Breaking trail, traversing a ridge, transitioning for a descent — backcountry skiing is all about being on the move. Energy output, temperature and weather conditions constantly change, and you need to stay comfortable through it all. That’s why we praise versatile, breathable jackets — like the new Arc’teryx Proton Hybrid Hoody.
The Proton Hybrid Hoody balances light insulation with weather resistance and breathability to create a jacket that meets the demands of ski touring. The shoulder, yoke and hood feature highly wind- and weather-resistant GORE-TEX INFINIUM. The core and arms use a lightweight, highly breathable fabric with low-profile insulation—Coreloft—in the front torso and shoulder zones. The result is a jacket that easily fits under a puffy or fully waterproof shell and breathes incredibly well when worn as an outer layer.
During a mixed-weather week of hut skiing, I wore the Arc’teryx Proton Hybrid all day, every day while skiing. It was my mid-layer on cold transitions and while skiing downhill and my outer layer when breaking trail or hanging out in the sun.
Lightly Insulated
What makes the Proton Hybrid so easy to wear all day is its very light insulation. It’s not a stay-warm-while-you-stand-around jacket. It’s a stay-comfortable-while-you’re-active jacket. It falls somewhere between a shell and puffy that’s well balanced for activities like breaking trail or hiking uphill.
Unlike a more insulated jacket like the Proton LT (now just called the Proton), the Hybrid edition uses lighter insulation and is only insulated through the front and shoulders. There is no insulation in the arms or the majority of the back. But this is precisely why it’s so functional and easy to wear all day. It cuts the chill, blocks the wind and sheds light precipitation on the uptrack, while letting your body breathe and regulate its temp so you don’t get too sweaty.
How To Use It
In testing, I found that I could wear the Proton Hybrid Hoody over my base layer all day long. It became my go-to mid-layer. At top transitions, I pulled on a down puffy or a waterproof shell, depending on the weather conditions, skied the run, and then stripped back down to the Proton for the next skin track lap. On milder spring ski days, the Proton could easily be the primary jacket you wear on the descent and pack on the uptrack.
It’s Super Versatile
While the Arcteryx Proton Hybrid Hoody is designed with backcountry skiing in mind, it matches any outdoor activity where a lightweight, breathable mid-layer makes sense. It’s a versatile layer for anyone living an outdoor adventure life. It won’t replace your puffy jacket, but it will very likely become your go-to layer for the skin track.
Arc’teryx Proton Hybrid Hoody – $350
365grams / 13 oz – men’s size M
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Read More
What’s the Best Mid Layer for Backcountry Skiing
Read our Arcteryx Proton LT review
