Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Nuclei FL Jacket

I am deeply impressed with my Nuclei over the last few months. This jacket is an excellent midweight outside shell as a down alternative. I reach for this jacket as an outer or stand alone warmth layer for lower output activities. The wind breaking capabilities, insulation, and water resistance are impressive for the weight. It's highly packable too and puts up with some serious pack stuffing! It is important though to note that this layer may not be the best for warmth on the move until the mercury really drops. I prefer my Atom LT with the breathable side panels for warmth during hiking and climbing activities in the 50 - 35 degree range. The Nuclei is awesome but a bit too warm and lacking in breathability for high output activities until the temperature drops below freezing.

The Nuclei is a go to when I need a warm jacket that is lightweight and easily packable. For it's weight it is shockingly warm and I use it often for multipitch climbing when I don't want to weigh down my backpack but need a warm layer for belays. So far the durability has been good despite the lightweight material!

Super jacket. Ideal for the transition period and for quick training sessions.

This jacket is AMAZING. I bought it a couple months ago and it has been my go-to ever since. I have taken it on a variety of outdoor pursuits from downhill and Nordic skiing to climbing to simply wearing it around town. I would not use it during high-output activities, but it excels in warming me up during breaks. In every context, it has served me brilliantly and, at the risk of sounding hyperbolic, it is even better than what I could have expected. I run super cold and can be really needy on the jacket and insulation front. I have been known to wear 200g down belay jackets in above freezing temperatures and been perfectly content inside without a drop of sweat. This jacket has totally changed the game and I barely reach for my bulky (but cozy!) belay parka anymore. It is incredibly windproof, slightly longer than your average midlayer, and has long arms to allow for full coverage of arms (and hands, if needed). I have no idea how 65g of synthetic insulation can be this warm, but the combination of the windproof face fabric, continuous fill insulation, and sprinkling of Arc'teryx magic enables this jacket to pack a much heavier punch than it should. It is also FEATHER light and somehow feels lofty whenever I put it on. I have been able to enjoy this jacket with a long sleeve cotton t-shirt, jeans, and leather boots up to about 10C either statically or some light movement without overheating. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have been able to push this down to -10C at night, without sun in the middle of a snow squall, with a grid fleece, thin synthetic base layer, soft shell pants, and insulated boots. I would not stand around in those temps with this as my only jacket, but with some light movement I stayed warm and dry for 2+ hours. In summation, I would buy this jacket again (and will!) in a heartbeat. It is by far my most used piece of equipment that I own and I look forward to taking it on many more adventures. I bought a Large size and am 5'9", 39.5-32-40. It fits me perfectly for my uses but would size up if I wanted room for bulky layers underneath or if I wanted to be able to throw it on top of a shell.

Great as both a layer and stand alone. Very warm for its light weight. I wear it climbing on cold days and belay in summers. I always bring it with me

This jacket comes with me practically anytime I am multi pitch or alpine climbing in the rockies. The warmth to weight ratio is pretty incredible and it has kept my comfy at many a belay.

I've used my Nuclei FL Jacket mostly as a warm layer to have in my pack for higher output activities like ski touring. It's great to have a synthetic layer that compresses so well and is so light. It also makes a fine outer layer for the ski down on colder days or when standing around more than usual. The fact that it has this really windproof fabric is clutch!

This jacket is so packable and yet so warm... It's become one of my favorites to wear around this Fall and Winter. I've used it when hiking, climbing and car-camping in freezing temperatures and it's kept me pretty toasty. It does run a liiiiitle large (I'm pretty petite and a size XS) but I think it's meant to be a relaxed fit to maximize movement and comfort. Highly recommend it!!

I wish I knew about synthetic down many years ago as it outperforms down amazingly when wet. A great warm and very light and packable layer for ski touring, I rarely leave home without this piece of gear. On super cold days, it's important to me that my kit packs down to save space and allow for more efficiency. On wet days, the synthetic down is key and crucial to stay warm as it drys much better. Added wind proofing with this fabric and it's kind of the perfect mid layer or layer to throw on top when out and about.

Both my boyfriend and I love this jacket. It is great weight to warmth ratio. I wear it backcountry skiing, climbing, walking the dog. It's such a great layer, so light weight and I would buy it again and again. It fits over my proton jacket perfectly for added warmth, I love the fit of Arcteryx jackets with the high neck and comfortable x zip. 12/10 recommend! Hope it never gets discontinued!

I bought this as an alternative to the Atom LT. I wanted something that would be lightweight and warm. It fits wonderfully (true to size, not quite as fitted as the Atom), and feels amazing next to the skin. Comfortable to wear up to around 65 degrees. Worth every penny!

love the nuclei jacket. this is the second one i have purchased. perfect for under my shell or insulation on its own. its very light and packable. i love the synthetic fill. its very warm without the bulk.

I went in to buy the proton but the nuclei was a nicer fit for my body type. It is fitted and hangs a little lower that the proton. Wish there were better color choices though!

I find myself grabbing this jacket nearly every time I leave the house. It's lightweight, warm and windproof. I wear it ice climbing, skiing, I keep it in my pack while hiking. I also wear it around the hood as a day to day coat. perfect jacket to keep in your pack for a backpacking trip. more colors would be great. I like the current yellow but let's be honest, buying a coat in that color is a major flex. because you probably need to also have one in a neutral color.

In early winter, this was a perfect jacket (outer layer) around the town. But what I use the new Nuclei FL most for is as a mid-layer when backcountry skiing, ice climbing, and mountaineering. It is so lightweight and packable, and very warm for the weight/size. It's easy to clip to a harness. The hood fits very well both with and without a helmet, I like the wrist material that slides nicely under gloves, and it looks so dang good! :)

Great jacket, fits well, very warm, super comfortable. Bought my usual size and it was spot on. The fabric is a little noisy, and I don't like that it is shiny. But these are minor details for such an excellent jacket overall. It does not breathe which is something to keep in mind. I tried taking it cross country skiing, and while I stayed comfortable the whole time, as soon as I stopped I got freezing cold from all the moisture build-up. But this is not the jacket's fault - I used it outside of its intended area. If you use it for what it is meant for, it's pretty much as good as it gets. Feels much warmer and a lot loftier that you'd expect for the fill weight.

I was looking for another Atom jacket to mix up my color options, preferably LT but AR if that's all I could find in my size. I really wanted one in "muse" but they were all sold out, then I saw the Nuclei in "Labyrinth"! The color is beautiful, a little darker in person (see pics on the model), I got 3 compliments on the color within an hr on the first day I wore it Reviews online said the nuclei was pretty similar to the atom (for daily use type needs). I have found the nuclei much warmer than expected, much closer to my atom AR than LT warmth (doesn't have the breathable side panels). The best part though is the length - the front & back are ~2" longer than my atom LT (2018)LOVE that my shirts/sweaters don't hang out below my jacket (looks sloppy).

I swear by Arc'teryx jackets: high quality, super functional, and well designed. They are expensive but last a long, long time. I wear their Atom LT Hoody Jacket and got the Nuclei FL Jacket to wear when conditions are a bit cooler for activities like walking the dogs and slow snow-shoeing. It traps warmth, blocks wind, feel very light on the body, and keeps me toasty even though it's so lightweight in feel. I use the Atom when I am biking or cross country skiing, as it breathes better. The fit allows for a base layer and either a insulated vest or wool jacket under the jacket. I got a medium, which is what all my Arc'teryx jackets are, 5'7", 140 lbs, 30" waist, 40# hips, athletic to curvy build, again with plenty of room to layer underneath. The Exosphere color is a deep blue grey, and the outer material is shinier than the Atom line. Since it's a relatively neutral color, I've also been grabbing this jacket to wear when running errands.

This is my new favorite climbing below 40 degrees Fahrenheit jacket. I have been stuck on multi-pitches freezing hoping something could help stop the cutting wind and keep me warm all in one. I love how small this jacket packs up so I can always stuff it back in its sack before I climb and take it back out when I belay. I even use it in the city when I want something light and warm that will stop the harsh wind. I love the color which is a major added bonus. It hugs my body in a way that I can wear a thin jacket underneath but it's not restrictive in movement. The only things I would change on this jacket are adding a zippered inside pocket, and for some reason the inside of my elbows get really sweaty and the fabric will slightly stick to my skin but this happens no where else.

Great lightweight jacket for general use; whether that's warming up at the crag or a cold gym or out for a walk on a spring or autumn day. It also layers really well in those colder months.

I had never owned a super light insulated windbreaker piece before and I have been highly impressed with it since I got it. It's a excellent replacement for a light down or Atom and provides exceptional warmth but with less breathability since it's for wind too. I've used it for scrambling mostly - it was a great summit layer in the summer and in fall can go over an insulating layer to keep you extra warm in the wind. I even had it with me while I cycled through a thunderstorm for 2 hours and despite being wet I still retained body heat exceptionally well. That's what impressed me the most. However, it is way warmer than you expect for the bulk, so I've also sweated in it if I've chosen to have it on for an ascent or any higher cardio output and it gets quite wet in the sleeves.

Oh if a jacket could speak! Iv'e worn my Nuclei FL pretty much everywhere. Extremely lightweight/ packable and ridiculously warm and comfortable. The fabric never rubs on under layers and drys quickly. I wear it in a size up to throw over all my layers (shell included) while enjoying lunch on the summit.

Packs up tight and is warm for alpine and rock climbing. The fit is also not bulky, more feminine. I love the red color. I wish Arcteryx had more bold colors like this red.

I use this jacket for all kind of rockclimbing: Cragging, multipitch or alpine. It's a very resistant jack for belaying. It's syntetic, so its easy to wash and the jacket gets dry so fast.

This jacket accompanies me on all my mountain adventures be it single pitch and multipitch climbing, alpine adventures and backcountry skiing. If I had to pick only one jacket, it would be this one. It has an amazing warmth to weight ratio and packs up nicely into the stuff sack provided so I can clip it to my harness for multipitch routes. Because of its packability, it functions well as an emergency layer in my pack in case the weather turns. It has kept me warm even when wet and dries quickly. I wear it in my usual size small. It is roomy enough that I can climb in it without having my movement inhibited and also fits over layers when skiing. The hood fits very well over a helmet and the collar zips up nice and high to keep my neck warm and to prevent the wind from penetrating. It has stood up to a lot of abuse.