Arc'teryx Proton LT vs NW Alpine Spectra

What i find sets this jacket apart from other jack other insulated jackets - i own is just how breathable it is. So this is one of my go-to pieces for...

We put it on at the beginning of a three-day hike in the White Mountains and didn’t take off until we stepped out of the woods. The PowerDry material is just the right weight on its own for comfort in the 40-60 degree temperature range during high-exertion activities. It pulled sweat away effectively and warded off the chill above tree line. The pocket was perfect for an energy gel and the hood was great when the mountain breeze picked up and while sleeping at night

I think these would be more suitable breathable insulated pieces for your hiking level, that would eliminate the heavier fleece piece during your hikes while still providing same level of comfort. Then during rest periods, you can bring out a light down jacket like Cerium or synthetic Nuclei FL, to go over your baselayer + Atom SL / Proton SL outer active insulated hiking layer. Hope this helps!.

It does not want to hear about how sometimes you’ll wear it with your nice corduroy pants. It most certainly doesn’t give a single shit about where you like to carry your phone.

The number one thing to worry about when looking at hoodys is how well they hold up against the cold. The good thing about the Proton LT is that it’s built with Coreloft™ Compact 80 insulation, which helps regulate the climate with the jacket whether you’re exercising or simply walking around. This level of insulation is about standard for its competitors.

So while you may find yourself washing this top more than usual, you can rest assured knowing that the Spectra Long Sleeve won't wear out quickly. This ultra-durable lightweight base layer is built for the rigors of rock climbing but performs equally well as a trail running top or for working hard in the skin track when backcountry skiing. If you're looking for a lightweight base layer, this is the best we've tested.

The hood is designed for use with a helmet and really too large to use without one.Feature-wise, the Proton LT has an adjustable, helmet-compatible hood for skiing or climbing, elastic wrist cuffs, and dual hem controls. Three large zippered pockets provide convenient external storage, while an external DWR coating helps shed light rain. The factory DWR is fantastic on this jacket, but of course, it will wear off the more you wear it and stuff and unstuff it

This type of Polartec fabric was new to me and it is really comfortable worn directly over skin. The thumb loops are welcome when slipping my wind shell on and the hood has a nice snug fit that works great under both my ski and climbing helmets. The zippered chest pocket was a great size for my iPhone (and convenient to keep it close and warm). Summary