Torn between the Arcteryx Atom LT and Patagonia Nano Air jackets? This in-depth comparison covers insulation, weight, breathability, weather resistance and more to help you choose the perfect insulated jacket.
Arcteryx Atom LT vs Patagonia Nano Air Jacket: An In-Depth Comparison
When it comes to high-performance insulated jackets, two names constantly pop up – Arcteryx and Patagonia. Their popular Atom LT and Nano Air models have developed a cult following among outdoor enthusiasts. But which of these lightweight synthetic insulation jackets reigns supreme?
In this detailed head-to-head breakdown, I’ll be comparing the Arcteryx Atom LT and Patagonia Nano Air jackets across every key aspect. From insulation and warmth to breathability, weather protection, mobility and more. By the end, you’ll have all the facts to decide which insulated jacket best suits your needs and adventures.
So let’s dive right in and put these two outdoor juggernauts up against each other!
What are the Atom LT and Nano Air Jackets?
The Arcteryx Atom LT (lettered for “Lightweight”) and Patagonia Nano Air are both distinctly different takes on the insulated synthetic jacket. Here’s a quick overview:
The Arcteryx Atom LT combines lightweight Coreloft synthetic insulation with an air-permeable design. It’s a versatile mid-layer intended for high-output activities in cool to cold conditions.
The Patagonia Nano Air takes insulation to new heights with its novel FullRange insulation fabric – nylon woven with a wool-like synthetic material. It aims to provide warmth comparable to a puffy jacket but with far better breathability and stretchiness.
While they share some similarities in being lightweight synthetic jackets, the Atom LT and Nano Air go about it very differently. But which unique approach works better? Let’s find out!
Insulation and Warmth
When judging an insulated jacket, warmth is inevitably one of the top criteria. Both Arcteryx and Patagonia use different proprietary synthetic insulations that have their own advantages.
The Atom LT utilizes Coreloft insulation, a tightly-woven synthetic fill that’s lightweight yet exceptionally warm for its low bulk. It has an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio thanks to how well the fibers trap heat.
Meanwhile, the Nano Air employs a very different FullRange insulation approach. This knitted fabric has synthetic nodes woven in a wool-like pattern, creating warmth through trapped air pockets rather than loft. Patagonia claims it provides the warmth of a heavyweight fleece in a thin yet stretchy package.
So which is actually warmer in real-world use? Most reviewers give the slight edge to the Atom LT for providing more consistent full-body warmth, especially in cold winds. The Nano Air is praised for its incredible breathability, but some find the insulation can feel uneven or even a bit cold in certain cooler conditions.
Advantage: Arcteryx Atom LT (for overall warmth)
Weight and Packability
There’s no getting around it – jackets with synthetic insulation will never pack down as small as down fill. But when it comes to being packable, both the Atom LT and Nano Air impress.
The Arcteryx Atom LT weighs just 12.7 oz (360g) for the men’s version, while the women’s is even lighter at 10.2 oz (290g). It easily stuffs into its internal pocket or chest pocket too.
The Patagonia Nano Air takes the lightweight crown though. It weighs an incredibly minimal 10.8 oz (306g) for men and just 8.8 oz (249g) for women. Plus its highly compressible synthetic fill means it packs down remarkably small.
Both jackets punch well above their weight class in terms of warmth, especially the ultra-light Nano Air. But if packability and low weight are priorities for travel or fast-packing adventures, Patagonia gets the slight nod here.
Advantage: Patagonia Nano Air (weight and compressibility)
Breathability and Moisture Management
This is where the Nano Air truly separates itself from the Atom LT and most other insulated jackets. Its unique knitted synthetic insulation was engineered precisely for breathability during aerobic activities.
The Patagonia Nano Air is incredibly air-permeable, allowing heat and moisture vapor to easily escape. Even during high-output activities like climbing or hiking, the Nano Air keeps you comfortably dry and regulates temperatures remarkably well.
In contrast, the Arcteryx Atom LT places more emphasis on weatherproofing. Its tighter woven outer shell improves wind/water resistance but also reduces breathability compared to the Nano Air. While the Atom LT is more breathable than most insulated jackets, it can still trap sweat during intense aerobic use if not properly vented.
If you’ll mainly be wearing your jacket during sedentary periods or lower intensity activities, the Atom LT’s average breathability is perfectly fine. But for backcountry adventures or stop-and-go sports where you’ll be working hard, the Nano Air provides a huge advantage in air permeability and breathability.
Advantage: Patagonia Nano Air (by a mile)
Weather Resistance
While neither of these jackets are hardshells, the Atom LT places a higher priority on weather protection than the Nano Air’s focus on breathability.
The Arcteryx Atom LT has a wind/water resistant outer face fabric treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish. It’ll shrug off light precipitation and block winds quite effectively. The trim fit and adjustable hem also seals out drafts.
In contrast, the Patagonia Nano Air favors air permeability over weatherproofing in its design. Its lightweight insulation isn’t very wind-resistant, and the open knit face fabric wets out quicker than the Atom LT’s tight weave. It handles moderate winds okay but offers minimal protection in a storm.
If you need an insulated jacket to wear as an outer layer in wet or very windy conditions, the Atom LT is the more weather-resistant choice. But the Nano Air is better for dry climates where you won’t face excessive precipitation.
Advantage: Arcteryx Atom LT (weather protection)
Fit, Mobility and Comfort
Both jackets are designed with active outdoor pursuits in mind, but they achieve mobility in distinctly different ways.
The Atom LT has an articulated/athletic fit with panels designed to reduce bulkiness and improve freedom of movement. However, the tightly-woven insulation doesn’t provide as much inherent stretch as the Nano Air.
Meanwhile, the Nano Air’s FullRange insulation fabric provides outstanding stretchiness in every direction for uninhibited movement. It has a more relaxed, casual fit but the stretchy fabric and gusseted underarms maximize mobility.
In terms of overall comfort, the Nano Air gets lots of praise for its soft, wool-like inner lining that feels cozy against the skin. Some find the Atom LT’s thinner insulation a bit crinkly and not as comfortable next-to-skin.
So while the articulated fit of the Atom LT improves mobility, most agree the Nano Air’s stretchy, flexible fabric provides the most uncompromised range of motion and comfort during activities like climbing, hiking, etc.
Advantage: Patagonia Nano Air (stretch and comfort)
Arc’teryx Fit
The Atom LT has an athletic fit that’s trim but not restrictive. It has articulated patterning with stretch panels at the shoulders, cuffs and hem for excellent mobility. The fit is relatively slim to reduce bulkiness when wearing as a mid-layer.
Patagonia Fit
The Nano Air has a more relaxed, regular fit that doesn’t cling as close to the body as the Atom LT. But it makes up for this with the stretchy, flexible FullRange insulation fabric that provides outstanding freedom of movement.
Durability and Construction
You’d expect top-tier durability and construction quality from premium brands like Arc’teryx and Patagonia – and both the
Durability and Construction
You’d expect top-tier durability and construction quality from premium brands like Arc’teryx and Patagonia – and both the Atom LT and Nano Air deliver in this regard.
The Arcteryx Atom LT features a durable Tyono 20 denier nylon outer fabric that’s tightly woven for excellent tear and abrasion resistance. The Coreloft synthetic insulation is also highly resilient and doesn’t deteriorate or shed fibers easily over time.
The Patagonia Nano Air is built with a slightly lighter 33D nylon FullRange stretch shell fabric. While not as rugged as the Atom LT’s weave, it provides great all-around durability for the lightweight construction. The insulation fabric is also designed to resist pulls and snags.
Both jackets utilize impeccable construction techniques with reinforced high-wear areas, quality zippers, and flatlock low-bulk seaming throughout. Proper care should allow either to provide years of service in the outdoors.
Advantage: Tie (both extremely durable for intended use)
Versatility and Use Cases
So which is the more versatile jacket for various outdoor activities and climates? Here’s a quick breakdown of the best use cases for each:
The Arcteryx Atom LT is an excellent insulating mid-layer for stop-start aerobic activities like hiking, climbing, skiing etc in cool to cold conditions. Its strong wind/weather resistance also makes it suitable as an outer warm layer on milder dry days.
The Patagonia Nano Air really shines as a breathable insulation piece for high-output activities like intense hiking, climbing, backcountry skiing and more. Its unrivaled breathability prevents overheating. It can also serve as a cozy mid-layer in cold conditions.
For dry climates and shoulder seasons, both are highly versatile options. But the Nano Air’s breathability makes it less ideal as an outer layer in wet or very cold weather compared to the Atom LT.
Advantage: Tie (both highly versatile for different use cases)
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
More and more outdoor brands have made sustainability a priority in recent years – and Arc’teryx and Patagonia are leading the charge.
The Arcteryx Atom LT insulation is made from 60% recycled polyester and the face fabric contains 33% recycled nylon fibers. It also meets bluesign criteria for sustainable textile manufacturing.
Not to be outdone, the Patagonia Nano Air is Fair Trade certified for ethical labor practices. And its nylon fabric is 100% recycled with traceable down to the raw material sources. Though the proprietary FullRange insulation isn’t recycled currently.
Both companies have goals to increase sustainability while maintaining high performance standards. But Patagonia gets a slight edge here for the entirely recycled face fabric on the Nano Air.
Advantage: Patagonia Nano Air (for recycled/ethical materials)
Style and Colors
Let’s be honest, looking good while staying warm and dry is a priority for many outdoor enthusiasts! Luckily, both the Arcteryx Atom LT and Patagonia Nano Air offer plenty of stylish color options to choose from.
The Atom LT has a trim, athletic cut with a lightly insulated look. It comes in around 10 different color combinations that mix neutrals like black, gray and navy with brighter options like red, green and blue.
Meanwhile, the Nano Air has more of a casual, relaxed appearance thanks to its stretchy, sweater-knit face fabric. It also tends to have slightly more muted, earthy color options like browns, tans and olives in addition to brighter hues like yellow and purple.
At the end of the day, neither is particularly stylish or unstylish – it comes down to personal color and aesthetic preferences. But the Nano Air arguably has a more unique, distinctive look compared to the typical puffier insulated jacket styles.
Conclusion and Verdict:
There’s no easy answer for whether the Arcteryx Atom LT or Patagonia Nano Air is definitively “better.” Each of these excellent synthetic insulation jackets has its own set of strengths and ideal use cases.
If you need a warm, weather-resistant insulated jacket that can handle light rain/snow and high winds as an outer layer, the Atom LT is the superior choice. Its Coreloft insulation also provides more consistent full-body warmth in cold conditions.
However, if breathability and moisture management are priorities, there’s simply no beating the Patagonia Nano Air. Its unique knitted FullRange insulation offers unmatched air permeability and temperature regulation during high-output aerobic activities. The stretch and freedom of movement is also second to none.
For shoulder season use, winter sports, and cool/cold weather travel where you’ll be active, the ultralight and packable Nano Air is an outstanding hybrid insulation/weather resistant piece. In wet or extremely cold conditions, the more weather-sealed Atom LT is preferable as an outer insulation layer.
At the end of the day, you really can’t go wrong with either of these premium synthetic jackets from Arcteryx and Patagonia. Just be clear about your prioritized needs – warmth vs breathability, wet weather protection vs packability, etc. Then pick the jacket that best aligns with your adventures and outdoor pursuits.