Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody is the wet-weather synthetic insulation choice. We looked at how Coreloft performance in damp conditions compares to down insulation.
Who it's for
Buy this if: Hikers in wet or Pacific Northwest environments where down's wet-performance weakness matters.
Skip this if: Desert and dry mountain hikers — down insulation provides more warmth per weight in dry conditions.
In practice
Synthetic vs. Down in Wet
Down clusters collapse when wet — a soaked down jacket provides 20-30% of dry warmth. Synthetic fibers maintain their loft structure when damp — Coreloft at 80% saturation provides 80-90% of dry warmth. In coastal, alpine, and Pacific Northwest environments where moisture is unavoidable, synthetic insulation is the correct choice even at the weight penalty.
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