When it comes to choosing the perfect jacket for outdoor adventures, two names stand out: the Arc’teryx Men’s Atom Jacket and the Patagonia Men’s Nano-Air Insulated Hoody.
Both offer unique features tailored for active lifestyles, but they cater to different needs.
The Arc’teryx Atom is known for its warmth-even-when-wet capabilities, making it a reliable choice for unpredictable weather during high-output activities like hiking and climbing.
On the other hand, the Patagonia Nano-Air shines in its breathability and flexibility, designed for those who engage in start-stop mountain activities without the hassle of changing layers.
In this article, we’ll see the key differences and help you decide which jacket aligns best with your outdoor pursuits.
As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases. It means that we may earn commissions if you buy products recommended here, by following the links to Amazon shown here, at no additional cost to you. – Please also check these products’ features on their official websites because sometimes our articles may contain errors.
1. Arc’teryx Men’s Atom Jacket
The video will be loaded from YouTube.com, a third party. If you play it, you accept their terms of service, and their use of cookies.
CHECK IT OUT AT: Official website – Amazon.com (#ad)
The Arc’teryx Men’s Atom Jacket is a versatile and warm-even-when-wet jacket designed for a variety of high-output activities such as hiking, climbing, and touring. Made with synthetic insulation, it retains warmth even when damp, making it ideal for diverse weather conditions.
This jacket is produced in a Fair Trade Certified facility, ensuring ethical manufacturing practices. It features a FC0 DWR finish for enhanced weather resistance and sustainability, making it a reliable and eco-conscious choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
Main Features and Materials
Features:
- Moisture-resistant outer face fabric
- Breathable and lightweight design
- High warmth-to-weight ratio
- Durable construction
- Performance stretch fleece side panels for ventilation
- Resilient Coreloft Compact 60 insulation for warmth and loft retention
- Air permeable Tyono 20 fabric
- Stretch-knit cuffs for comfort
- Fitted design with articulated patterning for mobility
- Adjustable hem drawcord to seal out drafts
- Two hand pockets with hidden zippers
- Internal chest pocket with zip
- No Slip Zip front zipper with custom TPU zipper pulls
- Fair Trade Certified manufacturing
Materials:
- Contrast: Knit Fleece, 215 gsm, polyester with FC0 DWR – 93% Polyester, 7% Elastane
- Body: 20dx20d nylon ripstop with DWR, 45gsm – 100% Nylon
- Synthetic Insulation: Coreloft 60 (60 g/m2) – 100% Polyester
- Lining: 20d recycled nylon ripstop with FC0 DWR, 40gsm – 100% Nylon
Additional Information:
- Weight: 335g / 11.8 oz
- Fit: Fitted
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Activity: Hike / Everyday
- Manufacturing facility: Youngone (CEPZ) LTD, Bangladesh
- Sustainability: Meets bluesign criteria, recycled content, PFAS compliant
This jacket is a perfect blend of functionality, comfort, and sustainability, making it a must-have for outdoor adventures.
2. Patagonia Men’s Nano-Air Insulated Hoody
Check it out on the official website.
The Patagonia Men’s Nano-Air Insulated Hoody is designed to be worn throughout your aerobic, start-stop mountain activities, ensuring you never have to slow down to change layers.
It features stretchy and breathable FullRange insulation, which helps to regulate your body temperature by dumping excess heat when you’re active and keeping you warm when you’re not. This hoody is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, emphasizing ethical manufacturing practices.
Main Features and Materials
- Stretchy and Breathable FullRange Insulation: 60-g FullRange 100% polyester (93% recycled) insulation provides excellent mechanical stretch and air permeability (35 CFM).
- Weather-Resistant Fabric: The 100% recycled polyester ripstop shell and lining offer mechanical stretch, breathability, and improved abrasion resistance, with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish made without perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs/PFAS).
- Designed for Freedom of Movement: Articulated patterning and strategically placed, low-profile quilting, combined with stretchy fabric and insulation, ensure an exceptional range of motion.
- Stretchy Hood: Minimally bound, stretchy hood easily pulls on or off, even when the jacket is zipped, with a zipper garage at the chin for comfort.
- Pocket Features: Includes two handwarmer pockets and two chest pockets, all zippered, low profile, and low bulk, allowing for comfortable wear with a harness or pack. The jacket can self-stuff into the left chest pocket.
- Variable Conditions Cuffs: Sleek, low-bulk, snag-resistant cuffs are partially elasticized for versatile coverage and comfort, with a cleanly finished dual-adjust hem to seal in warmth.
- Ethical Manufacturing: Made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, ensuring fair labor practices.
- Country of Origin: Made in Vietnam.
- Weight: 401 g (14.14 oz).
- Activities: Suitable for casual wear, hiking, and climbing.
- Regular Fit: Customers report that the hoody is true to size.
This hoody combines functionality with ethical manufacturing, making it a versatile and responsible choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
3. Comparison
Here are the main differences between these two jackets:
- Insulation:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Uses Coreloft synthetic insulation (60 g/m²), which is warm even when wet and has quick dry times.
- Patagonia Nano-Air: Uses FullRange insulation (60 g, 93% recycled polyester), which is stretchy, breathable, and air-permeable.
- Fabric:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Features a 20D recycled nylon liner with FC0 DWR finish, performance stretch fleece side panels, and Tyono 20 outer fabric.
- Patagonia Nano-Air: Uses 30D recycled polyester ripstop with a DWR finish made without perfluorinated chemicals, offering mechanical stretch and improved abrasion resistance.
- Weight:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Weighs 335g (11.8 oz).
- Patagonia Nano-Air: Weighs 401g (14.14 oz).
- Fit and Design:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Fitted design with articulated patterning for mobility, stretch-knit cuffs, and an adjustable hem drawcord.
- Patagonia Nano-Air: Regular fit with articulated patterning, low-profile quilting, stretchy hood, and partially elasticized cuffs.
- Pockets:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Two hand pockets with hidden zippers and one internal chest pocket.
- Patagonia Nano-Air: Two handwarmer pockets and two zippered chest pockets, with the jacket able to self-stuff into the left chest pocket.
- Use Case:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Versatile for hiking, climbing, touring, and everyday use, suitable for high-output activities and wet weather.
- Patagonia Nano-Air: Designed for start-stop mountain activities, providing comfort and breathability throughout varying levels of exertion.
- Manufacturing:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Made in Bangladesh, Fair Trade Certified, and contains materials that meet bluesign criteria.
- Patagonia Nano-Air: Made in Vietnam, Fair Trade Certified, with a focus on supporting the people who made the product.
- Environmental Impact:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Features a PFAS-free DWR finish and uses recycled content in various parts of the jacket.
- Patagonia Nano-Air: Uses recycled polyester for both shell and insulation, with a PFC-free DWR finish.
4. Which is Better?
When comparing the Arc’teryx Men’s Atom Jacket and the Patagonia Men’s Nano-Air Insulated Hoody, the choice largely depends on the specific activities and conditions you anticipate.
The Arc’teryx Atom Jacket is particularly well-suited for a wide range of high-output activities such as hiking, climbing, and touring, thanks to its Coreloft synthetic insulation which retains warmth even when wet. This makes it an excellent choice for activities where you might encounter light weather conditions.
Its versatile design and durable materials provide a great warmth-to-weight ratio, making it a reliable mid-layer for wet winter objectives or a standalone jacket for chilly hikes. The performance stretch fleece side panels enhance ventilation, ensuring you stay comfortable during intense activities.
Additionally, the FC0 DWR finish offers a lower environmental footprint while maintaining moisture resistance.
On the other side, the Patagonia Nano-Air Insulated Hoody excels in aerobic, start-stop mountain activities where breathability and flexibility are paramount.
Its FullRange insulation is designed to be worn throughout the entirety of your activity, providing warmth when you are stationary and efficiently dumping excess heat when you are on the move.
The stretchy and breathable fabric ensures that you are never slowed down by having to change layers, making it ideal for activities that require a high degree of mobility and comfort, such as climbing or trail running. The minimalistic design of the hood and the articulated patterning further enhance freedom of movement.
In the end: choose the Arc’teryx Atom Jacket for its weather resistance and versatility in diverse conditions, particularly when you need reliable warmth and durability.
Or get the Patagonia Nano-Air Insulated Hoody if your activities demand exceptional breathability and flexibility, allowing you to maintain comfort without the need to adjust layers frequently.