Arcteryx Atom Ar Jacket Review

The arc teryx atom ar with double the torso insulation of the lightly insulated jackets makes an excellent mid layer for truly cold weather and stylish outerwear this is a beefy well built jacket with a heavier more durable shell fabric than most we tested.

Arcteryx atom ar jacket review.

If you aren t expecting to experience any wet weather then cerium lt men s women s read my review can be a good alternat ive. Atom ar jacket winter warmth with serious versatility the atom ar jacket is built to handle a range of adventure. Other versions of the arc teryx beta ar. The arc teryx atom ar jacket is our favorite jacket in this test.

Atom ar hoody warm and breathable wind and weather resistant packable and durable. It is much warmer than its lightweight little brother the arc teryx atom sl which has 40g m2 coreloft only in the torso and around half as warm as the arc tery atom ar which has coreloft 120 insulation in the torso worn as a mid layer the atom lt is similar in warmth to the other active mid layers made. This range of performance is the single biggest determining factor to secure it the top spot. Wear it as a standalone during rest phases evenings at camp or trips to town.

For comparison the patagonia nano air hoody 12 2. Use it as a breathable midlayer in cold wet conditions. The women s jacket mirrors the men s design with a gore tex pro build helmet compatible drophood and mix of 40 and 80 denier face fabrics. I use it for trekking or just around town on fairly cold days.

The ar has an athletic cut arc teryx s standard fit so it s not as close to skin as a trim cut. Its coreloft synthetic insulation is efficient effective and resilient. For low output activities atom ar men s women s read my review. I guess this review points out what i feel are the major differences and some similarities.

For high output activities absolutely proton lt men s women s read my review along with beta ar it s one of my 2 arc teryx favorites. The fleece lined hand pockets single pull hood adjustment stretchy wrist hugging cuffs and fancy main zipper pull are the type of. Because they differ clearly in this one manner how you re planning to use the jacket so i d recommend you to move forward. Going from top to bottom atom sl lt and ar respectively the warmth increases and the breathability decreases.

At 12 7 ounces for a men s medium the arc teryx atom lt hoody is fairly average in the synthetic jacket category the listed weight is 14 6 oz. Compared to my other articles on arc teryx and patagonia jackets this comparison is relatively easier to get out of. The atom ar has more coreloft insulation and of course makes the jacket warmer. Worn as a cold weather midlayer or standalone during rest phases the atom ar hoody is one of our most versatile insulation pieces.

With this jacket you get a highly competent jacket that can stand alone in cold weather or can be used with a shell in harsh conditions. The obvious limitation is the high price.