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In FW23, new models Thorium Hoody, Thorium Parka and Cerium Hoody have dropped. However, the older models, Cerium LT and Thorium AR, are still members of the line-up. Arc'teryx told me that they don't know if they will be discontinued in the future or not.
Links:
- https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/thorium-ar-hoody
- https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/cerium-lt-hoody
- https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/thorium-ar-hoody
- https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/cerium-hoody
- Thorium AR vs Cerium LT side by side comparison chart on arcteryx.com: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/compare/X000006972-24k%20black/X000007131-dark%20elysium
- Arc'teryx Jacket Finder: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/jacket-finder
So I visited Iceland a few months ago, and I took my Nuclei FL and Thorium AR there. I kept picking Nuclei FL over Thorium AR pretty often, even though it's much, much less warm.
The reason for this was precipitation. Thorium AR (and Cerium LT for that matter) is a down jacket, meaning that it loses its insulating power when it gets wet. It also gets soaked in water pretty easily and quickly.
- 13 Mar 2023: I've been to Pfander and floodplain forests with my Nuclei SV
- 13 Dec 2022: Arc'teryx Alpha Parka Review: The most impressive jacket of all time
- 8 Dec 2022: Arc'teryx ReGEAR: OutdoorCrunch exclusive promo code!
- 7 Nov 2022: 2023 Thorium Hoody is in - as well as the new Thorium Parka (yes, parka)
- 2 Nov 2022: Beta Insulated Jacket: Pit zips AND two way zipper!
- 7 October 2022: Proton Hybrid Hoody is live! The ultimate do it all?
- 5 October 2022: DropHood vs StormHood: Pros/cons and best uses
- 5 September 2022: Reviewing Arc'teryx Fall Winter 22/23 Gear
- 5 August 2022: 5 things all Arc'teryx newbies should know
- #A sidenote here: Arc'teryx's PDF guide to jackets is GOOOLLLLDDDDD. Absolutely check that out too if you're interested in buying one.
So, if you're planning to use these jackets in dry and cold areas, then great, keep reading. But for damp areas, I wouldn't recommend these jackets at all - at least not without wearing any shell over it.
In short, Thorium AR (Men's - Women's) is much warmer than the Cerium LT (Men's - Women's). Cerium LT, on the other hand, is much more packable than the Thorium AR and fits trimmer. These are pretty much their only differences.
I think Thorium AR will mostly suit better to an average user.
Raw Name | Arc'teryx Thorium | Arc'teryx Thorium AR | Arc'teryx Cerium | Arc'teryx Cerium LT |
---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Arc'teryx Thorium (Men's - Women's) | Arc'teryx Thorium AR (Men's - Women's) | Arc'teryx Cerium (Men's - Women's) | Arc'teryx Cerium LT (Men's - Women's) |
Image | ||||
Temp (°F / °C) | 7/-14 | 8/-13 | 26/-3 | 28/-2 |
Breathability | 6/10 | 6/10 | Testing | 6/10 |
Weather Resistance | 8/10 | 8/10 | Testing | 7/10 |
Durability | 8/10 | 8/10 | Testing | 7/10 |
Packability | 8/10 | 8/10 | Testing | 8/10 |
Best pick for | Down jacket. | |||
Review | Review | Review | Review | |
Pit venting? | No | No | No | No |
Stuffs into itself? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Two way zipper? | Yes | No | No | No |
Size Chart | [Men's] | [Men's / Women's] | [Men's / Women's] | |
Type | Down | Down | Down | Down |
Fill Power | 750 | 750 | 850 | 850 |
Fill Weight (grams) | 140 | 130 | 113 | 102 |
FP x FW | 105,000 | 97,500 | 96,050 | 86,700 |
Synthetic Insulator (SI) | Coreloft | Coreloft | Coreloft | Coreloft |
SI Amount | 80 + 140 g/m² | 80 + 140 g/m² | 80 + 100 g/m² | 80 + 100 g/m² |
Face Fabric | Arato 30 | Arato 30 | Arato 15 | Arato 10 |
Activity | All Round | All Round | All Round | All Round |
Fit | Regular | Regular | Trim | Trim |
Weight | 517 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz | 490 g / 1 lb 1.3 oz | 335 g / 11.8 oz | 305 g / 10.8 oz |
Length (CB) | 71.5 cm / 28.1 in | 72 cm / 28.3 in | ? | 72 cm / 28.3 in |
arc-mens-url | https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/thorium-hoody | https://www.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/thorium-ar-hoody | https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/cerium-hoody | https://www.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/cerium-lt-hoody |
arc-womens-url | https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/thorium-hoody | https://www.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/thorium-ar-hoody | https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/cerium-hoody | https://www.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/cerium-hoody |
pat-mens-url | ||||
pat-womens-url | ||||
rei-mens-url | https://www.rei.com/product/209333/arcteryx-thorium-down-hoodie-mens | https://www.rei.com/product/135330 | https://www.rei.com/product/117169 | |
rei-womens-url | https://www.rei.com/product/134095 | https://www.rei.com/product/152545 | ||
backcountry-mens-url | ||||
backcountry-womens-url | ||||
amazon-mens-url | https://www.amazon.com/Arcteryx-Thorium-AR-Hoodie/dp/B09CDMRF5J | https://www.amazon.com/Arcteryx-Cerium-Hoody-Lightweight-Conditions/dp/B0973K9G2H | ||
amazon-womens-url | https://www.amazon.com/Arcteryx-Thorium-AR-Hoody-Chandra/dp/B0163RBV60 | https://www.amazon.com/Arcteryx-Cerium-Womens-Lightweight-Conditions/dp/B09QLH2D5V | ||
image-url | https://images.arcteryx.com/F22/1350x1710/Thorium-Hoody-Forage.jpg | https://images.arcteryx.com/F21/1350x1710/Thorium-AR-Hoody-Figment.jpg | https://images.arcteryx.com/F22/1350x1710/Cerium-Hoody-Habitat.jpg | https://images.arcteryx.com/F21/1350x1710/Cerium-LT-Hoody-(NAM)-Distortion.jpg |
Both jackets offer the ability to get stuffed into a sack attached to the inside of an internal pocket. See the size of my packed Thorium AR (see image). A packed Nuclei FL, a Beats Studio 3 and an Osprey Farpoint 40 for scale. Cerium LT packed size would be close to Nuclei FL.
I'd recommend you to check out their warmth ratings below and make your purchase accordingly:
Name | Est. Temp (F/C) | Review | Pit venting? | Stuffs into itself? | Two way zipper? | Type | Fill Power | Fill Weight (grams) | Fill Volume (FP x FW) | Synthetic Insulator (SI) | SI Amount | Face Fabric | Activity | Fit | Weight | Length (CB) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arc'teryx Alpha (Men's - Women's) | -18/-28 | Review | No | Yes | Yes | Down | 850 | 296 | 251,600 | Coreloft | 90 g/m² | N30r 2L GoreTex Infinium | Climbing | Regular | 805 g / 1 lb 12.4 oz | 86 cm / 34 in |
Feathered Friends Khumbu | -17/-27 | No | Yes | No | Down | 900 | 378 | 340,200 | Primaloft Gold | 200 g | Pretex Shield XT | All Round | Regular | 960 g / 2 lb 2 oz | ? | |
Arc'teryx Ceres SV (Men's - Women's) | -15/-26 | Review | No | Yes | Yes | Down | 850 | 240 | 204,000 | Coreloft | ? | Arato 30 | All Round | Regular | 880 g / 1 lb 15 oz | 86 cm / 34 in |
Mountain Equipment K7 (Men's) | -13/-25 | No | Yes | Yes | Down | 800 | 300 | 240,000 | N/A | N/A | 30D Drilite | All Round | Regular | 820 g / 1 lb 13 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | |
Rab Positron Pro (Men's) | -13/-25 | No | Yes | Yes | Down | 800 | 300 | 240,000 | N/A | N/A | 40D Pertex Quantum Pro | All Round | Regular | 740 g / 1 lb 10 oz | 85 cm / 33.5 in | |
Arc'teryx Therme SV (Men's) | -11/-24 | Review | No | No | Yes | Parka | 750 | 211 | 158,250 | Coreloft | 60 g/m² | 2L Gore-Tex | Around Town | Regular | 1.072 kg / 2 lb 5.8 oz | 96 cm / 37.75 in |
Patagonia Grade VII (Men's) | -11/-24 | No | No | Yes | Down | 800 | 335 | 268,000 | N/A | N/A | 1.2 oz 15 & 20D Perfex Quantum | Around Town | Regular | 743 g / 1 lb 10.1 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | |
Arc'teryx Firebee AR (Men's - Women's) | -10/-23 | Review | No | Yes | Yes | Down | 800 | 225 | 180,000 | N/A | N/A | Arato 7 & 10 | All Round | Regular | 680 g / 1 lb 8 oz | 79 cm / 31 in |
Mountain Equipment Exo (Men's) | -10/-23 | No | Yes | Yes | Down | 800 | 265 | 212,000 | N/A | N/A | Nylon | All Round | Regular | 770 g / 1 lb 11.2 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | |
Arc'teryx Thorsen (Men's) | -7/-22 | Review | No | No | Yes | Parka | 750 | 192 | 144,000 | Coreloft | 60 g/m² | 90D 2L Gore-Tex | Around Town | Regular | 1.1 kg / 2 lb 5.4 oz | 91 cm / 36 in |
Patagonia Frozen Range (Men's - Women's) | -6/-21 | Review | No | No | No | Parka | 700 | 268 | 187,600 | N/A | N/A | 4 oz 75-denier polyester | Around Town | Regular | 1.253 kg / 2 lb 12.2 oz | 84 cm / 33 in |
Mountain Equipment Li. Ec. (Men's - Women's) | -5/-20 | No | No | Yes | Down | 700 | 295 | 206,500 | N/A | N/A | 50D Drilite | All Round | Regular | 822 g / 1 lb 13 oz | 72 cm / 28 in | |
Arc'teryx Patera Long (Women's) | -2/-19 | No | No | Yes | Parka | 750 | 74 | 55,500 | Coreloft | 60 + 80 g/m² | 2L Gore-Tex | Around Town | Regular | 1.1 kg / 2 lb 6.8 oz | 117.5 cm / 46.25 in | |
Rab Neutrino Pro (Men's - Women's) | -2/-19 | No | Yes | Yes | Down | 800 | 212 | 169,600 | N/A | N/A | 20D Pertex Quantum Pro | All Round | Regular | 585 g / 1 lb 8.6 oz | 77 cm / 30.3 in | |
Arc'teryx Dually Belay (Men's) | 0/-18 | Review | No | Yes | Yes | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | ThermaTek | 92 g/m² | 30D Nylon | Around Town | Regular | 705 g / 1 lb 9 oz | 84 cm / 33 in |
Arc'teryx Centrale (Women's) | 0/-18 | Review | No | No | Yes | Parka | 750 | 157 | 117,750 | Coreloft | 60 g/m² | N90p Nylon | Around Town | Regular | 885 g / 1 lb 15.2 oz | 95 cm / 37.5 in |
Arc'teryx Camosun (Men's) | 0/-18 | Review | No | No | No | Parka | 750 | 105 | 78,750 | Coreloft | 140 g/m² | N150p-X Gore-Tex | Around Town | Trim | 960 g / 2 lb 1.9 oz | 80 cm / 31.5 in |
Arc'teryx Cerium SV (Men's) | 0/-18 | Review | No | Yes | No | Down | 850 | 162 | 137,700 | Coreloft | 80 + 140 g/m² | Arato 7 & 10 | All Round | Regular | 415 g / 14.6 oz | 69.5 cm / 27.4 in |
Arc'teryx Revet (Men's) | 2/-17 | No | No | Yes | Parka | 750 | ? | N/A | N/A | 20d nylon/spandex double weave | Around Town | Regular | 755 g / 1 lb 10.6 oz | 91 cm / 36 in | ||
Arc'teryx Piedmont (Men's) | 3/-16 | No | Yes | Yes | Parka | 750 | 218 | 163,500 | N/A | N/A | Arato 10 | Around Town | Regular | 515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz | 82 cm / 32.25 in | |
Arc'teryx Fission SV (Men's - Women's) | 3/-16 | Review | No | No | Yes | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Continuous | 90 + 65 g/m² | N80p-X Gore-Tex 2L | All Round | Regular | 890 g / 1 lb 15.4 oz | 81 cm / 31.8 in |
Arc'teryx Alpha Lightweight (Men's) | 3/-16 | No | Yes | Yes | Down | 850 | 117 | 99,450 | Coreloft Compact | 40 g/m² | Hadron 2L Gore-Tex Infinium | Climbing | Regular | 540 g / 1 lb 3 oz | ? | |
Outdoor Research Sup. Alp. (Men's - Women's) | 3/-16 | No | No | Yes | Down | 800 | 182 | 145,600 | N/A | N/A | 30D Pertex Quantum Pro | All Round | Regular | 825 g / 1 lb 13.1 oz | 85 cm / 33.5 in | |
Arc'teryx Alessa Long (Women's) | 3/-16 | No | No | No | Parka | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft | 80 + 120 g/m² | N90p 2L Gore-Tex | Around Town | Regular | 1.015 kg / 2 lb 3.8 oz | 123 cm / 48.5 in | |
Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 (Men's - Women's) | 3/-16 | Review | No | No | No | Parka | 700 | 118 | 82,600 | N/A | N/A | 5.5 oz polyester | Around Town | Regular | 1.307 kg / 2 lb 14.1 oz | 85 cm / 33.5 in |
Arc'teryx Radsten Parka (Men's) | 3/-16 | No | No | No | Parka | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Compact | 120 g/m² | NP100d Gore-Tex 2L | Around Town | Regular | 745 g / 1 lb 10.3 oz | 82 cm / 32.25 in | |
Rab Electron Pro (Men's - Women's) | 5/-15 | No | Yes | Yes | Down | 800 | 180 | 144,000 | N/A | N/A | 20D Pertex Quantum Pro | All Round | Regular | 525 g / 1 lb 2.5 oz | 74 cm / 29 in | |
Arc'teryx Therme Parka (Men's) | 5/-15 | Review | No | No | Yes | Parka | 750 | 120 | 90,000 | Coreloft | 60 + 80 g/m² | P75d Polyester | Around Town | Regular | 991 g / 2 lb 3 oz | 85 cm / 33.5 in |
Arc'teryx Macai (Men's) | 5/-15 | Review | Yes, zips | No | No | Down | 750 | 69 | 51,750 | Coreloft Compact | 60 + 100 g/m² | N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Ski/Snowboard | Regular | 1 kg / 2 lb 4 oz | 76 cm / 30 in |
Arc'teryx Nuclei SV (Men's) | 5/-15 | Review | No | Yes | Yes | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Continuous | 180 g/m2 + 90 g/m2 | Arato 15 | Climbing | Regular | 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz | 81 cm / 31.8 in |
Patagonia DAS Parka (Men's) | 5/-15 | No | Yes | Yes | Parka | N/A | N/A | N/A | PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco | 133 + 40 g | Pertex Quantum Pro | Around Town | Regular | 555 g / 1lb 3.6 oz | 84 cm / 33 in | |
Arc'teryx Patera (Women's) | 5/-15 | Review | No | No | Yes | Parka | 750 | 58 | 43,500 | Coreloft | 60 + 80 g/m² | 2L Gore-Tex | Around Town | Trim | 867 g / 1 lb 14.6 oz | 93 cm / 37 in |
Black Diamond Access Down (Men's - Women's) | 7/-14 | No | Yes | Yes | Down | 700 | 155 | 108,500 | N/A | N/A | 30D ripstop nylon | All Round | Regular | 442 g / 15.6 oz | 76 cm / 29.75 in | |
Arc'teryx Kappa (Men's) | 7/-14 | Review | No | No | Yes | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Continuous | 140 g/m² | N70p Gore Thermium | All Round | Regular | 755 g / 1 lb 10.6 oz | 80 cm / 31.5 in |
Arc'teryx Prema Down Coat (Women's) | 7/-14 | No | No | Yes | Parka | 750 | 92 | 69,000 | N/A | N/A | Nylon | Around Town | Regular | 794 g / 1 lb 12 oz | 117 cm / 46.1 in | |
Arc'teryx Radsten Insulated (Men's) | 7/-14 | No | No | No | Parka | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Compact | 120 g/m² | NP100d Gore-Tex 2L | Around Town | Regular | 715 g / 1 lb 9.2 oz | 73 cm / 28.75 in | |
Rab Microlight Alpine (Men's - Women's) | 7/-14 | No | Yes | No | Down | 700 | 153 | 107,100 | N/A | N/A | 30D Pertex Quantum | All Round | Regular | 466 g / 1 lb 0.5 oz | 72 cm / 28.5 in | |
Arc'teryx Thorium (Men's - Women's) | 7/-14 | Review | No | Yes | Yes | Down | 750 | 140 | 105,000 | Coreloft | 80 + 140 g/m² | Arato 30 | All Round | Regular | 517 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz | 71.5 cm / 28.1 in |
Feathered Friends Eos | 8/-13 | No | Yes | No | Down | 900 | 105 | 94,500 | N/A | N/A | Pertex Quantum | All Round | Regular | 306 g / 10.8 oz | ? | |
Arc'teryx Thorium AR (Men's - Women's) | 8/-13 | Review | No | Yes | No | Down | 750 | 130 | 97,500 | Coreloft | 80 + 140 g/m² | Arato 30 | All Round | Regular | 490 g / 1 lb 1.3 oz | 72 cm / 28.3 in |
Patagonia Macro Puff (Men's - Women's) | 8/-13 | Review | No | No | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | PlumaFill | 135 + 90 g | 10D Recycled nylon ripstop | All Round | Regular | 435 g / 15.3 oz | 79 cm / 31 in |
Arc'teryx Macai LT (Men's) | 8/-13 | Yes, zips | No | No | Down | 750 | 49 | 36,750 | Coreloft Compact | 60 g/m² | N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Ski/Snowboard | Regular | 855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | |
Arc'teryx Seyla (Women's) | 8/-13 | No | No | Yes | Parka | 750 | 92 | 69,000 | N/A | N/A | Arato 10 | Around Town | Regular | 507 g / 1 lb. 1.9 oz. | 87 cm / 34.4 in | |
Patagonia Fitz Roy (Men's - Women's) | 8/-13 | No | Yes | No | Down | 800 | 128 | 102,400 | N/A | N/A | 20D Nylon | All Round | Regular | 632 g / 1lb 6.3 oz | 74 cm / 29 in | |
Arc'teryx Koda (Men's) | 8/-13 | No | No | No | Parka | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft | 80 + 140 g/m² | N80p-X Gore-Tex | Around Town | Regular | 720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | |
Patagonia Vosque 3-in-1 (Women's) | 10/-12 | Review | No | No | No | Parka | N/A | N/A | N/A | ThermoLite | 100 g | 65% nylon, 35% polyester | Around Town | Regular | 1.360 kg / 3 lb | 90 cm / 35.5 in |
Patagonia City Storm Down (Men's - Women's) | 12/-11 | No | Yes | No | Parka | 700 | 191 | 133,700 | N/A | N/A | 4.2 oz polyester | All Round | Regular | 468 g / 16.5 oz | 91 cm / 36 in | |
Patagonia Jackson Glacier (Men's - Women's) | 12/-11 | Review | No | No | Yes | Parka | 700 | 141 | 98,700 | N/A | N/A | 3.6 oz 50D polyester | Around Town | Regular | 880 g / 1 lb 15 oz | 79 cm / 31 in |
Arc'teryx Sensa (Women's) | 14/-10 | No | No | Yes | Parka | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Compact | 120 g/m² | NP100d Gore-Tex 2L | Around Town | Relaxed | 785 g / 1 lb 11.7 oz | 86 cm / 34 in | |
Patagonia Hi Loft Down (Men's - Women's) | 14/-10 | Review | No | Yes | No | Down | 600 | 177 | 106,200 | N/A | N/A | 1.4 oz 30D polyester | All Round | Regular | 540 g / 1 lb 3 oz | 76 cm / 30 in |
REI Magma 850 Hoodie 2.0 (Men's - Women's) | 14/-10 | No | Yes | No | Down | 850 | 120 | 102,000 | N/A | N/A | Pertex mini ripstop nylon | All Round | Regular | 340 g / 13.75 oz | 74 cm / 29.25 in | |
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated Coat (Women's) | 16/-9 | Review | No | No | Yes | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft | 80 g/m² + 120 g/m² | 2L 40D Gore-Tex | Around Town | Regular | 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz | ? |
Arc'teryx Atom AR (Men's - Women's) | 18/-8 | Review | Yes, mesh | No | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Continuous | 120 g/m2 + 80 g/m2 + 60 g/m2 | 30D Tyono | All Round | Regular | 475 g / 1 lb | 74 cm / 29.1 in |
Patagonia Downdrift (Men's - Women's) | 18/-8 | No | No | No | Down | 600 | 279 | 167,400 | N/A | N/A | 4.2 oz polyester | Around Town | Regular | 1.014 kg / 2 lb 3.8 oz | ? | |
Arc'teryx Magnus (Men's) | 19/-7 | No | No | No | Parka | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft | 80 g | N60p Gore-Tex 2L | Around Town | Regular | 690 g / 1 lb 8.3 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | |
Arc'teryx Agrium (Men's - Women's) | 21/-6 | No | Yes | No | Down | 850 | 117 | 99,450 | N/A | N/A | Arato | All Round | Regular | 365 g / 12.9 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | |
Patagonia AlpLight Down (Men's - Women's) | 21/-6 | No | Yes | No | Down | 800 | 100 | 80,000 | N/A | N/A | 0.8 oz 10D polyester | All Round | Slim | 270 g / 9.5 oz | 74 cm / 29 in | |
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's) | 21/-6 | Review | Yes, zips | No | Yes | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Continuous | 80 g/m² | 2L 40D Gore-Tex | All Round | Regular | 680 g / 1 lb 8 oz | 78.5 cm / 31 in |
Patagonia Topley (Men's) | 23/-5 | No | No | Yes | Down | 700 | 172 | 120,400 | N/A | N/A | 6 oz polyester | All Round | Regular | 1.133 kg / 2 lb 8 oz | 77 cm / 30.5 in | |
Arc'teryx Alpha IS (Men's) | 23/-5 | No | Yes | Yes | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Continuous | 65 g/m² | N40p-X 2L Gore-Tex | Climbing | Regular | 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz | 78 cm / 30.75 in | |
Rab Xenon 2.0 (Men's - Women's) | 23/-5 | No | Yes | Yes | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | PrimaLoft Silver | 60 g | 30D Pertex Quantum | All Round | Regular | 385 g / 13.6 oz | 71.5 cm / 28.1 in | |
Patagonia Down Sweater (Men's - Women's) | 23/-5 | Review | No | Yes | No | Down | 800 | 150 | 120,000 | N/A | N/A | 1.4 oz 20x30D polyester | All Round | Regular | 428 g / 15.1 oz | 67 cm / 26.25 in |
Arc'teryx Ralle Parka (Men's) | 25/-4 | No | No | Yes | Parka | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft | 80 g/m² | 2L 40D Gore-Tex | Around Town | Regular | 735 g / 1 lb 9.9 oz | ? | |
Patagonia Silent Down (Men's - Women's) | 26/-3 | Review | No | No | No | Down | 700 | 109 | 76,300 | N/A | N/A | 2.2 oz polyester | Around Town | Regular | 585 g / 1 lb 4.7 oz | 74 cm / 29 in |
Arc'teryx Therme Insulated (Men's) | 26/-3 | Review | No | No | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Compact | 40 g/m² | 2L Gore-Tex | Around Town | Regular | 960 g / 2 lb 1.9 oz | 73 cm / 28.75 in |
Arc'teryx Cerium (Men's - Women's) | 26/-3 | No | Yes | No | Down | 850 | 113 | 96,050 | Coreloft | 80 + 100 g/m² | Arato 15 | All Round | Trim | 335 g / 11.8 oz | ? | |
Mountain Hardwear GW/2 (Men's - Women's) | 28/-2 | No | Yes | No | Down | 800 | 85 | 68,000 | N/A | N/A | 10D Ripstop Nylon | All Round | Trim | 250 g / 8.8 oz | 70 cm / 27.5 in | |
Arc'teryx Cerium LT (Men's - Women's) | 28/-2 | Review | No | Yes | No | Down | 850 | 102 | 86,700 | Coreloft | 80 + 100 g/m² | Arato 10 | All Round | Trim | 305 g / 10.8 oz | 72 cm / 28.3 in |
Arc'teryx Nuclei FL (Men's - Women's) | 32/0 | Review | No | Yes | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Continuous | 65 g/m² | Arato 10r | Climbing | Trim | 325 g / 11.5 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in |
Patagonia DAS Light (Men's - Women's) | 34/1 | No | Yes | Yes | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | PlumaFill | 65 g | 0.8-oz 10-denier Pertex Quantum Pro | Climbing | Regular | 320 g / 11.3 oz | 77 cm / 30.5 in | |
Patagonia Micro Puff (Men's - Women's) | 36/2 | Review | No | Yes | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | PlumaFill | 65 g | Pertex Quantum | All Round | Trim | 298 g / 10.5 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in |
Patagonia Isthmus (Men's) | 36/2 | No | No | No | Parka | N/A | N/A | N/A | ThermoGreen | 60 g | 4.2 oz polyester | Around Town | Regular | 895 g / 1 lb 15.6 oz | 70 cm / 27.5 in | |
Arc'teryx Proton LT (Men's - Women's) | 37/3 | Review | No | No | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Compact | 80 g/m2 + 60 g/m2 | Fortius Air 20 | Climbing | Trim | 375 g / 13.2 oz | 75 cm / 29.4 in |
Patagonia Nano Puff (Men's - Women's) | 37/3 | Review | No | Yes | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco | 60 g | 22D Polyester | All Round | Regular | 363 g / 12.8 oz | 71.5 cm / 28 in |
Arc'teryx Norvan SL Ins. (Men's - Women's) | 39/4 | No | Yes | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Compact | 40 g/m² | Gore-Tex ShakeDry | Running | Trim | 270 g / 9.5 oz | 71.5 cm / 28.1 in | |
Patagonia Nano Air (Men's - Women's) | 41/5 | Review | No | No | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | FullRange | 60 g | 33D Nylon ripstop | All Round | Trim | 318 g / 11.2 oz | ? |
Arc'teryx Atom LT (Men's - Women's) | 43/6 | Review | Yes, mesh | No | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Continuous | 60 g/m² | 20D Tyono | All Round | Trim | 375 g / 13.2 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in |
Arc'teryx Cerium SL (Men's - Women's) | 43/6 | Review | No | Yes | No | Down | 850 | 58 | 49,300 | Coreloft | 40 + 100 g/m² | Arato 7 | All Round | Trim | 215 g / 7.6 oz | 69 cm / 27.2 in |
Arc'teryx Proton Hybrid (Men's - Women's) | 46/8 | Review | No | No | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Compact | 40 g/m² | Fortius™ Air 50 | All Round | Trim | 365 g / 12.9 oz | ? |
Arc'teryx Proton FL (Men's) | 48/9 | Review | No | No | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Octa Loft | 94 g/m² | Fortius Air 20 | Climbing | Trim | 323 g / 11.4 oz | 77 cm / 30.4 in |
Arc'teryx Atom SL (Men's - Women's) | 52/11 | Review | Yes, mesh | No | No | Synthetic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft Compact | 40 g/m² | 20D Tyono | All Round | Trim | 245 g / 8.6 oz | 72 cm / 28.3 in |
REI Stormhenge Hybrid (Men's - Women's) | Testing | Yes, zips | No | No | Down | 850 | ? | N/A | N/A | 40D + 80D | All Round | Regular | 900 g / 1 lb 15.75 oz | 80 cm / 31.5 in | ||
Arc'teryx Monitor Insulated (Women's) | Testing | No | No | Yes | Parka | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft | 80 + 100 g/m² | 40D 3L Gore-Tex | Around Town | Oversized | 645 g / 1 lb 6.8 oz | 93 cm / 37 in | |
Arc'teryx Coelle (Women's) | Testing | No | No | Yes | Parka | N/A | N/A | N/A | Coreloft | 80 + 140 g/m² | 40D 2L Gore-Tex | Around Town | Regular | 460 g / 1 lb 0.2 oz | 93 cm / 37 in |
View full table at https://outdoorcrunch.com/best-arcteryx-jacket/.
If you're confused now and don't know which jacket best corresponds to your own needs, then follow the advice given in https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/jacket-finder/.
The temperature ratings in this list are intended to represent the lowest temperatures you can wear each jacket without feeling uncomfortably cold.
Keep in mind that these are only approximate values, assuming:
- worn over a shirt only and no shell over,
- during daily use (strolls, power walks etc at most - no high output activities),
- with light wind,
- and when it's dry out.
These values applicable to your torso only. Your hands, legs and feet are still subject to their own additional insulation.
The best practice is usually to use this table for comparing each jacket to one another, rather than pinpointing their ratings.
Also, ratings will best respond to males. As most women tend to run colder than men, for women, shifting these ratings a bit is recommended.
Always opt for the warmer option when in doubt. For jackets with Atom AR level warmth and beyond, recommended is almost always the hooded models.
- Also see: Arc'teryx Shells
Name | Bottom line | Activity | Review | Breathability | Weather Res. | Durability | Packability | Temp (F/C) | Pit zips? | Two way zipper? | Stuffs into itself? | Hood? | Face Fabric | Fit | Weight | Length | Measurements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha FL (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | 4/10 | 5/10 | 6/10 | 10/10 | N/A | No | No | Yes | StormHood | Hadron 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 209 g / 7.4 oz | 76.5 cm / 30 in | [Men's / Women's] | ||
Alpha SL (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | 3/10 | 4/10 | 6/10 | 9/10 | N/A | No | No | Yes | StormHood | N40p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 326 g / 11.5 oz | 77.5 cm / 30.5 in | [Men's / Women's] | ||
Alpha AR (Men's - Women's) | Go-to climbing harshell. | Climbing | Review | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 4/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 430 g / 15.2 oz | 79.5 cm / 31.25 in | [Men's] |
Alpha SV (Men's - Women's) | Strongest climbing hardshell. | Climbing | Review | 8/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 3/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 510 g / 1 lb 2 oz | 78 cm / 30.75 in | [Men's] |
Alpha IS (Men's) | Climbing | 7/10 | 5/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 | 23/-5 | No | Yes | Yes | StormHood | N40p-X 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz | 78 cm / 30.75 in | |||
Beta (Men's - Women's) | All Round | 5/10 | 5/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | N/A | No | No | No | StormHood | N30p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Fitted | 300 g / 10.6 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | |||
Beta Long (Men's) | All Round | Review | 5/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 3/10 | N/A | No | No | No | StormHood | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 441 g / 15.6 oz | 85 cm / 33.5 in | ||
Beta Coat (Women's) | All Round | 7/10 | 5/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | N/A | No | Yes | No | StormHood | 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 320 g / 11.3 oz | ? | [Men's / Women's] | ||
Beta LT Hadron (Men's - Women's) | All Round | 5/10 | 5/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | N/A | No | No | No | StormHood | Hadron 3L Gore-Tex | Fitted | 255g / 9 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | |||
Beta LT (Men's - Women's) | Beta AR alternative. | All Round | Review | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 5/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N40d 3L Gore-Tex | Fitted | 395 g / 13.9 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | |
Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's) | Best insulated shell. | All Round | 10/10 | 4/10 | 4/10 | 2/10 | 21/-6 | Yes | Yes | No | StormHood | N40d 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 680 g / 1 lb 8 oz | 78.5 cm / 31 in | [Men's / Women's] | |
Beta Insulated Coat (Women's) | Beta Insulated alternative. | All Round | 7/10 | 4/10 | 4/10 | 2/10 | 16/-9 | No | Yes | No | StormHood | N40d 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz | ? | [Men's / Women's] | |
Beta AR (Men's - Women's) | Go-to all-round harshell. | All Round | Review | 8/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 4/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | DropHood | N40r-X & N80p-X Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 460 g / 1 lb | 76 cm / 30 in | |
Beta SV (Men's - Women's) | Strongest all-round harshell. | All Round | Review | 8/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 3/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N80p-X Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 495 g / 1 lb 1.5 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | [Men's / Women's] |
Alpine Guide (Men's - Women's) | All Round | 8/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 3/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N80d-X Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 480g / 1 lb 0.9 oz | ? | [Men's] | ||
Gamma SL (Men's - Women's) | A trimmer Gamma LT. | All Round | Review | 7/10 | 2/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | N/A | No | No | No | StormHood | Fortius 1.0 | Trim | 310 g / 10.9 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | [Men's / Women's] |
Gamma LT (Men's) | A fleeceless, trimmer Gamma MX. | All Round | Review | 7/10 | 3/10 | 7/10 | 3/10 | N/A | No | No | No | StormHood | Wee Burly | Regular | 545 g / 1 lb 3.2 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | [Men's / Women's] |
Gamma MX (Men's - Women's) | A softshell with a fleece. | All Round | Review | 6/10 | 4/10 | 8/10 | 3/10 | N/A | No | No | No | StormHood | Fortius 2.0 | Regular | 555 g / 1 lb 3.6 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | [Men's / Women's] |
Rush (Men's - Women's) | Go-to ski jacket. | Skiing | Review | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 3/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N80p-X & N100p-X 3L Most Rugged Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz | 79.5 cm / 31.25 in | [Men's] |
Sabre (Men's) | Alternative to Rush. | Skiing | 8/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 2/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 705 g / 1 lb 8.9 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | ||
Sentinel (Women's) | Skiing | 8/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 2/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 370 g / 13.1 oz | ? | |||
Macai (Men's) | Go-to insulated ski jacket. | Skiing | Review | 10/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 1/10 | 5/-15 | Yes | No | No | DropHood | N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 1 kg / 2 lb 3.3 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | |
Macai LT (Men's) | A lighter Macai with StormHood. | Skiing | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 1/10 | 8/-13 | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz | ? | [Men's] | |
Andessa (Women's) | Go-to insulated ski jacket. | Skiing | 10/10 | Testing | Testing | 1/10 | 8/-13 | Yes | No | No | DropHood | N40d 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 869 g / 1 lb 14.7 oz | ? | ||
Andessa Shell (Women's) | Non-insulated Andessa. | Skiing | 5/10 | Testing | Testing | 3/10 | N/A | No | No | No | DropHood | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 560 g / 1 lb 3.8 oz | ? | ||
Theriss Down (Women's) | Skiing | 8/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | Testing | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 709 g / 1 lb 9 oz | ? | |||
Rush IS (Women's) | An insulated Rush. | Skiing | 5/10 | Testing | Testing | 9/10 | 16/-9 | No | No | Yes | StormHood | Gore-Tex Infinium | Regular | 515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz | ? | ||
Sentinel IS (Women's) | Skiing | Testing | Testing | Testing | Testing | 21/-6 | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz | ? | [Women's] | ||
Ski Guide (Men's - Women's) | Skiing | Testing | Testing | Testing | Testing | N/A | Yes | No | No | DropHood | N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 570 g / 1 lb 4.1 oz | ? | |||
Micon Heather | Skiing | Testing | Testing | Testing | Testing | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | NP100-d 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | [Men's] | ||
Micon (Men's) | Skiing | Testing | Testing | Testing | Testing | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | [Men's] | ||
Cassiar (Men's) | Skiing | Review | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 3/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | DropHood | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 820 g / 1 lb 12.9 oz | 74.5 cm / 29.3 in | [Women's] | |
Cassiar LT (Men's) | Skiing | Review | 6/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | DropHood | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 605 g / 1 lb 5.3 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | [Women's] | |
Ravenna (Women's) | Skiing | Review | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 3/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | DropHood | N70s-4 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 725 g / 1 lb 9.6 oz | 69.5 cm / 27.4 in | [Men's] | |
Ravenna LT (Women's) | Skiing | Review | 6/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | DropHood | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 540 g / 1 lb 3 oz | 69 cm / 27.2 in | [Men's] | |
Procline (Men's) | Skiing | Testing | Testing | Testing | Testing | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N70p Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | [Women's] | ||
Shashka Stretch (Women's) | Skiing | Testing | Testing | Testing | Testing | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N70p Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 670 g / 1 lb 7.6 oz | 71 cm / 28 in | [Women's] | ||
Sabre AR (Men's) | Skiing | Review | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 700 g / 1 lb 8.7 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | [Men's] | |
Sentinel AR (Women's) | Skiing | Review | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz | 72.5 cm / 28.5 in | [Women's] | |
Sabre LT (Men's) | Skiing | Review | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 660 g / 1 lb 7.3 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | ||
Sentinel LT (Women's) | Skiing | Review | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 565 g / 1 lb 3.9 oz | 73.5 cm / 29 in | ||
Incendia (Women's) | Skiing | Review | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 3/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | NP100d 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | [Women's] | |
Indencia IS | Skiing | Testing | Testing | Testing | Testing | Testing | Yes | No | No | StormHood | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | ? | 78 cm / 30.75 in | [Men's / Women's] | ||
Norvan LT (Men's - Women's) | Go-to running jacket. | Running | 5/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | N/A | No | No | No | Standard | N13p 3L Gore-Tex | Fitted | 190 g / 6.7 oz | ? | [Women's] | |
Squamish (Men's - Women's) | Trimmer, lighter, packable running jacket. | Running | Review | 5/10 | 4/10 | 7/10 | 9/10 | N/A | No | No | Yes | StormHood | 30D Tyono | Trim | 140 g / 4.9 oz | 77.5 cm / 30.5 in | [Women's] |
Norvan SL Ins. (Women's) | Running | Testing | Testing | Testing | Testing | 39/4 | No | No | Yes | Standard | Gore-Tex ShakeDry | Trim | 270 g / 9.5 oz | 71.5 cm / 28.1 in | [Women's] | ||
Cita (Women's) | Running | Review | 7/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | 10/10 | N/A | No | No | Yes | Standard | Lumin | Trim | 120 g / 4.2 oz | 67.5 cm / 26.5 in | [Men's] | |
Cita SL (Women's) | Running | Review | 7/10 | 4/10 | 4/10 | 10/10 | N/A | Yes | No | Yes | Standard | Permeair 20 | Trim | 65 g / 2.3 oz | 61.5 cm / 24.2 in | [Men's] | |
Incendo (Men's) | Running | Review | 7/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | 10/10 | N/A | No | No | Yes | Standard | Lumin | Trim | 125 g / 4.4 oz | ? | ||
Incendo SL (Men's) | Running | Review | 7/10 | 4/10 | 4/10 | 10/10 | N/A | No | No | Yes | Standard | Permair 20 & Canim | Trim | 80 g / 2.8 oz | 73 cm / 28.75 in | [Men's / Women's] | |
Incendo Airshell | Running | Testing | Testing | Testing | Testing | N/A | No | No | Yes | Standard | ? | ? | ? | ? | [Men's] | ||
Norvan SL (Men's - Women's) | Running | Review | 7/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | N/A | No | No | Yes | Standard | Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 120 g / 4.2 oz | 77 cm / 30.4 in | [Women's] | |
Trino SL (Men's) | Running | Review | 8/10 | 5/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | N/A | No | No | No | Standard | Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 340 g / 12 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | [Men's / Women's] | |
Trino SL Anorak (Women's) | Running | Review | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | N/A | No | No | No | Standard | Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 290 g / 10.2 oz | 65 cm / 25.5 in | [Men's / Women's] | |
Nodin (Men's - Women's) | Running | 8/10 | 5/10 | 5/10 | 10/10 | N/A | No | No | Yes | Standard | 20D Tyono | Trim | 155 g / 5.5 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | [Men's / Women's] | ||
Solano (Men's - Women's) | Around Town | Review | Testing | Testing | Testing | Testing | N/A | No | No | No | Standard | Gore-Tex Infinium | Relaxed | 355 g / 12.5 oz | 72 cm / 28.3 in | ||
Venda Anorak (Women's) | Around Town | Testing | Testing | Testing | Testing | N/A | No | No | No | Standard | Gore-Tex | Relaxed | 255 g / 9 oz | 75.5 cm / 29.7 in | |||
Zeta FL (Men's - Women's) | Hiking | 4/10 | 6/10 | 4/10 | 6/10 | N/A | No | No | No | StormHood | N20r 2L Gore-Tex | Trim | 221 g / 7.8 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | [Men's / Women's] | ||
Zeta SL (Men's - Women's) | Hiking | Review | 3/10 | 5/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | N/A | No | No | No | StormHood | 2L Gore-Tex | Trim | 310 g / 10.9 oz | 77.8 cm / 30.6 in | [Men's] | |
Zeta LT (Men's - Women's) | Hiking | 5/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 5/10 | N/A | No | No | No | StormHood | N40P-X 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 335 g / 11.8 oz | 78 cm / 30.75 in | [Men's] | ||
Zeta AR (Men's) | Hiking | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 4/10 | N/A | Yes | No | No | StormHood | 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 425 g / 15 oz | 80 cm / 31.5 in |
Try out the jacket finder tool at arcteryx.com too.
Before we begin, let me clear this out of our way. I wouldn't recommend either of these jackets if:
- You'll be wearing them as a stand alone piece when there's either heavy rain, snow or wind a fair amount of days;
- You won't be treating them very kindly and/or its outer shell will be in contact with rough surfaces.
This is all because both jackets have quite fragile face fabric with Thorium AR being a little superior to the Cerium LT (more on this later).
You can see this in Arc'teryx's Naming Scheme Page here as well - for both "LT" and "AR", as well as "Cerium" and "Thorium".
That said, although they make quite vulnerable outer layers out against these harsh conditions, they are perfect mid-layers. If the above two bullets don't apply to your situation, they'd make perfect stand-alone pieces as well.
Warmth
Point #1) 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, an average person can wear these jackets just comfortably at:
- Cerium LT: -2 deg C (28 deg F)
- Thorium AR: -13 deg C (8 deg F)
If you think you run hotter or colder than the average person, shift these temperatures accordingly.
Point #2) Thorium AR is also baggier - which makes thicker under layers a more proper and comfortable option.
Cerium LT uses a 850 fill power European grey goose down, whereas Thorium AR uses 750.
This value is in cubic inches, and represents the end volume the down eventually fully expands to when it's at rest.
The more the volume, the more air will be > trapped inside the down > heated by your body > and ultimately work as an insulation.
That's why the higher the fill power, the warmer you'll feel inside the jacket provided that both jackets are filled with the same amount down.
What does that mean?
It means that a down jacket with a 750 FP (fill power) down can provide more warmth than a 850 FP down by using more of 750 FP down.
And this is exactly what's happening in our case. Thorium AR provides more warmth than Cerium LT by using this strategy.
- Thorium AR: Equipped with 132 grams (4.65 ounces) of 750 down fill
- Cerium LT: Equipped with 102 grams (3.5 ounces) of 850 down fill
The downside of this (you guessed that right) is the added weight.
850 FP down of Cerium LT also makes it extremely compressible. Its stuff sack size is hence smaller compared to that of Thorium AR (plus point for traveler folks).
That's why, in the end, this trade-off makes Thorium AR nearly 200 grams heavier than Cerium LT {(490 grams (1.1 lbs) vs 305 grams (0.7 lbs)} in return.
But I'd give relatively less importance to this weight difference, because as you can see here on Arc'teryx's own Naming Scheme Page, both Cerium and Thorium lines are on the lighter side.
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: -2 deg C (28 deg F)
- Thorium AR: -13 deg C (8 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, warmth provided by both jackets can and will drop significantly.
One more thing to consider for warmth: Fit
Thorium AR's regular fit is baggier compared to Cerium LT's trim fit.
This doesn't only make under layering easy and sweet, but it also increases warmth even when you wear the same under layer beneath these jackets.
How?
Baggier cut of Thorium AR makes under layering easier.
Due to the baggier cut, there's more air trapped between your body and the jacket, which works as a perfect extra insulation.
Baggier cut doesn't always equal more warmth. There's a fine balance and you can often go too baggy and eventually and let too much air circulate & end up providing even less warmth than with the trimmer case to begin with.
But Thorium AR is at the warmer side of this line and hence provides extra warmth leveraging its baggier cut.
Lastly, both offer the same hem length at 72 cm (28.3 inches).
If you think Cerium LT would really work for you only if it could stand against colder days {below -2 deg C (28 deg F)}, then you might better checking out Cerium SV post of mine.
Cerium SV is warmer than Thorium AR by a good margin - standing up temperatures against as low as -20 deg C (-5 deg F). It's also only 400 grams (15 oz) at total - 100 grams (3.5 oz) lighter than Thorium AR.
Its face fabric, though, is still as fragile as that of the Cerium LT's. Actually, technically speaking, it's even MORE fragile than that - but that's pretty much not noticeable.
Speaking of which... Let's get to weather resistance.
Weather resistance
Cerium LT uses a thinner, lighter fabric on the outer shell (Arato 10) compared to Thorium AR (Arato 30).
This is the biggest downside of not only the LT model but also the other two (SV, SL) Cerium models.
Cerium LT isn't designed to be worn as an outer shell in harsh conditions. It's face is quite fragile - it can even get torn by something what would otherwise be a harmless rub for a rather robust jacket like the Atom AR.
Arato 30 of Thorium AR is absolutely more wind resistant, water resistant and durable than the Cerium LT - but still not nearly as robust jackets like Atom AR or Patagonia's Nano Puff and Micro Puff Jackets. Atom LT and Proton LT are also better than these two in this department.
In dry conditions, Atom AR would be less warm than Thorium AR and more than Cerium LT.
But in wet conditions, being equipped with synthetic insulation rather than down, (also having a super robust outer shell) Atom AR would feel warmer than both of these jackets.
Thorium AR isn't windproof by any means either. It's only lightly wind-resistant.
That said, both 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.
DWR will be enough to repel some moisture and light rain.
About wearing them as a stand-alone piece, please don't let my language discourage you more than necessary though (especially for the Thorium AR).
As long as you're kind to these jackets and you won't be out in harsh wind and/or rain, you'll be perfectly fine.
If this is you, though, it probably means that you'll be wearing this jacket out in town vast majority of the time, so I'd also recommend you to consider getting either a Thorsen, Camosun or Therme.
If you're looking for a windproof AND down-insulated jacket that you CAN wear as an outer layer as well, then I'd recommend checking out the Ceres SV Parka or the Firebee AR Parka. Cerium SV won't work either.
If a down jacket isn't a must for you, then checking out my top Arc'teryx and Patagonia synthetic insulated jacket picks might help you.
Conclusion
It might sound oversimplified (it is), but it all really mostly comes down to your response to this question:
Will there be a lot of days below -2 deg C (28 deg F)?
- Yes: Get the Thorium AR. I'd recommend the one with the hoody.
- No: Get the Cerium LT. I'd recommend the one with the hoody.
Lastly, both Cerium LT and Thorium AR come with their own stuff sacks (plus points for travelers) with that of LT's being more compact due to higher quality (850 FP vs 750 FP) down fill.
Links:
- https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/thorium-ar-hoody
- https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/cerium-lt-hoody
- https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/thorium-ar-hoody
- https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/cerium-hoody
- Thorium AR vs Cerium LT side by side comparison chart on arcteryx.com: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/compare/X000006972-24k%20black/X000007131-dark%20elysium
- Arc'teryx Jacket Finder: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/jacket-finder
Layering suggestions
I'd recommend layering these jackets with a hard shell. Beta AR [Read Review] would probably work pretty well with both.
A base layer is definitely less necessary than an outer layer, but if you'd like extra insulation, this baselayer of Arc'teryx can work pretty well.
At the beginning of the article you state, “Thorium AR is not only warmer and more weather resistant, but it’s also quite a bit lighter (17.3 oz (490 g) vs 10.8 oz (305 g)) than the Cerium LT”.
In what universe is 17.3 ounces, lighter that 10.8 ounces???
That should read:
Thorium AR Hoody is warmer and more weather resistant, however, it’s also quite a bit heavier at (17.3 oz (490 g) vs 10.8 oz (305 g) than the Cerium LT.
That was a huge mistake. Thank you for pointing that out Sean. Fixed.
I own a Cerium LT jacket for years, loved it! However, there is no way the Cerium LT is capable to keep you warm at -8 C, maybe – 2 to -3 at most to my experience.
Wow thanks for your in depth reviews. I own a car showroom, its gets to about-2 in the winter in the UK with only a small heater. I need a jacket that’s not too heavy as I clean cars and don’t need a hood as I wear my Snowboarding beanie. Which jacket Would you recommend ? I have an unlimited budget for the right jacket. It needs to be warm and versatile and not too long as I’m 5foot 7 and look ok when I’m selling a car and dealing with customers! I have been looking for 3 months and have sent 2 jackets back. Your expert advice would be much appreciated. I was also a ski instructor and have look at every jacket possible, I think! Thanks for your help – Andy – UK
Hello, thank you for your in-depth review. I have one question, upto what + temperature can you wear Cerium LT without feeling too hot (Low activity and with T-shirt on)? . I’m thinking if Cerium LT can also be used in spring as well? Or you’d need Cerium SL for spring? Thanks!
Don’t both the thorium AR and atom AR have the same out fabric? How is one more durable than the other?