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 date, 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 robust 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 be capable of afford Arc’teryx. It’s not an affordable model, however based mostly on my expertise with this one piece alone, it is perhaps one of many greatest insulated jackets on the market and is price each penny. Nevertheless, proper now, you might be fortunate sufficient to seize it for as little as $196 at Amazon and $210 at REI, if you’ll find your dimension.

Arc’teryx Ladies’s Atom Insulated Hoodie

Coming in at simply 10.9 ounces and compressing right down to be smaller than my beloved Cabeau journey pillow, the Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie is one in all essentially 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 hold 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 stored me dry. The Atom Insulated Hoodie has the model’s Tyono 20-denier nylon shell handled with a sturdy water repellent, and I’ve seen 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 anticipate it to carry out as properly.) For my fingers and my valuables, it has two hand pockets with hidden zippers and a beneficiant inside zippered chest pocket. My favourite function, nevertheless, is the hood. It’s spacious, adjustable, and has a helpful brim, which retains snowflakes out of my eyes. 

In the meantime my good friend 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 lately instructed me. “Cash properly spent!” He’s had his jacket (it’s additionally accessible 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 girls’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 at all times be the alpha since I’ve had it the longest, and it’s served me so properly. However don’t simply take my phrase for it. On-line, it has greater than 360 five-star critiques and practically 90 p.c of customers 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 score. “The primary ones are nonetheless going after greater than 10 years, however displaying their age, so we determined it was time to get new ones. We put on them virtually each day for six months of the 12 months and in virtually all eventualities exterior of torrential downpours.”

One other glad shopper who guarantees will probably be “your most worn jacket” wrote, “it’s modern sufficient to decorate up and exit to dinner in.” I can’t agree extra. I pack mild, so I don’t often convey each a gown jacket and a heat jacket. Yesterday, I wore my Atom Hoodie whereas mountain climbing in Montana’s Paradise Valley earlier than sporting it a number of hours later at Sky Shed, the stylish rooftop bar at The Kimpton Armory Lodge Bozeman.

After all, many patrons point out taking it on journeys, too. One who stated it really works properly 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 mild, breathable and amazingly heat. I’m curvy and it contours properly.” I additionally learn a overview left by somebody who wears theirs in airports!

I can’t let you know in case your subsequent flight will depart on time or in case your baggage will make it to your last vacation spot. However for those who’re in search of an extremely heat, light-weight jacket that can final for years (regardless of all the damage and tear of touring), I can let you know to not sleep on the Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie. And for those who like the concept of a packable puffer, however need one thing extra reasonably priced, see under 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 

Outside 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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