Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody Review |
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Overall avg rating 4.3 of 5 based on 7 reviews. Most recent review: April 13, 2013
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Street Price:
Varies from $190 - $219 | Compare prices at 3 resellers
Pros: Lightweight, super comfortable, warm, nice hood and wrist cuffs.
Cons: Doesn't pack into its own pocket.
Best Uses: Hiking, backpacking, climbing. Any cold whether activiy where you want mobility and warmth.
Recommendations: 100% of reviewers (5/5) recommend this product
Manufacturer:
Arc'Teryx
| Review by: Chris Simrell ⋅ Review Editor, OutdoorGearLab ⋅ April 13, 2013 |
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Overview
The Atom LT Hoody has been around for many seasons and is a widely respected light synthetic insulated jacket. This is the little brother to the heavier and warmer Arcteryx Atom SV. Because of the breathable side paneling and comparatively less water resistant outer shell material relative to other light synthetic jackets like the Rab Xenon, the Atom LT is best used as an insulating mid-layer for climbing, skiing, hiking or other outdoor adventures. With a great look, vibrant two-toned colors, and comfortable features the Atom LT is a favorite go-to jacket for many people.
Compare top rated competitors side-by-side >
OutdoorGearLab Editors' Hands-on Review
 Zeb Engberg in the Arcteryx Atom LT, Canadian Rockies. Credit: Max Neale
The Atom LT is insulated with 60g/m2 Coreloft (This is one of Arcteryx's own insulations). The Arcteryx Atom SV for comparison, has 100g/m2 Coreloft. Generally speaking the Atom LT is comparable in warmth to the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket, Rab Xenon, and the Haglofs Barrier Pro Hood, which are all highly rated light synthetic jackets in this review. There is a major difference however. The Atom LT is constructed with side panels that are uninsulated and designed to dump heat for breathability during active use. Overall this makes the Atom LT a bit less warm than these other jackets, but more breathable. For this reason we feel the Atom LT (and it's big brother the Atom SV), is best used as a mid-layer.
The author has spent many days ice climbing with this set up and found it excellent:
A light synthetic baselayer, an Atom LT, and the Mountain Hardwear Quasar shell (when conditions dictate).  Mountain Hardwear Quasar Credit: Outdoor Gear Lab In the pack is one additional heavier weight synthetic, or down jacket for staying warm while standing around.
The Rab Strata uses new Polartec Alpha insulation, which is designed for breathability. The look and feel of the Strata is very similar to the Atom LT and it is worth researching both if you're looking for a light insulated and breathable mid layer.
Weight / Compressibility
at 13.2oz the Atom LT is a very light jacket. There are minimal features which also keeps the weight down. A drawback to the Atom LT for climbers, in terms of packability is that it can't be stashed into its own pocket and clipped to your harness. On the upside, the Atom LT is more breathable than other light synthetics, and so you may spend more time wearing it while active rather than stowing it.
Weather Resistance
We find the outer fabric of the Atom LT to be less weather resistant compared to the fabrics used on jackets like the Rab Xenon and other light synthetic insulated jackets. for this reason and because of it's breathability, we generally think the Atom LT is best used as an insulating mid-layer.
Features
Relatively minimal in features. The wrist cuffs on this jacket are very comfortable, fit snugly, and are low profile; slipping under glove cuffs nicely. If you’ve used an Arcteryx jacket before, you may realize that wrist cuffs are one of their specialties. The hood is fixed, and fits well with and with out a helmet. The two hand warming pockets are comfortable, but too low to be used if you're wearing a climbing harness. There is onw internal zippered chest pocket for small items.
Best Application
Best used as an insulating mid-layer. The Atom LT is a year-round jacket, and you'll likely find a good use for it on all types of trips.  Chris Simrell climbs ice in Hyalite Canyon, MT Credit: Will Dean
Like many Arcteryx products the Atom LT is slightly more money than the competition. We've been using one for years and love it still.
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Chris Simrell
Compare this product side-by-side to top competitors >
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OutdoorGearLab Member Reviews
Most recent review: April 13, 2013
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JimH · Climber · Denver CO
This is an extremely versatile and useful piece for mountaineering, high country snowshoeing, and similar medium to high-output work in cold conditions. It can really help simplify your cold weather clothing system. For humping around the Colorado Rockies in winter, typically 5 to 25 degrees or so, winds 15-30ish, a lightweight base top and the Atom LT is all I'm wearing. The venting fabric along the sides and the front zip are great at managing moisture - only place I get wet is under the backpack, and even that dries fast in this jacket. Colder or windier, you can still use it as the "action suit" top - now over a Cap 4 or R1 hoody, temperature depending, when working - and throw on a shell and/or belay parka when winds are howling or you stop/belay, and you're good to go. The Atom LT is warm enough to be the "belay jacket" piece when its a little warmer - 30's and so forth. It blocks wind decently (I feel no blow through unless its really pumping), and light precip, sleet, spindrift, flurries, whatever is not worth shelling up for, etc., is a non-issue. Mine is holding up well against packstraps, but its not a fabric I'd want to slog up chimneys in or anything. Everything I buy from ArcTeryx makes me bite my lip at the cash register and then grin every time I use it in the hills.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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NZ comments are interesting, because I'm a hill walker, and I LOVE this piece.
I'm barely out of it, in fact.
The hood may not have a toggle, but it's not a wet-weather piece, and as such does fine most of the time.
The comment relating to the compatibility of the hood with a shell baffles me - mine fits absolutely perfectly under the hood of my shell. So much so that I forget its there. It's perfect.
The zip works fine for me too. It doesn't lock, to add durability, which works well, but the zip doesn't move too much for me at all.
The side panels are a god send for me. Insulating layers have always been difficult for me because as soon as you start working on the hill, I heat up far beyond what is comfortable, whereas with the Atom, that extra bit of ventilation works perfectly. If the wind is very strong, this piece with a lightweight windshell is ideal. You get warmth, but don't overheat.
It fantastically comfortable. The fit is absolute perfection. It doesn't ride up, the arm length is spot on. It's a great piece.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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Yes, it's a nice jacket, it's light breathable and stylish. But the
hood is not designed for walkers, since it's so loose and no adjustment and the collar is loose too so wind will easily cut through to chill your neck and face. So it's not that good to be a stand alone. While it's not a good layering piece either because the hood can be awkward (same for all hoodies) . It's more designed for climbers since the hood is big enough to hold a helmet. One thing to add is the front zip is so smooth that often comes undone.
I would recommend the jacket version though, truly versatile.
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Once again Arcteryx creates a product that is simply a step above the rest. The LT hoody is so versatile in such a wide range of applications. I use it primarily as an outer shell as its so comfy and regulates body temperature so well. It feels very delicate but is actually quite durable for what it is. I wouldn't force my way through dense tree's but it certainly has held up to a few dozen hikes. It vents very well, so much so that i don't often take it off when entering a building or a heated place. This is mainly do to the stretch side panels (another great design) on the sides of the jacket. I also own the SV, the LT's big brother. The SV is much warmer and has a looser fit. They both perform very well and succeed at accomplishing two different tasks. The LT is a light weight fleece replacement that in my opinion out performs any fleece i have ever used. The SV is a light, cold weather insulated piece, great for a cold belay or a cold windy day around town. I have heard some debate on which piece to get. Get them both! Expensive yes but you end up with a very warm jacket for cold winter days and a light weight mid layer and or outer layer that performs flawlessly. Give it a shot. Thanks again Outdoor Gear Lab for another great review.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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I use this as a fleece replacement. It's warm, comfy, and breathable. Chris says it's "reasonably wind resistant" and I'd agree: wind mostly stops at the front and back, but whips through the thin fleece side panels. This is best as a midlayer or highoutput outer layer. If you're looking for something lightweight that adds some more storm protection check out the Rab Xenon-- I think it's warmer and weighs less.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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labrat · Climber · Nevada City, CA
Really like it so far! It's by far the most comfortable jacket that I own and I seem to be using it much more than the down belay jacket. It will be interesting to see how it holds up over time.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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 Arcteryx Men's Atom LT Hoody Credit: Arcteryx.com
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