We all know that we can’t survive the winter season without a thick jacket that will give us comfort, warmth, and protection. It is known to be highly reliable especially when you are outdoors and engaging in different winter activities.
A well-known brand Arc’teryx offers a winter jacket that is proven to have a high quality. In this article, I will give you a detailed comparison of Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody and Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody. This will help you know what are their similarities, differences, and advantages over each other, so you can better decide which is worth buying and a more ideal jacket for you during extremely cold seasons.
Overview of Arc’teryx
In 1989, the Arc’teryx brand was founded to provide gear for rock-climbing activities. This company aims to produce products such as rope bags and premium harnesses, and many more.
As time passed, they decided to create more helpful products that are not just limited to rock climbing. Hence, they came up with the innovation of clothing design by producing clothes suitable for extremely low temperatures. These are perfect to use in alpinism, hiking, skiing, ice-climbing, and other snow sports and activities.
Ever since then, the Arc’teryx brand became more famous as they provide high quality and environmentally friendly gear and clothes for different outdoor activities. One of their famous products is their Arc’teryx Jackets.
What are Arc’teryx Jackets?
Arcteryx Jackets are made perfect for winter seasons as it has a layering system that will ensure you are protected from the cold weather. Its other special features make it best suitable for high output activities. This can be worn as a mid-layer or even an outer shell when skiing, snowboarding, ice-climbing, and many more.
The Atom LT Hoody and Proton LT Hoody are the two Arc’teryx jackets that we will be discussing here. To give you an idea, the LT in their names stands for “lightweight even if it’s made of highly durable materials”. Also, these jackets are both synthetic insulation so they are most ideal to wear during moist or wet seasons.
Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody
This versatile jacket is ideal to bring if you are going on a multi-day tour during the winter season as it is compressible and packable. Hence, even if you bring more than one of them, it won’t consume a lot of space in your backpack.
Size
Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody comes in different sizes from XS to XXXL so whatever your body size is, this jacket has a size that can be best suitable for you.
Color
If you like colorful jackets, this is perfect for you. You can have this in bright colors such as red, orange, and sky blue and dark colors like black, brown, gray, and dark blue. These wide range of colors make the jacket attractive to the eyes of many consumers.
Hood
You can buy this as a hoody jacket or a non-hood version. A hooded jacket is better as it will provide extra coverage to protect you from the cold. This jacket’s hood is insulated, adjustable, and low-profile StormHood with a structured mini hood brim.
Pockets
This Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody has a chest pocket inside where you can put the things that you want to keep secured and protected from rain. It also has two pockets outside in case your hands feel cold and your gloves are not enough to achieve the warmth you want.
Comfortability
This jacket only weighs 375 g or 13.2 oz so it’s lightweight and won’t make you feel uncomfortable. Moreover, it has versatile synthetic insulated mid layers consisting of a high degree of weather resistance. Its good sequence of layers does its purpose to protect you from the cold weather, moves moisture away from your skin, and provides you enough warmth. This can be worn as a stand-alone jacket or a mid-layer if you will be wearing extra layers.
Convenience
Taking off this jacket or just accessing your inside pocket won’t give you a hard time because its front zippers can smoothly flow since it is a no-slip zip.
Reliability
In cases of sudden rain, you won’t get wet easily because this jacket has DWR or Durable Water Repellent so it can block slight rain and wind and repels moisture without decreasing its breathability.
Durability
Despite being lightweight, this jacket is highly durable so it will last a long time no matter how many times you use it in an extremely cold season. What you need to remember is to wash it with proper care so it will surely last. You should not iron, bleach, wring, and clean it while dry.
Advantages over Arcteryx Proton LT Hoody
-It is much cheaper.
-It has a lot more available colors.
-It can be worn in all types of activities.
-It has a wider range of sizes.
-It has side panels that maintain breathability.
-It is warmer.
-It has a pocket inside where you can secure your things.
Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody
Here’s another winter jacket that you can wear in your outdoor snow activities like ice climbing, rock climbing, and alpine climbing. Just like the Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody, this Proton LT Hoody is easily compressible so even if you bring an extra of this, it won’t consume a lot of space in your bag.
Size
Arcteryx Proton LT Hoody can be purchased in different sizes from XS to XXL. Therefore, it can fit a lot of people of any body size.
Colors
You can have this jacket in simple yet fascinating colors. It can be in colors white, gray, black, red, orange, and blue.
Hood
Depending on your preference, you can purchase a hooded or non-hooded version of this jacket. Some people want a non-hood version because they think that having a hood is not ideal if you have a helmet. But, this jacket has helmet compatibility, meaning you can wear it over your helmet. It is also insulated and has adjustable hood drawcords.
Pockets
Whether you choose a hooded or non-hood one, they both have an outside chest pocket where you can store important things such as keys and cards, and two insulated pockets with zippers to warm your hand in case you’re not wearing gloves.
Comfortability
Like the Atom LT Hoody, the Proton LT Hoody also weighs 375 g or 13.2 oz. This is light enough to wear even for a full day tour during winter but can still provide you warmth. It is also made as soft, stretchable, and air-permeable fabrics and insulation which makes it highly breathable and it won’t be too tight nor too loose for you.
Convenience
Taking off this jacket is hassle-free because it has a no-slip size, meaning the front zippers are smoothly-flowing.
Reliability
Its fabric is made DWR (Durable Water Repellent) so you won’t have to worry in case it suddenly rains since this jacket can block slight rain and wind without compromising the ventilation.
Durability
This jacket is highly durable in spite of being lightweight so you can use it for a long time. It has an 80-gram Coreloft Compact in the body and 60-gram in the hood, so it is best suitable for high-output use in sub-freezing conditions.
Advantages over Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody
-It is more breathable.
-It is more durable and abrasion-resistant.
-It is more stretchy.
Are Arc’teryx Jackets Worth Buying?
Many people have already tried and tested the Arc’teryx Jacket and most of them have good impressions. See for yourself! Somehow, its price is not too affordable but it’s definitely just, since it will be a long-term investment. It does its purpose well and will surely protect you from harsh weather conditions outdoors wherever you are in the globe.
Should You Buy an Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody or Proton LT Hoody?
Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody or Proton LT Hoody are both great buys. So, if you would have to choose which is better, it depends on your personal preferences. Given the characteristics of each jacket mentioned above, you can tell if you would want to purchase them or not. You also have to consider why you want to buy one in the first place.
For instance, if your plan is to engage in different high-output activities, you should choose the one which is windproof, waterproof, highly durable, and breathable. They have many similarities that are beneficial to you so you have to weigh which is a better choice. You should also consider your layering so you won’t get cold or too warm. Comfortability is an important thing to consider so you will enjoy your tour and outdoor activities.
Most importantly, you should aim for a highly flexible and durable jacket so you won’t have to replace it in less time. Some people settle for cheaper ones but end up replacing them from time to time because of lowness in quality. Consider this useful jacket as a long-term investment and you’ll realize it’s worth every penny.
Conclusion
Arc’teryx jackets are proven to be high-quality, extremely durable, and functional most especially if you’re into outdoor winter activities. Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody and Proton LT Hoody can provide you comfort, warmth, and protection during the winter season. Furthermore, it’s not just helpful to you but also to the environment. Mass production of Arc’teryx Atom and Proton LT Hoody will benefit many people living in snowy countries without harming nature as they are both made of low-carbon materials. Indeed, all you need in a winter jacket is here.
