Polartec Alpha Direct

Would love to hear anyone's experience with this fabric in a climbing context. It's super breathable, lightweight, and dries very quickly -- all of which seems perfect for climbing.  It also snags on everything, is not durable, and doesn't stretch -- which all seems awful for climbing... 

Thoughts? 

Good for use as a separate mid layer, but definitely useless as an outer.

Some brands use Alpha Direct as a liner to a thin wind breaker. That offsets most of the durability downsides.

Potentially the worst textile ever invented in terms of microplastics

I use a Patagonia air capilene base layer with either one of two polartec alpha direct midlayers. Each one is a different weight with a different,light, outer windbreaker type fabrics. On really windy or wet days I wear an actual shell on top. This combo of super breathable keeps me much drier and comfortable than typical tighter weave wool or capilene base layers.i would never switch back to a non-aerated type layering system.

I haven't noticed a stretch issue and that's likely due to good design. Durability is a non issue as both alpha layers have an outer face fabric. I would also consider just a standalone alpha layer as a base\midlayer and then add whatever actual shell you want to eliminate the least breathable layer.

I'm also here for the micro plastics discussion. I think it's only fair in comparison to overall carbon footprint  as well. Neither wool nor petroleum-based fabrics are a free ride.always looking for a better education and thought provocation.

Polartec Alpha was originally envisioned as an encapsulated insulation, similar to most other synthetic insulation and in this use micro plastic shedding is significantly reduced. Direct came from brand pressure as far as I'm aware.

Regarding Micro plastics and micro fibre pollution, it's bad, probably not as bad as you think and microplastics in general are already in all water all food and absolutely every piece of synthetic clothing, whether that's a fleece, polartec alpha, or your hardshell, minimise washing and wear merino baselayers if you want to reduce pollution.

There is some wool based active insulation layers now on the market, look up "Salewa Tirol wool" or Ortovox "swiss wool". Wool is fantastically breathable and responsive to wearer output so from a material science outlook it gets a big thumbs up.

Ive been building somethings out of teijin octa, as I found alpha direct to be a little frustrating to work with and buy. The teijin stuff is less than half the price per yard. It is surprisingly warm for the weight, I feel like it stretches well, doesn't "stick" to other layers and I've generally been happy to work with it. Only made some small pieces so far, making a pair of camp pants next, so that will be a bigger test.

And yes, definitely a contributor to microplastic pollution, but my hope is that a Japanese company that mills outside of China has a little more consistency and oversight than others. Maybe pollyannaish...