Whether you’re intending to use it as a midlayer in frigid temperatures on the slopes or as a standalone everyday jacket in cooler temps, there’s no denying that the Arc’Teryx Atom Hoody is a fan favorite jacket for the fall and winter months. The jacket’s tailored, low-profile fit coupled with other thoughtful details like elastic cuffs and fleece-lined pockets make it an excellent choice heading into the winter months. I ordered an Atom Hoody to to wear myself, to see what all of the fuss was really about and whether or not it would earn a spot in my winter outerwear rotation. Is it a perfect jacket? No, but it comes pretty close.
The Jacket
What was previously named the Atom LT Hoody is now just the Atom Hoody, a name change that took place in 2023. Having never owned the atom LT Hoody, I can’t speak on the subtle differences between the two, although some searching on Reddit suggests that the newer version is a bit longer and boasts a different size chart. This is believable to me, as the large fits me perfectly, yet I typically wear an extra large in similar jackets from other brands like Rab — specifically the Rab Xenair Alpine Light Insulated Jacket which, in my opinion, is a far more superior jacket in this category than the Arc’teryx Atom Hoody.
Sizing
The Atom Hoody has a streamlined, tailored fit perfect for wearing underneath a hardshell jacket in extreme conditions or by itself as an everyday jacket when the weather calls for it. The Atom Hoody shown is a size large. I personally wear a large in most regulary fit jackets, but an extra-large size in slimmer-fitting jackets like the Atom Hoody and the aforementioned Rab Xenair Alpine Light Insulated Jacket fit me like a glove. This isn’t the case with the Atom Hoody, so its best to size down if you’re ordering online and can’t try one on in person at an REI or Arc’Teryx retail space.
For reference, I am 6’0″ and 215 pounds with a 45-inch chest, 36-inch waist, longer arms, and an athletic build. The large in this jacket fits nearly perfect. For more reference, on Arc’Teryx’s size chart for chest size, i’m in between a large and extra large, so I recommend you size down if you’re in-between sizes. If you are a bit larger in the midsection or have nearly the same measurements but are 6’4″ and above, however, sizing up may be a better option. In the end, it’s best to try multiple sizes on to see which one fits the best.
Features
Materials: Tyono 20 face fabric. This is in more or less words 100% nylon that provides ample wind protection and moderate protection from moisture. It doesn’t feel very sturdy and I personally wouldn’t recommend hiking through dense trails or climbing steep rock faces with it, as the material will more than likely tear. The material is, however very warm in windy conditions yet breathable for a small amount of time in warmer climates. Impressive to me is the fill, which is Coreloft Compact 60 insulation. Its an insulation that has almost no bulk whatsoever yet retains heat like an oven. When I jump into my truck from the cold weather i’m immediately shedding the jacket in minutes because I start to sweat. As such, any temperature above 52 degrees Fahrenheit in the wild i’ve found i’ve had to shed the jacket to find some cool relief.
Hood: The Atom Hoody’s hood is my least favorite part about the jacket, but this is somewhat subjective. If you’re utilizing this jacket while skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, or any other cool-weather activity that requires a helmet, you’re golden. The hood is very large, and was designed to fit over a helmet. If it’s your everyday jacket, the hood will feel very large sitting on your back. The hood’s cinch cord helps secure the hood onto whatever helmet you’re wearing for the activity, but otherwise is unhelpful in reducing the bulk without one. Consider this if you’re purchasing as an everyday jacket.
Cuffs: The stretch-knit cuffs on the Atom Hoody are one of my favorite features. Most jackets in this category get it partially right, but Arc’Teryx nailed it. They’re tight enough to fit snugly around your wrist without cutting off circulation, yet they stretch easily over your watch — no matter if you’re wearing a new Rolex Submariner or a superior tudor Black-Bay Fifty-Eight. After three months of continuous wear the cuffs haven’t stretched out, and they give the jacket a more streamlined look whether you’re wearing gloves on the ski slopes or on meeting friends at your favorite local bar.
Why I Like The Arc’Teryx Atom Hoody
The slimmed-down tailored fit and the cuffs. Getting the correct size may take trying on a few sizes, but when you find the right size, you’ll know it. The fit is slim, the arms aren’t bulky and it’s much warmer than jackets twice the bulk. It looks good zipped-up under a hard shell and looks equally as good as a standalone jacket with a pair of dark jeans and a navy beanie. The cuffs provide a seamless fit. Much like a pair of shorts in summer with tapered legs, the tapered arms and cinched cuffs provide a streamlined fit that many other jackets don’t provide.
Why I Don’t Like It
The material, the hood, and the price. The material is indeed lightweight, but is very susceptible to damage. Hiking through brush or the abrasions from a rock face when climbing will no doubt damage the construction of this jacket. Also, the hood is just too big. Like I previously mentioned, it’s designed to wear over a helmet, but that makes it almost unworthy to wear as an everyday jacket. The oversized hood looks almost comical when not being worn and if the wind picks up and you actually need a hood (sans helmet) you’re going to look like a goon (cinch cord or not). And at $300, the hood would need to be more accommodating for the average everyday wearer and the construction would need to be more durable to justify the price.
Best Uses
If you’re considering the Atom Hoody, the best uses for purchasing it in my opinion are:
As an everyday cool-weather jacket if you don’t mind the oversized hood.
As a snowboarding or skiing jacket paired with a hardshell for weather protection.
As an outdoors/hiking jacket where you won’t encounter much brush/sharp, thorny bushes.
Recap
I really like the Arc’Teryx Atom Hoody, and wear it frequently. It’s lightweight yet warm, has a tailored, streamlined fit, and it looks really good. Is it worth the price? Perhaps, if you’re using it as a midlayer on the slopes and you need a hood that’ll wear over your helmet. If you can get past the rather large hood, it makes a great everyday jacket. Otherwise, i’d recommend the Rab Xenair Alpine Light Insulated Jacket or the Kuhl One Hoody.
Price: $300
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