Presidents Day Sales are live! Some of the biggest deals of winter
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The current lineup of men's Arc'teryx Proton and Atom jackets includes (clockwise from top left): the Proton Hybrid Hoody, Proton Hoody, Proton Heavyweight Hoody, Atom Heavyweight Hoody, Atom Hoody, and Atom SL.
Arc'teryx Atom vs Proton: Overview
We've owned every model of Atom and Proton from recent years, including the Proton Hybrid, Proton Lightweight, Proton, Proton Heavyweight, Atom SL, Atom, and Atom Heavyweight.
- Proton Heavyweight vs Atom Heavyweight (aka Atom AR): Perfect picks for cold weather. If I had to choose one, I'd go with the Proton Heavyweight (breathes better, has more pockets, and is more abrasion resistant). I also happen to think it's more comfortable. If, however, I wanted to maximize warmth and wind resistance at all costs, I'd go with the Atom Heavyweight.
- View Arc'teryx's comparison of the two: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/compare/X000007398/X000007302
- View Arc'teryx's comparison of the two: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/compare/X000007398/X000007302
- Proton vs Atom (aka Atom LT): They're very similar, and both are excellent for both high-output activities and casual use. The Proton offers a bit more abrasion resistance; the Atom offers a bit more breathability.
- View Arc'teryx's comparison of the two: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/compare/X000007487/X000008436
- View Arc'teryx's comparison of the two: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/compare/X000007487/X000008436
- Proton Lightweight vs Atom SL (women's version is called the Atom Lightweight): Ideal for high-output activities and casual use during chilly spring and summer mornings. The Proton Lightweight (currently available only in women's) offers a bit more abrasion resistance and has one more pocket. The Atom SL (men's) / Atom Lightweight (women's) is more of an all-arounder, offers a bit more breathability and is very slightly insulated only in the body.
- View Arc'teryx's comparison of the two: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/compare/X000006908/X000009293
Arc'teryx Atom vs Proton: Summary
I love the Proton Lightweight. Terrific fit and comfort. I'm 5'11", 165 pounds, athletic build and size medium fits me perfectly. Delivers that top-notch quality feeling, too.
To choose between the current lineup of Arc'teryx Atom and Proton jackets, you should first determine the warmth you need. Refer to the table at the beginning of the article for our temperature ratings.
Now you know if you need a heavyweight model, a base model, or a lightweight model. And you only have to decide between Atom and Proton.
All Atoms offer performance fleece stretch side panels for increased mobility and breathability. It doesn't work quite as well in the Atom Heavyweight, but it works perfectly with the Atom and Atom SL because those fleece side panels are much longer.
All Atoms also come with a StormHood, unlike the Protons that come with a standard hood. (https://outdoorcrunch.com/stormhood-vs-drophood/)
I personally find the Protons a bit more suitable for high-abrasion activities - think climbing, skiing and/or backpack use without a shell.
Atoms, on the other hand, are a bit more suitable for all-round use and/or if you use the hood a lot. Think a combination of a variety of high-output activities. It's perfectly fine for climbing, skiing and/or heavy backpack use as well, just not quite as abrasion-resistant as the Protons.
The differences between the same line (heavyweight, base, lightweight) Atom vs Proton might not be that noticeable to you in practice. So if you care about the looks of your jackets as much as their performance, I don't see anything wrong in going after the model you think looks best - especially if you're planning to wear your jacket casually around town.
In other words, as long as you get the weight right (heavyweight vs base vs lightweight variants), whether you go with an Atom or a Proton model shouldn't matter a ton.
You might also want to check out Arc'teryx's Naming Scheme page, which describes both the Atom and Proton lines.
The Proton Hybrid Hoody (Men's - Women's - read review) is different enough from the other models that I don't think it belongs in an Atom vs Proton comparison, so I won't mention it here.
Naming changes
After changing the names of some women's jackets last season (Fall/Winter 2023), this season Arc'teryx moved to make the same changes for the men's versions as well.
- Atom AR → Atom Heavyweight
- Atom LT → Atom
- Atom SL → Atom Lightweight (the change still has not taken place in the men's version)
- Proton LT → Proton
- Proton FL → Proton Lightweight
- Proton Heavyweight
- Proton Hybrid Hoody
Changes are exclusive to the naming and fit. Structural designs remain the same. The fit is being updated universally for all Arc'teryx jackets.