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Arc'teryx Atom Hoody Review

This active insulated layer combines lightweight mobility with great breathability while offering some warmth
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Arc'teryx Atom Hoody Review (The Atom Hoody excels for high output activities in cooler weather.)
The Atom Hoody excels for high output activities in cooler weather.
Credit: Travis Reddinger
Price:  $300 List
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Manufacturer:   Arc'teryx
By Travis Reddinger ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 10, 2024
76
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 9
  • Warmth - 25% 7.0
  • Comfort - 25% 8.5
  • Weather Resistance - 20% 7.0
  • Portability - 15% 7.0
  • Breathability - 15% 8.5

Our Verdict

A favorite for active use, the Arc'teryx Atom Hoody boasts an excellent fit and great breathability. The Coreloft Compact insulation combined with stretch fleece panels on the sides allows for incredible breathability while still maintaining warmth. The two hand pockets with hidden zippers and the internal chest pocket make for streamlined storage. Our testers loved taking it nordic skiing, snowboarding, running in the winter, climbing in cold temps, and using it as a layer during heavy activity or as a mid-layer under a shell for more serious conditions. Our article on the best insulated jackets will show you how it fares versus competing products.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Breathable
Warm
Great mobility
REASONS TO AVOID
Pricey
No stow pocket
Small pockets

Compare to Similar Products

 
arc'teryx atom hoody
Awards Top Pick Award
Most Versatile Layer
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Insulated Jacket
Top Pick Award
Most Comfortable
 Best Buy Award
Best on A Tight Budget
Price $300 List
$209.93 at REI
$349 List
Check Price at Backcountry
$260.00 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$119.73 at REI$39 List
$33.98 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This well-fitting mid-layer jacket offers comfort and breathability for active useWell-fitting and comfortable, this jacket's ability to stave off weather makes it ideal for outdoor activitiesA feature rich insulation layer that is great for hiking, snow sports, and climbingLight and with decent warmth, this is the perfect piece to throw on for an evening stroll or morning walk to the coffee shopOur favorite model offers a great blend of function, comfort, and price
Rating Categories Arc'teryx Atom Hoody Patagonia DAS Light... Rab Xenair Alpine Cotopaxi Teca Calid... Amazon Essentials L...
Warmth (25%)
7.0
7.5
8.0
4.0
5.0
Comfort (25%)
8.5
8.0
9.0
6.0
6.0
Weather Resistance (20%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
5.0
5.0
Portability (15%)
7.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
6.0
Breathability (15%)
8.5
6.0
7.0
5.0
5.0
Specs Arc'teryx Atom Hoody Patagonia DAS Light... Rab Xenair Alpine Cotopaxi Teca Calid... Amazon Essentials L...
Measured Weight (size M) 12.70 oz 12.31 oz 18.30 oz 12.45 oz 11.00 oz
Number of Pockets 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest 2 zippered hand, 2 zippered chest 2 zippered hand, 1 internal zip chest pocket, 2 drop-in internal patch pockets 2 zippered hand
Hem Type Dual adjustment Lightly elasticized Dual adjustment Elastic Elastic
Fit Fitted/trim fit. Relaxed Regular fit Regular but tighter Relaxed/slim
Insulation Coreloft 100% recycled polyester PlumaFill 100% recycled polyester PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Active+ 100% recycled polyester 100% polyester
Outer Fabric Tyono 20D shell with FC0 DWR treatment - 100% nylon 10D Pertex Quantum Pro 100% recycled nylon ripstop 20D Pertex Quantum Air with fluorocarbon-free DWR Repurposed polyester taffeta with DWR finish 100% polyester
Lining Dope Permeair 20D - 100% nylon 10D Pertex Quantum 100% recycled nylon ripstop 20D Recycled Nylon Repurposed polyester taffeta with DWR finish 100% polyester
Hood Option Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Built-In Stow Pocket No Yes; left hand pocket No Yes; chest No; included stuff sack
Cuff Construction Stretch-knit Lightly elasticized Elastic with velcro adjustment Elastic cuff Elastic cuff

Our Analysis and Test Results

One of the best mid-layer jackets on the market, the Arc'teryx Atom Hoody insulates with the breathable, warm, and light Coreloft Compact insulation, which performs when wet. The trim fit makes it an excellent base layer or light mid-layer when things get cold. This streamlined jacket features two zippered hand pockets and an internal zippered chest pocket. Simple and functional, the Atom Hoody excels as a performance piece. The highly breathable material works great for athletic endeavors like winter runs, nordic skiing, and climbing when the temperatures drop below 20 degrees and we need a piece that would breathe and keep some warmth. As a standalone piece, this jacket lacks the warmth of some of the more robust insulated jackets we tested, but as an activewear mid-layer, it excels.

Performance Comparison


arc'teryx atom hoody - the atom hoody gives you mobility and breathability in a lightweight...
The Atom Hoody gives you mobility and breathability in a lightweight package.
Credit: Travis Reddinger

Warmth


The Atom Hoody uses a combination of 60 g/m2 of Coreloft Compact insulation and stretch fleece panels on the side to provide warmth. The side panels provide ventilation, which helps during active use but lacks heat retention. This low-profile layering piece is far from the warmest, though it still has a decent warmth-to-weight ratio.


The Atom Hoody features a single drawcord on the back of the hood and dual hem adjustment to tighten up the fit and help retain heat. The arms feature soft elastic cuffs that remain close to your wrist with movement and keep the wind out. Considering how light the jacket is, it does an impressive job of trapping heat. Though it has a slimmer fit, it has no problem covering your base-layers, and easily fits under a shell when the temps drop.

Elastic cuffs, dual cinch hem, and fleece side panels on the Atom...
Elastic cuffs, dual cinch hem, and fleece side panels on the Atom Hoody make for a versatile jacket.
The cuff of the Atom Hoody fits snug over gloves to keep the wind out.
The cuff of the Atom Hoody fits snug over gloves to keep the wind out.
Elastic cuffs, dual cinch hem, and fleece side panels on the Atom Hoody make for a versatile jacket.

Comfort


Arc'teryx excels in terms of comfort with all its jackets. The Atom Hoody uses articulated elbows and gusseted underarms for additional mobility and comfort. The slim, athletic fit felt thinner in the torso without being constrictive and tight. The adjustable lowered hem sits below the waistline, and the long sleeves stay in place without riding up when moving the arms around, which helped with activities like climbing. The hood can be used with a helmet and has an adjustable bungee if you want to cinch it over a hat or bare head.


The jacket also features excellent mobility of the shoulders and neck, with and without the hood up. Many competing jackets tended to be tight and constrictive in the upper section impeding the range of movement. The performance stretch fleece side panels allows free movement without any constriction or limitations. The Dope Permeair 20D liner fabric feels great against the skin, significantly better than slippery nylons, and the tricot fleece-lined pockets provide an added luxurious touch.

arc'teryx atom hoody - the zip extends past the neckline to keep your neck and chin warm.
The zip extends past the neckline to keep your neck and chin warm.
Credit: Travis Reddinger

Weather Resistance


Intended as an activewear piece, this jacket works well for cold, dry weather or paired with a shell during rain, snow, or high winds. There is a protective flap behind the zipper and flaps over the pockets to protect from wind and rain. The hood cinches well over your face and has a stiffened brim to give some shape. The breathable fabric and side panels do well with normal winds, but you feel the chill of the stronger gusts and will need an outer layer to stay warm.


The DWR treatment effectively causes water to bead up and shed off without being absorbed into the fabric, when fresh. The coating so easily repelled liquid during our tests that it garnered comments. “You poured water on me, and I got dry,” remarked one tester. Unfortunately, the jacket's DWR coating wears off over time and needs to be reapplied. The stretch fleece side panels also absorb water which means this is not the jacket you want for protection in serious storms. For true inclement weather, we suggest bringing along a rain jacket or your favorite hardshell jacket.

Testing the weatherproofing by spraying water directly on the...
Testing the weatherproofing by spraying water directly on the exterior.
After being sprayed, water beaded quickly, and any water that seeped...
After being sprayed, water beaded quickly, and any water that seeped in dried within 30 minutes.
The DWR finish keeps the water from soaking into the fabric.

Portability


We weighed our size medium jacket at 12.70 ounces. While this is about three ounces heavier than the lightest option in this review, it is notably the lightest of the similar stretch active layers that we've tested, and it has a very lightweight feel.


This jacket lacks the ability to stuff into its own pocket, and doesn't come with a stuff sack like some of the others tested. However, it remains light enough to that tossing it into your favorite daypack or carrying it by hand is a non-issue.

arc'teryx atom hoody - the hood on the arc'teryx is insulated and offers a structured mini...
The hood on the Arc'teryx is insulated and offers a structured mini hood brim.
Credit: Travis Reddinger

Breathability


The Atom's hybrid design pairs compact insulation with stretch fleece panels to create one of the most breathable mid-layer jackets on the market. The air-permeable exterior helps with breathability as well, and our testers loved using this jacket for various activities.


We tested this jacket at altitude during a Colorado winter when temps barely reached the 30s. At these temps, we wore it as a single outer layer in dry weather while running, hiking, and nordic skiing, activities that induce sweating. The jacket regulated our heat amazingly well and rarely felt too hot or too cold. We were able to keep the jacket on and just crack the zipper a bit to prevent overheating. The outstanding breathability made this jacket noteworthy to all of our testers.

The Atom Hoody was the perfect companion for the cooler days in the fall and spring.

Should You Buy the Arc'teryx Atom Hoody?


The Arc'teryx Atom Hoody hits the summit as one of the best choices for high-octane activities in cold weather — running, skinning, nordic skiing, or hiking — or even for less high-paced endeavors like strolling around town. We don't recommend this jacket as your only insulated layer; we would only consider buying it after we already had a thicker and warmer jacket for general day-to-day cold weather living. With that base covered, adding in this lighter-weight choice for milder weather adventures and during workouts is certainly worthwhile. Comfortable, with great versatility, and a dream-like fit, it became one of our go-to insulated layers.

arc'teryx atom hoody - comfort and breathability make the atom hoody a standout jacket for...
Comfort and breathability make the Atom Hoody a standout jacket for the outdoor enthusiast.
Credit: Travis Reddinger

What Other Insulated Jackets Should You Consider?


The Arc'teryx Atom Hoody performed exceptionally well in most of our metrics. If you need something that can shoulder some precipitation, check out the Patagonia DAS Light Hoody. For an affordable, high-quality option, we like the Rab Nebula Pro. If you just want something a bit more casual and stylish to wear around town, the Cotopaxi Teca Calido Hooded Jacket might be up your alley.

Travis Reddinger