How to use an Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody?

Put your arms in to the sleeves and then zip it up ;-) I know some folk will disagree but I tried one and the coreloft is not breathable enough for active use and it's not warm enough for static use. I find Polartec Alpha much better for active use in stupid cold temps and the Arteryx Nuclei is warmer (and lighter) for static use. It's a great around town jacket though.

Yeah, I thinking I am going to see if I can upgrade to a Cerium LT Hoody and pay the difference. I like my R2 and crest hoody for its flexibility.

Good call.

i use (substitute) it the same way i'd use a hoody/wind shirt combination over a base layer when the hoody/wind shirt wouldn't be warm enough. i've also used it as part of a layering system with it being a mid or outer layer.

Its basically a fleece + windshirt Fleece last longer The most common use is for walking the dog or at the bar … Thats what my climbing partner uses the one i got her for ;)

use it as intended, in addition to bar hopping and dog walking. (not my picture – credit to dane and his cold thistle blog / http://coldthistle.blogspot.com/2011/02/arcteryx-atom-lt-hoodyjust-how-good-is.html)

Huge Arcteryx fan here. I actively use perhaps 35-40 Arcteryx garments. (Yes it's expensive..but I wait for sales and use my Rei dividend.) Anywho….I have to echo the earlier comment. The Atom LT was a bit of a disappointment to me. lt not quite breathable enough for active use, and not warm enough for in camp. Might as well just use a fleece and windshirt for the same weight penalty. I just use mine around town.

Richard … Dane is using them ice climbing in canadian rockies winter …. Which often see -20C temps plus windchill For folks not using it at those temps they generally need to move more slowly (dog walking) or for warmer temps static use (looking cool in the bar) For the average joe and jane with a pack on the atom is a tad warm unless its bely bely cold …. Especially if moving uphill For stop and go things like technical climbing it does work, but then yr sweating while climbing if you keep it on … Most can deal with the sweat for 30-60m till the next belay For most folks here a fleece is a better investment … Its more flexible, often cheaper, last longer, works even when absolutely soaked …. And if its a dead bird one can still look fashionable with the tasty dawg at the bar ;)

eric – you miss the point if you think this ajcket is best for the bar. when it's too cold for your wind shirt/r1 combination the AT over a thin base layer is a great next step. i used the dane picture as an example because he treats it the way one would a fleece or a sweater, not a belay or around camp jacket. while a fleece may cost less, for similar warmth the fleece will be both heavier and more bulky. wild things and patagonia didn't come out with similar garments to close the gap a bar wear gap in their clothing line, although i have both dog walked and bar hopped in mine.

richard … after the synth poofay looses 50% of its insulative value in a month or two of continuous use … is it REALLY warmer than a thermal pro fleece (not the R1) and a windshirt??? the one place the synth does have the advantage is that its less faff when climbing when putting it on or taking it off on belays … however since the OP isnt talking about a climbing application thats fairly irrelevant no doubt if its exceptionally cold the synth poofay can be used when active … or with stop and go activities such as technical climbing however also no doubt most arent used as such and the OP is likely not going to use it in such circumstances the wonder of modern marketing is making you think you are climbing ice walls in that poofay when yr really walking yr dawg ;)

I think I would have to drive about 5+ hours to find an ice wall to climb and then I have to deal with that whole 'not liking heights' things. So okay, it replaces a fleece/windshirt but is not as flexible and weighs a bit less. Thanks.