Arc'teryx Proton FL

To summarise, if you're looking for an insulated jacket, that's breathable and the kind of thing that may replace a fleece when you're looking to do h...

Accessories: Altra Lone Peak shoes and gaiters, OR mid-weight gloves, OR swift hat, GoodR sunglasses. Pack: Ultimate Direction FastPack 25 (new color-very similar to Arcteryx 24k colorway, pretty nice). **Report:** Proton FL worked great. Was a little warm at beginning of hike near base, but as we for higher the temp regulation worked perfect.

Proton fl was great as my pace slowed a bit and the sun was setting. Basically kept it on for 2/3rds of the run. The salty breeze of the ocean chilled the sweat on my baselayer which accounts for the need to don the proton fl. There was a moment where my hands were cold wearing just the liner gloves but i kept on moving maintaining pace and my hands sorted themselves out without having to take out my thicker gloves.

The Proton FL has an uninsulated hood that seals well around your face and is good enough to keep you warm + dry, but it's not stylish at all. The Cobra's hood is a little roomier and drapes really nicely. **Pockets:** The Proton has two chest pockets and I find myself using those a *lot* when traveling. Great for cash, random notes, hotel keys... whereas the Cobra front pockets are barely usable.

It depends on your temperature preferences.

Patagonia R1, Proton Fl or Proton LT.

For me, a proton FL works well when at Whistler.

Fitted but able to be worn on its own. - active midlayer. Proton FL in black. Able to be worn on own.

Proton FL is one of the most versatile pieces Arc’Teryx makes and unlike a lot of my more expensive jackets that see little use here in Arizona it is the perfect jacket for early morning active use in just the temperature range you describe (from just above freezing to 50s). Where I live these conditions are typical from November through March. It’s fabric and weather resistance level make it great as an outer layer over a t-shirt base for this purpose basically becoming a highly breathable insulated soft shell.

I end up with awkward love handles of insulation on the Proton FL when the waist adjustment is cinched down. I think I might have to return the size large as well and conclude that there is not a jacket that fits me with Proton or Squamish characteristics from Arc.

The Proton (which I really like) was great for starting when it was very cold at the beginning, for breaks, or for the cabins, but as soon as I was moving for a while it got too warm. The long sleeve merino was better when moving but didn't help with the wind and on more climbing intensive, thus slower, parts of the trail. So really cold or warm pars are easy to dress for, but I had problems with the low teens while moving. What is your advice for a mid / outer layer for those situation?

I think the Proton LT is much too warm for your needs. And the Norvan SL isn't very good as a daily jacket.

So that leaves the Proton FL, which sounds like your best bet. It's by far the most versatile of these three jackets.