#Arcteryx atom ar series

And its reasonably generous fit means it’s easy to add a layer underneath for even colder days.Īrc’teryx bills the Atom AR as either a standalone or midlayer jacket, and I think that’s a fair designation. For me, when worn under a t-shirt or long-sleeve baselayer for low-output activities or daily wear, the jacket’s ideal temperature range is from the low 20s to low 40s.

On the flipside, the AR is a true cold-weather standout and viable down jacket alternative. Even worn around town, I catch myself reaching for the LT unless temperatures were below around 40 degrees. I’ve found the Atom LT Hoody is more versatile as a midlayer for skiing. In fact, my main concern about the Atom AR’s warmth is that it is too much jacket for many shoulder-season or mild-weather days. And when worn under my Arc’teryx Beta AR hardshell, it could easily be used in far colder temperatures.

On a follow-up ski tour with temperatures dipping into the low 20s, the Atom AR proved to be an excellent outer- and midlayer during transitions. While I wasn’t able to keep the jacket on during the uphill (more on this in “ Breathability” below), it provided nearly instantaneous insulation and comfort when I threw it on for lower-output tasks like collecting water, using my stove, and moving around camp. My first day out in the jacket was on a late-season hike in Washington’s Cascade Mountains with temperatures in the mid 20s Fahrenheit, light snow falling, and winds gusting fiercely at our lakefront destination. Combined with a tall collar that comes right up to my top lip, an adjustable, helmet-compatible hood, close-fitting cuffs that provide a nice seal around the wrists, and a very wind-resistant shell, the Atom AR delivers excellent warmth relative to its reasonable, 1-pound listed weight. Whereas many alternatives utilize 60-gram fill, the AR uses a combination of 120, 80, and 60-gram Coreloft insulation that’s strategically “mapped” to maximize warmth-the thicker fill is used in key areas like the shoulders, outer sleeves, and sides, while lighter insulation in places like the underarms helps with venting and keeps weight and bulk in check. Most synthetic jackets fall on the lightweight end of the spectrum, but Arc’teryx’s Atom AR Hoody is a proper cold-weather piece. To see how it stacks up, see our article on the best synthetic insulated jackets. Below are our experiences with the Atom AR. Our take: many users will prefer the lighter and more breathable Atom LT, but the AR’s warmth and protection are a great pairing for frigid days around town and in the backcountry.

Updated for fall 2020 with a revised fit, improved durability, and smaller tweaks including a new cuff design, we put the retooled Atom to the test in the Pacific Northwest in late fall and early winter on everything from a cold-weather ski tour to hiking and daily wear.

#Arcteryx atom ar series

Arc’teryx’s Atom series is a long-time favorite in the synthetic jacket world, and the AR (“all round”) slots in as the warmest design in the collection.