Not sure which insulated jacket to pick: SV, SL, or the one in the middle? Arc'teryx's Atom Hoody packs Coreloft 60 insulation into 355 g at JPY 49,500 (men's), the middle one in the series. This season it switched to an FC0 water-repellent finish. It's the middle choice you can name when you can't decide. I wore this one once.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The body has 60 g/m² of insulation and the sides use stretch fleece panels, and that's what I love about it. So for a low-elevation day hike where you run hot walking and cool off when you stop, I pick this one: it works alone or as a mid layer.
What happened when I used them
I wore the Atom Hoody once on Nov 1, 2026 (it's the previous model a friend bought last season). We walked about 6 hours on a 2,000 m ridge in Japan, clear, -2°C, 3 m wind. I wore a long-sleeve merino underneath. It was warm while walking, and what bothered me was that I got hot 10 minutes after setting out. I opened the underarm zippers, and since it was still too warm, I put it in the pack. At a ridge break I took it out and put it on right away: I didn't get cold in 5 minutes, but did after stopping for more than 10. Compared with my own fleece, it let less wind through, and I got less chill when I stopped. The one I hesitated over was the Atom SL Hoody; I didn't choose it because the Hoody was enough, and price decided it. I didn't weigh it.
Key points
- 355 g, ¥49,500. 135 g lighter than the SV and ¥9,900 cheaper; 75 g heavier than the SL and ¥2,200 more
- 60 g/m² of insulation in the body; fleece side panels let heat out
- The water repellent is now the PFAS-free FC0 DWR. Men's sizes run XS to XXL
How much does the Atom Hoody weigh and cost? 355 g and ¥49,500, the middle of the lineup
The Atom Hoody (men's) is ¥49,500 including tax and weighs 355 g. Sizes run XS to XXL and the model number is X000009556. The Fall/Winter 2026 season adds new colors and updates the water repellent to FC0 DWR.
It's an insulated soft shell meant to be worn alone on windy ridgelines and as a mid layer in damp winter conditions.
How I judged it
First I looked at where it sits among the three Atoms. The SV is 490 g and the SL is 280 g, so this hoody lands right in between. Then I put weight and price into a formula. Against the SV: 355 g − 490 g = −135 g, and ¥49,500 − ¥59,400 = −¥9,900. Against the SL: 355 g − 280 g = 75 g, and ¥49,500 − ¥47,300 = ¥2,200. For just 75 g more you get more insulation volume, so I judged the ¥2,200 gap worth paying. It suits day hikes with a big temperature swing between walking and resting.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Arc'teryx Atom Hoody Men's
Lowest new priceJPY 44,550s07170 楽天市場店
From Rakuten Ichiba search results, tax included. As of Nov 9. Check the shop's page for shipping, stock, color and size.
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Worn once | Stopped on a ridge, I stayed warm for 5 minutes, but past 10 minutes I got cold
I haven't bought the Atom Hoody. I wore it once on Nov 1, 2026. It's the previous model my friend bought last season, not the new autumn/winter 2026 colors. This is separate from the day in October when I touched one in a store; this was the first time I wore one.
The place was a ridge on a 2,000 m-class peak in Japan (name withheld), about 6 hours with a friend. Sunny, -2°C, 3 m/s wind. I wore a merino long-sleeve underneath and took it on and off 3 times. Packed, it's a bit bigger than a 500 ml plastic bottle. I haven't weighed it.
It's warm while I'm walking. Within 10 minutes of setting off I got hot and opened the underarm zips. It was still too warm, so I put it in my pack. At rest stops on the ridge I pulled it out of the pack and put it straight on, and after 5 minutes I still wasn't cold. After more than 10 minutes standing still, though, I got cold. The good part is that it's light and lets sweat out. Compared with my own fleece, it blocks wind better, and I felt less chill when stopped, at the same weight.
The one I hesitated over was the Atom SL Hoody. I didn't choose the SL because the Hoody was enough, and price decided it. If I buy, I'd choose this Atom Hoody. I'd recommend it to people who get cold during ridge breaks. For midwinter use while standing still, I feel the insulation isn't enough.
Atom Hoody specs
| Item | Atom Hoody (men's) |
|---|---|
| Release date | Fall/Winter 2026 season (new colors added) |
| Price (incl. tax) | ¥49,500 |
| Weight | 355g |
| Insulation | Coreloft Compact 60 (60g/m²). All polyester |
| Outer and lining | 20-denier nylon ripstop (shell 45 gsm, lining 40 gsm) |
| Side panels | Knit fleece (215 gsm) |
| Pockets | 2 hidden zippered hand pockets, zippered inner pocket |
What's different about the Atom Hoody's insulation and side panels?
I'll get excited here. The body is insulated and the sides switch to stretchy fleece, so it stays warm without feeling restrictive. Coreloft is a synthetic fill, and its strength is that it keeps insulating when wet.
This season the collar and cuffs get more room, and the side fleece stretches to improve mobility. The hood is lightly insulated too, so heat stays around your head.
How does it differ from the Atom SV and SL?
| Model | Weight | Price (incl. tax) | Per gram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atom SV Hoody | 490g | ¥59,400 | ¥121 |
| Atom Hoody | 355g | ¥49,500 | ¥139 |
| Atom SL Hoody | 280g | ¥47,300 | ¥169 |
Price per gram is ¥49,500 ÷ 355 g = about ¥139. That's higher than the SV's ¥121 and lower than the SL's ¥169. This middle model has the best balance of weight and price.
If you'd rather have the warmest insulation, my Atom SV Hoody review shows what the thicker model offers.
How does the Atom Hoody fit?
It has a trim fit. Center back length is 73 cm in size M. In the size chart, sizes smaller than M got tighter and larger sizes got roomier; the M measurements didn't change. If you're layering under a shell, your usual size is enough.
Strengths and watch-outs
What I like: at 355 g it combines insulation with stretch fleece side panels. The water repellent also moves to a PFAS-free treatment, which makes it easier to trust as mountain gear.
The watch-out: the insulation is 60 g/m², so on a deep-winter ridge where you stand still for long stretches, the SV can suit better.
Who is it for?
This suits people who want one jacket for everything from low-elevation day hikes to ridge walks. If weight comes first and you keep moving, the SL works; for cold days with long stops, the SV is another way to go. If you can't decide, take this Atom Hoody. The reason: the gaps to both the SV and the SL stay small, 135 g and 75 g in weight, ¥9,900 and ¥2,200 in price.
Price and where to buy
The price is ¥49,500, as in the table. Think per outing (1 trip): wear it 20 times a year and it comes to about ¥2,475 per 1 outing. If you're torn, compare on this per-1-day number.
About the writer and sources
Written by a gear nerd who collects gear and hikes in Japan and abroad. I rechecked the numbers on the Arc'teryx official online store on Oct 27. Last updated Oct 27.
How to choose the Atom Hoody, and my conclusion
There are three things to look at.
- Time spent stopped: for cold days with long breaks, the SV; for days you keep walking, the SL or this hoody.
- Weight: is 355g enough? The SL is 75g lighter and the SV is 135g heavier.
- Price: 4万9,500 yen (about JPY 139 per gram). That's a JPY 2,200 gap to the SL and JPY 9,900 to the SV.
Conclusion: If in doubt, pick the Atom Hoody. The gaps to both the SV and the SL are small.
FAQ
How much does the Atom Hoody weigh?
The men's version weighs 355 g. The Atom SV Hoody is 490 g and the Atom SL Hoody is 280 g.
How much does the Atom Hoody cost?
The official online store lists it at ¥49,500 including tax.
What's the difference between the Atom Hoody and the Atom SL Hoody?
The Atom Hoody is 75 g heavier and ¥2,200 more. In return you get more insulation volume.
What insulation does the Atom Hoody use?
Coreloft Compact 60 is a synthetic insulation at 60g/m², made of all polyester.
What is the difference between the Atom Hoody and the Atom SV Hoody?
The Atom SV Hoody weighs 490 g, 135 g more than the Atom Hoody at 355 g, and costs 59,400 yen against 49,500 yen, 9,900 yen more. Per gram it is 121 yen against 139 yen. The SV suits cold days with long stops, and the Atom Hoody suits one jacket for day hikes from low peaks to ridges.
Gear in this article
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Read next
- To compare within the same brand, read this too.Arc'teryx Atom SL Hoody Review
- For another pick from the same line, read this.Arc'teryx Atom SV Hoody Review
- To widen the choice within the brand, read this.Arc'teryx Gamma Hoody Review
