Arcteryx Proton FL Active Insulation User Review -on going updates

Thank you so much for such a detailed review!!

Sure thing. I still dig this jacket and have washed it twice. I noticed recently on the label it says double rinse. Not sure way but maybe the octoloft fibers hold onto suds. Anyway I still think this jacket crosses an amazing range of temperatures. Looking forward to isolating some active winter pursuits in it and writing more basic review data or use case scenario. It’s wearing very well thus far. And it is an excellent bike jacket as well with the lower back hem.

I have a 1 layer Octa tee from Snow Peak. Its a nice layer for hiking in spring. I want the pants for camp pants but havent gotten them.

Does this jacket have much stretch to it?  I know you indicated you had to go up a size in order to get adequate arm movement.  Thanks!

Yea it stretches, I wanted ample air between my base layer and the octaloft – as to avoid compressing the loft So I went up a size. Haven’t gotten out this winter too much on trail as I had hernia repairs but this is my go to jacket below 55 and above 32 in any active pursuit. It is performing better then anything I’ve tried so far at moving moisture off my chest and arms during snow shoeing, with a Patagonia thermal weight base layer +/- underneath.

…and that really well placed neck and collar Insulation in the hood. Every time I wear it … just feels like the right design up there.

This seems like a great jacket.

The hood design seems perfect, a full insulated hood, I’d want in an over the helmet style.

I love chest pockets, , out of the way of waist belts, harnesses and legs, so excited to see two of them here, with the added benefit that the extra layer of fabric of the pockets adds extra wind resistance in the place I (everyone?) need it most.

Add in what sounds like a better fit than the boxy OR and Pata options, and this sounds like a winner.

For those who want something even less warm, I have been liking the Pata Mission Peak Jacket.

It’s an airpermeable shell, with a minimal fleece-mesh bonded to the front of body and sleeves. The fleece mesh is very thin, and very open, really just a bit thicker than a mesh base layer like Brynje,  much thinner and with way larger voids than Capilene Thermal.

So, if you want something for active use like the Proton FL, but it’s still to warm, this can be a good option, removing all insulation from the back, and having far, far less insulation on the front.

Fit is typical Pata: articulated and shaped, but very large in the torso.

Taajrd,

I agree there’s a bunch of scenarios this jacket feels too warm in for sure.  having said that the proton FL excelled for me at:

– low 30s ish mod active pursuit with only one base layer, no neck gear needed (snow shoeing)

– low 40s in mod backpacking in the high 30s to 40s (like not strenuous) this would be too hot for going straight up a sky slope or alpine for most, but does a good enough job at letting air in if it’s not attic chill.

– 40- 65 around town, in and out of car.

Actually I really like the Patagonia thermal weight base layer out in the open with a Highly perm wind jacket down to layer on and off to the low 50s. That “thermal weight” I believe is brand – it does a better job of dissipating and pulling  the moisture off then the mid weight does.

@Hanz B,

for sure I didn’t mean to imply that the Proton FL is too warm. The exact temps will depend on the person, but a lightweight insulation layer like that will be useful for many people.

I was just offering a suggestion for the ‘next less warm’ option, especially since I don’t see the Peak Mission mentioned here much.

I really value garments with zoned insulation/wind resistance, since my chest almost always gets colder than my back, and when it doesn’t, you can open the zipper on the front to cool down there.

So I like the Proton FL for its chest pockets, adding wind resistance there, and the Peak Mission for it’s zoned insulation.

I too love the Pata thermal weight baselayers, and agree it is the best baselayer I have tried for managing moisture. Unfortunately, for me, it is just to warm in anything above freezing or so.

I took a look at the Patagonia Mission Peak jacket:

Patagonia changed their website. They no longer specify the fabric weights or total garment weight. Lame if ya ask me…

@Tjaard

you got me thinking….

I was messing around with my Patagonia air Capilene and the thermal weight under the proton FL in the 30s today (fast past walking with the dog in the snow).

there’s something very ingesting going on here with the interaction between baselayers and active insulation imo.

I feel warm in the thermal weight and get flashes of moisture but it dissipates extremely quickly. In the air I actually feel it hangs onto more moisture under the FL but also feel warmer initially. I’m starting to think the hydrophilic properties of the air capilene wool mixture actually might work against the octaloft’s ability to pull the water vapor out. I’m starting to think that the properties of base layer effect these active insulation’s more then other traditional insulation layers. Perhaps synthetics under active insulation’s add greater value and enhance there potential. Interestingly I almost always prefer a wool base layer under a down Parka. I think the  Patagonia thermal weight fabric pattern might be the best water distributing surface available – it’s like a nylon stocking with cubes attached. I’d love to see actual data on this though.

@ryan I think you’ve got some experience with the proton FL as well. Do you have any input in what base layers appear to enhance function in the proton FL?

@Hanz B

I have the Capilene Air Crew and Marmot Neothermo hoody. The Neothermo is similar to the Thermal Weight in also being composed of Polartec Power Grid. Power Grid is bi-component fabric (similar to DriClime) and wicks via absorbing and transporting moisture to the outer surface where it can dry. The cap air being part Merino may mean it dries a bit slower, but it also wicks and relies a lot on how airy (permeable) the knit is thus allowing for more vapor loss.

Do you think you just might have been warmer in the Cap Air and possibly generating more moisture as a result? Have you tried the cap air with other active insulation pieces besides the FL? Was their some breeze/ air movement, feel like the Cap Air works best in those conditions.

I have used both as base layers with active pieces like my Strafe Alpha Direct, Atom SL, and others. Haven’t noticed a really significant difference between the power grid and cap air in terms of holding moisture.

@michael-e

I took a look at the neothermo. It looks very different in terms of the ratio of the grid the touches your body vs the spaces between that don’t. The pat thermal weight is almost the opposite of that – when you wear it skin tight it’s mostly spaces and very minimal grid touching your skin. That’s probably what I’m noticing? Better capillary action perhaps.

though I’m still suspicious if hydrophilic wool blends work against synthetic insulations…

my other active insulation’s are too warm to wear either the air or the thermal weight under so haven’t really tested.

interested thoughts Michael

I took a look at the neothermo. It looks very different in terms of the ratio of the grid the touches your body vs the spaces between that don’t. The pat thermal weight is almost the opposite of that – when you wear it skin tight it’s mostly spaces and very minimal grid touching your skin. That’s probably what I’m noticing? Better capillary action perhaps.

The larger channel width makes it bit more air permeable than Neothermo, but would think it wicks in the same way as other Power Grid patterns.  “This grid construction enhances both wicking efficiency and breathability by generating channels of targeted touch points that absorb and diffuse moisture vapor for faster evaporation.”

Maybe good test would be to wear Cap Air and Thermal Weight alone indoors at same temp and do same exercise and see which retains more moisture and dries faster. Merino fibers absorb more moisture than poly so would not be surprised if it felt wetter/dried bit slower. Another thought, people vary in terms of comfort range/metabolic rate. I was wearing the Cap Air today with Adahy fleece as outer. Partly sunny and 59 F, kept well regulated, minimal sweat. Little just under arms, but dried quick. My thought is you might find a difference in performance between the Cap Air and Thermal regardless of FL.

So true. So true. I actually find the cap air by itself the more comfortable garment. I should do that test indoors controlled you’re right.

Maybe Octa Loft works differently than other breathable active insulation like Alpha Direct? I almost got the Proton FL last year when it was steeply discounted at REI. I tried on in store and found the fit a bit off, short in front and little tight in shoulder. Also found it hard to justify as I already had Atom SL and Marmot Alpha 60 that would cover similar use cases. Liked those soft lined hand warmer pockets on FL, similar to pockets on my Atom LT.