Two years of testing to bring you the truth in this Arc’teryx Atom Vest review. Lightweight, windproof and lightly insulated, the Atom vest is the ideal mid layer for moderate output activities. Over the last year, I have worn this vest snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies, skiing in the Kootenays, fat biking in the Percells, hiking in the Himalayas, and horse riding in Mongolia. This vest can do it all!
As a chronically cold person, this ‘core heater’ is now an essential item in my layering system. And this is coming from the girl who hated vests for a long time. I just always found them too bulky or too hot. As a chronically cold person (in my extremities mostly) I still get awefully hot when I get moving. I’ve needed a vest like this for longer than I want to admit: insulted just enough to keep your heat, but not over heat and allow for the moisture to escape. The Arc’teryx Atom Vest has converted me to a vest loving gal!
Arc’teryx Atom SL Vest Testing Locations
Atlantic Canada
My first use of the Arc’teryx Atom Vest was in the spring, skiing in Newfoundland. The climate on the east ocast of Canada is damp and it’s very windy. I loved how this weightless vest could go under any jacket and keep out the damp chill.
Nepal
Next, the Atom vest and I headed off to Nepal to hike in the Himalayas. Cold mornings, icey winds and beating sun is what the Everest region offers in May. The Arc’teryx Atom Vest vest was worn as my main shell layer to provide just the right amount of insulation while trekking at 13,000+ feet.
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Mongolia
Then we went riding in Mongolia. Horseback riding in June means cool mornings, high speeds and wanting to carry a few essentials (read: chapstick!). I love the pockets for easy camera and money storage that was always with me. Plus the Arc’teryx Atom Vest cut the 35 km/hr windchill from trotting and galloping along the steppes.
Western Canada
The Arc’teryx Atom Vest hasn’t let me down yet. We’ve skied, fat biked and snowshoed 6 resorts in the mountains of Alberta and BC over the last two winters and its perfect for a pow day or a climb up a skin track.
Arc’teryx Atom Vest Specs
- Breathable
- Ultralight
- Wind resistant
- Compressible and packable
- Insulated
- Moisture-wicking
- No Slip Zip front zipper
- Mid-height collar layers easily
- Stand up collar
- Breathable, stretch side panels for enhanced comfort and mobility
- Composite Mapping Technology strategically places each fabric for most effective protection and climate management
- Trim fit for base layer or light mid-layer use
- DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish repels moisture
- Adjustable hem cord seals out drafts
- Two hand pockets with zippers
- Coreloft Compact 40 insulation (40 g/m). Highly crimped, multi-denier siliconized polyester yarn that has undergone a special process which reduces the thickness of the material by 50%, without reducing its insulation value by the same amount. Lightweight, breathable, thermally efficient 100% polyester fibre.
- Tyono 20, 100% nylon
- Torrent 190 with Polygiene- 84% polyester, 16% elastane – side panels
Final Thoughts
The fit is bang on. The collar is the perfect height. The pockets are ideally placed. Arc’teryx nailed it and that’s all you need to know.
Got questions about vests or layering? Drop them in the comments below!