Whether you’re looking for winter gear to wear at home, or traveling somewhere with colder conditions, it’s important to know what you’re looking for in a jacket. What works for resort skiing doesn’t always work for cross-country skiing, and sometimes, neither jacket would work for just general walking around in a snowstorm.
The Arc’teryx Women’s Atom LT Hoody is a lightweight, mid-layer jacket that’s great to use on its own, or for an insulation layer when you need to suit up for harsher elements. The jacket has Coreloft insulation in the torso, arms and hood, which keeps your core warm—essential in winter. The side panels and underarms have Polartec Power Stretch with Hardface Technology, which ensures that despite staying warm, you also have mobility and breathability. That helps regulate your temperature during exertion, so you don’t have a sweatbox inside your jacket.
On top of it all, a wind- and moisture-resistant outer shell keeps you comfortable in moderate winter weather (wind, rain, snow). The Atom jacket has a taffeta outer lining treated with DWR finish, which gives the jacket the ability to shed moisture and protect against light precipitation.
The Atom LT Hoody pieces pack down into a tiny packet of stored warmth. Store the jacket inside its own pocket, or tuck it into a sleeve or inside the hood. A quick shake easily restores the original loft. A great secondary use is as a travel pillow, so you don’t have to take the jacket and a pillow on the plane.
I’ve worn this jacket skiing, as well as for other snow-related outings, and it’s performed well. One thing I especially appreciate with the color offerings for women, is that despite having the traditional bright “girl” colors, there are also a selection of colors that are often in the men’s clothing palette, which allows us ladies a choice of color while retaining the women’s jacket silhouette.
The jacket has zippered hand pockets, as well as a zippered internal chest pocket. Unlike some other jackets, you can actually put things in your pockets and yet still have the flexibility to move around without your pocketed gear being squashed into your body.
The Arc’teryx Women’s Atom LT Hoody lists for $249 on the Arc’teryx site. It’s also available at Amazon. Dudes, don’t be jealous. There’s an Atom LT Hoody for you, too.