This Arc’teryx Jacket Is Journey Author-approved

As a journey author, I generally really feel like a real-life Walter Mitty. The spotlight of my profession, to this point, has been crusing on the primary cruise ship crossing of the fabled Northwest Passage. Highlights of that 32-day voyage embrace watching polar bears within the wild, hovering over the tundra in a helicopter, ice tenting in Greenland, and final however not least, getting an Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie. 

I’m not joking. I’ve had this jacket since 2016, and it’s nonetheless going sturdy some 30-plus international locations later. The cruise firm gifted it to me since I used to be working for them, which is vital to notice since I by no means thought I’d have the ability to afford Arc’teryx. It’s not an inexpensive model, however based mostly on my expertise with this one piece alone, it is likely to be one of many greatest insulated jackets on the market and is price each penny. Nevertheless, proper now, you could be fortunate sufficient to seize it for as little as $196 at Amazon and $210 at REI, if you will discover your dimension.

Arc’teryx Ladies’s Atom Insulated Hoodie

Coming in at simply 10.9 ounces and compressing all the way down to be smaller than my beloved Cabeau journey pillow, the Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie is one in all probably the most packable jackets available on the market. I don’t even really feel it after I’m carrying it round my waist. Regardless of how light-weight it’s, it’s additionally extremely heat due to the model’s “Coreloft” insulation. Not solely did it preserve me cozy whereas I tent camped on the world’s second-largest ice cap in Greenland seven years in the past, however one January it was additionally my second pores and skin on a 12-day journey to Antarctica. 

The Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie has additionally saved me dry. The Atom Insulated Hoodie has the model’s Tyono 20-denier nylon shell handled with a sturdy water repellent, and I’ve observed that it sheds water a lot better than my different go-to puffer (albeit I acquired that one at Amazon for a fraction of the worth, so I don’t count on it to carry out as effectively.) For my fingers and my valuables, it has two hand pockets with hidden zippers and a beneficiant inner zippered chest pocket. My favourite characteristic, nevertheless, is the hood. It’s spacious, adjustable, and has a helpful brim, which retains snowflakes out of my eyes. 

In the meantime my pal Kean Christensen, an journey photographer additionally based mostly in Montana, is obsessive about the stretchy facet panels. “The power to have full vary of movement whereas staying heat is the explanation I selected the Atom Hoodie,” he not too long ago advised me. “Cash effectively spent!” He’s had his jacket (it’s additionally out there in Males’s) for years and wears it as a mid-layer, beneath a ski shell, and as a prime layer. 

Arc’teryx Males’s Atom Insulated Hoodie 

You possibly can rating my favourite packable puffer at Amazon in black or lavender for as little as $196; it’s also possible to get it at REI in 4 completely different colorways beginning at $120. The jacket is obtainable in ladies’s sizes XXS to XXL (however sizes are restricted at Amazon and REI). At Arc’teryx, the place I want to buy as a result of there are extra dimension choices, it is priced at $300 and is available in versatile black — and all sizes from XXS to XXL are in inventory.

After all, my Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie will all the time be the alpha since I’ve had it the longest, and it’s served me so effectively. However don’t simply take my phrase for it. On-line, it has greater than 360 five-star opinions and practically 90 p.c of buyers say they’d purchase it once more.  “Each my spouse and I are on our second Atom jackets,” wrote one shopper who left a five-star ranking. “The primary ones are nonetheless going after greater than 10 years, however exhibiting their age, so we determined it was time to get new ones. We put on them nearly day by day for six months of the 12 months and in nearly all situations exterior of torrential downpours.”

One other glad shopper who guarantees it will likely be “your most worn jacket” wrote, “it’s smooth sufficient to decorate up and exit to dinner in.” I can’t agree extra. I pack gentle, so I don’t normally deliver each a costume jacket and a heat jacket. Yesterday, I wore my Atom Hoodie whereas climbing in Montana’s Paradise Valley earlier than sporting it a number of hours later at Sky Shed, the fashionable rooftop bar at The Kimpton Armory Resort Bozeman.

After all, many patrons point out taking it on journeys, too. One who mentioned it really works effectively in fall, winter, and spring has sported it in downtown Chicago, within the mountains of Colorado, and on a highway journey throughout California. One other shopper who acquired theirs for a February journey to the Pacific Northwest wrote, “This jacket is gentle, breathable and amazingly heat. I’m curvy and it contours properly.” I additionally learn a evaluation left by somebody who wears theirs in airports!

I can’t let you know in case your subsequent flight will go away on time or in case your baggage will make it to your closing vacation spot. However in case you’re on the lookout for an extremely heat, light-weight jacket that may final for years (regardless of all the wear and tear and tear of touring), I can let you know to not sleep on the Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie. And in case you like the concept of a packable puffer, however need one thing extra inexpensive, see beneath for a number of choices, all beneath $60. 

Store Extra Packable Puffer Jackets at Amazon:

The North Face Flare Down Insulated Puffer Jacket II

Wantdo Hooded Packable Extremely Light-weight Down Jacket 

Out of doors Ventures Full-Zip Packable Puffer Jacket

Alpine Swiss Eva Down Various Puffer Jacket 

Amazon Necessities Light-weight Packable Puffer Jacket

Carhartt Montana Relaxed Match Insulated Jacket

On the time of publishing, the worth began at $196. 

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