The Light Alpha Vest Jacket is a really useful lightweight jacket from Japan’s Yamatomichi. Designed with ultralight hiking in mind, the outer shell is made from a very-breathable fabric named Pertex Quantum Air which has been bonded with an ultra-thin  titanium layer on the inside to help retain body heat. This is combined with Polartec’s Alpha Direct fleece for excellent warmth-to-weight ratio—keeping things comfortable without getting stuffy. 

The clever details don’t stop there—that angled front-closure keeps that two-way YKK zip away from your face, while those thumbholes are reinforced with Taslan to prevent tearing. The sleeves zip off too—meaning it works just as well as a vest.