- Patagonia and Arc'teryx are like up to 70% off at REI rn...
#Note: Full Arc'teryx review list is at the bottom.
For Spring/Summer 2021, Arc'teryx just released a new piece to their Atom line: Atom SL Anorak.
It has been available on MEC.ca (Women's) and also on Bergfreunde.eu for a while now (since early-mid January).
But for the US, the Atom SL Anorak is only available just yet (mid February).
This delay actually isn't exclusive to 2021, and instead, Arc'teryx always seems to be late to release Spring/Summer updates to the US for some reason.
Atom SL Anorak is designed for milder temperatures (chilly spring & summer mornings) where mid to high output activity is expected. It's quite a bit windproof, but offers below average waterproofing.
- Poll results: Giant Arc'teryx & Patagoina survey (Gore-Tex, pockets, hoods, fit, & more) [1000+ participated]
- Pics from outrageous discounts I ran into at Arc'teryx Parndorf Outlet
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- I visited Iceland again, this time with a Nuclei (aka FL)
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- 7 things all Arc'teryx newbies should know
Like hauntingly dark yet brilliantly brilliant electronic music? Check out my Hidden Electronic Gems playlist at Spotify.
- Macai Shell: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/macai-shell-jacket
- Nita: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/nita-down-jacket
- Epsilon: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/epsilon-insulated-hoody
- Cerium Pants (yes, seriously): https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/cerium-pant
- Liatris: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/liatris-down-jacket
- Thorium SV: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/thorium-sv-hoody
- Proton Heavyweight: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/proton-heavyweight-hoody
- Atom Shacket: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/atom-shacket
- New Nano Air: https://patagonia.com/product/mens-nano-air-insulated-hoody/84367.html
Due to the lack of insulation in the arms (mesh lined sleeves) as well as the minimal amount of insulation in the body, Atom SL Anorak will have breathability in mind when high output activity is the goal.
I'm 5'11", 165 lbs, athletic build. Size M fits me perfectly.
My size is always the same. Arc'teryx, Patagonia, TNF, Salomon, Columbia, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Zara... Doesn't matter.
Warmth
Among the entire Arc'teryx insulated jacket army, Atom SL and Atom SL Anorak are the ones that offer the least amount of warmth. They offer the lightest density of insulation (Coreloft 40 (40 g/m²)). Arms are NOT insulated.
As you can see, Atom SL is down at the bottom in this table (temperature rating of Atom SL Anorak is identical with that of Atom SL):
Name | Activity | Breathability | Weather Res. | Durability | Temp (F/C) | Bottom line | Review | Pit zips? | Two way zipper? | Stuffs into itself? | Hood? | Face Fabric | Fit | Weight | Length | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha FL (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | 7/10 | No data | No data | 10/10 | N/A | No | No | Yes | Hadron 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 209 g / 7.4 oz | 76.5 cm / 30 in | Yes | |||
Alpha SL (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | 5/10 | 7/10 | No data | 9/10 | N/A | No | No | Yes | N40p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 326 g / 11.5 oz | 77.5 cm / 30.5 in | Yes | |||
Alpha (aka AR) (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | 8/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 4/10 | N/A | 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 | 8/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 3/10 | N/A | 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 | |
Alpha IS (Men's) | Climbing | 7/10 | 5/10 | No data | 8/10 | 23/-5 | No | Yes | Yes | N40p-X 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz | 78 cm / 30.75 in | Yes | |||
Beta (Men's - Women's) | All Round | 6/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | N/A | 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 Lightweight (Men's - Women's) | All Round | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | N/A | 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 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | N/A | Review | Yes | No | No | N40d 3L Gore-Tex | Fitted | 395 g / 13.9 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | No | ||
Beta AR (Men's - Women's) | All Round | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 4/10 | N/A | 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 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 4/10 | N/A | 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 | 6/10 | 5/10 | No data | 5/10 | N/A | No | Yes | No | 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 320 g / 11.3 oz | 88 cm / 34.5 in | No | |||
Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's) | All Round | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | No data | 21/-6 | 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 | 7/10 | No data | No data | No data | 16/-9 | No | Yes | No | N40d 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz | 86 cm / 34 in | No | |||
Beta Down Insulated (Men's) | All Round | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | No data | 0/-18 | Yes | Yes | No | 2L 40D Gore-Tex | Regular | 760 g / 1 lb 10.8 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | No | |||
Beta Long | All Round | 4/10 | 9/10 | No data | 3/10 | N/A | Review | No | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 441 g / 15.6 oz | 85 cm / 33.5 in | Yes | ||
Beta LT Hadron | All Round | 7/10 | 6/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | N/A | No | No | No | Hadron 3L Gore-Tex | Fitted | 255 g / 9 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | Yes | |||
Beta SV (Men's - Women's) | All Round | 8/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 3/10 | N/A | 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 Lw. (aka SL) (Men's - Women's) | All Round | 7/10 | 2/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | N/A | Review | No | No | No | Fortius 1.0 | Trim | 310 g / 10.9 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | No | ||
Gamma (aka LT) (Men's - Women's) | All Round | 7/10 | 3/10 | 7/10 | 3/10 | N/A | 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 - Women's) | All Round | 6/10 | 4/10 | 8/10 | 3/10 | N/A | Strongest softshell. | Review | No | No | No | Fortius 2.0 | Regular | 555 g / 1 lb 3.6 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | No | |
Sabre SV (Men's) | Skiing | 10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 1/10 | N/A | 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 | |
Sabre (Men's) | Skiing | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | N/A | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 705 g / 1 lb 8.9 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | No | ||
Sabre Insulated (Men's) | Skiing | 7/10 | No data | 6/10 | No data | No data | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 815 g / 1 lb 12.7 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | No | ||
Rush (Men's) | Skiing | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 3/10 | N/A | 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 (Men's - Women's) | Skiing | 3/10 | 5/10 | 5/10 | 9/10 | 16/-9 | Review | No | No | Yes | Hadron 2L Gore-Tex Infinium | Regular | 515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | No | ||
Macai Shell (Men's) | Skiing | No data | No data | No data | No data | N/A | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 775 g / 1 lb 11.3 oz | ? | No | ||
Macai (Men's) | Skiing | 7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 1/10 | 5/-15 | Review | Yes | No | No | N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 990 g / 2 lb 2.9 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | No | ||
Macai Lightweight (aka LT) (Men's) | Skiing | 7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 2/10 | 8/-13 | Review | Yes | No | No | N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz | ? | No | ||
Theriss Down (Women's) | Skiing | 7/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | No data | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 709 g / 1 lb 9 oz | 63 cm / 24.8 in | No | ||
Sentinel (Women's) | Skiing | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | N/A | 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 | 8/10 | No data | No data | No data | 21/-6 | 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 | No data | No data | No data | No data | N/A | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 655 g / 1 lb 7.1 oz | ? | No | |||
Sidewinder (Women's) | Skiing | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 570 g / 1 lb 4.1 oz | ? | No | |||
Andessa (Women's) | Skiing | 10/10 | No data | No data | 1/10 | 8/-13 | Yes | No | No | N40d 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 869 g / 1 lb 14.7 oz | 67 cm / 26.4 in | Yes | |||
Andessa Shell (Women's) | Skiing | 5/10 | No data | No data | 3/10 | N/A | No | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 560 g / 1 lb 3.8 oz | ? | Yes | |||
Micon Heather | Skiing | No data | No data | No data | No data | N/A | Yes | No | No | NP100-d 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | Yes | |||
Micon (Men's) | Skiing | No data | No data | No data | No data | N/A | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | Yes | |||
Cassiar (Men's) | Skiing | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 3/10 | N/A | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 820 g / 1 lb 12.9 oz | 74.5 cm / 29.3 in | Yes | ||
Cassiar LT (Men's) | Skiing | 6/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | N/A | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 605 g / 1 lb 5.3 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | Yes | ||
Ravenna (Women's) | Skiing | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 3/10 | N/A | 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 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | N/A | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 540 g / 1 lb 3 oz | 69 cm / 27.2 in | Yes | ||
Procline (Men's) | Skiing | No data | No data | No data | No data | N/A | Yes | No | No | N70p Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | Yes | |||
Shashka Stretch (Women's) | Skiing | No data | No data | No data | No data | N/A | Yes | No | No | N70p Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 670 g / 1 lb 7.6 oz | 71 cm / 28 in | Yes | |||
Sabre AR (Men's) | Skiing | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | N/A | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 700 g / 1 lb 8.7 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | Yes | ||
Sentinel AR (Women's) | Skiing | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | N/A | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz | 72.5 cm / 28.5 in | Yes | ||
Sabre LT (Men's) | Skiing | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | N/A | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 660 g / 1 lb 7.3 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | Yes | ||
Sentinel LT (Women's) | Skiing | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | N/A | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 565 g / 1 lb 3.9 oz | 73.5 cm / 29 in | Yes | ||
Incendia (Women's) | Skiing | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 3/10 | N/A | Review | Yes | No | No | NP100d 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | Yes | ||
Indencia IS | Skiing | No data | No data | No data | No data | No data | Yes | No | No | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | ? | 78 cm / 30.75 in | Yes | |||
Squamish (Men's - Women's) | Running | 5/10 | 4/10 | 7/10 | 9/10 | N/A | Go-to running jacket. | Review | No | No | Yes | 30D Tyono | Trim | 140 g / 4.9 oz | 77.5 cm / 30.5 in | No | |
Norvan Windshell (Men's - Women's) | Running | No data | No data | No data | No data | N/A | No | No | Yes | Permeair 20 | Trim | 90 g / 3.2 oz | 73 cm / 28.75 in | No | |||
Norvan Shell (Men's - Women's) | Running | No data | No data | No data | No data | N/A | No | No | No | 13D 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 190 g / 6.7 oz | 73 cm / 28.75 in | No | |||
Nodin (Women's) | Running | 8/10 | 5/10 | 5/10 | 10/10 | N/A | No | No | Yes | 20D Tyono | Trim | 130 g / 4.6 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | No | |||
Incendo Airshell (Women's) | Running | No data | No data | No data | No data | N/A | No | No | Yes | ? | Trim | 105 g / 3.7 oz | ? | No | |||
Incendo (Men's) | Running | 7/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | 10/10 | N/A | Review | No | No | Yes | Lumin | Trim | 125 g / 4.4 oz | ? | Yes | ||
Norvan LT (Men's - Women's) | Running | 5/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | N/A | No | No | No | N13p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 190 g / 6.7 oz | ? | Yes | |||
Norvan SL Ins. (Women's) | Running | No data | No data | No data | No data | 39/4 | No | No | Yes | Gore-Tex ShakeDry | Trim | 270 g / 9.5 oz | 71.5 cm / 28.1 in | Yes | |||
Cita (Women's) | Running | 7/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | 10/10 | N/A | Review | No | No | Yes | Lumin | Trim | 120 g / 4.2 oz | 67.5 cm / 26.5 in | Yes | ||
Cita SL (Women's) | Running | 7/10 | 4/10 | 4/10 | 10/10 | N/A | Review | Yes | No | Yes | Permeair 20 | Trim | 65 g / 2.3 oz | 61.5 cm / 24.2 in | Yes | ||
Incendo SL (Men's) | Running | 7/10 | 4/10 | 4/10 | 10/10 | N/A | Review | No | No | Yes | Permair 20 & Canim | Trim | 80 g / 2.8 oz | 73 cm / 28.75 in | Yes | ||
Norvan SL (Men's - Women's) | Running | 7/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | N/A | Review | No | No | Yes | Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 120 g / 4.2 oz | 77 cm / 30.4 in | Yes | ||
Trino SL (Men's) | Running | 8/10 | 5/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | N/A | Review | No | No | No | Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 340 g / 12 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | Yes | ||
Trino SL Anorak (Women's) | Running | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | N/A | Review | No | No | No | Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 290 g / 10.2 oz | 65 cm / 25.5 in | Yes | ||
Solano (Women's) | Around Town | No data | No data | No data | No data | N/A | Review | No | No | No | Gore-Tex Infinium | Relaxed | 355 g / 12.5 oz | 72 cm / 28.3 in | No | ||
Venda Anorak (Women's) | Around Town | No data | No data | No data | No data | N/A | No | No | No | Gore-Tex | Relaxed | 255 g / 9 oz | 75.5 cm / 29.7 in | Yes | |||
Zeta FL (Men's - Women's) | Hiking | 4/10 | 6/10 | 4/10 | 6/10 | N/A | No | No | No | N20r 2L Gore-Tex | Trim | 221 g / 7.8 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | Yes | |||
Zeta SL (Men's - Women's) | Hiking | 3/10 | 5/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | N/A | Review | No | No | No | 2L Gore-Tex | Trim | 310 g / 10.9 oz | 77.8 cm / 30.6 in | Yes | ||
Zeta LT (Men's - Women's) | Hiking | 5/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 5/10 | N/A | No | No | No | N40P-X 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 335 g / 11.8 oz | 78 cm / 30.75 in | Yes | |||
Zeta AR (Men's) | Hiking | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 4/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 425 g / 15 oz | 80 cm / 31.5 in | Yes |
Performance data axis of synthetic jackets (table above) and shell jackets (this table) are different. Don't compare them.
- Patagonia and Arc'teryx are like up to 70% off at REI rn...
But, since this anorak is designed for high output activities in chilly summer mornings, this isn't (shouldn't be) the main thing to expect from this piece. It isn't, after all, what it's trying to accomplish.
What Atom SL is trying to accomplish is a top-notch breathability, and it does a perfect job with that.
Poll results: Best colorways of Atom Series
Upvote your favorites.
Quick links:
Quick links:
Breathability
This is (should be) the main buying point for not only the Atom SL Anorak but also the Atom SL. Tyono 20 outer fabric and fleece side panels of Atom SL Anorak do a pretty good job together to keep you ventilated.
The only reasonable alternative you would have to Atom SL Anorak would be the Proton FL. Proton FL also provides perfect breathability. It's actually even slightly more breathable.
Read my Proton FL vs Atom SL comparison for more information about both.
Weather Resistance
Tyono 20 of Atom SL is quite a bit wind proof. During spring & summer, wind proofing is a higher priority than water proofing when enjoying outdoors. It's especially necessary during any high output activity.
As I explained earlier into the post, Atom SL Anorak is also equipped with a chest pocket, unlike most other Arc'teryx insulated jackets - which are equipped with typical hand pockets.
When this pocket configuration is combined with its superior windproofing capability Atom SL Anorak becomes a pretty good option for climbing folks.
Lastly, although the Atom SL Anorak is less waterproof than its cousins Atom LT and Atom AR (here's my Atom SL vs Atom LT comparison and my Atom LT vs Atom AR comparison); it is, DWR coated.
DWR is a coating.
It's basically sprayed on to the surface of these jackets as a finish.
It stands for Durable Water Repellent - which means that water will be repelled under wet conditions instead of soaking into the fabric.
DWR also decreases dry time.
It's a good thing these jackets are coated in DWR.
But pay attention to the fact that DWR is a coating - meaning that it will wear off over time.
Which is why you might want to invest in a DWR spray such as this one at arcteryx.com for after treatment.
As you see, there's a strong correlation between FP x FW and temperature ratings, but not more than, say, 80%. I explained why this happens here in this post of mine.
Fit
Atom SL Anorak fits very trim. Front hem is also longer than that of Atom LT.
Atom SL vs Atom SL Anorak
Atom SL Anorak is exactly the same as Atom SL (Men's - Women's - read my review) itself except for the zipper and pocket configurations.
- Atom SL Anorak comes with a 3/4 zip, and offers only one chest pocket; instead of two side pockets of Atom SL.
And which one would be better for you? Depends.
Unless Atom SL Anorak fits your body type (skinny build) and/or you'll be climbing with this piece 95% of the time...
...then I think I'd get the Atom SL over Atom SL Anorak any day.
Here's a good video review of Atom SL Anorak:
Keith says
Does the ARC Atom SL Anorak run the same or smaller than the full zipper Atom SL?
Thanks!