What is the Atom SL Anorak?The Atom SL Hoody has been in our range for years now and has been a firm Trekitt favourite ever since. So, imagine our excitement when Arc'teryx announced an Anorak version! This versatile jacket can be used for virtually any outdoor activity, from technical climbing and scrambling in Scotland to casual walking in the local woodland.
What is it made of?Insulation: The Atom SL Anorak has 40g/m² of Coreloft Compact in the body to maintain core temperature during mid to high output activities. Coreloft is a synthetic insulation that is similar to Primaloft, however, it has been developed by Arc'teryx to be more durable. Not only is it more durable, but the synthetic fibres have also been siliconised to further increase breathability by reducing their ability to hold onto moisture.
Outer Fabric: The outer is a combination of a tough Tyono 20 denier 100% nylon fabric and an air-permeable fabric in the side panels and underarms. The main fabric is surprisingly tough despite its low weight, water-resistant, wind-resistant and incredibly packable. The side panels and underarms are made from a Bluesign-approved polyester fleece fabric that has an antimicrobial Polygiene treatment to avoid the build-up of nasty smells. These side panels allow warm air to escape, keeping you at a comfortable consistent temperature, they provide stretch for high-aerobic activities and improve the overall fit of the Anorak.
What are its features?It features an adjustable, low-profile, uninsulated StormHood which can be secured back with a button when not in use, a 1/2 length front zip which can be used to ventilate (and obviously to get the jacket on and off!), a chest pocket for essentials and some nice elasticated cuffs. The chest pocket can also be used as a stuffsack when the jacket isn't in use thanks to its reversible zip.
How does it fit?The Atom SL Anorak fits into Arc'teryx's 'trim' fit block, meaning it sits more snugly than their 'regular' fit for improved performance. The centre back length measures 72cm in a size medium.
Where does it fit in the layering system?One of the main reasons we love the Atom SL is its ability to fit almost anywhere in the layering system. It can be used as a warm midlayer with a shell over the top, as a protective outer layer when moving quickly, as a windshell to take the chill off... the list goes on!
- Tyono 20 main fabric
- Polyester side panels & underarms
- Water and wind-resistant
- Coreloft Compact insulation in body
- Uninsulated StormHood with button
- Zipped chest pocket doubles up as a stuffsack
- 1/2 length main zip
- Trim fit
How Should Your Insulated Jacket Fit?
Insulated jackets are pedantic little things. Too tight and you'll compress the insulation and limit the warmth capabilities of your brand new jacket, too loose and you'll spend hours warming up the dead space inside the jacket. Getting the correct fit isn't just about aesthetics, it will determine how warm you are.
The Incorrect Fit
Too loose: A jacket which is too loose will keep you relatively warm, however it will take far longer to do so and will waste large amounts of your precious energy. An insulated jacket works by trapping the natural heat that your body gives off in the fibres of the insulation; this creates a micro-climate inside your jacket, keeping you warm and toasty. If your jacket is too loose, heat will be able to escape through the hem, the sleeves and the neck of the jacket; it's a little like sticking the heating on in your car with the windows cracked open - it will heat up, just incredibly slowly.
Too tight: A jacket which is too tight is arguably worse than one that is too loose. If your jacket is far too tight, the baffles can compress to a point where the insulation can't loft effectively, limiting the amount of warmth it can trap. Essentially, it won't work!
The Correct Fit
It's a tricky one to explain, but it's somewhere in the middle. You've first got to consider how many layers you'll tend to wear underneath; will you have just a t-shirt then the jacket, or possibly a baselayer, midlayer and then the jacket? When you've figured out your layers and you've popped your insulated jacket over the top, you shouldn't have any dead space inside. The cuffs and hem should be comfortably sealed around your waist and wrists with room to move. You should be able to lift an arm up above your head without the hem of the jacket lifting more than an inch or so, and the sleeves should be long enough that when carrying out the same motion, they aren't mid-way up your forearm. Your shoulders and chest area should have enough room so that your hands can touch behind your back without feeling restricted.
Additional Information
Lastly, consider which activites you'll primarily be carrying out while wearing the jacket. Are you primarily using it as a winter climbing piece, or an everyday/dog walking jacket? You'll find that technical climbing jackets tend to feature a shorter cut, while urban and casual jackets feature a longer cut to offer additional warmth with less mobility.
To see examples of what a badly fitting and correctly fitting jacket looks like, click here.