Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Proton LT Hoodie

I was a little disappointed to find out that the outer fabric on this generation of proton jackets is a thinner 20D versus the previous 40D. One of the reasons I chose the proton over the atom was that I didn't want to end up with the ubiquitous duct tape patches right away. Otherwise the jacket fits and feels great, maybe breathes a bit better / less wind resistance than previously. One of my main criteria is durability though.

Sigh so much to love about this jacket breathable warm soft light great for the approach and okay for belay (though if really cold, best to have a layer underneath or a shell on top of you aren't moving I got medium which is maybe a little large for me (172cm 66kg) but can layer underneath and still fit a shell over without anything getting tight) had for about a year before I really got the right conditions where I wanted to climb in it, the use case I bought it for and after just one climb, I was a bit disappointed by the abrasion resistance there is no huge tear but there is a noticeable scratch after just a few minutes on tufa-y limestone I mean I am not sure how another jacket would fair my cotton pata climbing pants didn't do great haha but I wished for more from a jacket advertised for climbing and abrasion resistance like haha I guess maybe it's bad luck but would have hoped to see wear after months or weeks of climbing not a few mins. Anyway if scratch turns into a tear I can fix with tape it isn't huge but since the climbing use case was why I bought it wish it could have been spotless longer

I wore this and a T-shirt today at 10F static temp. There were moderate uphills over about 5 miles. There was maybe 300-400 feet of ascending. The issue was that I was sweating pretty good. Would work better for me if there were less insulation in it. I'm sure it works great for a lot of people. The other issue I had was that I had to size up to an extra large to fit my chest, back, and shoulders. This would be fine BUT I'm swimming in the torso. Wish the large had wider shoulders because then it would fit much better.

I wore this and a T-shirt today at 10F static temp. There were moderate uphills over about 5 miles. There was maybe 300-400 feet of ascending. The issue was that I was sweating pretty good. Would work better for me if there were less insulation in it. I'm sure it works great for a lot of people. The other issue I had was that I had to size up to an extra large to fit my chest, back, and shoulders. This would be fine BUT I'm swimming in the torso. Wish the large had wider shoulders because then it would fit much better.

I purchased this jacket a year ago now and have used it for a full winter season of fat biking. The jacket works well from 0 to -20 with a light/mid-weight merino shirt underneath; but there are a number of deficiencies I am starting to notice. One, not very wind resistant, two, gets sweat soaked after about an hour of fat biking, and three, some of the seams are starting to fray in the interior near the hips (maybe from riding). However, I have tried a number of other soft shells for high intensity winter fat biking and this is still the best yet. The only other product I can think of that competes as a high intensity winter jacket is maybe my Jottnar softshell.

I've had this coat for around 4 years now, and whilst it looks fantastic and performs as expected whilst wearing / insulation-wise, the zips have been a constant problem. My coat has been for repair twice, each time the zip has broken or caught on fabric. The zips are your bog standard plastic teeth and cheap metal tags, so they are complete departure from the quality of the jacket itself. As of today, the coat is going in for its third repair, this time for the main front zipper. I love this coat dearly, and would give it 5 stars if it wasn't for the zips. Unfortunately the ips are quite important, and why arc'teryx opted for cheap zippers on this fantastic coat is beyond me. 4 years on, nothing seems to have changed, so it'll be the last coat I buyer from these guys.

I've had this coat for around 4 years now, and whilst it looks fantastic and performs as expected whilst wearing / insulation-wise, the zips have been a constant problem. My coat has been for repair twice, each time the zip has broken or caught on fabric. The zips are your bog standard plastic teeth and cheap metal tags, so they are complete departure from the quality of the jacket itself. As of today, the coat is going in for its third repair, this time for the main front zipper. I love this coat dearly, and would give it 5 stars if it wasn't for the zips. Unfortunately the ips are quite important, and why arc'teryx opted for cheap zippers on this fantastic coat is beyond me. 4 years on, nothing seems to have changed, so it'll be the last coat I buyer from these guys.

I bought the Atom AR about 3 or 4 years ago in small and has been my favorite jacket of all time. Tried the Cerium LT in S, and everything fit great except the hip, which is too small, had to return. This Proton has the same issue, with hip being too small at the 37-1/2" on the sizing. I'm curious if I bought the Atom AR now if this is a new cut. But, I don't think any jacket from Arc'teryx will fit me anymore. I'm 5'5, 145, slim, Athletic built, with a 38-1/2 hip, curious what body type these jackets are meant for. With a draw string for the waste to tighten it up, why would you make the hip so slim. Proton Jacket and all Arcyterix is the best of quality and was my favorite brand, just not cut for me any longer.

Second review of this jacket, now with the updated features! Love the chest pocket re-design with the pleated zip and appreciate that Arc'teryx have gone back to the normal zipper type. Makes for much easier access and a really sleek appearance. Very happy to see the fit and cuff design hasn't been altered. However, when comparing to the 2018 version the build quality is somewhat disappointing with the removal of the top stitch from most seams. Most people wont even notice this detail but it truly cheapens the appearance of the new generation Proton line. There is also noticeable disparities in seam, stitch and build quality between products originating from Vietnam (good) and Bangladesh (poor). Regardless, the Proton remains my go-to ski and climb mid- and outer layer for almost any weather conditions and all versions have performed amicably. I am genuinely surprised by the outer fabric durability and how well the jacket integrates with base layers and hardshells.

Second review of this jacket, now with the updated features! Love the chest pocket re-design with the pleated zip and appreciate that Arc'teryx have gone back to the normal zipper type. Makes for much easier access and a really sleek appearance. Very happy to see the fit and cuff design hasn't been altered. However, when comparing to the 2018 version the build quality is somewhat disappointing with the removal of the top stitch from most seams. Most people wont even notice this detail but it truly cheapens the appearance of the new generation Proton line. There is also noticeable disparities in seam, stitch and build quality between products originating from Vietnam (good) and Bangladesh (poor). Regardless, the Proton remains my go-to ski and climb mid- and outer layer for almost any weather conditions and all versions have performed amicably. I am genuinely surprised by the outer fabric durability and how well the jacket integrates with base layers and hardshells.

Going to echo another review and say that this jacket is too tight in the armpits...my guess is the armholes are cut too high. I'm consistently a size medium and this is the first jacket I've encountered that didn't fit. Tried moving up to a large but it was too big in length in both the waist and sleeves. Ending up returning both. Really hoping Arcteryx updates the fit for Fall 2020 so I can get in this jacket. Besides the fit, I really like it compared to my old Atom Lt. The face fabric was much burlier and had a nicer feel while maintaining a low weight.

Going to echo another review and say that this jacket is too tight in the armpits...my guess is the armholes are cut too high. I'm consistently a size medium and this is the first jacket I've encountered that didn't fit. Tried moving up to a large but it was too big in length in both the waist and sleeves. Ending up returning both. Really hoping Arcteryx updates the fit for Fall 2020 so I can get in this jacket. Besides the fit, I really like it compared to my old Atom Lt. The face fabric was much burlier and had a nicer feel while maintaining a low weight.

A little too delicate, as soon as you lean on a rough material it rips. Otherwise one of the top jacket that i own.

I bought this in size medium to replace a 2017 version. Unfortunately, the new jacked is 1-2" longer and 2" bigger around. I am 150/5"9'/athletic build. With the new Arc'teryx sizing I am now between small and medium. Most of the time small is too small (sleeves to short), and medium is too large. Some items, like base layers, fit fine in medium, most of the shells or insulated are too big now. Can we please return to old sizing?

The Proton LT does many things very well. It is a well fitting jacket that looks nice, breathes well, and is exceptionally durable. However, the helmet compatible hood is terrible compared to the great hoods on the market. The problem is that Arc'teryx tries to be everything to everyone with this piece. They want the hood to suit the average person wearing it casually but also the ice climber who needs helmet compatability. The result is a terrible hood for a casual user. Patagonia's Nano-Air which is basically a direct competitor for this jacket since they're both using breathable insulation, has its own share of issues but it does many things exceptionally well. The Nano-Air has a form fitting hood that isn't helmet compatible and doesn't even have adjustments because it fits the average person so well that it doesn't need them. Most people aren't using these jackets to ice climb. Most people want to be able to wear these jackets casually first and foremost. The Proton LT's hood is tragic if you're wearing it on a bare head. If you want to tork it down tight enough to fit, then expect to have indentation lines in your skin where the crinkled up nylon liner has embedded itself into your head/face. If this jacket simply had a hood that was excellent for casual wear, I'm certain it would sell much better. Myself and surely many others would be wearing this instead of a Nano-Air. The Atom LT's hood isn't as bad as the Protons for casual use but it is still poor compared to hoods that are dedicated casual hoods. I wish they would offer versions of both the Atom and Proton with excellent casual use hoods that were not helmet compatible.

Cut close to the body. I am 6'4" 225#. An XL is snug. Sleeves are long enough. Better used in dry weather as it is not water proof. A shell is needed in wet weather. It is stretchy and moves with you. This is a good mid layer or stand alone in dry weather.

Cut close to the body. I am 6'4" 225#. An XL is snug. Sleeves are long enough. Better used in dry weather as it is not water proof. A shell is needed in wet weather. It is stretchy and moves with you. This is a good mid layer or stand alone in dry weather.

I really wanted to like this jacket, seems like the durable alternative to the nano-air. But there's this one point that makes it a deal breaker. It's much better to have some space under arms so that when you sweat, there's some breathing room to ventilate. Not here, there's just insulating material right up in the armpit. Ends up sweaty, damp and kinda stank even just sitting still, can't imagine what it's going to smell like in there after a full day's ski. Just being real here.

I really wanted to like this jacket, seems like the durable alternative to the nano-air. But there's this one point that makes it a deal breaker. It's much better to have some space under arms so that when you sweat, there's some breathing room to ventilate. Not here, there's just insulating material right up in the armpit. Ends up sweaty, damp and kinda stank even just sitting still, can't imagine what it's going to smell like in there after a full day's ski. Just being real here.

I bought the Proton Lt hoody because i did not want to have a third Atom Lt hoody and i wanted a bit hotter jacket for ice climbing. I can confirm the same issue in my case as the review below from "foxthree". The jacket advertised for climbing disapoints in arm movement above head... If Arcteryx can solve this in future edition of this piece you can consider me as a future owner:) I use it for non sport things like normal jacket in cold winter days. Im 178 cm, 73 kg with normal shoulder span so size M is a good fit just the arm lifting part does not work well.

I bought the Proton Lt hoody because i did not want to have a third Atom Lt hoody and i wanted a bit hotter jacket for ice climbing. I can confirm the same issue in my case as the review below from "foxthree". The jacket advertised for climbing disapoints in arm movement above head... If Arcteryx can solve this in future edition of this piece you can consider me as a future owner:) I use it for non sport things like normal jacket in cold winter days. Im 178 cm, 73 kg with normal shoulder span so size M is a good fit just the arm lifting part does not work well.

When I first got this piece, I wore it ice climbing in the single digits and below over a very slim fitting fleece hoody. It worked fine for that purpose, but the more I used it the more I realized how much the design could be improved, especially with regards to fit and insulation properties. I have used it a lot in the past year in Alaska and the PNW as a whole, so these observations are based on a lot more than just conjecture. First, a disclaimer: I have a broad chest and shoulders but a narrow waist. Even then, a size small in most Arc'teryx pieces has fit well (ie; Nuclei, Aptin hoody). The Proton, however, has very small armholes that make it challenging to reach over your head with a fleece underneath. Obviously this is a big issue when alpine or ice climbing. Not to mention it has a chest on the narrower side, which becomes problematic when wearing an avalanche beacon underneath, as is usual on many winter or high altitude expeditions. The issue is exacerbated by the very short hem. I am only 5' 6", yet the hem is not much lower than my belly button in the front. If I did not tuck my fleece in my shell pants, then the bottom inch or two would protrude from beneath the Proton. For an alpine specific piece, where you are reaching above you often and wearing a helmet, hem should undoubtedly be longer than it is. Just an extra inch or even 3/4" would make all the difference. Secondly, this piece is marketed as an active insulation layer. The insulation and face fabric definitely breathe, yes, but IMO its wearability in cold weather could be improved dramatically by mapping the insulation. Your armpits do not need as much insulation as your neck, chest, etc. To have the same insulation throughout is just an effort to cut production costs. Too many times I have been wearing this jacket in the single digits or below in darkness, humping loads up a peak. When the sun comes out, my friends, who have active insulation pieces with just fleece or soft shell in the under arms, are able to keep their jackets on and still remain comfortable. But with 65g/m^2 in the Proton's underarms, that just isn't going to happen. I understand some may think I am nitpicking, but all of these issues combined have led me to choose other layering options in my arsenal for cold weather pursuits. On Rainier, my team mates used the other mapped active insulation layers I referred to earlier. Instead I opted for a lightweight fleece hoody and wind shell, just because I knew I'd be steaming in the Proton as soon as the slightest increase in temperature or activity level occurred. I want to make it clear I am very impressed with the quality of this jacket. Arc'teryx uses very high end materials and has strict tolerances, and that is no exception with this piece. However, this jacket is one of the most expensive of all the major active insulation layers out there, while lacking simple yet critical design elements that much cheaper pieces have. If Arc'teryx were to: 1) Make the armholes and chest wider to better accommodate layering, avalanche beacon wear, and allow better freedom of movement when climbing 2) Make the hem longer for better coverage when wearing a helmet and ice climbing 3) Use lighter weight insulation (ie; 40g insulation, 100wt fleece, or softshell) in the underarms to make this piece usable in a wider range of conditions, thus minimizing the time spent fussing with layers on committing objectives Then I would give this jacket my strongest recommendation. But it just falls short in a few, yet critical areas, making it one of the only Arc'teryx products I have had that just wasn't phenomenal.

When I first got this piece, I wore it ice climbing in the single digits and below over a very slim fitting fleece hoody. It worked fine for that purpose, but the more I used it the more I realized how much the design could be improved, especially with regards to fit and insulation properties. I have used it a lot in the past year in Alaska and the PNW as a whole, so these observations are based on a lot more than just conjecture. First, a disclaimer: I have a broad chest and shoulders but a narrow waist. Even then, a size small in most Arc'teryx pieces has fit well (ie; Nuclei, Aptin hoody). The Proton, however, has very small armholes that make it challenging to reach over your head with a fleece underneath. Obviously this is a big issue when alpine or ice climbing. Not to mention it has a chest on the narrower side, which becomes problematic when wearing an avalanche beacon underneath, as is usual on many winter or high altitude expeditions. The issue is exacerbated by the very short hem. I am only 5' 6", yet the hem is not much lower than my belly button in the front. If I did not tuck my fleece in my shell pants, then the bottom inch or two would protrude from beneath the Proton. For an alpine specific piece, where you are reaching above you often and wearing a helmet, hem should undoubtedly be longer than it is. Just an extra inch or even 3/4" would make all the difference. Secondly, this piece is marketed as an active insulation layer. The insulation and face fabric definitely breathe, yes, but IMO its wearability in cold weather could be improved dramatically by mapping the insulation. Your armpits do not need as much insulation as your neck, chest, etc. To have the same insulation throughout is just an effort to cut production costs. Too many times I have been wearing this jacket in the single digits or below in darkness, humping loads up a peak. When the sun comes out, my friends, who have active insulation pieces with just fleece or soft shell in the under arms, are able to keep their jackets on and still remain comfortable. But with 65g/m^2 in the Proton's underarms, that just isn't going to happen. I understand some may think I am nitpicking, but all of these issues combined have led me to choose other layering options in my arsenal for cold weather pursuits. On Rainier, my team mates used the other mapped active insulation layers I referred to earlier. Instead I opted for a lightweight fleece hoody and wind shell, just because I knew I'd be steaming in the Proton as soon as the slightest increase in temperature or activity level occurred. I want to make it clear I am very impressed with the quality of this jacket. Arc'teryx uses very high end materials and has strict tolerances, and that is no exception with this piece. However, this jacket is one of the most expensive of all the major active insulation layers out there, while lacking simple yet critical design elements that much cheaper pieces have. If Arc'teryx were to: 1) Make the armholes and chest wider to better accommodate layering, avalanche beacon wear, and allow better freedom of movement when climbing 2) Make the hem longer for better coverage when wearing a helmet and ice climbing 3) Use lighter weight insulation (ie; 40g insulation, 100wt fleece, or softshell) in the underarms to make this piece usable in a wider range of conditions, thus minimizing the time spent fussing with layers on committing objectives Then I would give this jacket my strongest recommendation. But it just falls short in a few, yet critical areas, making it one of the only Arc'teryx products I have had that just wasn't phenomenal.

I am an Arc'teryx's fan, specially love their products with good quality control. The jacket is doing a great job to keep me warm and love the style. But this time, it made me absolutely disappointed. I carry the same brand backpack britz 25 for hiking with my Proton hoody which I just bought a month ago. After I went back home and took of my jacket which give me a shock of the material came off like fabric pulling out. I thought the material should be better than Atom which won't be a problem even against the rock since it's suppose to be for mountain climbing jacket. Now I am hesitate if I should buy another product with the same brand in the future.

After only a few uses, the brushing against my trim beard has already damaged the fabric on the chin guard. I have never had this happen on any gaiter, scarf or jacket before. For a jacket at this price point it's unacceptable.