for the fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear the hoodie is keeping you warm, comfortable, and stylish—sounds like it’s getting plenty of attention on and off the trail! Here’s hoping your family picks up on that birthday hint for next year!
I received a hoodie as a birthday gift. The hoodie was custom fit for me, as I am a bit short in the torso, but wide in the shoulders...thank you Justin...it fits perfect! While I wasn't familiar with the Alpha material, the hoodie is by far the best for keeping me comfortable across a wide range of temperatures. I hike, bike, run, climb, etc. and no matter the activity or outside temp, the hoodie seems just right. I also think it is pretty cool that it is sown right here in Chip Falls, Wisconsin, USA!
Thank you for the amazing review! We’re so glad the custom fit worked perfectly for you and that the hoodie is keeping up with all your adventures. It’s great to hear you’re enjoying the versatility of Alpha and the fact it’s handmade here in Chippewa Falls. Happy exploring!
The hoodie is my new favorite for hiking/backpacking. Lightweight yet so warm. At 5'4" and 130 lbs, the XS fits amazing. The grey/amber color duo is a great combo. I've had several compliments on looks alone. Great quality product with excellent customer service!
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad the hoodie has become your go-to for hiking and backpacking. It’s awesome to hear the fit, warmth, and color combo are all working out for you—happy adventuring!
I own other brands of Alpha fleece, but Beyond the Trailhead is by far the best fitting and best quality. I am 5'10" about 170lbs and the medium fits not too slim and not too baggy. The quality is excellent with good stitching throughout. If you're wondering about the fit, Justin has always been available and will help with sizing. He literally cuts and sews in his living room, truly an artisan of the cottage industry. I ordered two more hoodies for my adult sons and he was able to alter the length and sleeves for a perfect fit. He also sewed a custom 120g crew neck for me, which is so warm and comfortable that I think he should tailor it for the masses. Justin provides great customer service!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re thrilled you love the fit, quality, and custom touches—it means a lot to us. Helping you and your family find the perfect gear is what we’re all about. Enjoy your hoodies and that custom crew neck!
I just received this hoodie prior to a trip to the Utah National Parks where we did lots of fall hiking. Wore it with a light weight wind shell (tyono 30 denier) and a super lightweight merino t-shirt underneath. The combo worked perfect for the cold morning temperature. when it warmed up I shed the wind shell and just the hoodie allowed me to maintain consistent body temp through sun and shade. My wife had a typical fleece jacket over a t-shirt and she was hot/cold. The features of this hoodie excel above a lot of the other Alpha options on the market. I really like the neck snaps and hood/colar design. Only small gripe, not necessarily a negative is the pics on the web site and color description are a little off than actual- Waikawa Grey and Peach amber match images on website, however upon receiving it, it appears more like slate blue and pink in actuality. I've come to like the colors. My wife refers to it as my grandma sweater.
Thank you for the detailed review! We’re thrilled the hoodie performed so well during your Utah adventure—sounds like the perfect layering system! We’ll take note of your feedback on the color descriptions for future colors and are glad you’ve come to love the shade (even with the “grandma sweater” nickname!). Happy hiking!
I didn't see the lead time on the hoodie, my mistake. Contacted Justin and he got me my hoodie in time for my trip, love the product, thanks.
Thank you for your review! I'm glad I could get your hoodie to you in time—hope it was perfect for your trip!
there are other alpha direct hoodies out there, but the little extras that beyond the trailhead has makes it all worthwhile! kangaroo pocket for all my little things, check! built in venting neck gaiter, check! customizable snap colors to match my pack, you betcha! awesome hoodie, performs great, fits me much better than other brands (slim, with long torso and arms). very happy i found this maker, highly recommend!
Thank you so much for the kind words! We’re thrilled you love the thoughtful features and fit of our hoodie—it’s exactly why we designed it this way. Happy trails!
I bought this for an upcoming Nepal trek and so far I’ve been wearing it all waking hours. Very comfortable and well built.
Recently purchased the Alpha Direct 120 hoodie. Yes there is a lead time, yes it is worth the wait. I like my Senchi 90, but the hood/collar system on the Rip-Back is more comfortable and more functional and i appreciate the heavier weight material for the cooler weather. Thats the great product part, here is the great service part. A week after receiving a shipment notification I noticed the tracking was still showing "pre shipment" so I inquired as to what might be going on and Justin quickly responded and essentially said Im sorry I don't know whats going on but let me make another and get it sent out straight away. Several days later the hoodie arrived, with a little something extra for my "troubles". Wasn't too much trouble for me to wait just a little longer. Thank you for the excellent service.