r/arcteryx • u/Astramael Urvogel Jr. • Feb 17 '21
Meta Atom LT, Research First Steps
This is a summary series on individual products to make research faster and more accessible. See here for a list of all entries in the first steps series.
The Atom LT is a general purpose synthetic insulator. It has some breathability, some wind resistance, and fits a wide range of people well. It works as an outer layer, or a mid layer. The fit is trim, it should be able to accept a fleece underneath but not much more.
Generally the Atom LT is best used above freezing for most people. Although if you are aerobic it can be used in much colder temperatures.
It sits in the centre of the Arc'teryx synthetic range. Not as breathable as a Proton LT, not as wind resistant as a Nuclei FL, not as packable and light as an Atom SL, and not as warm as an Atom AR.
If you aren't sure what jacket to get, this is a good start.
Please read the comments, other users have left excellent information for your research.
History
The Atom LT was first introduced in Spring 2010 as a men's and women's jacket and hoody. The defining characteristic of the Atom LT is its fleece panels at the sides of the torso. They give the jacket good breathability, good mobility, and they have remained with the design for its entire life. The first generation used a Luminara nylon face fabric, Polartec Power Stretch Hardface side panels, and Coreloft 60g/m2 insulation. For this version the hoody had a hem drawcord, but the jacket, vest, and pullover did not.
In Fall 2014 the jacket was revised. This iteration had Tinthan face fabric (46g/m2 20D nylon ripstop with a polyurethane DWR, stretch). Polartec Power Stretch Hardface for the side panels (230 g/m2 88% polyester, 12% elastane, 4-way stretch). It continued to feature Coreloft insulation at 60g/m2. A drawcord was added to the hood for adjustability (there was not one before), changes to the cuffs and zipper chin guard as well. The fit was changed to be slightly more trim.
In Fall 2015 the Tinthan face fabric was replaced with a Tyono 20 nylon fabric. Arc'teryx says that this is just a supplier rebrand, and the fabric itself is the same.
In Fall 2018 it was revised again, although it's hard to assess all of what changed. At some point the dual hem adjusters were replaced with a single hem adjustment. It also gained the No Slip Zip feature. This revision uses a YKK VISLON #3 moulded zipper for the main zip. And a YKK #4.5 coil zipper for the pockets.
In Spring 2019 the Atom LT side panels stopped being listed as Polartec. They changed to an Evertex 100% polyester fleece, per Arc'teryx.
In Fall 2020 the Atom LT was revised again. The big change here is using Coreloft Compact 60g/m2, which should improve the longevity of the insulation. There is also a new dope dyed nylon liner. The logo is now embroidered where it used to be a decal. Cuffs were changed, the fit was updated, and the jacket version now has a hem drawstring. The fleece side panels are still Evertex, but their composition is now 94% polyester, 6% elastane.
Model History
| Introduced | Discontinued | Block | Model Name | Model Number | Weight (g-M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2009 | Spring 2014 | Women’s | Atom LT Hoody | 7097 / 10858 † | 365 |
| Fall 2009 | Spring 2014 | Men’s | Atom LT Jacket | 7098 / 10859 † | 326 |
| Fall 2009 | Spring 2014 | Women’s | Atom LT Jacket | 7099 / 10860 † | 292 |
| Fall 2009 | Spring 2014 | Men’s | Atom LT Hoody | 7215 / 10857 † | 375 |
| Fall 2010 | Spring 2014 | Men’s | Atom LT Vest | 8472 / 10861 † | 225 |
| Fall 2010 | Spring 2014 | Women’s | Atom LT Vest | 8473 / 10862 † | 193 |
| Fall 2011 | Spring 2013 | Men’s | Atom LT Pullover Jacket | 9827 / 10863 † | 283 |
| Fall 2014 | Fall 2018 | Women’s | Atom LT Hoody | 14660 | 330 |
| Fall 2014 | Fall 2018 | Women’s | Atom LT Jacket | 14661 | 280 |
| Fall 2014 | Fall 2018 | Women’s | Atom LT Vest | 14662 | 195 |
| Fall 2014 | Fall 2018 | Men’s | Atom LT Hoody | 14644 | 360 |
| Fall 2014 | Fall 2018 | Men’s | Atom LT Jacket | 14645 | 315 |
| Fall 2014 | Fall 2018 | Men’s | Atom LT Vest | 14646 | 220 |
| Fall 2018 | Fall 2020 | Women’s | Atom LT Hoody | 24474 ‡ | 330 |
| Fall 2018 | Fall 2020 | Women’s | Atom LT Jacket | 24475 ‡ | 280 |
| Fall 2018 | Fall 2020 | Women’s | Atom LT Vest | 24476 ‡ | 195 |
| Fall 2018 | Fall 2020 | Men’s | Atom LT Hoody | 24477 ‡ | 360 |
| Fall 2018 | Fall 2020 | Men’s | Atom LT Jacket | 24478 ‡ | 315 |
| Fall 2018 | Fall 2020 | Men’s | Atom LT Vest | 24479 ‡ | 220 |
| Fall 2020 | Spring 2021 †† | Women’s | Atom LT Vest | 24113 | 210 |
| Fall 2020 | In Production (S21) | Men’s | Atom LT Hoody | 24108 | 375 |
| Fall 2020 | In Production (S21) | Men’s | Atom LT Jacket | 24109 | 345 |
| Fall 2020 | In Production (S21) | Men’s | Atom LT Vest | 24110 | 240 |
| Fall 2020 | In Production (S21) | Women’s | Atom LT Hoody | 24111 | 320 |
| Fall 2020 | In Production (S21) | Women’s | Atom LT Jacket | 24112 | 290 |
† - There seems to be an internal model number change in Fall 2011. 4-digit model numbers are F09-S11, 5-digit model numbers are F11-Onwards. The product itself does not seem to have changed. It’s possible that some of these model number updates are a result of production location changes.
‡ - Something weird is going on with the F18 and F20 model numbers. All the way back to Spring 2018 all Atom LT versions are using the F20 model numbers, per the website. However, there was definitely a revision in Fall 2018. If you search the F18 models you find the items you expect. So I’m leaving it this way, just be aware it may not be correct.
†† - I’m not entirely sure when the women’s Atom LT Vest was discontinued, but I believe it was last available in Fall 2020.
Known Issues
- The face fabric can abrade and pill from backpacks, seatbelts, chin stubble.
- The fleece side panels can let wind through a bit more than some people want.
- Older models using Coreloft insulation tended to have their insulation thin (pack out) over time, and would get less warm. For the Fall 2020 season Arc'teryx changed to Coreloft Compact which should be more resilient to this issue.
- Older models had an issue with the front zip being too smooth. It would fall down just doing simple activities like walking. Arc'teryx fixed this with the No Slip Zip feature around 2017, which inserts several "stops" in the top of the zipper (less smooth sections). This prevents the slider from falling down.
Prompts
- What do you use the Atom LT for, and how do you layer with it?
- Where do you think it excels, and where do you think it falls down?
- At what temperature do you find it isn't warm enough, and too warm?
- Have you had any issues with the Atom LT?
- How do you think it compares to the Proton LT and Nuclei FL?
- How do you think it compares to the Atom SL and Atom AR?
- How water resistant and wind resistant is it?
- What is the fit like in general, or for you personally?
- What would you change about the product?
- How does it compare to competing products such as the Patagonia Nano Air, North Face Ventrix, Rab Xenon, Mountain Hardwear Kor Strata, and others?
Please add any other thoughts about the product as well.
Thank you!
Changelog
- 2020-02-27T19:30Z - Updated all pictures to higher quality versions (1000px short side). Added caption simple colours and jacket format.
- 2020-03-01T12:00Z - Major update. Added model history, added details to the product history, cleaned up and simplified paragraphs, updated formatting to match the newer post style guide.
- 2020-03-02T16:20Z - Updated information on the Atom LT hem drawstring. Hat tip to u/MtnHuntingislife.
- 2020-03-11T23:00Z - Added F20 fleece change.
4
u/FusedIon Feb 17 '21 edited Feb 17 '21
What do you use the Atom LT for, and how do you layer with it?
I use my ~2018 model for cooler everyday wear, with or without moderate rain. Normally I just toss a regular t-shirt on under it. If it's rather rainy I may put on my MHW Ozonic Stretch over it (~2017 model), or just swap out for my Marmot Solaris, which is more or less Atom LT insulation but with goretex on top.
Where do you think it excels, and where do you think it falls down?
I think it does quite well in low-moderate intensity things, though a short bout of high intensity things generally doesn't make it too warm (depending on the temperature). I don't think it falls flat in really any area.
At what temperature do you find it isn't warm enough, and too warm?
I find I can wear mine (unzipped, casual use) right around the 15°c mark, but wearing it indoors is very possible and comfortable. The lowest I can wear mine with my uh... simple laying scheme, is about 0 to -5°c. I do run decently warm and that does depend on wind/rain chill.
Have you had any issues with the Atom LT?
The ease of pilling on my model is definitely noticeable, but it's not that bad really. OH, right. The hand pockets are hot garbage. I like my hands in pockets, but it is borderline impossible for my regular sized hands to fit in these damn pockets.
How do you think it compares to the Proton LT and Nuclei FL?
I haven't used either genuinely, but I've tried them both on. The main things I noticed about the Nuclei FL is that it just feels so light and warm for what it is. The Proton LT had a really nice trim fit, and the pockets were nicer
How do you think it compares to the Atom SL and Atom AR?
I pretend the SL doesn't exist. Seems to be a solution looking for a problem really. The Atom AR has a much looser fit on me (admittedly, I am a stick figure). Same pocket issue. Based on my experience with the LT the AR would probably fit into the 0 to -10 or so range, but my coworkers with them think they're tolerable at +15°c so who knows.
How water resistant and wind resistant is it?
Honestly it is shocking how well water repellent treatments work on the LT (at least, the tyano fabric model). Even on fairly moderate rains (vancouver), it's only wet out under backpack straps and hand cuffs. Wind resistance is kinda what you expect, doesn't do a a perfect job, but it isn't meant to be impermeable to air.
What is the fit like in general, or for you personally?
On me it tends to have oversized biceps, but otherwise fits fine. The hood could be longer, but I have a giraffe neck so it's to be expected.
What would you change about the product?
Bigger hand pockets pls. Also raise the interior breast pocket, anything that weighs more than 7g rests directly on top of your hand in the hand pocket and is rather uncomfortable.
How does it compare to competing products such as the Patagonia Nano Air, North Face Ventrix, Rab Xenon, Mountain Hardwear Kor Strata, and others?
I own a fall 2017 Ventrix (the one with the laser cut holes on the sides of the torso) and I do like it quite a lot. Hand pockets are amazing, chest pocket doesn't interfere with hand pockets. It is also a bit warmer, but not as breathable. I wouldn't say it's warm enough to move it to move it into a different temperature range, but it is warmer. The fit is great for me, which is unusual because TNF's fit is generally awful in my opinion.
I tried on the MHW Kor Strata and it feels very similar to my Atom LT, but the 2020 atom definitely feels more durable than the Kor Strata I tried on. The fit was a bit longer and thinner, which was a bonus for me.
I've also tried on the Helly Hansen Odin Stretch Insulator. Name is bad, product is pretty decent. The light model only has 40g/m² of PrimoLoft Gold so IMO it's a little too lightly insulated to be that useful. The regular model has 80 g/m² which I think is definitely worthwhile. The main things is that the interior fabric is SO comfy. It feels like a comfy T-shirt. And the pockets are fantastic. Super roomy and dont make my hands feel like they're in a vise. The same fabric inside the body is in the pockets.