Arc'teryx Proton LT Hooded Insulated Jacket - Men's for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

9.8
out of 10
15 Positive, 1 Mixed & 0 Negative
from 16 Reviews
Retail Price:
$299.00
Used Value:
$179.40
Sale Value:
$269.10

While carrying a jacket for every kind of weather you might encounter may appeal to your inner gear geek, it's a whole lot easier to carry one layer that will handle just about any inclement weather you face on your adventures. The Arc'teryx Proton LT Hooded Insulated Jacket puts versatility at the top of its strengths with a breathable and weather-resistant face fabric and synthetic insulation. Arc'teryx's Fortius Air 40 fabric is air permeable to prevent overheating while you're on the move, but resistant to wind, water, and snow when clouds gather over your objective. Coreloft insulation adds lightweight warmth that is quick to dry, whether it gets wet with sweat or snow. Arc'teryx gave the Proton a climbing-specific design with a trim fit to reduce needless bulk, articulated arms and gusseted elbows for climbing mobility, and an insulated hood that is helmet compatible.

Specifications

Brand:
Center Back Length:
29in
Claimed Weight:
14.1oz
Fit:
slim
Hood:
helmet-compatible, insulated
Insulation:
[body] Coreloft Compact 80 (100% polyester), [hood] Coreloft Compact 60 (100% polyester)
Length:
hip
Manufacturer Warranty:
limited lifetime
Material:
[face fabric] Fortius Air 20 (84% nylon, 16% elastane), [lining] Dope Permeair 20 (100% nylon)
Pockets:
2 insulated zippered hand, 1 zippered chest
Recommended Use:
backcountry skiing, backcountry snowboarding, backpacking, hiking, ice climbing, mountaineering, sport climbing, trad climbing

Full Reviews

10
It’s snowing like mad as I’m shoveling my driveway and water/ snow just doesn’t penetrate this jacket. My Patagonia Primo Puff is soaking wet so I threw this coat on. It’s the most comfortable jacket I’ve ever put on. If you live in New England and you’re outside all the time, you need this jacket (but buy it in the summer when it’s on sale)!
Kevin D., backcountry.com
December 5, 2020
10
It’s snowing like mad as I’m shoveling my driveway and water/ snow just doesn’t penetrate this jacket. My Patagonia Primo Puff is soaking wet so I threw this coat on. It’s the most comfortable jacket I’ve ever put on. If you live in New England and you’re outside all the time, you need this jacket (but buy it in the summer when it’s on sale)!
Kevin D., backcountry.com
December 5, 2020
10
When you put this jacket on you’ll know right away warmth will not be an issue or whatever you’re doing. At the same time you’ll also feel like you won’t overheat and yet very little wind will likely creep in. If you’ve read the hype toting jackets like these as the ultimate cold layer it’s because they’re all correct. Any outdoor activity and even higher output ones like climbing and backpacking will be complimented by these perfectly engineered piece. Arcteryx you never disappoint.
Christiaan B., backcountry.com
July 15, 2020
10
Let's talk about what the use-case is for this jacket. This thing is designed for high-exertion activities in cold weather. This means that it has some air permeability, also referred to as being "breathable". The Proton is not completely windproof, but it is designed this way on purpose. When you are working hard up the mountain, you don't want to completely seal out all air as you will become a hot and sweaty mess. Obviously being an insulating piece, you still want to retain some of that body heat when you're placing pro or stuck behind a slow group on the mountain. The Proton does a pretty magical job of balancing both better than anything else I've found. I've gone through several different options for mid-layers. Started with a few different fleece variants, with my favorite being the Arc'teryx Kyanite. Its Powerstretch Pro fabric is nice and breathable while retaining a good amount of heat. The problem with fleece is that it is not a great stand-alone jacket as an outer layer unless it is "windproof" and then it is too stiff, heavy, and hot. Next I went with the venerable Arc-teryx Atom LT. While it is an exceptional jacket that earns its accolades, I've found it WAY too warm for uphill activities (and most downhill activities quite honestly.) Thus, we come to the Proton LT. It just has the exceptional ability to be just warm enough on a cold and windy base camp to not feel shivering cold, but lets enough air in to keep from overheating on an off-season summit bid of a Cascade volcano. For mountaineers, this piece just fills so many gaps in your jacket quiver. Obviously you're still going to have a down puffy for extreme cold and a hard shell for serious precip, but the Proton works for just about everything else. Fit wise, this thing is perfect for me. I am a long and lanky 6 foot 2 inches and about 175 pounds. I find myself always wishing for another inch or so on Arc'teryx jacket sleeves, but not the Proton! It's solidly to my wrist and stays there even with small reaches. It is also a bit less of a slim fit as my Atom LT. Has the longer tail on it and slightly more roomy. It's soft and comfy like the Atom, but seemingly much more durable with a heavier face fabric. I like the hood. Nicely adjustable and works well with or without a helmet on. So... yeah. It rocks. Don't hesitate if you're looking for a mountaineering or cold weather mid layer. I doubt you'll find better.
Scott G, backcountry.com
January 19, 2020
10
Warm, comfortable, and durable. I've used this jacket as an outer layer while climbing, and a mid layer for skiing. The outer material is impossibly light and breathable, while still retaining warmth. I highly recommend this!
Jake, backcountry.com
December 30, 2019
10
This jacket is great! I was able to demo one for a week but it only took me about 2 hours to decide I wanted one. It is as versatile as the Atom LT, but with a more durable exterior and seems to be a bit warmer. Great for wearing casually around town, or hiking, skiing, etc.
Doug Conway, backcountry.com
December 5, 2019
10
I think that a lot of people are looking for a unicorn jacket. One jacket that can conquer all situations. Those jackets are so hard to find because they usually are mediocre in all categories. Instead of stellar in a few. This jacket isn't a unicorn, it isn't going to be the only jacket you will ever need. But it will help fill a lot of gaps in your quiver of jackets. The purpose of this jacket is to provide warmth while stationary, and breathability while doing highly aerobic exercises. It will shed light rain and snow but it isn't going to be your outer layer while in a blizzard. The cut of this jacket is slim, which works great for layering. The hood is nice and big. The front of the jacket is short, which is similar to other Arc'teryx jackets. I would compare this jacket to the Arc'teryx Atom LT or the Patagonia Nano Air. The biggest difference is that the Proton LT is more durable, with a different face fabric and is much more breathable. Please contact us if you have any questions!
Ryan Anderson, backcountry.com
October 30, 2019
10
I love this thing! This jacket has been with me on every early morning dog walk from mid-September until now and beyond. Sometimes, it is 45F and crisp, or 60F and steamy, but this jacket is super breathable and versatile. I have used it for a football game, for hiking in the Wasatch, for running in the middle of the night with the dog, and for every other activity in between. I love how comfortable it is on my chin (beard stubble can make some jackets miserable). The pockets are ample, but not overly bulky. The DWR/weather resistance worked great during some decent drizzles on my walks. The jacket is awesome for Fall ( and likely spring). They nailed it here!
Alex Welton, backcountry.com
October 8, 2019
10
Really love the proton. Took it out on the river this weekend while fly fishing in Montana and it was awesome. Perfect for the cool September air for hiking in Yellowstone and fishing the Madison. Cant wait to try it out this winter skiing in the Wasatch.
Jackson Smith, backcountry.com
October 1, 2019
10
I’ve had mine for 2 years. Looks terrific (still). I’m a medium in all clothing from every brand and wear this in a medium. It’s wind resistant:breathable enough to do it all. Warm enough for standing around in down to 35 F or high output activity to 0 F. I use it for fall hiking, late early season rock climbing, very cold XC skiing, as a mid layer for skiing, an outer layer for ice climbing, and around the city in cold fall or warm winter weather. Despite my best effort, no rips, snags, scuffs, pulls, or pulling. Not water proof but good enough for light precipitation. Super durable. Compares to similar breathable insulated mid-layers and for me, this is the best due to fit, style, function, and durability. Don’t often write reviews but when my Proton wears out in 5 or so more years, I’d like the Proton to have been popular enough that Arc’teryx is still producing it!
Michael L., backcountry.com
September 9, 2019
10
with 80 grams of coreloft it keeps you plenty warm, but sheds heat with the exterior fortius face fabric. Weighs nearly nothing, and has an awesome slim fit with a long center back length to make it more harness compatible. awesome piece for touring, climbin, or hiking!
Corbin Ekblad, backcountry.com
July 26, 2019
10
Great midweight/light jacket. Used it as layer while hiking Aconcagua. Incredibly light and pack able. Fabric is not as durable as there gortec shells but breathes much better. When not using it as a layer for hiking I use it when the weather is a chilly but not cold.
Liam S., backcountry.com
January 7, 2019
6
Don't get me wrong--its Arcteryx so you know it's going to be quality. At 5'10 180 though I ended up having to size up to XL because the L was too tight in the torso. Amazing jacket I just wish it fit me better
Alex Popowych, backcountry.com
January 2, 2019
10
The proton is a great technical mid, or outerlayer in colder weather and it's breathability goes a long way to limit the sweat factor. On top of that, it is a great stand alone spring or fall weather jacket, and while it is a technical jacket, it looks good and normal enough to wear around town or to dinner. I got a small for a more technical fit and layering options. Even though it is a tighter fit, the small amount of stretch and the materials used ensure it is still comfortable and not restrictive feeling.
Daniel Murphy, backcountry.com
January 1, 2019
10
I felt guilty hitting the buy button having already owning an Atom lt. I was wrong, they are different jackets and have strengths compared to the other. The proton is a warmer coat than the atom but the overlap in all of the right places. I think proton slogging down hill and atom uphill. Have one or the other or better with both.
Matthew G., backcountry.com
December 14, 2018
10
I absolutely love this jacket! I've taken it as a mid layer on a snowboarding tour, around town, and on dates! It really does work for whatever you want it to. It's incredibly breathable, but still incredibly warm. When I was winter hiking in this, I had to unzip it and let some cold air in from time to time. When moving around, this jacket is just too freaking warm! Good problems ;) I got this jacket in a Medium, just because I wanted it to fit a bit looser. I know Arc'teryx makes their stuff fit really well, and if I wanted it to fit my frame, I would have definitely gotten a small. But I wanted a bit more of a loose fit with this jacket, so Medium fits well enough for me!
Myles Gray, backcountry.com
December 10, 2018