UKC

Does anybody use an Atom LT Hoody for winter climbing in the UK?

Is it going to be too warm for walk ins and climbing in?

I like the idea of just one layer over a merino tee that I can wear all day and a light shell/belay jacket in the pack.

How's the fit going to be with a harness and is it going to get trashed straight away.

Your views appreciated.

In reply to Gfunk:

Have a read, I only ever use mine as a mid-layer cause I find it too cold for wearing on its own.

But Dane1 has used it as his outer layer climbing and has shared his experience...

http://coldthistle.blogspot.com/2011/02/arcteryx-atom-lt-hoodyjust-how-good...

In reply to Gfunk:

Haven't climbed in the UK but a couple of us used the Atom Lt last winter to good effect in the Alps. We do in Canada still. Not my typical approach gear here in the Cascades for winter as it is generally too warm. Nice on the climbs though over a R1 or something similar. Atom Lt is still some of the best winter climbing kit I own.

In reply to Gfunk:
Unless you walk in very slowly any mid layer makes me too hot.I chose the Atom SV hoody and i wear it as a belay jacket over my outer shell in the Alps in Oct and in Scotland in Dec.I didn`t like the idea of a draught blowing in the side of my coat when i was trying to stay warm so the Atom LT didn`t appeal. Very pleased with the performance of the SV. If i was going to the alps for multi day routes from Dec to March then i would be using a more substantial coat.

In reply to Gfunk:
Having had one for a couple years now and used it a fair bit:

- I find it slightly on the warm side for walking in but certainly not to bad if you're not pacing it. If you are then I find just the merino baselayer enough (I use Icebreaker 260 weight).

- For pure ice / face routes it's fantastic. The hood could be improved a little and the zip occasionally works down slightly but as a compromise on temperature for climbing / belaying it has a really wide range.

- For mixed routes I'd go with another top, it wears well but not as well as say a Gamma MX (I have the old style).

- For skiing / layering in cold climbs it works brilliantly under the MX or a hard shell.

- Weight wise it lives in the pack as a "warm layer" in the summer. I team mine with a down vest for alpine stuff (generally a good forecast) and have a Rab Sawtooth for moving in during the day.

It's a great piece of kit but its more of an "add in" to an existing setup you know works then a complete shell / warm layer in one.

Ollie

p.s. I work for a well known gear shop hence all the jackets I've tried over the years.

In reply to dra:


Thought it worth adding. The SV and LT were designed as a layering set up if you use the LT as your action suit top. Works great in that combo and even in Feb and March last year it was enough in the Alps.

Couple of has that combo and even bigger Duellys for belay jackets and neither of us used the Dually.

In reply to Gfunk:

Seems to be in the same sort of product bracket as the Rab Microlight and Patagonia Nano Puff. Think it's supposed to act as a more packable and more windproof fleece with a slightly higher loft. I wouldn't use it for Scotland as I get pretty warm on the walk in even on a cold day and I barely use a mid layer at all. Never been to the alps but I'd imagine a cold day there where some extra insulation is needed would be a good place for these kind of things. Which is a shame because I really like the look of it.

In reply to TheseKnivesMan: Could you not stash it in your pack for the walk-in and then stick it on to climb with? That's what I do with my Speed Ascent Jacket, as it's a great layer to climb in. It's warm enough that I rarely use a belay jacket, although it is a bit bulky and I'm thinking about using a synthetic filled layer instead.