Midlayers - Rab Xenair Alpine Light, Norrona Lyngen Alpha100

I recently bought both of these midlayers and just wanted to post a bit of info to potentially help others who may be considering them.

My intended use is a breathable "active insulation" midlayer for using during active cold weather pursuits (ice and alpine climbing, ski mountaineering, etc.).  I would expect the application to be similar to a typical Nano Air, and I am replacing an aging OR Ascendant (which has sadly been discontinued).

Norrona Lyngen Alpha 100: Cut long and fairly slim.  Outer "shell" material is not a typical breathable stretchy fabric, but more of a "crinkly" stiff plastic fabric.  Breathability was very minimal when trying to force air through the fabric (huge difference compared to the Quantum Air used on the Ascendant).

Rab Xenair Alpine Light: Typical Rab fit (slim).  As advertised, uses a stretchy and breathable Quantum Air outer and Primaloft Active insulation for maximum breathability.  However (for reasons I can't comprehend) the inner lining is typical 20D nylon, very similar to what you'd find on something like a Nano Puff or down sweater, with very limited breathability, not much stretch, and a "sticky" feel if worn next to skin.

Due to the limited breathability of the fabric combos, neither of these pieces was what I was looking for and I returned both of them.  They could be great for other applications, but just a heads up for people looking for something that fits into the breathable/Nano Air category, these pieces probably aren't it due to the fabric choices.

It seems like this market space is shrinking quite a bit; there was an explosion of "active insulation" pieces after the Nano Air came out, but many of them have been discontinued and the options are a lot fewer these days.  Perhaps everyone is just going back to fleece due to the cost/durability benefits?

I've seen more octaloft used then polartec alpha for whatever reason. 

Ben Ha wrote:

I've seen more octaloft used then polartec alpha for whatever reason. 

Maybe licensing cost or something?  I know the ME Kinesis pieces use Octa, and the Proton FL/Lightweight.  What else is out there using this?  Seems like it might be a good replacement for Alpha, which is getting harder to find...

I’m looking at the Kinesis, wondering about fit.  It isn’t sold near me so I have to order it

Kyle Tarry wrote:

Maybe licensing cost or something?  I know the ME Kinesis pieces use Octa, and the Proton FL/Lightweight.  What else is out there using this?  Seems like it might be a good replacement for Alpha, which is getting harder to find...

Mountain Hardwear airmesh and kor warm, Northface futurefleece, some norrona stuff 

Pat K wrote:

I’m looking at the Kinesis, wondering about fit.  It isn’t sold near me so I have to order it

Check the size chart. Its super athletic fit.

Alpha is great. The Ascendant was one of OR's best pieces, shame they canx'd it. Equally shameful nobody else can seem to make an active layer correctly. 

I use naked Alpha "direct" (or fleece) since I like my shell separate. Also hard to find. 

Re: Octa I haven't examined the latest Proton Lightweight but the Ascendant was far superior to the Proton FL in my opinion. The FL hood wasn't meant to go over a helmet and the pockets weren't insulated on the outside. 

Alpha can be pretty awesome when used right. I used to work for Norrona and fell in love with the material after seeing it in their stuff.

I run a small ice climbing accessory brand called Alto Gear, and am actually currently developing a few technical Alpha Direct pieces. They'd be all produced and sewn in-house here in the US. If anyone here would be interested hearing more, or even possibly testing them out as I continue to develop the design, shoot me a message on Instagram @altogear or at altogear.com.

Benjamin Leibham wrote:

Alpha can be pretty awesome when used right. I used to work for Norrona and fell in love with the material after seeing it in their stuff.

I run a small ice climbing accessory brand called Alto Gear, and am actually currently developing a few technical Alpha Direct pieces. They'd be all produced and sewn in-house here in the US. If anyone here would be interested hearing more, or even possibly testing them out as I continue to develop the design, shoot me a message on Instagram @altogear or at altogear.com.

Always interested in new midlayers :D ! 

FYI, I talked to Rab customer service and they said that a new version of the Xenair Alpine Light is coming out in late 2023 that will be more breathable, they claim the CFM is going from 1 to 15.  Presumably that means they are changing the inner fabric, which would potentially turn it into a really nice piece.

(This also begs the question that if they knew the CFM of the current piece was 1, how did they even let it go to market?)

Kyle Tarry wrote:

(This also begs the question that if they knew the CFM of the current piece was 1, how did they even let it go to market?)

Shit garment technologists. 

Check out the marmot alt hb hoody.

• 50 cfm breathability,  octa-yarn, 11 oz, sale color is $70, or sign up and save another 15%, so under $60. Ends tonight 

One layer I'm interested in the the North Face Casaval hoody...

It's pricey,  but it looks like a really nice stretchable, breathable mid layer. 

https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/mens/collections/summit-series-c324273/mens-summit-series-casaval-hoodie-pNF0A82VD

Anybody tried one?

Has anyone tried the new Nano Air Light Hybrid yet? Seems pretty sweet 

https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-nano-air-light-hybrid-insulated-jacket/84346.html?dwvar_84346_color=WAVB

Awesome, I didn't know about the new Light Hybrid. Wonder how it differs from the original with the R1 air fleece. 

Has anyone used Patagonia's Upstride Jacket? It piques my interest but seems incredibly slim fitting. https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-upstride-backcountry-ski-jacket/29930.html

Thanks for the heads-up on the Xenair. I've been curious about this piece and the warmer, Xenair Alpine with 100 g/m2 of PrimaLoft. I tend to run cold, so I thought the Xenair Alpine might be what I was looking for, but if the CFM's suck, Idk now. I'll likely wait to see what version 2.0 offers. Great job.

AlpineIce wrote:

Thanks for the heads-up on the Xenair. I've been curious about this peak and the warmer, Xenair Alpine with 100 g/m2 of PrimaLoft. I tend to run cold, so I thought the Xenair Alpine might be what Iw as looking for, but if the CFM's suck, Idk now. I'll likely wait to see what version 2.0 offers. Great job.

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/123529965/himali-vs-arcteryx#ForumMessage-123769517

This thread talks about a potential option for you 100gsm of active insulation 

AlpineIce wrote:

Thanks for the heads-up on the Xenair. I've been curious about this peak and the warmer, Xenair Alpine with 100 g/m2 of PrimaLoft. I tend to run cold, so I thought the Xenair Alpine might be what Iw as looking for, but if the CFM's suck, Idk now. I'll likely wait to see what version 2.0 offers. Great job.

I have a Xenair Alpine and haven't had issues with the breathability so far, except when I'm using it outside of the acceptable range of a 100gsm insulation piece. 

I have a Rab alpha flash I use as a mid layer under the Rab borialis softshell hoody. The flash is polartec alpha. No lining or outer shell. It's super warm in during activity but obviously no wind protection. The borialis provides great wind protection and breaths well. 

Senchi Designs also makes hooded tops with polartec alpha direct 90. They are a small boutique online shop. Usually have to pre-order. 

I like this combination because it allows multiple layering options. I have warn just a synthetic base layer with the borialis in the 20's. Add the Flash and I can go to -10F as long as I keep moving.