Arcteryx is a Canadian company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Now I must admit I love Arcteryx as I find the fit to be perfect for my build.

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I own fair bit if Arcteryx kit and actually wish I owned more. However the bank balance won’t allow it. Out of all of the kit I own the Atom LT jacket and Atom LT hoodie get the most use. Construction, materials and fit are identical with the hood being the only difference between the two. Within the Atom LT range is also the sleeveless waistcoat version.

In total I have probably owned at least one of these for around two years. However the jacket is my main goto insulated jacket. I will often for for this over a fleece, including windstopper versions I own.

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The LT in the name indicates that the jacket is part of the lightweight range.

Technical Features:

Moisture-resistant outer face fabric
Breathable
Insulated
Lightweight
Compressible and packable
Wind resistant

Construction:

DWR finish (Durable Water Repellent) helps bead water from fabric surface
Breathable, stretch side panels for enhanced comfort and mobility
Articulated elbows
Gusseted underarms
Soft brushed-lined collar
Full front zip with wind flap
Laminated hem
Drop back hem
Internal chest pocket
Two hand pockets

I wanted a jacket that was lightly insulated and could cope with the UK weather. I had owned a Rab microlight down jacket but the fit across my back was very restrictive. If I went for a larger size the jacket was way too big.

So what is the Atom LT range. In essence what you have is a lightweight insulated shell that can be worn as an outer or middle layer. The fabric used feels very lightweight. It has a rips top pattern to it and has held up really well to varied use over the last couple of years without any sign of stress.

The fit is close but not super snug. I can wear a couple of base layers underneath without issue. I have never found the Atom LT restrictive in any way. When I lift my arms I don’t feel the sleeves ending up mid arm. I simply can’t fault the fit at all. The sides of the LT are made from a breathable fabric that had a great deal of stretch. It isn’t as wind proof or as warm as the rest of the fabric. You can notice this on cold windy days. The full on SV (Severe conditions) version does not have these panels.

Both the jacket and the hoodie have three pockets. Two hand pockets are located on the front of the jacket and the third is an inner pocket. The inner pocket is perfect for a phone or similar. All of the pockets are zipped.

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The waist had a lightly elasticated fit but there are no bungee or draw cords to adjust the fit. I do not find this to be an issue as somehow Arcteryx have managed to get the balance of fit just right.

The hood on the hoodie version can be used over a helmet. However it has no adjustment and relies on an elastic hem to keep it in place. This I would say is the only drawback in the design. That said I tend to wear a hat most of the time so have not really used the hood that often. On the occasions I have tried, keeping the hood in place in windy weather can be a challenge.

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Now a great deal of Arcteryx kit is quite expensive, but not all. The Atom LT in either format can be found online for under £150 which puts it into a similar bracket to lightweight down offerings from Rab and Montane.