When choosing the perfect insulated jacket for outdoor adventures, two names come to mind: the Arc’teryx Men’s Atom Jacket and the Patagonia Men’s Nano Puff Jacket.
Both jackets are celebrated for their versatility and performance, but they cater to different needs and preferences.
The Atom Jacket shines in high-output activities, boasting breathable construction and synthetic insulation that retains warmth even when wet.
Meanwhile, the Nano Puff Jacket impresses with its lightweight, compressible design, making it ideal for casual outings and light hiking.
In this article, we’ll see the key features, materials, and overall performance of these two exceptional jackets to help you determine the best fit for your outdoor pursuits.
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1. Arc’teryx Men’s Atom Jacket
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The Arc’teryx Men’s Atom Jacket is a versatile synthetic insulated mid-layer designed for a variety of high-output activities such as hiking, climbing, and touring. It offers warmth even when wet, making it an excellent alternative to down insulation.
The jacket features a moisture-resistant outer fabric, breathable construction, and a great warmth-to-weight ratio. It is produced in a Fair Trade Certified facility, ensuring worker well-being. The Atom Jacket is designed for multi-use, providing high performance in diverse conditions.
Main Features and Materials
- Warm-even-when-wet synthetic insulation
- Fair Trade Certified production facility
- Versatile design suitable for multiple activities
- Coreloft synthetic insulation for durability and quick dry times
- FC0 DWR finish for a lower environmental footprint
- Moisture-resistant outer fabric
- Breathable and lightweight construction
- Performance stretch fleece side panels for ventilation
- Resilient Coreloft Compact 60 insulation for loft retention
- Light, soft Tyono 20 fabric
- Breathable 20D recycled nylon liner
- Stretch-knit cuffs
- Fitted design with articulated patterning
- Adjustable hem drawcord
- Two hand pockets with hidden zippers
- Internal chest pocket with zipper
- No Slip Zip front zipper with custom TPU zipper pulls
- Contains bluesign-approved materials and recycled content
- Weight: 335g / 11.8 oz
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Materials
- Contrast: Knit Fleece, 215 gsm, polyester with FC0 DWR – 93% Polyester, 7% Elastane
- Body: 20dx20d nylon ripstop w/DWR, 45gsm – 100% Nylon
- Synthetic Insulation: Coreloft 60 (60 g/m2) – 100% Polyester
- Lining: 20d recycled nylon ripstop with FC0 DWR, 40gsm – 100% Nylon
- Origin of fabric and dying: JAPAN
This jacket is an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and sustainable mid-layer for a variety of outdoor activities.
2. Patagonia Men’s Nano Puff Jacket
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Check it out on the official website.
The Patagonia Men’s Nano Puff Jacket is a versatile, warm, windproof, and water-resistant jacket. It features incredibly lightweight and highly compressible 60-g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco, made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester with P.U.R.E. (Produced Using Reduced Emissions) technology.
The jacket is wrapped in a 100% recycled polyester shell and lining, and is produced in a Fair Trade Certified factory. It offers a regular fit and is true to size according to customer reviews.
Main Features and Materials:
- Warmth and Insulation: 60-g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco, 100% post-consumer recycled polyester with P.U.R.E. technology.
- Shell Fabric: Lightweight 100% recycled polyester ripstop with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish, free from perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs/PFAS).
- Lining: 1.3-oz 22-denier 100% recycled polyester ripstop with a DWR finish, also free from PFCs/PFAS.
- Quilting Pattern: Brick quilting with horizontal quilt lines on side panels for stabilizing insulation and abrasion resistance.
- Center-Front Zipper: Includes a wicking interior storm flap and a zipper garage at the chin for comfort.
- Pockets: Two zippered handwarmer pockets with cleanly finished zipper garages, and one internal zippered chest pocket that doubles as a stuffsack with a reinforced carabiner clip-in loop.
- Sealed-In Warmth: Drawcord-adjustable drop-tail hem for warmth retention.
- Fair Trade Certified: Made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, ensuring fair labor practices.
- Country of Origin: Made in Vietnam.
- Weight: 337 g (11.9 oz).
- Activities: Suitable for casual wear, hiking, and work.
- bluesign Approved: Fabrics are certified as bluesign approved, ensuring safe and sustainable textile production.
3. Comparison
Here are the main differences between these two products:
- Insulation:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Uses Coreloft 60 synthetic insulation (60 g/m²) which is breathable, warm, light, and retains warmth even when wet.
- Patagonia Nano Puff: Uses 60-g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco, made from 100% postconsumer recycled polyester, which is also warm when wet and produced using reduced emissions technology.
- Shell and Lining:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Features a 20d nylon ripstop shell with FC0 DWR finish and a 20d recycled nylon lining.
- Patagonia Nano Puff: Has a 20-denier 100% recycled polyester ripstop shell and lining, both with a DWR finish made without perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs/PFAS).
- Weight:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Weighs 335g (11.8 oz).
- Patagonia Nano Puff: Weighs 337g (11.9 oz).
- Fit and Design:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Fitted design with articulated patterning for mobility and comfort; features stretch-knit cuffs and adjustable hem drawcord.
- Patagonia Nano Puff: Regular fit with a brick quilting pattern and horizontal quilt lines on side panels for stabilizing insulation.
- Pocket Configuration:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Two hand pockets with hidden zippers and one internal chest pocket with zip.
- Patagonia Nano Puff: Two zippered handwarmer pockets and one internal zippered chest pocket that doubles as a stuffsack with a reinforced carabiner clip-in loop.
- Environmental and Ethical Certifications:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Contains materials that meet the bluesign criteria, uses recycled content, and is made in a Fair Trade Certified facility.
- Patagonia Nano Puff: Uses 100% recycled materials for shell, lining, and insulation, and is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory.
- Manufacturing:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Made in Bangladesh.
- Patagonia Nano Puff: Made in Vietnam.
- Activity Suitability:
- Arc’teryx Atom: Suitable for hiking, climbing, touring, and everyday use.
- Patagonia Nano Puff: Suitable for casual wear, hiking, and work.
4. Which is Better?
When deciding between the Arc’teryx Atom Jacket and the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket, it is important to consider the specific conditions and activities you plan to engage in.
The Arc’teryx Atom Jacket excels in high-output activities such as hiking, climbing, and touring. Its Coreloft synthetic insulation retains warmth even when wet, making it a reliable choice for variable weather conditions.
The jacket’s breathable stretch fleece side panels provide ventilation, which is ideal for strenuous activities. Additionally, the FC0 DWR finish offers moisture resistance without harmful chemicals, making it environmentally friendly.
This jacket is versatile and can be worn solo in mild weather or as a mid-layer in colder, wetter conditions.
On the other hand, the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket is known for its lightweight and compressible design, making it a great option for casual wear, hiking, and work. The PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco provides an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and stays warm even when damp.
Its windproof and water-resistant features, combined with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish, make it suitable for light weather protection. The jacket’s regular fit and drop-tail hem ensure comfort and warmth, while the internal chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack for easy packing.
In the end: if you need a jacket for high-output activities and variable weather conditions, the Arc’teryx Atom Jacket is the better choice due to its breathability and versatility. However, for casual wear, light hiking, or work, the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket offers excellent warmth, compressibility, and environmental benefits.