Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody – Lightweight, Breathable Warmth

Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody – Active InsulationArcteryx proton LT hoody

If you haven’t experienced the modern world of “active insulation,” it’s more than just marketing hype. It refers to an insulated jacket that maintains air permeability. In other words, it’s breathable. The idea behind active insulation is warmth across a broader spectrum of aerobic activity than a more traditional, less breathable jacket can offer.

A jacket’s breathability comes equally from the insulation and the fabric used to make the jacket. The Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody is a great example. It’s a light-and-airy insulated jacket that keeps you warm while staying breathable enough to keep you from becoming overheated and sweaty across a wide range of activity. Similar to the Patagonia Nano Air and the Outdoor Research Ascendant, the Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody is a great compliment to ski touring in cold temps.

Arc'teryx proton lt hoodyA Lightweight, Breathable Jacket for Ski Touring

The Arc’teryx Proton LT (the LT stands for lightweight) blends an air-permeable outer shell and lining with breathable synthetic insulation. The proprietary materials are light, warm and most definitely breathable. It has a soft, light, airy feel with a great, natural range of motion.

Adding breathability to a jacket that is inherently designed to keep you warm may sound a little contradictory. But for cold temps and active pursuits like ski touring, breathability actually broadens a jacket’s usage. Rather than changing layers with every uphill-downhill transition, you can wear a jacket like the Proton for the up, down and everything in between.

Skiing in the Proton LT

The Arc’teryx Proton LT  is a bit warm for strenuous trail breaking, especially in moderate conditions. But it’s well suited to high alpine touring in cold or windy conditions. It also offers some of the best weather protection of the three jackets I’ve tested (Patagonia Nano Air, OR Ascendant). Wearing it precludes needing a true shell in all but the stormiest, wettest of weather, though I still wouldn’t leave home without a shell in my pack.

Fit for the Proton LT is classic Arc’teryx – athletic and trim. And the quality is high. Where does the Proton LT Hoody fit into the quiver of ski touring jackets? Well, it simply replaces the traditional puffy jacket. Its breathability extends its comfort zone. It also drops some weight from your load, as you get more warmth for comparable weight than in older synthetic insulated jackets. The downside is less wind protection and the need to keep a shell on your packing list.

Conclusion – The Proton LT Makes the Packing List Every Time

If you have not upgraded to active (breathable) insulation, now’s the time. I’ve been running the Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody for a full season. It fits into a week-long hut trip with no significant adjustment to the layering or packing program. It’s a bit warm for continuous trail breaking but breathes nicely for the level of effort required on an existing track.

The Proton has also quickly become my descent layer of choice, regardless of whether I wore it on the skin track. It’s plenty warm to keep you comfortable on a lunch stop and offers even more warmth when worn under a shell. It does not replace a serious down jacket for basecamp use, but it will lighten your load for touring and uphill activities. The Proton LT Hoody broadens the role of the lightweight, packable puffy by adding breathability and maintaining a light, airy feel with a high level of warmth. If you are looking for something even more minimalist, check out the Arc’teryx Proton FL. FL stands for fast and light, and it’s basically a minimalist version (fewer pockets) of the LT with the same level of insulation.

Check prices and availability of the Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody – $299

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