So I recently bought an Alpha SV on a good sale and its outer fabric layer (N80d) seems to wet out alot, certainly alot more often than my friends' other Arcteryx jackets. Is anybody else having this experience with this jacket or other jackets with N80d?
You may want to try Nikwax, but if its relatively new... that shouldn't be happening with a top of the line jacket - if you bought it recently (and not used) and it's that bad, I'd contact arcteryx about a warranty.
I'm not sure if it applies to your jacket, but over the past year or two outdoor companies began using different DWRs due to the old DWRs being outlawed for environmental reasons. The new DWRs apparently don't work nearly as well. Lots of the old ones weren't that good to begin with. Arc'teryx began using something they call "Nu"
Even though it's 'new' might have gotten dirt or other hydrophilic stuff in the threads. Give it a wash, if it doesn't fix the problem send it back.
My SV that I received last year (awesome warranty. Thanks arc!) only wets out after a heavy downpour but stays waterproof. I wash mine regularly and treat with nick wax after a month of heavy (daily) use climbing.
This should be a durable jacket, and in my experience it's been extremely durable / tough. Arcteryx customer service is excellent, but my bet is that it's dirty and needs a wash and nick wax