This soft shell is designed to fit over armor but is still fine in your normal sizing but will be a bit baggy without gear underneath. Not a bad thing as dead space helps with insulation.
So even though it’s imported…I give this jacket a two thumbs up, and will certainly do it’s job. As mentioned no busted seams, zippers all work, and it’s been washed in a residential washer numerous times…the velcro still works as new, and it’s very comfortable. Maybe one of the best thing’s, for me, is that the sleeve length is very comfortable and not short changed like a lot of stuff is. I wear a 34/35 dress shirt sleeve length, and even extending my arms straight out this jacket still covers my wrists (size LG 6’00" height 195LBS). Also in the body reaching up it still covers my waist/belt which is another good thing. Im not terribly tall or fat but most off the shelf stuff on the same test is not nearly so good with cuff’s coming up the forearm or shirt tails popping out.
All in all, despite being imported, this jacket gives an A+ for me with fit, and durability. Comfort is excellent, and my go to jacket until temps hit a bit below freezing.
What’s the reason for this not being a “go-to” jacket for sub-freezing temps?
I know everyone is different with regard to the cold, but I have the Atom LT and feel very comfortable with it over whatever shirt I have on down into the mid-upper 30’s. Do you feel the AF isn’t warm enough?
I do like the sleeves, the gusseted underarms are probably one of the best features. I can raise my arms straight up and don’t have to worry about the jacket rising up. I’m 6’ 3" 185 and have a 36 1/2" sleeve.
The LT (same material as AF) sheds light rain pretty dang well, but I wouldn’t count on it to keep you dry in sustained higher volume rain…in that case you’d need a shell over it. Where it really shines when compared to fleece is the wind resistance and the weight/warmth ratio. The LT is absolutely my go-to for pretty much any temp between freezing and about 50 here in TX. May need to layer a bit more for sub-freezing.
I grew up in SoCal and live in Texas now. Just not used to cool temps or snow or extended periods below freezing. I can get acclimated to it but it depends on other factors like activity and such. If I was active like continuous walking or some physical activity it would be fine. Sitting in a deer blind I’d get cold.
I’ve traveled to places like UT and CO in the winter, and when it was sunny but still lots of snow on the ground I was ok walking around in a long sleeve shirt and jeans. With the sun out at 32 feels a lot different to me when its ‘moist’, overcast, and no sun at 32.
Anyways as far as the rain goes it will basically shed light rain ok but it’s not a hard shell. With wind it does a reasonable job. This is more of an insulator and provide dead space between you and the outside. A hard shell would go well over this jacket, though. I’ve actually found the best jackets to be ones with zip in/out liners. This could easily act as a liner to a hard shell.
Yeah, I have found the Atom LT to be a great mid and overall the quality is very good. The one area that has taken a beating, is on my strong side hip area where it rubs on my Glock 19 RTF2. It’s pretty trashed in two years. When it drops below 30ish I use it as a mid and it’s great. The AF looks like it could be even warmer…
The Venta AR is another great Dirty Bird offering. Worth checking out.
I picked up the Atom LT and have been able to test it in a variety of weather since then, cool and dry, cold and rainy, snow, etc. I’d say temps ranging from 50 all the way down to mid to low 20s, possibly lower. I found that it repelled the rain quite well, went on an hour long walk in as it was lightly raining, stayed completely dry. In the 30s and below temps with just a t-shirt I did find I would be a little chilly just standing still but not uncomfortable and as soon as I would start to move I would warm up almost instantly. I wouldn’t want to rely on it solely at below 40 in a static position for more than a half hour or so but with gloves and a hat while simply walking I would trust it down into the 20s.
This coming from a Western NY native turned SoCal cold blooded individual.
Took a shooting class a few weekends ago and wore my Atom LT with just a long sleeve t-shirt underneath. It was 21 degrees outside in the morning when we started. Just standing around I was cold… after about 30 minutes of moving and shooting I was warm. I have no doubt that with a warmer base layer (thermal, merino etc.) this jacket could be worn in even colder temps.
The AF is closer to the SV in terms of warmth. Both use Coreloft 100 gm/m2 insulation. The LT uses Coreloft 60. It’s pretty much a non-hooded SV cut to accommodate armor/chest rigs. Nice piece, for sure.
The Atom LT hoody is an awesome midlayer. It works nicely under a shell. If you’re mobile, the LT should keep you warm and breathe really well. If you’re under 20 degrees and not active, you may want to opt for the Atom SV. It has a bit more coreloft. It also has a bit of a roomier cut.
I have both the hoody and non-hooded version. I prefer the hoody version. The hood is so compactable and you almost feel it’s not there. It keeps your head warm…although there’s no cinch cord (minor complaint). The non-hooded version looks a bit more business casual in the office FWIW. The non-hooded version is something I would consider if wearing under a shell where it’s not too cold outside and I can get away with a beanie or hat and use the shell’s hood.
Atom LT under a Alpha SV, LT, Theta SV, or Beta FL is a great combo. I just use a baselayer, mid, and outer shell and I’m good to go. I tailor what I wear to the weather I expect to encounter. I see the industry moving to more breathable fabrics and reducing weight…guess that’s the idea. I do like the Venta MX. The new Gore-Tex Active Shell is awesome as well!
Part of my work involves testing our products on any given day and weather here can get pretty cold sometimes.
Plus I need to bring results back from the range, not just pull the trigger.
I was doing stint of product testing one week in December and I was wearing an ATOM AF with a fleece and Arc’teryx RHO LTW top underneath, this was coupled with the ATOM LT pants with RHO LTW bottoms.
It was c. -18 to 20 C ( 0 to -4 F ) at most without any wind chill factored in. Spending a couple of hours daily on an open range and laying prone with the rifle was no issue and I was actually warm, not just tolerable
Hard to imagine how well they work for being so thin and light.
I do like the Venta MX. The new Gore-Tex Active Shell is awesome as well!