When it comes to outdoor performance, having the right jacket can make all the difference.
In this comparison, we explore two of the most popular offerings from Arc’teryx: the Men’s Cerium Jacket and the Men’s Atom Jacket.
Each of them is designed with specific activities in mind, showcasing unique features and materials that cater to different conditions.
The Cerium Jacket stands out for its lightweight warmth and down insulation, making it a top choice for alpine adventures, while the Atom Jacket shines with its synthetic insulation that excels in damp environments.
Join us as we explore the key differences and find out which jacket might be the perfect fit for your next outdoor excursion!
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1. Arc’teryx Men’s Cerium Jacket
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The Arc’teryx Men’s Cerium Jacket is a lightweight and warm down jacket designed for alpine activities and versatile standalone use. Previously known as the Cerium LT Jacket, this Fair Trade Certified garment is ideal for a range of alpine missions and backcountry adventures.
It features a refined design for optimal fit and efficiency, utilizing more sustainable materials while maintaining an outstanding warmth-to-weight ratio. The jacket combines responsibly-sourced 850 fill down with Coreloft synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas, providing premium insulation.
The recycled 15D Arato nylon outer is both light and durable, and the bio-derived liner helps reduce petroleum use. The streamlined design is articulated for freedom of movement.
Main Features and Materials
- Technical Features:
- Moisture-resistant outer face fabric
- Breathable
- Great warmth-to-weight ratio
- Lightweight
- Compressible and packable
- Wind resistant
- Collar Configuration:
- Insulated collar
- Mid-height collar seals out drafts
- Construction:
- Down Composite Mapping with synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas
- 850 fill European white goose down
- Recycled 15D Arato outer
- Downproof 20D plant-based Arato liner
- Cuff and Sleeves Configuration:
- Stretchy cuffs
- Design and Fit:
- Trim fit for layering
- Articulated patterning for mobility
- Fabric Treatment:
- FC0-DWR finish repels moisture
- Hem Configuration:
- Adjustable hem drawcord
- Integrated Features:
- Includes stuff sack
- Pocket Configuration:
- Two hand pockets with zippers
- Internal zippered security pocket
- Sustainability:
- Contains bluesign-approved materials
- Recycled content in the body
- Bio-derived lining material
- Dope dyed yarns for reduced water and energy use
- RDS certified down
- PFAS compliant
- Zippers and Fly Configuration:
- TPU zipper-pulls
- Reverse coil center-front zipper
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Weight: 300g / 10.6 oz
- Fit: Fitted
- Activities: Alpine, Rock, Hike, Resort, Everyday
- Manufacturing Facility: Mensa Industries Company Limited, Vietnam
- Materials:
- Insulation: 850 fill European white goose down (RDS certified)
- Insulation: Coreloft 100 and 80 (80% recycled polyester)
- Self: Arato 15 (100% recycled dope dye nylon)
- Lining: Arato 20 (60% bio-derived material, FC0 DWR)
2. 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 various high-output activities. This jacket offers excellent warmth even when wet, making it ideal for hiking, climbing, touring, and everyday use.
It features resilient Coreloft synthetic insulation, a moisture-resistant outer face fabric, and a breathable, comfortable fit. The jacket is produced in a Fair Trade Certified facility, emphasizing worker well-being and sustainability.
Main Features and Materials
- Warm-even-when-wet synthetic insulation
- Fair Trade Certified production
- Versatile design for multiple high-output activities
- Coreloft synthetic insulation stays warm when damp
- FC0 DWR finish for lower environmental impact
- Moisture-resistant outer face fabric
- Breathable and lightweight
- Durable construction
- Performance stretch fleece side panels for ventilation
- Light, soft Tyono 20 fabric
- 20D recycled nylon liner for temperature regulation
- Stretch-knit cuffs
- Fitted design with articulated patterning
- 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 pulls
- Contains bluesign-approved materials and recycled content
- PFAS-free DWR treatment
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
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
- Origin of Fabric and Dyeing: Japan
- Environmental Note: May release plastic microfibres into the environment when washing.
3. Comparison
Here are the main differences between these two products:
- Insulation:
- Cerium Jacket: 850 fill European white goose down and Coreloft synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas.
- Atom Jacket: Coreloft synthetic insulation (Coreloft Compact 60).
- Weight:
- Cerium Jacket: 300g / 10.6 oz.
- Atom Jacket: 335g / 11.8 oz.
- Outer Material:
- Cerium Jacket: Recycled 15D Arato nylon with FC0-DWR finish.
- Atom Jacket: Tyono 20 nylon ripstop with FC0-DWR finish.
- Lining:
- Cerium Jacket: Downproof 20D plant-based Arato liner.
- Atom Jacket: 20D recycled nylon ripstop.
- Fit and Design:
- Cerium Jacket: Trim fit, articulated patterning for mobility, adjustable hem drawcord.
- Atom Jacket: Fitted with articulated patterning, performance stretch fleece side panels for ventilation, adjustable hem drawcord.
- Pockets:
- Cerium Jacket: Two hand pockets with zippers, internal zippered security pocket.
- Atom Jacket: Two hand pockets with hidden zippers, internal chest pocket with zip.
- Collar:
- Cerium Jacket: Insulated collar, mid-height collar.
- Atom Jacket: Not specified.
- Cuffs:
- Cerium Jacket: Stretchy cuffs.
- Atom Jacket: Stretch-knit cuffs.
- Packability:
- Cerium Jacket: Includes stuff sack for compact transport.
- Atom Jacket: Not specified.
- Sustainability:
- Cerium Jacket: Contains bluesign-approved materials, recycled content, bio-derived materials, and RDS certified down.
- Atom Jacket: Contains bluesign-approved materials, recycled content, PFAS-free.
- Manufacturing Location:
- Cerium Jacket: Mensa Industries Company Limited, Vietnam.
- Atom Jacket: Youngone (CEPZ) LTD, Bangladesh.
- Activity Suitability:
- Cerium Jacket: Alpine, rock climbing, hiking, resort, everyday.
- Atom Jacket: Hiking, everyday.
4. Which is Better?
The Arc’teryx Cerium and the Atom Jackets serve different purposes and excel in distinct scenarios due to their unique features and materials.
The Cerium Jacket is a lightweight, warm down jacket that shines as an alpine mid-layer and versatile standalone piece. It’s ideal for cold, dry conditions and excels in alpine missions and backcountry adventures.
The jacket’s 850-fill European white goose down provides an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio, while its Coreloft synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas ensures it remains effective even in damp conditions.
The Cerium’s trim fit and compressibility make it an excellent choice for layering under a shell or packing small for transport. Its moisture-resistant outer fabric, wind resistance, and articulated design for freedom of movement make it a reliable companion for high-altitude activities.
The Atom Jacket is a versatile synthetic insulated mid-layer designed for high-output activities and diverse conditions. Its Coreloft synthetic insulation retains warmth even when wet, making it more suitable for activities where you might encounter light weather or damp conditions.
The Atom is perfect for chilly forest hikes, climbing, and as a mid-layer for wet winter objectives. Its performance stretch fleece side panels provide ventilation, and the breathable Tyono 20 fabric helps regulate temperature, making it comfortable for a wide range of activities.
The Atom’s durability and quick dry times are significant advantages for year-round, high-output use.
In the end: the Cerium Jacket is better for cold, dry conditions and activities that require a high warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility, such as alpine missions and backcountry adventures. The Atom Jacket, with its moisture-resistant synthetic insulation and breathability, is better suited for high-output activities and wet or variable conditions, such as hiking, climbing, and everyday use.