Arcteryx Atom vs Atom Heavyweight 2024 (Previously Atom LT vs Atom AR)

Arcteryx Atom vs Atom Heavyweight 2024 (Previously Atom LT vs Atom AR)
The Arcteryx Atom (previously Atom LT) is the lightweight version and the Atom Heavyweight (previously Atom AR) is the heavier version of the wonderful synthetic insulation jackets that are very versatile.
Both feature Coreloft insulation (60G Atom, 120G Atom Heavyweight) and a good fit. In this video I go over the features of each and show how they compare to each other.
Atom $300 - snp.link/1bbacb24
Atom Heavyweight $350 - snp.link/f690056a
‪@arcteryx‬
#arcteryx #engearment #clothing

[@johnnybyup]

I have an Atom LT hoodie, this is my second year with it. AMAZING jacket. The best all around jacket for all year round use. I will be 100% buying the Atom Heavy Weight next winter. Great review, thanks.

[@Turtlemilk]

can you use LT for detroit 12-20 degree winter?

[@einfachorangensaft1589]

Thanks for de review, bought the heavyweight today

[@EasternCombatPerspective]

Best review I have seen on these two, looking to get one or both of those perhaps. Subbed

[@Engearment]

Awesome, thank you! Really appreciate the positive note. And thanks for the sub! I have another Arcteryx comparison for you that goes live tomorrow. Take care!

[@limeyoube]

Just received my new Patagonia Nano air. Hard decision to make after trying this one on a few weeks ago. No doubt the cuffs on this is better than the Nano air. I'm sure this will be in my collection eventually.

[@Engearment]

Stoked on your nano air! It’s a great jacket. But you’re right, the Atom cuffs are just so nice. Thanks for the note!

[@hollubaloo]

Thanks for the comparison! You answered a lot of my questions. I have an older Atom LT and a newer Proton Lightweight and am interested in a heavier insulated peice. I'm debating between the Atom Heavyweight and Proton Heavyweight. Hopefully you're able to shed some light on the latter piece in another video. Anyways, love your insights and great video, cheers!

[@Engearment]

Hello my friend! Thanks for the kind note. Much appreciated! I will see if we can get the Atom vs Proton Heavyweight going (I am curious too!) Take care!

[@BaxterretxaB]

Just purchased the Atom. Wish it was windproof. Don’t want to have to jump up to the Heavyweight but I want something exactly the same as the atom in size,weight, bulk but windproof. Any suggestions?

[@anthonytroxell]

Great video. I’ve got the atom lt and really want to pickup the heavyweight version. Great jacket and I love that they’ve removed pcfs in the new model and are doing the same in their other jackets. Just saw that several of their shells were released with them removed as well.

[@Engearment]

Heck yes! If you have the LT then you know all about the build quality and what to appreciate on the Heavyweight. And good on them for doing the right thing and keeping things clean! Thanks for the nice note!!

[@TheJoon]

Good review! Thanks. 1 question: Atom (LT) vs north face Casaval. Any recommendation for city use in cali? Thanks

[@AlainKapture]

Hello Sean, another great video. You just recommended the Arc Atom over the Pata NALH for casual or low output activity. I’ve seen a lot of comment that the Atom is not great as outer layer when having a backpack. I will use it a lot on a bike with a pretty heavy (10kg/22lbs) backpack daily. How is your experience with a backpack? Is this revised version more resistant as the 2021 Atom LT? Will the R1 fleece on the back of the Pata NALH better suited?

[@ericmoss8344]

I have an older Atom LT hoody that is my absolute favorite jacket for 35-50 degree temps in daily wear.. can be ok in colder weather w/some layering. The Atom AR is my other favorite jacket for a bit colder weather. They are both fantastic pieces... but only lack if it's very cold (25 degree F and lower) outside. They've both been very durable everyday wear jackets.

[@Engearment]

Heck yes! Thanks for sharing your experience with both of these. Love it! Take care!

[@GatorAidMedical]

These jackets definitely have a

[@Engearment]

I think you are on for the long term use. I wash the heck out of my gear often, so perhaps I get some extra life out of them. But down will (in my opinion) always outlast synthetic. I have some Montbell bags from well over a decade ago that are still going strong. For down, I wash in Nikwax down wash, then down proof to add a DWR to the feathers. This 1) keeps the down from wetting out 2) makes it easier to maintain over its life. Thanks for the great questions and for being part of our team!!

[@eaglezhou1243]

If you have outdoor activity in the winter, you will feel how better the atom LT is over patagonia down sweater.

[@Gjaevert]

Great video and review, very helpful. Any input on what to choose between the Atom and Patagonia Nano puff for non-active wear? Campsite, casual wear etc? Appreciate any input

[@Engearment]

Hey!! Thanks for the nice note. For casual I would opt for nano puff. Take care!

[@g-dionne6285]

Hi. thanks for the great comparison! I really like my Atom LT. I'm looking at buying an OR skytour shell to put over it (based on your review). For more stationary activities or freezing days I'd like an heavier mid layer. But not sure it will be required. any though? Not sure I like the cut of the atom heavy, but I don't know what other models would be good in that category... any recommendations?

[@gearhigher2027]

Well done. Outside of a branding standpoint, are there any clear changes you noticed with Atom LT dropping the "LT"?

[@Engearment]

Thank you! I don't see much difference

[@oppje6188]

Great insights, thanks

[@Engearment]

Thank you!

[@열대초풍]

what is the color of your atom lt?

[@stormtrooper5558]

Which one would you reckon is better suited for winters in Sydney, Australia with average temps of 8C-15C - as a daily city wear. Am more inclined towards the heavyweight.

[@Engearment]

Hey! Thanks for the nice note! You cant go wrong with the heavyweight. I like the lightweight for active use or static use in warmer temps.

[@kanzaki0001]

How does it compare to the Proton? I went to a arcteryx store they mentioned the proton being warmer than the atom ar

[@DrJapan]

Don't you find the new XL too big ? like, really toooo big? and sleeves too short ? btw is that brown ?! 2023? 2024 ? I'm taller but pretty much the same, and I can fit S-L except for the darn sleeves.... Wearing the Atom LT vest S as I'm typing ... I must be living in the wrong place :(

[@medetyertayev2470]

hey! Thank you for your review! Currently considering buying Atom Hoodie (not heavyweight), and when searched through the reviews on Arcteryx's website, there were many reviews saying that it torns off easily and there are many abrasions when worn with a backpack on. What are your thoughts on that? Don't wanna spend $300 and receive a bad quality jacket 😅 Thank you!

[@Engearment]

Hello! Thanks for the nice note and question. I have used the Atoms with backpack straps and not had issues with wear. Though, I suppose that could happen. One of our Engearment writers actually works for Arcteryx in the repair department. I bet they would take care of your Atom if you did manage to destroy it. Hope that helps ease the concern about the large investment. Take care!

[@desgaard2546]

do you think the Kyanite ar would fit well under the atom lt or would I be restricted of movment

[@gildasp3531]

It's the great return of Atom SV ....

[@claudioK5449]

How does this compare with the paka lightweight jacket you reviewed some weeks ago?

[@Engearment]

Great question! I can put a video together on that comparison. I feel like the atom heavyweight is a bit warmer and the hood is more adjustable.

[@beatriz1488]

Omg what a great review!! On both jackets! I have the same problem didnt know which one to buy still don’t know actually, i live in Amsterdam, The Netherlands 🇳🇱 and it can get pretty darn cold here in the winter we sometimes have -9 celcius but mostly 2, to 5 degrees celcius what would you recommend for city commuting? The LT or the HW 😅 I seriously cant decide, also i have a shell a arcteryx goretex jacket! And i wanna wear it mostly for spring and summer, but if it gets colder i wanna have like an insulation that keeps me warm enough even with a t-shirt or a longsleeve!

[@Engearment]

Hello friend!! Thank you for the nice note. I think the HW will treat you better with that range of temps. I LOVE the LT for temps in the 40-50f. But if I am using just a t shirt and the temps are around freezing or colder, then the HW is better. Hope that helps!

[@beatriz1488]

@@Engearment thank you!! So much i wil check them out at our local store! And try them both out but definitely opting for the HW like you said again thanks so much!! I probably will get both of them either way one for now and the other in the near future haha ◡̈

[@BigFuzzyGuy11]

When can we expect a comparison of the new Beta Lightweight v the "old" Beta LT? AFAIK the difference is the membrane.

[@Engearment]

Ohh dang. I did not know there was an update to the membrane. I will look into that.

[@BigFuzzyGuy11]

@@Engearment It is an REI member exclusive right now, I think.

[@readyme]

I have had both previous versions. I like the Heavyweight, but wish it had double zippers. As another person mentioned, they lose loft/warmth. I may have to try out a hydrophobic down belay jacket... somebody needs to make a hydrophobic down jacket with Pertex Diamond Fuse shell.

[@Engearment]

Good call on the double zipper. That is why I was wanting to mention that in the video. I think they would make a lot of people happy with that simple addition. An option might be the MH Phantom and treating it with Nikwax Down Proof to get the water repellency. Just an idea :). But lets see if we can inspire a brand to actually make that set up!

[@readyme]

@@Engearmentit would be great to have a company step up and incorporate the best of all the technologies. Outdoor Vitals seems to be the only company really pushing the envelope on gear. I don’t think it would be that hard… all the technology exists in jackets already.

[@Engearment]

​​⁠well said. I was actually planning heading on a trip with OV in March to test out gear and camp (but we are closing on our new home at the same time) So I can’t join them. But, I agree with you that they are doing really incredible things over there. And at a very fair price point. Glad you are a fan of their gear too 😊

[@readyme]

@@Engearment I watched your Patagonia down sweater hoody review. It would be about perfect with treated down and a double front zipper. One can dream I guess.

[@GatorAidMedical]

I watch mostly all your videos, so sorry if I missed it, but have you made a video on your favorite watches? I'm looking for a running watch that I could make a gpx map on, and then get turn by turn navigation on (NOT breadcrumb.) Is the apple watch ultra good for this?

[@jaroslavbela677]

Ultra isn’t the best for that. Get a garmin forerunner 255 or up and that’ll do everything that you need. Or if you’re doing more than just running then epix/fenix

[@GatorAidMedical]

@@jaroslavbela677 currently saving up for an omega so don't want to spend too much on a watch. What are your thoughts on the coros pace 3?

[@Engearment]

Hey buddy! Thanks for the nice note. I am not the best resource for running watches. I do LOVE the Ultra watch for tracking heart rate, HRV, O2, sleep, and other metrics. But I do not have experience with running in it. I am sure our tribe can chime in to help out, though!

[@jaroslavbela677]

@@GatorAidMedical coros makes good watches from what I’ve heard and seen. Personally not a massive fan and I do prefer Apple and garmin but the coros is still a great watch. Funnily enough I use the pace 3 band on my garmin. What omega are you looking at getting?

[@GatorAidMedical]

@@jaroslavbela677 looking at either the seamaster 300 white dial or the aqua terra

[@andrewraguini2528]

I layer my leaf atom LT under my beta LT allll the time

[@Engearment]

Good call on that setup 🙌😎

[@josefernandezz082]

what your size ?

[@Engearment]

Mens XL 6ft 215lb

[@greigseavill629]

I find my atom lt to have terrible breathability i actually cant use it in the mountains in scotland in winter. I much prefer simple fleece.

[@Engearment]

WOW. That stinks. I think you are among the first that I have heard from that the Atom is not very breathable. I have not had it in Scotland, so I can not say. But it has been very breathable in Colorado.

[@greigseavill629]

@Engearment might be the higher humidity here even when's its really cold.

[@clairehsu5915]

Exactly, same opinion here. Not a good active insulation item at all in Taiwan, humid island weather. The Atom LT is also not warm enough for 40 F degree in Taiwan. When it’s raining and windy, which is typical winter Taipei mountain weather, the Atom LT cannot compete with Black Diamond First Light hoody at all in terms of breathability and warmth. I don’t really consider Atom a good insulation piece for high intensity activity here, unfortunately. It is not warm enough and it is not breathable enough either. It is lighter and more packable than then Black Diamond though. It also has a nicer fit for men. For women, Patagonia and Montbell offer better fit for shorter Asian woman in my opinion.

[@ryanbar1562]

The dead bird is on life support. Not using recycled materials because they’re inferior went out the window when they got bought by the Chinese. Now the fabrics feel plasticky. Then that culture vulture Drake introduced HS kids to the brand and now the fit gets worse with each revision. I went from sizing up to sizing down and I’m 39 with a dad bod. The waist isn’t comically big like Patagonia but it’s on its way. What I would do for my “made in Canada” Atom LT from over a decade ago.

[@Engearment]

I still have some of the BC made gear. Gamma, Alpha, Atom as well. Really awesome stuff. But, I find the fit on most arcteryx to fit very good. Some Patagonia (most of the entry level stuff) does fit quite boxy. But the Nano Air line fits me really good. I suppose it is up to the individual on the fit. Thanks for sharing your insights. Take care!