
The Arc'teryx Allium Insulated Insulated Jacket was designed to be worn as a midlayer or standalone outer when skiing and snowboarding. It's straightforward styling works well for apres activities as well.
Of all the Winter 2024 products Arc'teryx released in early October, the brand new Allium Insulated Jacket is one of the most intriguing. Arc'teryx positions the hoodless softshell Allium as a midlayer or standalone option for skiers and snowboarders. It's certainly comfortable, and its clean, straightforward design works as well off the slopes as on. But if you already own a quality Arc'teryx synthetic insulated layer - perhaps an Atom or Proton - where does (or even should) the Allium Insulated Jacket fit in your closet?
Here’s how Arc’teryx compares the Allium to some of those aforementioned models, including the Atom SL, the Atom Jacket, the Proton Hybrid Hoody, and the Proton Hoody: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/compare/X000009161/X000006731/X000005409/X000007349/X000008436
Arc'teryx Allium Insulated Jacket at a glance
Men's and Women's versions

Men's Arc'teryx Allium Insulated Jacket in Tatsu

Women's Arc'teryx Allium Insulated Jacket in Black
A great ski and snowboard shell keeps you dry from the elements and protected from the wind, but it offers next to zero warmth. This is why proper layering is essential to being comfortable on the slopes, whether you're backcountry touring or pounding out resort laps. Arc'teryx has no shortage of synthetic insulated midlayer options; nonetheless, for Winter 2024 it has introduced the new Allium Insulated Jacket.
MORE: Check out our choices for Best Arc'teryx Ski Jackets: https://outdoorcrunch.com/best-arcteryx-jacket-for-skiing/
The Allium's "regular" fit means it's loose enough to wear over baselayers but not so baggy that it will bunch up under your shell. And while the Allium does indeed fit fine under my Patagonia StormShift shell, it's noticeably roomier than other Arc'teryx insulated midlayers in my closer - including the standard weight Atom and Proton hoodies. I'm reliably a size medium in every major brand, including Arc'teryx, and I was surprised at how big the Allium fit. I even double-checked the label to make sure I hadn't accidentally picked up a size large.
In that same vein, the Allium's collar is spacious around the neck, even when fully zipped. It makes sense, given the Allium's snowsport-specific role and thus the need to comfortably accommodate turtlenecks and other high-necked baselayers. Finally, the Allium is hoodless, another indicator of its position as a ski-specific layer. Its Coreloft synthetic insulation won't lose warmth if it gets wet, and the PFAS-free durable water repellent finish will help water bead up and roll off.
So how does the Allium compare to some of our favorite Arc'teryx synthetic insulated pieces, like the Atom SL, Atom Hoody, and Proton Hybrid Hoody, especially for days on the slopes? More on that below.
By the way, one of our favorite tools for doing an initial sort through Arc'teryx's extensive jacket collection is the Arc'teryx jacket finder: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/jacket-finder

The relaxed fit of the Arc'teryx Allium Insulated Jacket helps it work as both a midlayer or standalone. In theory, that means the Allium should work all season long - on frigid cold powder days and warm spring sessions alike.
Warmth / Insulation
Most Arc'teryx jackets that use synthetic insulation feature the brand's proprietary Coreloft insulation. This is what you'll find in best-selling Arc'teryx product lines like the Atom and Proton (read our Atom vs Proton review). Interestingly, the new Allium Insulated Jacket features a synthetic insulation called Comfortemp Stretch, a recycled polyester chopped staple insulation produced by Freudenberg Performance Materials.
Similar to how Arc'teryx employs different weights of Coreloft insulation in different areas of a jacket, so too is the case with the Allium. Arc'teryx uses a Comfortemp Stretch 40gsm in the core body area, and a Comfortemp Stretch 25gsm in the Allium's sleeves. The difference in insulation weight isn't noticeable when wearing the Allium, for what it's worth.
One of the biggest advantages of synthetic insulation, be it Coreloft, Comfortemp, Primaloft, etc., is that it doesn't lose its insulating properties when wet. This is why brands like Arc'teryx often employ synthetic insulators in their activewear clothing. So whether your jacket gets wet from snow, rain, or your body's own perspiration, synthetic insulation will continue to do its job and keep you warm. This is not the case with down insulation, which is why it's less frequently used in jackets and layers worn during high-output activities.
Another note about the warmth of the Allium Insulated Jacket: as mentioned above, it is cut noticeably larger than other popular Arc'teryx midlayers. That more relaxed fit certainly makes it comfortable to wear and easy to layer, but it may be off-putting to those who prefer their activewear to have an athletic, or trim, fit. We should note that a roomier fit also allows more air to be trapped between your body and the Allium Insulated Jacket, adding to its insulating effect.
If you want to learn more about the relative warmth of synthetic insulators and how we use their CLO value to assign temperature ratings: https://outdoorcrunch.com/clo-values/
Our extensive temperature ratings of Arc’teryx jackets is below:
Name Activity Temp (F/C) Breathability Weather Res. Durability Bottom line Review Pit zips? Two way zipper? Stuffs into itself? Face Fabric Fit Weight Length Alpha (aka AR) (Men's - Women's) Climbing N/A 8/10 9/10 8/10 4/10 Go-to climbing harshell. Review Yes No No N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro Regular 430 g / 15.2 oz 79.5 cm / 31.25 in No Alpha SV (Men's - Women's) Climbing N/A 8/10 10/10 10/10 3/10 Strongest climbing hardshell. Review Yes No No N100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro Regular 510 g / 1 lb 2 oz 78 cm / 30.75 in No Beta (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 6/10 7/10 7/10 8/10 Streamlined all-doer shell. Review No No No N30p-X 3L Gore-Tex Trim 300 g / 10.6 oz 76 cm / 30 in No Beta AR (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 8/10 9/10 9/10 4/10 Go-to all-round harshell. Review Yes No No N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro Regular 460 g / 1 lb 76 cm / 30 in No Beta AR StormHood (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 8/10 9/10 9/10 4/10 Review Yes No No N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro Regular 460 g / 1 lb 76 cm / 30 in No Beta Coat (Women's) All Round N/A 6/10 5/10 No data 5/10 No Yes No 3L Gore-Tex Regular 320 g / 11.3 oz 88 cm / 34.5 in No Beta Down Insulated (Men's) All Round 0/-18 9/10 7/10 8/10 No data Yes Yes No 2L 40D Gore-Tex Regular 760 g / 1 lb 10.8 oz 79 cm / 31 in No Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's) All Round 21/-6 9/10 7/10 8/10 No data Go-to hybrid jacket. Review Yes Yes No N40d 2L Gore-Tex Regular 680 g / 1 lb 8 oz 78.5 cm / 31 in No Beta Insulated Coat (Women's) All Round 16/-9 7/10 No data No data No data No Yes No N40d 2L Gore-Tex Regular 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz 86 cm / 34 in No Beta Lightweight (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 8/10 7/10 7/10 6/10 Review Yes No No N40p 3L Gore-Tex Fitted 380 g / 13.4 oz 75 cm / 29.5 in No Beta LT (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 7/10 7/10 8/10 6/10 Review Yes No No N40d 3L Gore-Tex Fitted 395 g / 13.9 oz 76 cm / 30 in No Gamma (aka LT) (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 7/10 3/10 7/10 3/10 Go-to softshell. Review No No No Wee Burly Double Weave Regular 545 g / 1 lb 3.2 oz 76 cm / 30 in No Gamma MX (Men's) All Round N/A 6/10 4/10 8/10 3/10 Strongest softshell. Review No No No Fortius 2.0 Regular 555 g / 1 lb 3.6 oz 74 cm / 29.1 in No Norvan Shell (Men's) Running N/A No data No data No data No data No No No 13D 3L Gore-Tex Trim 190 g / 6.7 oz 73 cm / 28.75 in No Rush (Women's) Skiing N/A 8/10 9/10 9/10 3/10 Go-to ski jacket. Review Yes No No N80p-X & N100p-X 3L Most Rugged Gore-Tex Pro Regular 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz 79.5 cm / 31.25 in No Rush Insulated (Women's) Skiing 16/-9 3/10 5/10 5/10 9/10 Review No No Yes Hadron 2L Gore-Tex Infinium Regular 515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes Sabre (Men's) Skiing N/A 8/10 8/10 7/10 2/10 Review Yes No No N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex Regular 705 g / 1 lb 8.9 oz 79 cm / 31 in No Sentinel (Women's) Skiing N/A 8/10 7/10 7/10 2/10 Go-to ski jacket. Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 640 g / 1 lb 6.6 oz 73.7 cm / 29 in No Sentinel Insulated (Women's) Skiing 21/-6 8/10 No data No data No data Review Yes No No N80p 2L Gore-Tex Regular 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz 79.8 cm / 31.5 in No Sentinel Relaxed (Women's) Skiing N/A No data No data No data No data Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 655 g / 1 lb 7.1 oz ? No Sidewinder (Women's) Skiing N/A 8/10 8/10 7/10 2/10 Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 570 g / 1 lb 4.1 oz ? No Solano (Men's - Women's) Around Town N/A No data No data No data No data Review No No No Gore-Tex Infinium Relaxed 355 g / 12.5 oz 72 cm / 28.3 in No Squamish (Men's - Women's) Running N/A 5/10 4/10 7/10 9/10 Go-to running jacket. Review No No Yes 30D Tyono Trim 140 g / 4.9 oz 77.5 cm / 30.5 in No Theriss Down (Women's) Skiing No data 7/10 6/10 7/10 2/10 Review Yes No No N80p 2L Gore-Tex Regular 709 g / 1 lb 9 oz 63 cm / 24.8 in No Alpha FL (Men's - Women's) Climbing N/A 7/10 No data No data 10/10 No No Yes Hadron 3L Gore-Tex Trim 209 g / 7.4 oz 76.5 cm / 30 in Yes Alpha IS (Men's) Climbing 23/-5 7/10 5/10 No data 8/10 No Yes Yes N40p-X 2L Gore-Tex Regular 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz 78 cm / 30.75 in Yes Alpha SL (Men's - Women's) Climbing N/A 5/10 7/10 No data 9/10 No No Yes N40p 3L Gore-Tex Trim 326 g / 11.5 oz 77.5 cm / 30.5 in Yes Beta SV (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 8/10 10/10 10/10 3/10 Strongest all-round harshell. Review Yes No No N80p-X Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro Regular 495 g / 1 lb 1.5 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes Gamma SL (aka lightweight) (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 7/10 2/10 6/10 5/10 Review No No No Fortius 1.0 Trim 310 g / 10.9 oz 74 cm / 29.1 in Yes Incendia (Women's) Skiing N/A 8/10 9/10 9/10 3/10 Review Yes No No NP100d 3L Gore-Tex Trim 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes Incendo (Men's) Running N/A 7/10 4/10 5/10 10/10 Review No No Yes Lumin Trim 125 g / 4.4 oz ? Yes Incendo Airshell (Men's Running N/A No data No data No data No data No No Yes ? Trim 105 g / 3.7 oz ? Yes Incendo SL (Men's) Running N/A 7/10 4/10 4/10 10/10 Review No No Yes Permair 20 & Canim Trim 80 g / 2.8 oz 73 cm / 28.75 in Yes Macai (Men's) Skiing 5/-15 7/10 7/10 6/10 1/10 Review Yes No No N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex Regular 990 g / 2 lb 2.9 oz 75 cm / 29.5 in Yes Macai Lightweight (aka LT) (Men's) Skiing 8/-13 7/10 7/10 6/10 2/10 Review Yes No No N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex Regular 855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz ? Yes Macai Shell (Men's) Skiing N/A No data No data No data No data Review Yes No No N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex Regular 775 g / 1 lb 11.3 oz ? Yes Micon (Men's) Skiing N/A No data No data No data No data Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz 83 cm / 32.5 in Yes Micon Heather Skiing N/A No data No data No data No data Yes No No NP100-d 3L Gore-Tex Regular 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz 83 cm / 32.5 in Yes Nodin (Men's - Women's) Running N/A 8/10 5/10 5/10 10/10 No No Yes 20D Tyono Trim 130 g / 4.6 oz 75 cm / 29.5 in Yes Norvan LT (Men's - Women's) Running N/A 5/10 5/10 8/10 6/10 No No No N13p 3L Gore-Tex Trim 190 g / 6.7 oz ? Yes Norvan SL (Men's - Women's) Running N/A 7/10 6/10 8/10 8/10 Review No No Yes Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 120 g / 4.2 oz 77 cm / 30.4 in Yes Norvan SL Ins. (Women's) Running 39/4 No data No data No data No data No No Yes Gore-Tex ShakeDry Trim 270 g / 9.5 oz 71.5 cm / 28.1 in Yes Norvan Windshell (Men's Running N/A No data No data No data No data No No Yes Permeair 20 Trim 90 g / 3.2 oz 73 cm / 28.75 in Yes Procline (Men's) Skiing N/A No data No data No data No data Yes No No N70p Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz 76 cm / 30 in Yes Ravenna (Women's) Skiing N/A 8/10 7/10 8/10 3/10 Review Yes No No N70s-4 3L Gore-Tex Trim 725 g / 1 lb 9.6 oz 69.5 cm / 27.4 in Yes Ravenna LT (Women's) Skiing N/A 6/10 6/10 6/10 5/10 Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Trim 540 g / 1 lb 3 oz 69 cm / 27.2 in Yes Sabre AR (Men's) Skiing N/A 7/10 8/10 7/10 7/10 Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 700 g / 1 lb 8.7 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes Sabre Insulated (See related products) Skiing No data 7/10 No data 6/10 No data Review Yes No No N80p 2L Gore-Tex Regular 815 g / 1 lb 12.7 oz 76 cm / 30 in Yes Sabre LT (Men's) Skiing N/A 7/10 8/10 7/10 8/10 Review Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 660 g / 1 lb 7.3 oz 83 cm / 32.5 in Yes Sabre SV (Men's) Skiing N/A 10/10 10/10 10/10 1/10 Strongest ski jacket. Review Yes Yes No N100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro Regular 595 g / 1 lb 5 oz 85 cm / 33.5 in No Sentinel AR (Women's) Skiing N/A 7/10 8/10 7/10 7/10 Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz 72.5 cm / 28.5 in Yes Sentinel LT (Women's) Skiing N/A 7/10 8/10 7/10 8/10 Review Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 565 g / 1 lb 3.9 oz 73.5 cm / 29 in Yes Shashka Stretch (Women's) Skiing N/A No data No data No data No data Yes No No N70p Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 670 g / 1 lb 7.6 oz 71 cm / 28 in Yes Trino SL (Men's) Running N/A 8/10 5/10 7/10 6/10 Review No No No Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 340 g / 12 oz 74 cm / 29.1 in Yes Trino SL Anorak (Women's) Running N/A 8/10 7/10 8/10 7/10 Review No No No Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 290 g / 10.2 oz 65 cm / 25.5 in Yes Venda Anorak (Women's) Around Town N/A No data No data No data No data No No No Gore-Tex Relaxed 255 g / 9 oz 75.5 cm / 29.7 in Yes Zeta AR (Men's) Hiking N/A 7/10 8/10 7/10 4/10 Yes No No 3L Gore-Tex Regular 425 g / 15 oz 80 cm / 31.5 in Yes Zeta FL (Men's - Women's) Hiking N/A 4/10 6/10 4/10 6/10 No No No N20r 2L Gore-Tex Trim 221 g / 7.8 oz 76 cm / 30 in Yes Zeta LT (Men's - Women's) Hiking N/A 5/10 7/10 8/10 5/10 No No No N40P-X 3L Gore-Tex Trim 335 g / 11.8 oz 78 cm / 30.75 in Yes Zeta SL (Men's - Women's) Hiking N/A 3/10 5/10 4/10 5/10 Review No No No 2L Gore-Tex Trim 310 g / 10.9 oz 77.8 cm / 30.6 in Yes
Performance data axis of synthetic jackets (table above) and shell jackets (this table) are different. Don't compare them.
Breathability & Ventilation
A jacket's breathability is typically determined by a few factors: the type of face fabric used, the type of liner used, the kind and amount of insulation, and mechanical venting options like zippers, pit zips, fleece side panels, etc.
The Allium Insulated Jacket's face fabric is a 50-denier recycled stretch nylon in a plain weave. While nylon itself is not a very breathable material, the use of a stretchy plain weave will help with the circulation of air, and the choice of a 50-denier fabric means it will better stand up to abuse the Allium might take when worn as an outer layer (ski edges, rogue branches, metal chairlift backs, etc.). The jacket's lining is a 20-denier recycled nylon, also stretchy and in a plain weave.
Mechanical ventilation on the Allium is limited. There are no armpit zippers to help dump heat, and the jacket's main zipper is one-way only. There are no fleece side or back panels, either. Stick with the Atom SL or Proton Hybrid Hoody if you require maximum breathability.
Considering the Allium Insulated Jacket's intended use - skiing and snowboarding - it's not ideal for high-output activities like running or even ski touring. Its sweet spot is days riding lifts at your favorite resort.
Allium Insulated Jacket: Fit
As mentioned above, the Allium is cut with a noticeably more relaxed fit, which makes it easier to wear on top of baselayers without being so bulky as to not fit cleanly under your preferred shell. But it's a little too loose for my liking. I prefer the slightly trimmer fit of the Atom and Proton lines, which both still allow for a next-to-skin baselayer.

The body of the Allium is very roomy.

Nonetheless, it fit under a shell without bunching.
We like that Arc'teryx skipped the hood on the Allium. A hood just isn't typically necessary - and often simply adds bulk without benefit - for ski and snowboard midlayers. Our shells almost always have helmet-compatible hoods, anyway.
It also works that Arc'teryx made the collar on the Allium Insulated Jacket looser-fitting than collars on many of other midlayers. Why? Because a looser collar makes it easier and more comfortable to wear high-necked baselayers when skiing and snowboarding. My Smartwool 250-weight merino wool baselayer, which rises to mid-neck, fits great under a fully-zipped Allium with no noticeable neck restriction.
Allium Insulated Jacket: Features
Pockets
The two zippered handwarmer pockets are spacious and feature hidden zippers, which add to the clean look of the Allium when its worn as a standalone outer layer. The jacket also has a single zippered chest pocket, which fits your smartphone or other small valuables. There are no internal pockets on the Allium Insulated Jacket.


Check out our other content on jackets:
Guide: Insulated & Shell Jackets
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