Best Jacket for Hiking (What I Wear All Year in Washington) 

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Finding the best jacket for hiking in Washington isn’t easy when you might get sunshine, wind, light rain, and swinging temperatures all on the same day.

When I bought my first Arc’teryx Atom Hoody at REI, I knew I could test it on the trail and return it if it didn’t work for me.

Now, five years later, I never hike without it.

It’s so often the right jacket for the conditions in every season, even when I don’t know what the weather will bring.

It keeps me warm on early morning drives to the trailhead and when I’m off the trail — around the campfire, on neighborhood walks, and even in restaurants.

When conditions call for heavy rain or freezing temperatures, I still need to bring my GORE-TEX rain jacket and insulated puffy.

But of all the outdoor gear I reach for most often, the Arc’teryx Atom Hoody is at the top of that list.

I’ll share who this jacket is best for, the features I find most useful on the trail, and how its all-around use and durability make it worth $300. I’ll also show how I layer it in colder and wetter conditions.

Why I Consider This the Best Hiking Jacket After Five Years 

The Atom Hoody’s warmth-to-weight ratio is unmatched by any other jacket I own. And I don’t lose that warmth even when it gets a little wet.

Beyond its reliability in changing weather, I love its sleek, flattering fit, which works well under my pack. I also love that it works as a standalone jacket or as part of my layering system. 

Of course, the Atom has its limitations. It’s water-resistant, not waterproof, so I still need a rain jacket in sustained rain. In winter conditions, I bring an insulated puffy jacket to wear over it.

During strenuous uphill hiking, there are times when the Atom is too warm and I take it off. But it’s always in my pack even when I’m not wearing it.

Here are a few examples of where I’ve relied on it throughout the year.

Why I Bought the Arc’teryx Atom Hoody (Then Bought a Second One)

It was 2021 and I was getting ready to do a tour to the Muir Snowfield at Mount Rainier.

I stopped at REI before arriving in Ashford, and the salesperson highly recommended the Arc’teryx Atom Hoody.

But I wasn’t totally sold on it because of the price tag. I had just started hiking seriously and I wasn’t sure if my enthusiasm for the outdoors was going to last (spoiler alert: it’s only grown).

Since REI’s return policy makes it easy to take a chance on products, even if you’re not a member, I bought it. 

I immediately loved the fit and how warm it kept me as we waited for the tour to start.

When I returned to complete the Camp Muir hike the following month, I stayed comfortable at 10,080 feet despite the wind and massive drop in temperature — without lugging around a heavy jacket for nine miles.

A year later, I bought another one in yellow so that I’d have a more visible option for mountain safety. And I already know I’ll buy another one when my first two finally wear out.

Arc’teryx Atom Hoody Features That I Love

After years of hiking in my Atom, these are the features I’ve come to appreciate most. 

Warmth, Breathability, and Temperature Control 

• Warmth — Its synthetic insulation warms me up immediately despite being thin and lightweight, without weighing me down while hiking.
• Full zip — I often ignore the advice to “be bold, start cold” and start with my jacket on. As I warm up, I unzip it completely for ventilation, then take it off at the next break.
• Breathability — Removing layers is just a part of hiking, but I like that I can continue wearing it without overheating until we stop.
• Hood — The fitted hood provides warmth and often eliminates the need for a separate beanie. I like being able to pull it over my sunhat instead of switching to a beanie so I keep the sun protection.

Weather Resistance and Long-Term Durability 

• Water resistant — In the photo below, you can see water beading on my Atom’s hood. It handles light rain well, even if it’s not waterproof.
• Wind resistance — I’ve worn my Atom in fierce wind on Mount St. Helens, including on the summit, where I wore it without an additional shell. 
• Excellent durability — My original Atom from 2021 is still in excellent condition after years of being stuffed into backpacks and brushing against rocks and branches.

Lightweight, Not Bulky, and Easy to Pack

• Lightweight and compressible — I am not precious about it at all. I shove it into my backpack and it doesn’t take up too much space. It can actually fit into its own chest pocket if needed.
• Not bulky — Its slim fit means that I can still move around comfortably even when sleeping in my sleeping bag.

How I Layer My Hiking Jacket for Different Conditions

Since the Arc’teryx Atom Hoody isn’t bulky, it’s easy to wear beneath my backpack or another jacket when I need more protection from the weather.

I’m 5’1” and wear a medium. There’s enough room underneath for a tight-fitting fleece, like my Mammut Aconcagua Hoody, when I need extra warmth while hiking. 

Thanks to the Atom’s stretch fleece side panels, I can still comfortably move my arms and shoulders without feeling restricted, even when I’m wearing multiple layers. 

Under a Waterproof Rain Jacket

When rain becomes more persistent, I wear my GORE-TEX rain jacket over the Atom.

The Atom provides warmth while my rain jacket keeps me dry and adds protection from the wind.

I don’t get unbearably hot because the Atom is breathable and I can unzip it along with my rain jacket for extra ventilation.

This combination gives me the warmth and protection I need to keep hiking instead of having to turn around.

I own an Arc’teryx Zeta SL GORE-TEX rain jacket, which I also bought in 2021. They no longer make this model, but other lower-cost lightweight GORE-TEX jackets work well for hiking.

If you’re still exploring all your options, choose a waterproof rain jacket, not one that’s merely water-resistant. Look for a breathable fabric, too, to help manage moisture when you’re working up a sweat. 

Under a Warmer Insulated Jacket

When temperatures drop significantly, especially when we stop for lunch on winter hikes, I wear my insulated puffy jacket over the Atom.

The Atom fits comfortably beneath my puffy, adding another layer of insulation without the combination feeling too bulky.

Once I start hiking again and warm up, I take off the puffy and continue in my Atom. 

I own a Montane Featherlite down jacket, but REI’s insulated puffy jackets are less expensive and highly rated. 

Puffy jackets are often water-resistant but not waterproof. My rain jacket fits over my puffy jacket, the perfect combination for me when it’s cold and rainy. 

What to Know Before Buying the Arc’teryx Atom Hoody

This hoody is available for men and women. 

Arc’teryx has updated the Atom since I purchased mine in 2021 and 2022. I tried on the newest version and the two things that were noticeably different were:

• The bottom of the jacket now has an elastic drawstring that you can tighten to help keep cold air out. 
• The hood now has a structured brim.

Although the Atom is designed to fit close to the body, consider trying a size up if you want to wear anything bulkier than a snug layer underneath. 

Should You Get the Hooded Version?

In Washington, where you can experience all four seasons in a day, having a hood means you can quickly protect your head from wind, cold, or light rain. You don’t have to carry a beanie or dig through your pack for one.

As a local, I can’t stress enough how much I use the built-in hoods of all my jackets. The only jacket I’ve purchased without a hood was a formal dress-up jacket.

How I’ve Cared for My Jackets

My Atom Hoodys don’t hold onto odors, so I don’t wash them after every hike. I’ve actually gone weeks without washing them.

When they need cleaning, I hand-wash them with Woolite mixed with Oxiclean and let them air dry. I’ve never put them in the dryer.

That’s how I’ve cared for my jackets, although Arc’teryx recommends machine washing on a gentle, low setting and tumble drying on low heat. I recommend following the care instructions for your specific jacket. 

Where to Buy the Arc’teryx Atom Hoody

I’ve bought Arc’teryx products from REI, Amazon, and directly from Arc’teryx — but mostly from REI.

I buy 90% of my outdoor gear there because I’m a member, which means my purchases accumulate rewards (dividends, actually, since it’s a co-op) which I can use the following year. 

But the biggest reason is because of REI’s return policy. I can use a piece of gear and return it if it doesn’t work. I don’t get that same flexibility to try gear on actual hikes when I buy from Amazon or Arc’teryx directly. 

That’s especially reassuring when I’m spending $300 on a jacket, which is why I recommend buying the Atom from REI.

Who Should Buy This Hiking Jacket

The Arc’teryx Atom Hoody is an excellent choice for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who spend time outside year-round and want one versatile jacket they can wear both on and off the trail.

I wear mine on my way to yoga just as often as I do on drives to national park trailheads.  

It’s the first layer I reach for on a chilly morning at camp, but it’s fitted and stylish enough that I don’t feel out of place in a sit-down restaurant after hiking.

I’d also recommend it to anyone who travels frequently. It’s warm enough to keep me comfortable on flights and packs down easily inside my carry-on.

Why the Arc’teryx Atom Hoody is Worth the Price

At $300, the Arc’teryx Atom Hoody isn’t cheap. 

I hesitated before buying my first one when it was $259.00, but now I consider it the best investment I’ve made in hiking gear because it’s either on me or in my pack on every trip.

I hike about 25–30 times a year, which works out to roughly $1.73-$2.07 per hike over five seasons. 

And that doesn’t include all the times I’ve worn it to the grocery store or taking out the trash. My original jacket is still in great condition, and I expect to get several more years out of it.

Who Should Skip It or Choose a Lower Cost Option

Don’t buy this jacket if you’re doing just one national park vacation and don’t spend much time outdoors.

If you’re exploring what might work from your own closet, I wouldn’t rely on a cotton zip-up hoodie for hiking in Washington. Cotton absorbs moisture from sweat and rain and takes forever to dry. In cool weather, you’ll get cold in wet cotton. 

REI makes more affordable jackets, like the Flash Hyperstretch Fleece Jacket. 

It’s the jacket I wore while thru-hiking the Enchantments Traverse and on a January visit to the Quinault Rainforest.

At just under $100, it’s a great alternative if you don’t want to spend $300, especially if you already have a waterproof rain jacket for wet conditions. 

Why I’d Still Choose the Arc’teryx Atom Hoody 

For me, the Atom’s ability to handle wind and light rain better than my fleece makes it more reliable for Washington’s changing weather. 

But what really makes it worth the money is how often I reach for it when I’m not hiking. 

I’m always on the hunt for gear that works across different areas of my life so that I can buy less and pack less. This jacket is one of the few pieces I own that measures up.

Whether I’m at 12,000 feet or on a casual walk, this is the jacket I want with me.

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