Arc'teryx Men's Atom SV Hoody

a big surprise
I compare this to other jackets I own that are often referred to as "belay style". Its strong points in that regard are: attached hood, good face coverage, no-fiddle elastic cuffs, single handle main zipper, well placed waist and hood adjustment pulls. I like also the slick nylon interior making it easy to layer over the snaggiest fabrics. I have an atom LT in large and this atom SV hoody in XL, and the two make a great layering set. The surprise is the warmth/weight ratio. This jacket is amazingly light (xl= 542g) and provides really good warmth! I have a couple jackets that are lighter and are not nearly as warm. I have a few that are heavier and also are not as warm as the SV. Having had an atom LT hoody for long time, I was skeptical that the SV would be much different and didn't want to pay the somewhat high price, but I was all wrong- the SV is really much warmer and worth the $$. I've worn it down to 30 degrees in medium wind and it does the job of heavier jackets. Fabrics are soft and quiet too. A good deal even considering the price tag!

The ATOM SV HOODY is a knockout
WOW...I am really digging this latest jacket from Arc'teryx. I am 5'8" 180lbs. and the medium fits perfect. I bought one for me and my brother. It is light as a feather and it actually layers fine with my Stingray (also in medium#, but I bought the SV as a stand alone piece, as I layer with an Atom LT. You get alot for your money here, 40% more Coreloft insulation over the LT, an insulated hood with front AND rear adjustment, hem adjustment #both sides#, Driclime type material in the pockets for handwarmers and they have matched that around the collar #following up the sides of your face when the hood is up as well), a section of spandex type material that acts as a gasket, covering the entire back of your neck to keep out the wind and snow. Like all Arc'teryx items, what a well thought out piece. I got the black, I was hoping that the color of the moniker would not be white. I was pleased to see that it matches the silver lining, very nice. I am as excited about the SV as I am with the shell I recently purchased. I can't wait to put it to the test out in the Cascades and Mt. Hood in the coming months.

Extremely warm and lightweight jacket. Great by itself or layered underneath a shell. Looks great, too... This is a great jacket, and I highly recommend it.

Great Insulator
Excellent as a mid layer on really cold days, and just as good by itself with a baselayer on most days 5-35F. Nice spandex collar inside to keep snow out. Water resistant. Packs super light and tight.

Super Jacket/Layer
I couldn't be happier with the Atom SV. Its incredibly light and very warm for its weight. The insulation covers the whole jacket including the hood which makes the jacket excellent as a stand alone or an insulating layer under a shell. Sizing is true to sized I'd say.