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Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody Review

This active insulated layer combines lightweight mobility with great breathability while offering some warmth
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arc'teryx atom lt hoody insulated jacket review
Designed as an active mid-layer, this performance piece served us well while hiking, skiing, and going hard in the back country and at local crags.
Credit: James Lucas
Price:  $300 List
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Manufacturer:   Arc'teryx
By James Lucas ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Feb 2, 2023
71
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 11
  • Warmth - 25% 6.0
  • Weight and Compressibility - 20% 7.0
  • Comfort - 20% 9.0
  • Weather Resistance - 20% 5.0
  • Breathability - 15% 9.0

Our Verdict

A favorite for active use, the Arc'teryx Atom LT boasts an excellent fit and great breathability. The Coreloft Compact insulation combined with stretch fleece panels on the sides allows for incredible breathability while still maintaining warmth. The two hand pockets with hidden zippers and the internal chest pocket make for streamlined storage. Our testers loved taking it nordic skiing, running in the winter, climbing in cold temps, and using it as a layer during heavy activity or as a mid-layer under a shell for more serious conditions. Our article on the best insulated jackets will show you how it fares versus competing products.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Breathable
Warm
Great mobility
REASONS TO AVOID
Pricey
Little adjustability
Poor packability

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This well-fitting mid-layer jacket offers comfort and breathability for active useWell-fitting and comfortable, this jacket's ability to stave off weather makes it ideal for outdoor activitiesThis synthetic jacket features all the bells and whistles needed for backcountry adventuresAn ideal outer layer for throwing on when outside during windy and cold daysOur favorite model offers a great blend of function, comfort, and price
Rating Categories Arc'teryx Atom LT H... Patagonia DAS Light... Mountain Hardwear C... Rab Xenon 2.0 Amazon Essentials L...
Warmth (25%)
6.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
5.0
Weight and Compressibility (20%)
7.0
8.0
5.0
7.0
6.0
Comfort (20%)
9.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Weather Resistance (20%)
5.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
5.0
Breathability (15%)
9.0
6.0
5.0
6.0
5.0
Specs Arc'teryx Atom LT H... Patagonia DAS Light... Mountain Hardwear C... Rab Xenon 2.0 Amazon Essentials L...
Measured Weight 13.05 oz 12.31 oz 16.47 oz 12.56 oz 11.0 oz
Insulation Coreloft Compact synthetic fibers 100% recycled polyester PlumaFill 85% recycled polyester PrimaLoft Silver 100% polyester
Outer Fabric 20D Tyono shell, stretch fleece panels (94% polyester, 6% elastane) Pertex Quantum Pro 15D coated nylon ripstop Pertex Quantum Nylon
Stuffs Into Itself No Yes No Yes No
Hood Option Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Number of Pockets 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered internal chest 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest, 1 internal zip, 1 internal drop-in 2 zippered hand, 1 internal zip 2 zippered hand

Our Analysis and Test Results

One of the best mid-layer jackets on the market, the Arc'teryx Atom LT insulates with the breathable, warm, and light Coreloft Compact insulation, which performs when wet. The trim fit makes it an excellent base layer or light mid-layer. This streamlined jacket features two zippered hand pockets and an internal zippered chest pocket. Simple and functional, the Atom LT excels as a performance piece. The highly breathable material works great for athletic endeavors like winter runs, nordic skiing, and climbing when the temperatures drop below 20 degrees and we need a piece that would breathe and keep some warmth. As a standalone piece, this jacket lacks the warmth of some of the more robust insulated jackets we tested, but as an activewear mid-layer, it excels.

Performance Comparison


arc'teryx atom lt hoody insulated jacket review - this lightweight mid-layer served as a perfect jacket for hiking...
This lightweight mid-layer served as a perfect jacket for hiking during cold late fall days.
Credit: James Lucas

Warmth


The Atom LT uses a combination of 60 g/m2 of Coreloft Compact insulation and stretch fleece panels on the side to provide warmth. The side panels provide ventilation, which helps during active use but lacks heat retention. This low-profile layering piece is far from the warmest, though it still has a decent warmth-to-weight ratio.


The Atom LT's adjustability features, a single drawcord on the back of the hood and two hem drawcords, tighten up the fit and help retain heat. Considering how light the jacket is, it does an impressive job of trapping heat.

arc'teryx atom lt hoody insulated jacket review - the long hem, which can be cinched closed with two drawcords, helps...
The long hem, which can be cinched closed with two drawcords, helps prevent heat from escaping through the bottom of the jacket. The elasticized cuffs help keep the sleeves down.
Credit: James Lucas

Weight and Compressibility


We weighed our size medium jacket at 13.05 ounces. While this is about three ounces heavier than the lightest option in this review, it is notably the lightest of the similar stretch active layers that we've tested, and it has a lightweight feel.


This jacket lacks the ability to stuff into its own pocket, so it's harder to fit into a smaller pack or stow away. However, it remains light enough that tossing it into your favorite daypack is a non-issue.

Comfort


Arc'teryx excels in terms of comfort with all its jackets. The Atom LT uses articulated elbows and gusseted underarms for additional mobility and comfort. The slim, athletic fit felt thinner in the torso without being constrictive and tight or loose and baggy. The lowered hem sits below the waistline, and the long sleeves stay in place with riding up when moving arms around, which helped with activities like climbing.


The jacket also features excellent mobility of the shoulders and neck, with and without the hood on. Many competing jackets tended to be tight and constrictive in the upper section, impeding the range of movement. The Atom LT moves freely without any constriction. The Dope Permeair 20D liner fabric feels great against the skin, significantly better than slippery nylons, and the tricot fleece-lined pockets provide an added luxurious touch.

arc'teryx atom lt hoody insulated jacket review - our testers really liked the atom lt for hiking, climbing, and...
Our testers really liked the Atom LT for hiking, climbing, and anything requiring mobility and breathability.
Credit: James Lucas

Weather Resistance


Intended as an activewear piece, this jacket works well for cold, dry weather or paired with a shell during rain, snow, or high winds. The fabric and insulation optimize breathability but suffer with the wind. When the arctic blasts blew in, our testers felt them.


The DWR treatment effectively causes water to bead up and shed off without being absorbed into the fabric, when fresh. The coating so easily repelled liquid during our tests that it garnered comments. "You poured water on me, and I got dry," remarked one tester. Unfortunately, the jacket's DWR coating wears off over time and needs to be reapplied. The stretch fleece side panels also absorb water; this is not the jacket you want for protection in serious storms. For true inclement weather, we suggest bringing along a rain jacket or your favorite hardshell jacket.

arc'teryx atom lt hoody insulated jacket review - during our shoulder test of the dwr, the water just slid right off.
During our shoulder test of the DWR, the water just slid right off.
Credit: James Lucas

Breathability


The Atom LT's hybrid design pairs compact insulation with stretch fleece panels to create one of the most breathable mid-layer jackets on the market. The air-permeable exterior helps with breathability as well, and our testers loved moving in this thin piece.


We tested this jacket at altitude during a Colorado winter when temps barely reached the 30s. At these temps, we wore it as a single outer layer in dry weather while running, hiking, and nordic skiing, activities that induce sweating. The jacket regulated our heat amazingly well and rarely felt too hot or too cold. We were able to keep the jacket on and just crack the zipper a bit. The outstanding breathability made this jacket noteworthy.

arc'teryx atom lt hoody insulated jacket review - this jacket ranked extremely well in terms of breathability. the...
This jacket ranked extremely well in terms of breathability. The exterior was very permeable and the fleece side panels allowed for ventiliation.
Credit: James Lucas

Should You Buy the Arc'teryx Atom LT?


The Arc'teryx Atom LT hits the summit as one of the best choices for high-octane activities in cold weather — running, skinning, nordic skiing, or hiking — or even for less high-paced endeavors like climbing or camping. We don't recommend this jacket as your only insulated layer; we would only consider buying it after we already had a thicker and warmer jacket for general day-to-day cold weather living. With that base covered, adding in this lighter-weight choice for milder weather adventures and during workouts is certainly worthwhile. Comfortable, with great versatility, and a dream-like fit, it became one of our go-to insulated layers.

arc'teryx atom lt hoody insulated jacket review - while not the warmest jacket in the review, this piece excels as a...
While not the warmest jacket in the review, this piece excels as a mid-layer for high activity. If that's your need, the Atom Hoody offers high-quality performance.
Credit: James Lucas

What Other Insulated Jackets Should You Consider?


The Arc'teryx Atom LT performed exceptionally well in most of our metrics. If you need something that can shoulder some precipitation, check out the Patagonia DAS Light Hoody. For an affordable, high-quality option, we like the Rab Xenon 2.0. If you just want something a bit more casual and stylish to wear around town, the Cotopaxi Teca Calido Hooded Jacket might be up your alley.

James Lucas