Arcteryx Atom LT Vest?

My mom is at some REI in NC begging me to tell her what to get me for Christmas. Arcteryx Atom LT vest? Thoughts?

I've tried on the hoody a few times and like it, but I don't do much winter climbing. It was surprisingly warm though - as they let me cycle around the block in it on a cold fall night. Is the vest that puffy/warm? Can't be. I mainly want it for winter ROCK climbing, running and cycling in the shit winter weather here.

I think I'm gonna tell her to get one. Was thinking about the Patagonia Piton vest but they don't have it at REI and the Mountain Hardware one isn't as cool as they used to be - all fleece and hardly any softshell. I have an older Windstopper Tech Jacket and have always wished I had bought the vest.

as an outer or mid layer...if mid layer i'd go down as it will be lighter and warmer

Outer layer. I guess I'll use it as a mid layer sometimes but I'm not looking for down right now. I have a few great down pieces but this is for winter activity in the UK which includes misty rain at least a quarter of the time.

I told her to go ahead and get it. Strange no one here has any thoughts. The hoody gets amazing reviews and is really comfy though.

Thanks!

Both my husband and I own a LT vest and use it regularly to sport climb in the winter (VRG, Lime Kiln, Catherdral) If you are not familiar with these places - wind is the norm. The vest paired with a med weight long-sleeve top does a great job keeping the core warm while still providing great range of movement.

SMR wrote:Both my husband and I own a LT vest and use it regularly to sport climb in the winter (VRG, Lime Kiln, Catherdral) If you are not familiar with these places - wind is the norm. The vest paired with a med weight long-sleeve top does a great job keeping the core warm while still providing great range of movement.

Thanks :-)

I'm familiar enough to know that VRG can probably be a bit messy on some winter days. I'm thinking the vest with either an R1 Hoody or a OR Radiant pullover will be good for windy days on the Grit or shitty weather running/cycling.

I have the jacket and love it soo much.

I would just go with the jacket. It is totally worth it

IronMan wrote:I have the jacket and love it soo much. I would just go with the jacket. It is totally worth it

Agree that it's a great jacket, but did you read my post? Would you run in the Atom LT? Or rock climb for that matter?

Ryan Williams wrote: Agree that it's a great jacket, but did you read my post? Would you run in the Atom LT? Or rock climb for that matter?

no and no unless it was very cold and im wasnt worried about scuffing up a $$$$ jacket on "trad" climbs ...

and i own one

Ryan Williams wrote: Agree that it's a great jacket, but did you read my post? Would you run in the Atom LT? Or rock climb for that matter?

Sure, I would use the Atom Lt jacket or the vest for either use.
I don't own the vest but I do and have (climbed a lot) in the Atom Lt hoody.

In fact I just ordered a Atom pull over on sale. In the past I have used a vest a lot. But seldom do now any where but on my bikes.

Hard to think of a better garment (Atom vest) for cold rock climbing or riding a bike on nasty days.

As a comparison, I use a Nano Puff and a Atom a lot. Typically the Atom LT taking the brunt of that use. Had several in fact...3 total to date. And more Nano pull overs. Have yet to find a hole in an Atom Lt and have yet not to put a hole in a Nano that I've actually used. And I would consider myself pretty easy on my own gear!

My girlfriend has followed me up countless multipitch rock climbs in an Atom LT jacket and I'm actually suprised that it has ZERO holes or rips. That face fabric they are using is far more durable than say the Quantum GL found on other light weight synthetics.

Ryan Williams wrote: Agree that it's a great jacket, but did you read my post? Would you run in the Atom LT? Or rock climb for that matter?

I rock climb in mine when needed but it has some limitations. If you're doing off-widths or squeeze chimneys it'll be ruined with a quickness. But, I did 10 pitches in mine last weekend without issues. You just have to be a little more careful. For what it's worth, my MHW Compressor was a lot worse for wear with much less use. The Atom LT shell is much less prone to snagging than similar jackets from other brands.

Just checking Ray?

"The Atom LT shell is much (more or less) prone to snagging than similar jackets from other brands."

Sorry, just trying to be sure see what other's experiences has been.
No question though..limestone off width and chimneys would eat most of these garments in short order. But my Atoms have surviuved a bit of both on Chamonix granite with no effect at all. Surprised at that actually.

Sorry, typo. I meant much LESS prone to snagging. For such a lightweight shell fabric it does pretty well.

Ryan Williams wrote: Agree that it's a great jacket, but did you read my post? Would you run in the Atom LT? Or rock climb for that matter?

Sorry.

To be honest, It depends on how cold it is. But to be honest, it would probably have to be under 30 degrees for me to climb in it.

In this case, I'd go with the vest. But wear something over, rock will shred the jacket up.

Thanks Ray..my experience as well.