Arcteryx Atom LT Vs. Proton LT: Active Layer soft shell Jacket Showdown

Atom lt i have is great in still conditions but any cool wind at all send chills through the side panels.

ATOM LT

Excellent video. Thank you for this comparison and all the detail.

Hey I’m wondering what jacket I should get, the Arcteryx proton LT or the Arcteryx proton FL

Which one is the better jacket, I’m stuck between the two 🤔

I have the Atom LT which I love. I also use it as a mid-layer for skiing.

Hoodless atom lt with the beta ar is my daily ski setup, it’s perfect

I’m confused, which is actually warmer? You said the Atom is warmer earlier in the video and later you said the side panels make it colder than the proton.

Hi, What are the temperatures that you recommend for stay warm from standing still with the Proton LT? I'd use it for hiking and trekking, specially when I'm at the top and down of the mountain or during the walking without feeling cold. For these kind of uses is it good the Proton lt or would it be better a jacket like Patagonia Micro puff or Rab Cirrus Alpine or similar? Thanks

you can pack the Arc’teryx jacket in your pocket, it’s even smaller than the Patagonia

Subscribed! Which one would you say is the more “stylish” option? Proton LT or Atom LT?

It may be important to note that the Proton LT no longer uses a 40 denier face fabric. When they revised the design of that piece in late 2019 they changed it to a 20 denier fabric , which is similar to the Atom LT'. At this point I think that both of them will have similar durability, but I don't have both jackets to compare that.

Really nice, in depth comparison

I have both the Proton LT Hoody and the Kyanite LT Hoody, what a match made to each other.Either or will be suffice to for just light hiking and playing acoustic at night on the patio/cabin located on the cliff side at night with a nice bonfire.😁

Thx for the add apriciate that.

I am going to buy my first jacket and I am not sure what is the best for me.
I would use it for all day spring and fall as stand alone. For a relaxed walk with the dog or also for a boulder session.

I am between the proton lt hoody.
Like the longer arms and the outside chest pocket.

Or the atom lt.

Also there is the atom leaf lt. It has the chest pocket too. But technically fabric is not the new 2020.

Hope you can tell me maybe your own experience.

Heard the proton is not so warm for relaxed walking cause of the great climate fabric.
Or do you think it is warm enough for spring and fall also for all day use without being active?

The atom lt would be my alternative l. Heard it is better for all day but I like the proton style more.
So i found the leaf but it has no update to 2020

Thx so much
Best regards kevin

Wow man congrats and most importantly thank you for an amazing review. You covered pretty much everything one could ask for in a review.

Such an expounded review. Thanks for making it. Btw, does the hoody in the Atom fold so that I can tuck it inside such that it looks like a jacket without a hoody?

Have you reviewed the Atom SL? Where does it fit in the mix? Keep up the great work!

Thanks for the great review.
I agree with you, except for one thing.
Proton LT is warmer. Coreloft 80g vs 60g and no side panel vs side panel where the wind blows in.

The lining inside is nylon or "softer" like polartec alpha?

Tried multiple jackets in arcteryx store and others selling them. Settled on Atom LT as my mid under arcteryx shell for snowboarding, much better than the bad fitting fleece or down layers I was using before. And just a nice comfy every day hoody too. L fits snug but still moves well on me 6'2" 205lbs

Nice and on the point review🙌🏻

can you use the atom lt for just an outer jacket for skiing?

Still can't decide lol. Both have characteristics that appeal to me that the other one doesn't have. Might just have to buy one at random first and then buy the other one later on when I can afford it.

I was looking for a jacket between the Atom AR and Atom LT and was hoping the Proton fit the bill. I golf a lot but the side panels in the LT let in cold air at times, but your comment that the Proton is colder when standing still got me wondering. Great review though!

I'm 176 cm and 75kg and i fell wery comfy in size Small..i was afraid that it would be to small but side stretch panels are great for mobility and comfort..i own both jackets atom and proton and i highly recomend..Graet rewiew bdw.👍👍👍

Stop it with the hoodies.... You don't layer with hoodies Under shells..Unless you want that annoying hunchback... Ridiculous..

Can either of these jackets be used as a mid layer underneath a Cerium LT or SL or would that not be recommended?

I have both of these earlier gen…. I love the Proton for it’s fit and plan on getting a new gen ATOM LT for its new hem cinch cord.

Great comparison! I'd love to get a comparison: Men's Rab Xenair Insulated Jacket vs arcteryx atom lt and Men's Xenair Insulated Jacket vs Proton LT. Many thanks!

Planning on using the proton lt for snowboarding with some layers underneath but nothing on top, do you think it is water repellent enough for snowy conditions? I’ll be snowboarding in NJ, Pa, and NY so snowy conditions aren’t too extreme, but occasionally I’ll be sitting in snow and falling in snow

The Proton LT Fortius Air 20 is not 40 denier, it’s the same as the Atom LT, which is 20 denier. Hence the name “Fortius Air 20”.

Do you feel like the speed bumps on the proton are a bit more noticeable when you unzip the jacket than on the atom?

Is one fit you bigger than the other one?

Would have been good to hear what actual practical situations and weather the jackets were used in or was this a hang around and look cool jacket test?

Proton is my choice out of this two

Which one would be warmer, like a better mid layer for skiing

My upper layers(sans base layers) consist of the Fortrez, the Proton LT, then the Alpha SV when things get fun.

Such a great detailed review, very impressed by your work. I already have an Atom LT and like it pretty much for all around everyday carry. For hiking I just ordered the Proton FL and hope it will be breathing really that well. What I rather don’t like about the Protons is that printed logo. I prefer the stitching on the Atoms and hope the print will not get off with heavy use.

Review The Atom SL and The Proton FL 😁

Thanks for the review.

Hi i am looking for a proton LT for snowboarding. I wear a small atom SL but wonder if a medium proton LT might be better size? (5’5 and 135lb) thank you!

What size are these and how tall are u

Firstly, this is an exceptional review. Bravo! Given the Proton LT's strength is breathability when motoring along, give thought to the Proton FL. Not as warm as the Proton LT but if you generate your own heat then the FL merits consideration. Also, be mindful of the trim fit of the jacket chosen. If one is not as trim as the reviewer then an XL might be better. The Atom LT and the Beta AR fit me well as a large, I need XL in the Proton FL and the Kyanite fleece.

Great video...!
I have an old Atom LT that I have had for several years which I loved and was always my jacket of choice.
It's pretty used and abused now.
This winter I decided it was time for a replacement and was planning on getting another Atom LT but after trying the new Atom LT and the Proton LT I went with the Proton.
Main reason being the lack of those fleece side panels featured on the Atom.
Plus the Proton has a better fit and the harder wearing outer material is an improvement over the Atom.
I was a little put off by the extra cost of of the Proton but once I tried each of the jackets the decision was easy.
That said they are both fantastic jackets.
Another thing is these Arc'teryx jackets have a matt finish to the outer layer unlike the super shiny finish you find on most jackets of this type which I'm not a fan of.

Awesome video! One question, what color is the Proton? Is that Dynasty? Arcteryx does such a terrific job with color, but it's always difficult to discern on their website.

How tall and weight you r?
Relay hard to choose my size lol~
Thanks~

What size are you in the atom?

Do you feel any fit differences between the two jackets?