First a disclaimer: I bought this jacket in used condition but with extremely minor signs of use. I live in a environment that sits around the mid 70's F year round but I do have access to places that can go down to 50-60's and even 30's so climate tolerances and purpose of the jacket will vary between me and you, the reader.
When I started college I was just like every other freshman in their home state university. Dress like how you did in high school which in my case was just wear a simple cotton or cotton blend jacket. I quickly realized that this was not the way to go as it rained constantly and heavily while traveling to my next class across campus and on worst days into a large lecture hall with the AC turned to the lowest possible setting and the professor doesn't have the authority to adjust it. So that's when I got into softshell jackets. It was a Columbia Ascender non-hooded jacket that I bought from Sports Authority when they were still in business. It was breathable jacket that offers warmth and water resistance, adjustable cuffs, zippered pockets, and looks nice and casual. I wore that jacket for maybe two or three years just about most days of the week. By then I needed a new jacket. The Columbia Ascender was a bit heavy, not very compact when you pack it away, not as warm as I wanted it after sitting in even colder lecture rooms, and I just wanted something new. That's when I got a (used) Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody jacket.
The Atom LT was extremely light compared to its predecessor. It was also very packable, hooded, warm, and comfortable to wear. The jacket had a insulated softshell lining along the sleeves, back, front and hood while the area under the armpit was a stretchy microfleece column. Unlike the Columbia Ascender it had a internal zippered chest pocket. This makes for one less spot for rainwater to intrude through they could have used a shorter profile zipper like those on the Outdoor Research Ferrosi jackets which doesn't stab you in the chest. The bottom of the jacket is tightened by bungee with a toggle lock and I don't recall ever snagging onto anything unlike some other jackets I have. The hood is what I guess you could call a 3-piece design where you have two sides and a flat top running front to back. It is also adjust by bungee for how tight you want the hood against your face but not for how small to make the hood opening.
As for the fit it couldn't be any more perfect for a casual hoody. This is not a parka and I didn't intend it to be a primary outer layer for extreme weather but a nice do-all jacket whenever a jacket is appropriate to wear.
I've worn this jacket for maybe two years and I love it within the context it can be used. Is it a good outdoor jacket? Well kinda.
I think this jacket is more suited for fairweather traveling and casual use. Like every semester I have at least one class that has a freezing cold AC and I would still have to wear a fleece layer underneath it. A few occasions I wore this jacket standing out in high winds and mist down at somewhere about 52 F and it was not good despite wearing extra layers underneath. Underneath the arm pits is a microfleece column which allows for the jacket to be breathable but not for the sleeves. I find my arms to be especially moist during physical exertion in part by the lack of adjustable cuffs to allow airflow.
The Atom LT has its limitations for the individual. For $259 retail price according to their website I think this jacket is a overpriced casual jacket. And I would have a little bit of salt if I did buy it at that price. It is a good jacket for town, casual, light use but not something I would use as a primary outer layer in slightly adverse conditions but instead wear it underneath a rain shell that offers wind protection. Out on the range I'm very skeptical whether or not the shell material will hold up even though I've seen videos of dudes doing the usual cool guy stuff in the Atom LT. For me it has indeed snagged onto foliage and wood pallets so I just don't wear it as a performance range jacket and just stick to combat shirts, parkas...etc.
The hood adjustment could also go back to the drawing board. When I lay down wearing this jacket the plastic toggle stabs the back of my head, which is no better than using a pebble as a pillow. Instead I think the toggle could be relocated elsewhere or use a different method of adjustment.
The key to this is putting on the right layers. Wearing just a unlined rain shell means that you'll get sticky from sweat. By wearing a breathable layer underneath promotes a barrier between your skin and the impermeable rain shell. This jacket fits the bill as a mid layer that you can wear over your next to skin layer but under your weather resistant outer layer. As always, I might come off negative but I actually love this jacket so as long as I don't wear it alone in conditions where other forms of clothing would do a significantly better job. However I will donate a bit a salt for those buying the Atom LT at full price. The Atom LT Hoody and I will not be parting anytime soon.
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