Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Atom SL Hoodie

I had read a lot of great reviews on this jacket and had high expectations for it while I was waiting for it to arrive. Apparently my expectations were not high enough as this jacket is truly an amazing lightweight shell (you hardly feel as if you have it on) that is exactly what I was looking for. I am 5'10" and 160 and normally wear a medium in all jackets and tops and got this one in a medium. It is a perfect fit and what is so great about it is that I can wear it as a single jacket on top of a t-shirt or single long sleeve shirt, but also have any kind of layer under it (I often pair it with the Cerrium SL down hoody) and not feel too tight. It also fits well under a heavier shell. If you buy this jacket you will certainly not be disappointed.

This jacket is my go to in the mid-temp winter weather we have in the Southern US. It is perfect over a sweater for a touch of added warmth in the morning and works well over short sleeves on a warmer winter day. I suspect it will be the only jacket I wear in the fall and spring.

I don't think I'll ever be going back to a fleece. I wear it at camp in the summer, while hiking in cool weather and as a mid-layer for very cold snowboarding. I even end up sleeping in it a lot during shoulder season. I bring it on every single hiking trip and it gets used every time.

This hoody works well in Hong Kong where temperatures fluctuate between 10-20 degrees Celsius in winter. It is warm enough to start a hike with, during breaks or when weather changes unexpectedly. I also wear it when I go grocery shopping or walk my dog. It is just perfect for hiking and daily activities.

This jacket is without a doubt the most versatile piece I own, and was worth every penny I spent on it. I have owned mine for close to 2 years, and have used it in literally every season. From mornings and evenings in the heat of summer, to part of a layering system for trekking in the snow, and everything in-between. At first I was suspicious that I would be able to get much use out of it, as it seems too insulated to be a windbreaker, and not insulated enough to supply any significant warmth, but as usual, Arc'teryx hit the nail right on the head, creating something that can be used in far more conditions than either a standard windbreaker or insulated piece. The only minor nitpick I would have with the jacket, is that the hood is a little bit strange. I would have preferred a hood more like on the Atom LT, (the best hood design on the market in my opinion), or like a running jacket. The hood on the SL seems more suited to use with a helmet or ball cap, whereas my uses usually have me wearing a toque or no hat at all. In regard to the fit, I often have trouble choosing a size as I am usually between S and M in all clothing (5'11", ~140lbs, long arms). I went for an M, and have had no regrets. It is trim fitting enough that it fits well over a baselayer, but also loose enough that I can wear it over a light fleece if needed.

I was a bit dubious when I was deciding on buying it since I felt it was a high price for a lightweight midlayer but Im glad I purchased it! Its number one feature is definately breathability! You can wear it in a wide range of temperatures and activities and it will keep You warm and dry! I use it daily as a mid layer, or an outer layer depending on the weather and activity! Its incredibly light and looks great!

I own or have owned over 20 Windstopper/soft shell type jackets. Hands down this Gamma LT is my favorite all round jacket... not a heavy soft shell... you will need to layer for cold weather. The fit is great. I am 5 8 190 and large fits perfect. Will be buying more of these...

I live in the Tucson area and this the perfect fall jacket. I use it from 45F to 60F and it keeps me very comfortable. I have used it in light rain and it sheds right off. If the weather turns i can pair it with a Beta LT to keep me dry. This is one of my favorite Arcteryx pieces

This jacket has an excellent slim fit while still keeping you warm. I would recommend this jacket to anyone.

I purchased this hoody while visiting Whistler this summer because I needed something for the cool evenings in the village, and I have been so happy with the product. In fact, it has proven useful well into the fall months now while going out for walks in temperatures into the single digits. I expect it will be a fabulous mid-layer when the time comes to pull the skis out, and to top it off the hoody just looks do great and comes in great colours. Arcteryx is really leading the pack when it comes to research driven designs and initiatives, and I feel the money spent on these products is well-invested.

I have never worn a garment that performs so perfectly according to the manufacturer's intentions as the Atom SL Hoody. The weight and flatten-ability make it so effortless to carry when it might be needed and so easy to put away when you start out in it. I love the stiffener material in all its locations. The jacket is trim fitting with a wonderful length. I own the Atom SL Vest, Atom LT Vest, and SL Hoody - the material resists spills really well (if you can wipe quickly you'll never know you spilled) and wash super well. Early in this jackets life I melted some chocolate in the pocket and dripped it on the front while removing it from the pocket. I was able to scrape most of it off and the remainder came of beautifully with spot treatment. All my Atoms have all been really durable for me, I do not overly abrade them but branches and thorns have not been a problem (I do not squeeze through a briar patch wearing them). Its wonderful to have pockets big enough to accommodate my iPhone 8 Plus.

Purchased for ski touring, wholly up to the task. Provides sufficient warmth on warm(er) days, as well as with light insulation on cold(er) days. Sheds light precipitation with ease, and breathes well enough to prevent an internal drenching. Expect it will work well for three-season use (spring and fall hiking, etc.)

I've used this jacket on a 8 day trip on Kilimanjaro. This was my go to shell basically everyday excluding summit night. Great wind resistance, light insulation and breathable. Excellent hood and exceptional quality from arcteryx.

I love this layer warm comfortable and a great length (short in the body) an amazing layer.

I wear this every morning for my pole walk adding a Cerium down hoodie when it gets cold. The long arms slide over thin gloves, thicker gloves slide over the cuffs with ease. The hood is there in case it's needed for wind or rain, and the body is long enough on my to provide coverage over the hips. I use the cord at the bottom to attach a small bike light for walking in the dark. And on the bike when it's windy or wet. A short story - I went to Vancouver last January to attend meetings and on to Revi to ski for a few days. This was my only around town shell I brought (along with the down hoodie). It went to my conference and lunch in DT Van as a perfectly respectable coat over my business wear; it went to the Capilano suspension bridge on a fiercely rainy day for me to tour there (with the hood up) and kept me dry for over 3 hours; and it followed me to Revi with their 8m snow(!) and was all I needed for travel up, back and around town there.

Lovely coat I bought it on a visit to Canada fits lovely true to size great on a walk

This jacket is by far the best shell I've ever owned. It is very comfortable and breathable, I wear it as an outer layer when I'm outside in the fall and as a jacket I wear around the city and when I travel it always comes with me. Worth the price, I can definitely recommend it.

The SL is far, far better than I expected. Due to other jackets I owned covering the varied conditions I usually hike in, I had not considered this jacket earlier. However, now that I have tried one, I have sold my other layers!! It's simply brilliant. This can be used in so many different conditions that it has now replaced my softshell and windproof tops. The fit is perfect for me, as a Medium in most brands, this fits like a glove. I am so impressed with this jacket that I have also ordered the SL vest/gilet to match. Great colour too, now that a 'proper' RED is back on the menu. Highly recommended. My only slight negative would be that the hood could be slightly better and the zip is a little 'notchy' going up the last few inches to the top. Otherwise absolutely love it, for Scotland where we have many, many days in the year that give you all four seasons that day, it is fantastic.

This is my favourite jacket, I have used it for all sort of activities from hiking, biking, running to travelling on a plane and just casually wearing around the city. And it seems indestructible, so far no wear or tear, I have been washing it with Nikwax, looks still like new. It is very light, but warm, breaths well, looks very stylish and comes in variety of colours, I have two, couldn't resist! The fabric is outstanding, feels good agains the skin, layers well with other jackets and it is so versatile you can wear it all year round. Only one request, I wish it came in the warm yellow aspen golden colour!

Brought this jacket and i have not been disappinted , Comfort and stylish and the you can tell its made by the best and awsome reputation.

Bought this on a whim looking for a good lightweight shell for the times I dont need a hardshell and want something I can beat on for work, which this does nicely. Cuts wind well and works great in conjunction with a insulating layer to keep you warm on colder days, It runs a bit slim so size up if you plan on layering insulating layers inside though. still kinda wish it came with Pit zips but cant win them all.

If you are looking for a super lightweight and very packable jacket to layer over a fleece or insulation layer, this is it. It is impossibly light yet provides surprising warmth and protection from rain and wind. It is my new favorite jacket.

I use this jacket primarily for day-to-day activities and I've always stayed dry. I've even gone for walks in the pouring rain. I wouldn't recommend this jacket if you were, say, going to take a shower, or if this were your only shell on an extended hike in the PNW, but for everyday needs, this is perfect. Other Arc'teryx jackets serve other purposes, but often are overkill.

I have read some folks explain this jacket has a limited range of use due to a narrow temperature window of comfort. I guess if you are asking the SL to be an insulating shell for cooler endeavors you would feel this way but have missed its brilliance. The Atom SL has the perfect amount of ultra lightweight insulation in the core to keep the chill out while still drying out unbelievably quickly. The use of Torrent, (Think Adahy) which is one of my all-time favorite materials, on the underarms and side panels not only let this piece move and stretch with you but also offers an amazing anti-odor where it matters most. I can wear this far longer between washes than most other jackets which in turn lengthens the longevity of the above average DWR. The Tyono face fabric allows shell layers to slide effortlessly over top of the SL when the temperature drops or if the clouds overflow. The same can be said for the slick and comfy interior fabric as it smoothly integrates with an insulating layer when the weather is more cooperative such as the previously mentioned Adahy or a Kyanite if it is colder. I love that the hood isn't insulated as it keeps weight down and also keeps the wind and rain off your head. If it is colder my baselayer hood in combination with this one works seamlessly. Simple and light one handed waist cinch - A+ Pockets are perfectly placed and deep. The Hand pockets go up into the chest for gentle heat dump without letting the cold to rush in. The SL breathes amazingly well and can handle very high output activities up to about 55 degrees, anything above that and it's use drops back down to lower output or basecamp relaxation. This jacket weighs almost nothing and wears like your favorite broken in T-shirt. Mobility is second to none and it packs down smaller than your fist. Wishes: There is a slight drop in the hem front to back, which I like, however I would appreciate an extra inch in the front. The sleeves are a nice length, not too short as another reviewer pointed out, but the cuffs could be a little more aggressive as found in the LT variant. All in all this is one of the pieces I grab for most often in the Arc closet. Absolutely love the SL! A++

This is without a doubt the best jacket I have ever owned. And trust me, I'm a jacket freak! I used to have a lot of struggle finding the right jacket for spring and fall, where the temperatures are around 15-18 Celsius. Either it's too hot or too cold. So I began with layers. Merino, a fleece and then the shell, whether it be the soft shell Gamma for trekking in dry weathers where the wind can suddenly cool you down or hard shell Beta SL for rainy days. Even a small shower is no problem for the Gamma LT as it dries very fast. The stretch is very handy when crawling around playing with my kids. I'd wish everyone could try one.