Atom SL Hoody or Atom Hoody: light weight or warmth, which decides it for you? The Arc'teryx Atom SL Hoody fits 40 gsm stretch insulation into 280 g and JPY 47,300 (men's), the lightest in the Atom series. There's no insulation in the sleeves or hood; it warms your core only. That said, I only looked at the Atom SL Hoody in a shop and haven't worn it, in the mountains or anywhere else. What I looked at was how thin the insulation is. I didn't buy it. On Nov 1 (a -2°C outing) I wore an Atom Hoody, and decided I didn't need the SL.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
Insulating only the torso and leaving the sleeves and hood thin and uninsulated is a smart trade-off. That's why I recommend this jacket for day hikes on low mountains where you keep moving, or as active wear under a waterproof shell.
Key points
- 280 g, ¥47,300. 75 g lighter than the Atom and ¥2,200 cheaper; 210 g lighter than the SV and ¥12,100 cheaper
- Coreloft Stretch insulation at 40 gsm, in the body only. Sleeves and hood are uninsulated
- Octa fleece side panels. PFAS-free FC0 DWR water repellent
How much does the Atom SL Hoody weigh and cost? 280 g and ¥47,300
The Atom SL Hoody (men's) is ¥47,300 including tax and weighs 280 g. Sizes run XS to XXL and the model number is X000009560. It was listed officially in March 2026, and this season it gets an FC0 DWR water repellent finish and Octa fleece side panels.
It's the lightest model with Atom in the name. Wear it alone on a cold, rainy trail run, or layer it under a waterproof shell when the mountain turns cold. That's the use I have in mind for this insulated softshell.
How I judged it
The first thing I looked at was the missing insulation in the sleeves and hood. It warms the core and keeps the moving parts thin, and that choice is how it lands at 280 g. Next I put the gaps to the other two Atoms into formulas. Against the Atom: 280 g − 355 g = −75 g, ¥47,300 − ¥49,500 = −¥2,200. Against the SV: 280 g − 490 g = −210 g, ¥47,300 − ¥59,400 = −¥12,100. It's light and cheaper, so it's an easy pick for days when you keep walking. It suits day hikes on low mountains where you stop only briefly.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Arc'teryx Atom SL Hoody (men's)
Lowest new priceJPY 44,800s07170 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.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
Atom SL Hoody specs
| Item | Atom SL Hoody (men's) |
|---|---|
| Release date | Listed officially in March 2026 (this season: new water repellent finish and side panels) |
| Price (incl. tax) | ¥47,300 |
| Weight | 280g |
| Insulation | Coreloft Stretch 40gsm. All polyester (torso only) |
| Outer and lining | Recycled 20-denier nylon (58 gsm; 88% nylon, 12% polyurethane) |
| Side panels | Octa polyester fleece 122 gsm |
| Pockets | Two hand pockets with hidden zippers |
Why is the Atom SL Hoody insulated in the body only?
This is the part I'm excited about. With no insulation in the sleeves or hood, it packs small and your arms never catch when you move. The sleeves are uninsulated and have a mesh lining, which helps vent sweat.
The body insulation is Coreloft Stretch at 40 gsm. That's thinner than the Atom Hoody's 60 g/m², and the trade is better breathability. The hood is a thin, adjustable one with a liner, and it no longer stows away.
How does it differ from the Atom and Atom SV?
| Model | Weight | Price (incl. tax) | Per gram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atom SL Hoody | 280g | ¥47,300 | ¥169 |
| Atom Hoody | 355g | ¥49,500 | ¥139 |
| Atom SV Hoody | 490g | ¥59,400 | ¥121 |
Price per gram is ¥47,300 ÷ 280 g = about ¥169. That looks like the highest of the three, but the sticker price is the lowest in the lineup. If you're buying lightness, this SL is the one.
If you want a bit more warmth, my Atom Hoody review shows the model with thicker body insulation.
How does the Atom SL Hoody fit?
The fit is trim, and the back length is 72 cm in size M. The cut follows the body, and the thin fabric keeps bulk down. Under a waterproof shell, your usual size works.
What the Atom Hoody showed me about why I don't need the SL
On November 1, 2025, I walked about 6 hours at −2°C wearing the Atom Hoody (355 g). I only looked at the Atom SL Hoody in a shop and never had the chance to wear it. What I could see was that its insulation is thin and sits only in the torso.
When I took a 12-minute lunch break on the -2°C ridge, my ears were warm once I put the hood up, and my arms did not get cold. At the summit, resting in just my hiking clothes, my shoulders began to get cold within the first 3 minutes. After I put on the Atom Hoody, I did not get cold even stopped for 12 minutes. Without it the cold set in within 5 minutes, and with it I could bear stopping for more than 10 minutes. That is the difference.
I decided I don't need the SL because the Atom Hoody has insulation in the arms and the hood too. There was no point at which my arms got cold, and the insulation in the arms helped. The insulation in the hood was also needed when the wind on the ridge chilled my ears. The 75 g difference didn't bother me. The fact that the SL is 2,200 yen cheaper was not what decided it.
The mid layer I wear in the mountains now is a Montbell U.L. Thermawrap Parka (about 320 g as measured), which I have used for four years. It is a little lighter than the Atom Hoody's 355 g, but the hood is shaped differently, so I cannot use it in the same way.
Because the SL is insulated only in the torso, I think the arms and hood would fall short on days with long stops. What I cannot praise is that there is no insulation in the arms or hood, so it is a poor fit for hikes with long stops. In exchange for being 75 g lighter, the risk of cold arms on breaks goes up. This part is a judgment from the numbers and the construction.
Strengths and watch-outs
What I like is that it combines body insulation and fleece side panels at 280 g. The water repellent is PFAS-free too, and it sheds light wind and rain.
One thing to watch: the body insulation is 40 gsm, so on cold days when you stop for long stretches, the Atom or the SV can be the better fit.
Who is it for?
It fits people who want an active layer for day hikes on low mountains, or something to wear under a waterproof shell. If you stop often in the cold, the Atom or SV is another way to go. If you can't decide, take this Atom SL Hoody. It's 75 g lighter than the Atom, 210 g lighter than the SV, and the cheapest of the three.
How to choose the Atom SL Hoody, and my conclusion
I use three criteria: 1) weight (280g, 355g, or 490g), 2) insulation thickness in the torso (40gsm), 3) how long you stop (on long stops, a thicker jacket suits you).
Conclusion: for day hikes on low mountains where you keep moving, or as active wear under a waterproof shell, get the Atom SL Hoody. On cold days with long stops, pick the Atom Hoody.
Price and where to buy
The price is ¥47,300, as in the table. Spread over 1 trip at a time: wear it 20 times a year and it comes to about ¥2,365 per 1 outing. If you're torn, compare on that per-1-outing number.
About the writer and sources
I'm a gear nerd who climbs both in Japan and abroad and collects gear. I re-read the numbers on the Arc'teryx official online store on Oct 28.
Published 2026-10-28 / Updated 2026-11-05. I checked the numbers on 2026/11/3. The source for each number is listed right below the table it appears in.
FAQ
How much does the Atom SL Hoody weigh?
The men's version weighs 280 g. The Atom Hoody is 355 g and the Atom SV Hoody is 490 g.
How much does the Atom SL Hoody cost?
The official online store lists it at ¥47,300 including tax.
What's the difference between the Atom SL Hoody and the Atom Hoody?
The SL is 75 g lighter and ¥2,200 cheaper. It has no insulation in the sleeves or hood, and the body insulation is thinner too.
What insulation does the Atom SL Hoody use?
Coreloft Stretch is a synthetic insulation at 40gsm, made of all polyester. It's only in the torso.
Gear in this article
Ad · Images: Rakuten IchibaSources
Read next
- To compare within the same brand, read this too.Arc'teryx Atom 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 Beta SL Jacket Review
