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ArcTeryx Cerium LT Hoody – Jacket Review

ArcTeryx Cerium LT Hoody – Jacket Review

The New Cerium LT Hoody is a Punch Above The Rest!

Arc’Teryx has a reputation for high technical quality, minimalist styling, and robust engineering. The new Cerium LT Hoody has taken that reputation and run with it.

The Cerium LT Hoody & Jacket are two sides of the same coin; the Hoody has a hood, the Jacket does not – and that’s where the differences end. But the commonalities are where the magic lies. The Cerium LT Hoody is a super lightweight garment, designed for maximum warmth, at minimum weight.

First Impressions

The Cerium LT has an updated look featuring a longer cut at the rear, and a trim, close to body fit which means it can comfortably be used as a warm mid layer. An interior pocket/stuff sack, adds to the storage options, with two large zippered exterior pockets.

The quality construction and finish are as expected with any Arcteryx products. The brand does sit on the high end of the spectrum in terms of cost but you do get what you pay for.  The Cerium Hoody uses a mix of synthetic and premium down insulation that offers an exceptional warmth to weight ratio. This hoody is light! Very light.

arcteryx hoody
Arcteryx Cerium LT Hoody. Photo: ©Richard McGibbon

Features

The Arcteryx Cerium LT Hoody combines high functionality and minimalism exceptionally well. Using a blend of technical materials and construction, yet still manages to keep the entire look simple and elegant.

Weight to Warmth Ratio

The jacket is incredibly lightweight at only 300 grams but is fantastically warm for its weight. How does it do this? Well, the Cerium Hoody uses a blend of Coreloft™ synthetic insulation in areas where moisture may build up, and 850 fill European white goose down in areas where maximum warmth is needed.

This composite design of using a mix of materials in key areas of the garment is how the jacket remains light but incredibly warm.

To finish it all off, there are adjustable hem and hood drawcords to seal the cold away from the torso and keep your head and neck areas insulated. The main torso zip runs high so the collar fits snugly under the chin and the sleeve cuffs are elasticated to stop the cold creeping up your arms.

Insulated StormHood™ provides coverage without compromising range of vision. Photo: ©Richard McGibbonInsulated StormHood™ provides coverage without compromising range of vision. Photo: ©Richard McGibbon
Elasticated hem drawcords. Photo: ©Richard McGibbonElasticated hem drawcords. Photo: ©Richard McGibbon
Elasticated cuffs to keep the cold from creeping up your arms. Photo: ©Richard McGibbonElasticated cuffs to keep the cold from creeping up your arms. Photo: ©Richard McGibbon

Storage

There are two large zippered side pockets on the outer of the hoody and another large zippered internal pocket. This internal pocket doubles as the stuff sack. Just unzip and start pushing the hoody into the pocket. Once it’s all in there you can then zip it up, making it very easy for storage in your pack.

Materials

The Cerium LT uses a nylon Arato™ 10 outer shell which is durable, moisture resistant, wind cancelling, and highly breathable. For moisture-prone areas, the Cerium LT Hoody uses a Coreloft™ synthetic insulation and keeps the premium 850 fill power down for areas where maximum warmth is needed.

The Coreloft™ insulation is made with a highly crimped multi-denier siliconized polyester yarn making it very compressible for storage but still retains excellent loft retention.

Two large zippered outer pockets. Photo: ©Richard McGibbonTwo large zippered outer pockets. Photo: ©Richard McGibbon
Large inner pocket/stuff sack. Photo: ©Richard McGibbonLarge inner pocket/stuff sack. Photo: ©Richard McGibbon
The insulated StormHood™ provides coverage without compromising range of vision.. Photo: ©Richard McGibbonThe insulated StormHood™ provides coverage without compromising range of vision.. Photo: ©Richard McGibbon

Out On The Trails

I’ve been using the Arcteryx Cerium LT Hoody for all of my hiking trips over the winter period and I have to admit, it’s blown me away. Whilst the wind and the cold has literally been blowing me away, the Cerium LT Hoody has stood up against it all.

I tested the Cerium LT Hoody in sub-zero temps ranging from zero to -8 and extremely windy conditions with only a long sleeve merino jersey underneath and I have been absolutely fine. This was during periods of mid-high activity. Sitting around the camp later in the evenings as the temps plummeted and not moving much, I did need to add another layer, but that was only expected.

In a light drizzle, the material sheds the water very effectively. As with all down products, getting them wet is best avoided but the Cerium LT allows you enough time to get your waterproof shell on,  without worrying too much about getting a little bit of rain on it.

Pack space is very important to me as I like to go as light as possible. Fortunately, due to the crimped material, the hoody packs down very small (in its own pocket) which makes it perfect for ultra-light hiking.

Yes, it’s not cheap but you absolutely get what you pay for with the Arcteryx Cerium LT Hoody. If you’re looking for a new lightweight down jacket and it’s within your budget, then you can’t go far wrong with the Arcteryx Cerium LT Hoody. As far as warmth to weight ratios go, this is up there right at the top.

arcteryx hoody
The articulated construction of the Cerium LT Hoody moves with the body. Photo: ©Richard McGibbon
arcteryx hoody
The Arcteryx Cerium LT Hoody packs down small inside its own pocket and weighs around 300grams. Photo: ©Richard McGibbon

Full Product Features:

Technical Features

  • Moisture-resistant outer face fabric
  • Breathable
  • Insulated
  • Great warmth-to-weight ratio
  • Lightweight
  • Compressible and packable
  • Wind resistant

Construction

  • DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish repels moisture
  • Down Composite Mapping strategically places Coreloft™ synthetic insulation in areas where moisture may buildup and down in areas for maximum warmth

Design

  • Improved fit with a longer body length

Hood Configuration

  • Adjustable hood drawcords
  • Down insulated StormHood™

Zippers & Fly Configuration

  • Full front zip with chin guard
  • Corded zipper-pulls reduce noise and are easy to grab

Cuff & Sleeves Configuration

  • Elastic cuffs

Hem Configuration

  • Adjustable hem drawcord

Pocket Configuration

  • Two hand pockets with zippersInternal zippered security pocket with stuff sack

 

The Arcteryx Cerium Hoody and jacket colourways.

Where to Buy/Price?

  • Arc’Teryx Cerium LT Hoody RRP: $549.50 approx
  • Arc’Teryx Cerium LT Jacket RRP: $499.00 approx

Conclusions

  • 8/10
    Warmth - 8/10
  • 10/10
    Weight - 10/10
  • 10/10
    Quality - 10/10
  • 10/10
    Packability - 10/10
  • 9/10
    Appearance - 9/10
  • 8/10
    Durability - 8/10
9.2/10

Summary

The latest out of the Arc’Teryx design lab balances functionality and performance perfectly. Arc’Teryx has designed a lightweight classic in the Cerium LT. Ideal for hikers, skiers, climbers, outdoor lovers and even commuters, the Cerium LT Hoody & Jacket will make the hard yards a little bit easier this winter.

Jason Lorch
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