Arc'teryx Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody Review 2019

Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody Overview

In 1989, Canadian climbers came together to create outdoor equipment that was innovative, and designed with purpose. They called this fledgling think tank Arc’teryx in honor of Archaeopteryx Lithographica, the first reptile to develop the feather for flight. Since then they have continued to push boundaries and set new standards for excellence in gear, and the Atom LT Hoody is a stalwart piece in a star-studded collection.

Made with Arc’teryx’s proprietary Coreloft insulation, this synthetic insulated jacket gets top marks for comfort, warmth, and breathability. It performs in all conditions and, as such, the Atom LT Hoody has been awarded our Premium Pick for the Wilderness Backpacker and Ultralight Backpacker.

There are a plethora of outerwear options of the synthetic variety (never miss an opportunity for a “Three Amigos” reference), and we have done our best to help you make an informed decision in our comprehensive Guide. Below, see why we recommend the Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody for your backcountry adventures.

Update: The Atom LT Hoody is a core product for Arc’teryx, and does not get major updates often. We reviewed this jacket in 2017, and it has not changed. There are new colors every year though!f

Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody Specifications

Gear Review of the Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody

Origins: Easing You In

This was a great winter in California for anyone interested in drinking water and food production. And for gear reviewers who had to test jackets specifically made to excel in cold, wet environments. The Arc’teryx Atom LT became an almost permanent fixture in my go bag, protecting me from the elements on a series of saturated adventures.

My first experience with the Arc’teryx Atom LT was near Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe during a monumental snow storm that made me question my life choices. Almost nothing has the quiet, humility inducing power of a blizzard. With that said, the Atom LT served me excellently, warming me both literally and figuratively.

The blizzard was about survival, not photos, so bear with the sunny days in these images.

I wore it as a middle insulating layer under an alpine shell and was surprisingly comfortable. This combination often leads to overheating, internal sweat, and the overall sense that you’ve made a terrible mistake by leaving the house. But as I moved around vigorously, shoveling snow and setting up camp, the Arc’teryx Atom LT’s side stretch panels kept me from overheating and allowed for natural movement.

I also quickly noticed how light it felt on my body. Some jackets (particularly of the synthetic persuasion) can feel heavy and a bit unwieldy, but the Atom LT was an almost imperceptible middle layer of warmth and cozy goodness.

Revelation: The Moment I Knew

If Tahoe was my first date with the Atom LT, Montaña de Oro State Park was where we fell in love. As is often the case, the California coast was achingly beautiful and predictably capricious. Within the span of five hours we were warmed by mid-morning sunlight, battered by wind that threatened to take us to Oz, and pummeled by a flash rainstorm that was over almost before it started. And boy did I make a good decision when I decided to bring the Atom LT on this quick overnighter.

The California coast has a nasty habit of looking ridiculously gorgeous in photos, whereas it’s cold, windy, and suddenly wet in real life. The Atom LT fends off those elements with ease.

The Arc’teryx Atom LT was my only outer layer during this excursion, and each time the weather changed it displayed striking versatility. Sunny? No problem. Unzip everything and stay warm, but not hot. Windy? Easy. Zip up the chest, tuck the hands into the fleece-lined hand-warmer pockets, and continue on your way. Raining? Throw on the cinchable hood, tighten the waist, and stay dry.

Yes, “stay dry” even though the Atom LT is not a rain jacket. The water resistance was incredible — you could actually see the beads of water repelling off the jacket after their failed incursion. This level of versatility is really why the synthetic insulated jacket was invented…otherwise you’d go with down every time. The Atom LT not only repelled a fair amount of the water, but dried out quickly when water did manage to break through.

Light showers beading up on the Arc’teryx Atom LT’s exterior. Synthetic puffy that doubles as a (very) light rain shell?

As I said, a permanent fixture in my go bag.

Digging Deeper

It turns out that Arc’teryx kind of knows what they are doing when it comes to gear. Each design feature felt intentional, thoughtful, and, after much use, very helpful.

The Atom LT sports a stretchy 20-denier taffeta shell. This fabric thickness is durable yet thin, and thrives at blocking wind. It’s also the same stuff commonly used inside sleeping bags, so it has a certain comfort factor you’ll recognize.

A flat, matte look on the exterior. This shell is incredibly comfy to the touch — it feels exactly like a sleeping bag.

Then there’s the stretch panels, which cover the sides and go under your arms. These panels are made with Polartec Power Stretch with Hardface Technology, a bunch of strange terms that will only make sense once you’re shoveling snow in sub-freezing temperatures. The jacket moves with you, then it breathes with you…kind of like a yoga instructor.

The mesh panels of the Arc’teryx Atom LT run along both sides of the jacket. They help with breathability.

The interior of the jacket has a chest pocket, more cozy material, and fleece side panels that aid in breathability.

The thorough DWR treatment gives it water resistance. Eventually this will wear off with use, but it can always be reapplied to the jacket with a DWR kit and a wash cycle.

Oh, and the proprietary Arc’teryx Coreloft insulation? I’m thinking about stuffing the walls of my house with it. Definitely patented for a reason. I was noticeably warmer in the Atom LT than other jackets, yet still able to breathe, a feat that’s hard to accomplish.

Coreloft Insulation fills the jacket, and the hand pockets are lined with fleece. This jacket is about warmth when you need it, and always being cozy.

Of course I wasn’t thinking about these details while braving the snow and rain, I was just thrilled to have the Atom LT on my team.

Comfort  5 Stars

Think grilled cheese and tomato soup on a rainy night. Mmmm.

Durability 5 Stars

Definition of durable: Able to withstand wear, pressure, and pretty much any conditions you can imagine. I’ve practically lived in the Atom LT since I got it and it’s still functional and spotless.

Warmth 4 Stars

The Coreloft insulation is excellent, and keeps you toasty. But the Atom LT has strips down the side that are thinner and let out more warmth — this is entirely on purpose, but it means this is not the warmest synthetic jacket around.

Breathability 4 Stars

Those same strips make the Atom LT breathe quite well. When compared to other true active insulation it’s not quite as good, but receives high marks for having warmth and breathability.

Fit

I’m 5’9”, 155, and built like an Ironman triathlete. I have a Medium Atom LT, and it fits me perfectly with just the right amount of loose snugness. Yes, that’s a real thing. You know exactly what it means.

Style

This is a pretty darn good looking jacket. The scuba hood isn’t for everyone, but us outdoor gear-nerds know what’s up. I may or may not have worn it around town just to look cool.

Grievances

The only issue I had with the Arc’teryx Atom LT was that I didn’t find it particularly packable. As a backpacker a little tingle runs up my spine every time I manage to squeeze a piece of gear into an almost imperceptible nook in my pack, and that definitely wasn’t the case for this jacket.

I wouldn’t call it bulky, but it doesn’t disappear the way a down jacket might. Be prepared to have it take up room in your pack, most likely not stuffed in its pocket. Yes, there’s an inner pocket that’s supposed to double as a way to pack the Arc’teryx Atom LT into itself. Don’t use it. I found the pocket too small to effectively fit the jacket inside and zip it closed. This is a bummer, because it’s a simple thing to make the pocket just a bit larger. Nobody wants to struggle with their favorite jacket!

Final Word

Arc’teryx is all about creating the best gear possible for people who actually spend large chunks time in the backcountry, and they have done themselves proud with the Atom LT Hoody. Breathable, durable, uber water resistant, and more comfortable than your barcalounger, this is one jacket you don’t want to miss.

Where to Buy Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody

The men’s version of the Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody was used for this review. It’s also offered in a women’s version, which is the exact same except for fit and color. The Arc’terx Atom LT can also be bought without a hood. If you’re looking for a slightly lighter synthetic insulated jacket, or one that doesn’t include a hood, this is still an excellent choice.

Most backpackers tend to favor hoods when it comes to synthetic jackets, as they are meant to keep warm in wet and cold environments, which hoods are particularly good at doing. You’ll find men’s and women’s versions of both the Hoody and Jacket variations below.

Josh Mathe

Josh Mathe is passionate about squeezing every last drop from life, and helping others do the same. He is the best-selling and award-winning author of "I, Athlete" and "In the Footsteps of Greatness", as well as a speaker, fitness expert, nutritionist, ultra endurance athlete, and life adventurer. Josh is the owner of One10 Performance & Nutrition, and when not in office he spends his days in the mountains moving as fast and light as possible. Josh holds a Master’s of Science in Human Nutrition, and is a certified sports nutritionist (CISSN), Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES), and endurance coach. He lives in Sacramento, CA with his wife and three crazy animals. For more information or to contact Josh directly, please visit his website.