For high output activities, it's a no-brainer to go for the Atom LT (see image) over the Cerium LT (which more suitable for stationary use).
Summary
The biggest difference between Atom LT and Cerium LT is in their insulators (Atom's synthetic insulation vs Cerium's down insulation).
You can see this in Arc'teryx's Naming Scheme Guide here as well - for both for "Cerium" and "Atom", as well as the meaning of modifier "LT".
In short, get the Atom LT for high output activities and/or use in damp areas. The Cerium LT would mostly be a better pick for stationary, casual use in cold and dry weather.
Warmth
Cerium LT fit and design. Not designed for active use if it will be worn as a stand-alone piece as shown here.
In terms of warmth, they perform similarly - with the Cerium LT being slightly superior (this might not even be noticeable though - see the temperature ratings below).
Cerium LT is down insulated. Meaning that when it's wet outside, its warmth will drop significantly, because down loses its insulating power when it gets wet (unless you have an outer layer (shell) at the top).
This is one of the disadvantages of down.
The second downside is that down takes a longer time to dry. Another reason to use it only in dry areas.
A third thing to consider for down jackets (which is the Cerium LT in our case) is that it typically takes longer for your body to warm up a down jacket compared to a synthetic jacket (Atom LT).
Find below the lowest temperatures you can wear each jacket without feeling uncomfortably cold.
These are only approximate values assuming:
- you only have a shirt under and no shell over,
- during daily use (strolls, power walks etc at most - no high output activities),
- with enough wind to cause an umbrella to twist in your hand,
- and when it's dry out.
| °F / °C | Insulation |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Arc'teryx LEAF Cold WX Parka SVX (Men's) | -40/-40 | Down |
|
Arc'teryx Ceres SV (Men's) | -15/-26 | Down | |
-10/-23 | Down | ||
Arc'teryx Dually Belay Parka (Men's) | -7/-22 | Synthetic |
|
Arc'teryx Thorsen Parka (Men's) | -7/-22 | Down | |
Arc'teryx Centrale (Women's) | -5/-20 | Down | |
-5/-20 | Down | ||
Arc'teryx Therme Parka (Men's) | -2/-19 | Down | |
Arc'teryx Camosun Parka (Men's) | 0/-18 | Down | |
3/-16 | Synthetic |
| |
Arc'teryx Patera Parka (Women's) | 5/-15 | Down | |
Arc'teryx Kappa (Men's) | 7/-14 | Synthetic |
|
8/-13 | Down | ||
10/-12 | Synthetic | ||
Arc'teryx Magnus Coat (Men's) | 14/-10 | Down |
|
17/-8 | Down | ||
19/-7 | Synthetic | ||
23/-5 | Synthetic | ||
24/-4 | Synthetic | ||
40/5 | Down | ||
43/6 | Synthetic | ||
50/10 | Synthetic |
Read more about this chart here in my Insulated Outerwear Temperature Ratings Guide.
Also see: Ultimate Arc'teryx Spreadsheet
If you think you run warmer or colder than the average person, then shift temperature ranges accordingly.
Also check out my ultimate guide to Arc'teryx Jackets.
You don’t get that instant warm effect with down.
The main downside of synthetic insulation, on the other hand, is that it requires more insulation to provide the same warmth of down - hence ultimately making the jacket heavier than down jackets.
In wet conditions, though; that's another story (more on this a little bit later).
Atom LT fit and style. Designed for active use - such as skiing.
Another important disadvantage you get with the synthetic insulated jackets is that they lose more of their initial insulating capability over time. Down insulation, on the other hand, can provide the same warmth for decades.
This sums up the essential differences you'd better know about synthetic vs down insulated jackets.
Results
I'd say, generally speaking, when it's dry out, with only a long sleeved shirt under and without a shell on top, with a mild wind and very low to no activity level...
The approximate lowest temperatures where an average person can wear these jackets without feeling cold can be listed as:
- Cerium LT: -8 deg C (17 deg F)
- Atom LT: -5 deg C (23 deg F)
If you think you run hotter or colder than the average person, mentally shift these temperatures accordingly.
Important:
When/if it's fairly wet out, Cerium LT's warmth will drop significantly and will end up around Atom and Proton LT's warmth range depending how wet it gets.
Breathability
Atom line is designed for active use. Atom LT's side fleece panels will breath much more than the Cerium LT.
Cerium LT, on the other hand, is mostly designed for casual uses. It breathes much less than the Atom LT. I'm 100% sure you wouldn't want to be wearing a Cerium LT when, for example, climbing or skiing.
Fragile face fabric of the Cerium LT (see image) makes it much lighter than the Atom LT.
Fit
Both the Atom LT and Cerium LT offer the same identical, trim fit.
Face Fabric Differences
This is the biggest downside of not only the LT - but also the other two (SV and SL) models of Cerium.
Since it isn't meant to be worn as a stand-alone piece when it's wet or harsh out, the face fabric is just too fragile. It isn't abrasion resistant. Not wind or weather proof either.
Atom LT, on the other hand, is much better compared to the Cerium LT in this department - although still not as good as Atom AR, Patagonia Nano Puff or Patagonia Micro Puff.
Also, both of these jackets are 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 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.
Although this helps Cerium with its water resistance, it just still doesn't cut it to bring it up to the Atom LT's water and weather protection level.
Conclusion
If you'll be physically active, then don't get Cerium LT. Simple as that. As explained repeatedly in this post, it just really isn't designed for high output use. Get the Atom LT instead.
If, on the other hand, you'll mostly be using the jacket in the neighborhood, then read on...
If you will be wearing an outer layer on top of these jackets...
Do consider the things I mentioned above, but in this case Atom LT and Proton LT lose most (if not all) the advantages they have over the Cerium LT.
You're highly likely to be better getting a Cerium LT. I'd recommend the one with the hoody.
If you think that you might want to invest in an outer layer (a shell), then you might want to check out my guide to Arc'teryx Shells.
If you won't be wearing an outer layer on top of these jackets...
Then I'd make up my mind according to this question:
How will the weather mostly be challenging you?
- Precipitation? Then get the Atom LT or Proton LT (again, models with the hoody are recommended).
- Cold (fair amount of days under 0 deg C (30 deg F))? Then get the Cerium LT.
If it's BOTH cold and precipitation that will be challenging you, then sorry but none of these jackets would cut it for you.
In that case I'd recommend you to consider getting an Atom AR - which you can read more about here in my post. Although Atom AR won't be MUCH warmer than the Cerium LT in dry conditions, in wet conditions the difference will be day and night - you'll feel much warmer inside the Atom AR compared to Cerium LT.
I hope this post was helpful for you to learn more about the jacket(s) in your mind.
Feel free to ask me any questions or provide feedback and I'll be happy to respond in the comment section below.
Guide: Insulated & Shell Jackets
Start here:
Complete list:
Also see:
Thank you for reading!
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