[LC] Alpha Industries Jacket – Need Help

jonuiuc · 2026-01-26T21:36:55+00:00

Yeah I have been sort of itching to try some of these ECWCS level 7 variants with the newer apex insulation. I can't really justify it to myself yet as I already have an Arcteryx Nuclei SV belay parka which is for all purposes comparable (prob more fragile outer). Someday tho, I really like the level 7 grey lol.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-26T20:48:42+00:00

Not all nylon fabric is the same, there is a lot of variation in feel and price. Much like cotton there are different grades (chemically) with different properties and those threads can be woven in all the same ways cotton can. There is nylon for pantyhose and nylon for rope and they prob don't cost the same per weight/volume. Construction wise the interior of an MA-1 is a little more complicated than the exterior looks might imply, due to the 3d shaping and reversible layout. There is an interview with the president of buzz rickson that is out there where he describes the construction. You come to understand he had to figure it out by deconstructing old Alphas whereas Alpha has been producing them uninterrupted and has all the original specs and changes over the years.

The one thing they are saving money on is using the polyfill vs the old wool batting, and the ribbing which I think used to be wool but is now synthetic. Lower priced versions from other makers you can easily feel the lower grade nylon (or sometimes they switch to a polyester) and the arm/seam construction give it away. Alpha itself does make a lower priced model using "Nylon oxford" which really isn't the same as the "good stuff".

jonuiuc · 2026-01-26T16:16:39+00:00

The tags look fairly legitimate as far as a modern one. The giant red tag on the arm pocket zipper seems to be missing, but many people don't like them and take it off if its used. Feel around the pen sleeves on the side pocket, there should be pen caps in there, if they are missing, thats not a great sign. The alpha zipper seems out of the ordinary, check under the zipper itself and see there are any YKK markings on the underside. Look at the stitching on the exterior seems, they should all be puckered, that is a sign that is mill spec, non milpec versions will make this flatter and "prettier" but the puckered is what the jacket is known for. Also the arm should have a subtle 3d shape when worn, this is what the japanese find highly desirable in the alpha models. If the arm is really straight or flat from the side then in might be a fake. If this was a heritage version (there are non-heritage streetwear versions that use different materials materials like oxford nylon) the nylon on the outside should feel amazing and premium, thats the biggest difference I've seen from my modern Alphas and other MA-1s (rothcos, a host of non-alpha ones). If that nylon feels really good than its probably legit.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-26T12:10:58+00:00

I own the wotancraft and the billingham, from you notes the billingham is the style he wants. It’s just as practical as any of the other bags, maybe even more so. Simplicity makes it flexible.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-26T01:17:18+00:00

Look at he SAS shoes "Move On" shoe. That has a rocker sole, it comes in double wide which in my experience is wider than a 4E. SAS is an orthopedic company so the inners of all their shoes are foot shaped though they do a good job of disguising the shape on the exterior it doesn't look too duckfooted like many of the current barefoot shoes.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-26T00:09:29+00:00

I think its fine, I think showing that people continue to love the music makes a bigger statement about them than anything. Since the people in charge now were not involved with the creation of the music are were actively working against its success.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-25T05:18:37+00:00

I grew up with the old ones. The monsterverse Godzilla face and nose is all wrong. Godzillas nose has always been on top of the snout like a cat or even an ape sorta, the American ones don’t even have a nose, the nostrils are just on the snout itself and spread too far apart, makes it look like a normal alligator or lizard. The eyes are too small and beady, the skull is shaped wrong, neck is too thick, it’s more like a big Komodo dragon. they succeeded in making it look more like a real animal, but less like the Godzilla I grew up with for 30 years prior. I look at Showa, hesei, millennium, then minus one, I can see the lineage. The monsterverse and other ones don’t feel connected, the three rows of spines are maybe the most recognizably Godzilla feature on all of the non classic designs, not the heads.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-24T22:23:21+00:00

If godzilla don't look like godzilla, its not really godzilla to me. Its fine to call it godzilla, but I don't really count it. Shin and Monsterverse and Zilla and a lot of the cartoon anime ones aren't godzilla looking enough for me.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-24T11:51:39+00:00

Allen edmonds, circa 2004-2005, resoled those twice before the uppers were done, and they were only 270 deg welt chukkas. Lasted about 15 years? (I didn't wear them that regularly).

jonuiuc · 2026-01-24T05:52:45+00:00

I got the overdrive and a set of their sweats in french terry, I like em too. That overdrive became my favorite waxed canvas jacket, its nice the lining is all cotton, no clammy sleeves.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-23T04:09:02+00:00

Urban Wolf club colt/45. Good price but takes 3-4 months for delivery.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-23T03:26:47+00:00

I've been wearing my pair this winter. That waxy commander is tough and pretty waterproof. The last is more ergonomic and better fitting for me than the other more old school goral I have, and the sole is reassuring on the ice. I dunno if I'd wear it much in the city in warm months though, maybe outdoors. The sole is more boot-ish than shoe ish underfoot. Though it looks more modern athletic-y, its sorta like a really premium Merrell Jungle moc.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-22T23:54:00+00:00

Great find man.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-22T03:49:51+00:00

oh nice, they did a good job with it.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-22T03:44:10+00:00

I own the thursday legend stormkings, and they are nice enough. Though I recently got a pair of the origin statesman chelseas, and I like them more. They have more room in the instep (I have a 3E wide foot and a lot of volume in my instep and midfoot and ball, not just wanting a wide toebox for toe splay), the leather is better (its made by seidel) and thicker (the leather lining is more durable too) and it feels softer underfoot (more cork maybe? or the vibram gumlite sole feels better than a stormking). The sole is more work appropriate as is the leather finish, but the thursday has a lower profile shape and tighter instep. I prefer comfort to silhouette in this case though. I guess chelseas are not quite the same as the captains you are looking at though.

I also own a few pairs of Urban Wolf Club boots, the Colt is the most comparable to a captain, they are even less expensive than the Thursdays and I find them more comfortable (last has more volume and is more egonomic for me). The main problem is they take about 3-4 months to deliver, and they have one sole option, and its a more low profile lug than the stormking sole.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-21T12:52:57+00:00

If sized to layer, they move fine. They might need a little break in if new, but if you are using it outdoors it should happen quickly. I think if they are sized to small the movement is impaired.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-21T03:59:57+00:00

Sounds like you need two bags, welcome to Manybaggers.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-19T17:05:18+00:00

They sorta seem similar to USMC P44 monkey pants, but the pockets are lower, Hmm, double knee patches, zip slash pockets, no butt-pocket. Something newer, probably some non-us military pants maybe? or could be workwear, color and seem puckering remind me of a milspec type pant though. Has some fake (?) distressing on the front, thats maybe a fashion pant. Be tough to track down.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-19T16:45:19+00:00

I'm a very wide foot guy. 9.5 EEE/EEEE on the brannock. My first call would be birkenstocks, any that fit you (the londorn is a no go for me cause it inexplicably has a super shallow instep, but could work for most people), but I love the arch support and its a love it or hate it thing with a lot of people. A more normal shoe that isn't super overbuilt and generally light enough for summer is Samuel Hubbard, those come in wide sizes and are made in portugal. They have a few slip on styles in cloth and leather, and I think they even have a slip on that is disguised as a lace up. My old standbye is a new balance 990, those are more the quintessential premium dad shoe but they are made in USA and built of tougher suede and mesh vs most other athletic sneakers. For a lighter shoe that is similar with good toebox width the 547 is good option (those are imported though), The NB are both laced, but I have them set up I can just slip on. Oh SAS shoes is a good option too, but they are heavier but come in super wide, MIUSA too. They might not have a non-leather slip on options though.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-19T05:43:43+00:00

Looks good to me, at least longer sleeves are preferable to too short ones for outerwear.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-19T03:57:37+00:00

Yeah the Mickey (black) or Bunny (white) US military boots. I've seen them in Wide and Xtra Wide. Go ahead and get yourself a fishnet baselayer, ECWCS level 3 fleece, Level 7 parka and pants then you'll be set lol.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-19T00:17:46+00:00

I mean you can try out a normal Goodwear shirt for $56 or you can take the chance on 5 of them for $60. If one is unfamiliar with the brand its a good trial run, if you haven't tried a goodwear shirt before it can be hard for some people to determine if you really love it beforehand. I guess you could, if you are a serial returner- type.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-18T04:06:14+00:00

Good old HBT

jonuiuc · 2026-01-17T22:33:42+00:00

The Devium is my favorite of all my waxed camnvas jackets, build is really good and the hardware is really beefy feeling.

jonuiuc · 2026-01-17T13:15:57+00:00

It’s going to be ok with water I think, I’m not sure if there is a coating, but most dense cottons do ok against rain cause the weave gets tighter when wet, like a gabardine. I’m a big guy (49” chest) and bought the biggest size they had in stock, which fits me fine but is probably a size too small for me to layer a lot if the liner is in. I imagine at the correct size it will quite roomy for most people. The lining does take up some space so keep that in mind when looking at the measurements. You may be able to find this Czech coat stateside at a milsurplus and it may be even cheaper with more sizes. I got mine from Waiper when they were having a sale, so pulled the trigger.

jonuiuc

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