New gear highlight: Arc’teryx Atom SL Hoody
Atom SL Hoody is the latest addition to the Arctery’x Atom line of jackets and hoodies – New for Spring 2016.
The Atom series provides light insulation for alpine activities. It’s lightweight, low profile insulation provides compact warmth and saves energy and weight. It’s perfect for hiking or skiing up in cold weather, giving you a layer of protection and insulation without making you sweaty.
Great for layering
This new line is perfect for layering.
On those long alpine days, this low profile insulation provides compact warmth which saves energy and space in your pack. it’s both weather resistant and designed to work either as an only layer on top of your base layer, or as a midlayer between your base layer and shell, the variety of thermal values covers the spectrum of elevations, trip lengths, trail distances and variable weather conditions typically encountered on mountain outings. More about how to layer here.
The jackets are filled with “Coreloft” synthetic insulation. This synthetic insulation is treated with silicon which gives it excellent loft retention, thermal efficiency, and like most synthetic fills, allows you to stay warm when wet. It’s lightweight and breathable.
Coreloft synthetic insulation. Image from Arcteryx.com.
Features
- No Slip Zip: this zipper feature prevents the zipper from opening by itself at the collar.
- Vertical draw chords: gives a compact design that stays out of the way, and allows a close fit, excellent if not layering or for outdoor athletic, however this could be uncomfortable for larger individuals, people that are more bulky or muscular may find the jacket too tight.
- Face fabric: air permeable face fabric regulates temperature.
- Fleece underarm panels plus about 40 grams of insulation on the torso of the jacket provide a bit of moderate insulation. For backcountry touring, this jacket would be useful on the uphills when your heat output level is more, and could be a good light shell for those milder winter days.
The Atom line has a ‘trim fit’ and is slimmer than the ‘athletic fit’ which is characteristic of most of Arc’teryx jacket designs.
The hood isn’t insulated, it’s very adjustable and will stay on your head when the wind picks up. The uninsulated hood allows the heat to dissipate out of the jacket and makes for good temperature regulation. The hood is so low profile you can easily fit it under your bike helmet or climbing helmet.
New Features
The “no slip zip” feature is a new feature, unique on these jackets. Because it keeps the zipper from opening unintenitally, it’s also harder to open than on the Atom LT, the next jacket up in the Atom line. The arms on the jacket are made of a soft fabric that is very mesh like, and the face fabric is durable Tyono 20 denier. It’s light like nylon but much more durable.
Excellent Jacket for Cool Weather
This jacket is light and breathes well. It helps shed water, which is perfect for spring, when we can either get rain or wet snow. It’s not waterproof, but it blocks wind. This high end piece is aimed at outdoor athletes such as trail runners, mountain runners and climbers. It packs down extremely small, smaller than a light sweater and provides a moderate level of warmth and protection from wind and wet.
It’s not designed for extreme cold, so layer accordingly.
The jacket does not come with adjustable cuffs. These would be nice to have because even when sealed over gloves, there is still room for cold air to rush in. The jacket is very versatile. From hiking to skiing, thanks to the weather resistant fabric, the jacket can be used on the uphills and covered up by a heavier jacket for the descents. It’s a nice insulated wind shell.
The ATOM line
The Atom line of jackets is arranged by thermal value and usage. When choosing, consider the conditions that you may expect and your personal preferences. The Atom SL joins the Atom LT and AR lines. The LT is the most versatile, it’s in the middle in terms of application, weight and insulation. It’s often used as an outer layer. The AR is designed for colder weather. It’s a great cold weather midlayer or outer layer. It has high thermal value during slower paced activities or while taking a rest break.
If you cross a windbreaker with a winter coat, you get something like the Atom SL. It’s a lightweight and weather resistant jacket new for 2016.
The new Arc’teryx Atom SL hoody in mens and womens styles.
More from Arc’teryx
Interested in more reviews and gear highlights of Arc’teryx products? Read our jacket review and gore-tex shell pant review. Check out our gear highlight of the latest footwear, and the backcountry ski boot and avalanche airbag, both coming out this fall.
Where to Buy
Like most Arc’teryx jackets, the price is high, but you get what you pay for. The jacket retails for around $229. Search for retailers and where to get the best deal on the Atom SL.
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