Written by 11:24 amOutdoor Gear

Arc’teryx Cerium Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

This is an image of a young man standing wearing the Arc’teryx Cerium Jacket in blue color.

If you’re looking for a high-quality lightweight jacket to keep you warm in the winter months, then you’ve come to the right place. The Arc-teryx Cerium LT Hoody is one of the best lightweight jackets around and will keep you warm and dry whatever mother nature decides to throw at you.

In this article, we’ll give you a comprehensive rundown of this excellent jacket, so that you can work out whether it’s the perfect product for you. At the end, we’ll also throw in a lightweight jacket buyer’s guide that will let you know what to look out for whenever you’re choosing a new jacket for the winter.

Read on to find out more about the Arc-teryx Cerium and why it is one of our favorite lightweight jackets on the market today.

Arc-teryx Cerium LT Hoody Review

In his Arc-teryx Cerium LT Hoody review, we’re aiming to show you exactly what the jacket is all about so that you can make an informed decision as to whether it’s the right one for you.

We’ll start by looking at the base specifications of the Arc-teryx Cerium LT and comparing them to other options in the category. After that, we’ll delve into how the jacket actually performs out on the trail before finally taking an in-depth look at our favorite features that the jacket has on offer.

Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody Men's

Specification:

Materials

The outer material of all Arc-teryx Cerium jackets are made of 100% polyamide. This material feels extremely high-quality as soon as you pick up the jacket and it feels very solid. Although polyamide doesn’t provide a fully waterproof seal, it still offers an impressive level of water resistance, especially for a lightweight jacket like this.

The insulation inside the jacket is goose down, which is one of the best materials if you want to maximize warmth without sacrificing any extra added weight. Goose down is typically only used on the best and highest quality jackets, so to see it included in the Cerium LT Hoody is definitely a big advantage.

The main zipper and the zippers that cover the pockets also feel extremely robust and well constructed. There’s nothing worse than a flimsy zipper, especially when your hands are cold and you’re struggling to grip properly. Having solid zippers also dramatically improves the jacket’s durability.

Sizes

The Arc-teryx Cerium LT Hoody comes in 6 different sizes ranging from XS up to XXL. This range of sizing options means that everybody will be able to find the perfect fit for them.

Having the correct size is very important when it comes to a lightweight coat. These jackets are specifically designed to keep you warm, but they can only do so when they fit correctly and snug to your body.

Arc-teryx has some very useful sizing charts available on their website. You can use the Arc-teryx charts to compare sizes to jackets you already own and then choose the size that is best for you.

There is also a Cerium SV variation that is offered in women’s sizing. The Cerium SV has all the great features of the Cerium LT, just with small fits.

Weight

Coming in at 10.8 ounces, the Arc-teryx Cerium LT lies just around where you’d expect for a lightweight jacket. There are some lighter options out there, but the Arc-teryx is very competitive and is lighter than a lot of the competition.

What makes this weight extra impressive is that the Cerium LT packs in a lot more insulation than many others in its category, and even includes extra synthetic insulation in places where you wouldn’t usually expect it. To have a jacket that offers this much insulation at this low weight is definitely an advantage.

Packability

The Cerium LT comes with a stuff sack if you want to pack it away. This is ideal if you’re heading out on the trail and want to take the Cerium LT with you in case you need it. It folds up very small and hardly takes up any space in a backpack.

Often it can be pretty hard to fold a coat down small enough to fit into the sack, but with this Arc-teryx product, it’s surprisingly easy. in fact, you don’t even need to fold the coat up to fit into the case. As the name suggests, you just have to “stuff” it in.

Performance:

In this section, we go into how the Cerium LT Hoody performs out on the trail and what you can expect from it if you do decide to buy. Whether you want to know how waterproof it is or how many pockets it has, this is the place to look.

Water-resistance

As we already mentioned above, the outer of the jacket is made of polyamide with a water-resistant coating. this doesn’t make the Cerium LT Hoody 100% waterproof, but it does provide a decent level of water resistance that will keep you dry in light showers.

In general, lightweight jackets like this Arc-teryx usually aren’t 100% waterproof and are almost always rated as “water-resistant”. Having said that, the Cerium LT is probably more waterproof than many of its competitors, which is always useful when you’re out on the trail.

Warmth

Since the main purpose of the Arc-teryx Cerium LT Hoody is to keep you warm, you’ll be glad to know that it passes this test with flying colors. The goose down that makes up the main part of the insulation is supplemented with Coreloft synthetic insulation in select areas in order to maximize heat retention.

Specifically, the synthetic down is added in places that are prone to moisture, since synthetic feathers are much better at keeping that water from soaking into the jacket.

Having said that, even when you do get caught out in a rain shower and moisture does start to soak into the down, the Arc-teryx Cerium LT still provides an impressive amount of heat retention and doesn’t let that water all the way through to your skin.

Durability

When you’re buying anything that you are going to be using outdoors, durability should definitely be something you are thinking about. The main thing that contributes towards durability is high-quality materials, and luckily the Arc-teryx Cerium LT Hoody has them in abundance.

Everything from the nylon shell of the jacket all the way down to the individual zippers is extremely well constructed. You can feel the quality in all of these places as soon as you slip the jacket on and you know straight away that this is going to be a product that lasts you a while.

Arc-teryx also throws in a 2-year warranty whenever you buy one of their products. This protects the buyer against any manufacturer defects or problems that weren’t their fault. Although these issues are extremely unlikely to appear, it’s great to know that you’re protected.

Fit

Since there are 6 different size choices on offer, everyone will be able to find the perfect fit for them. As we’ve already discussed, having a great fit is essential if you want to get the maximum het retention out of the jacket.

The Cerium LT has quite a slim fit and lies snug against the body. This is to provide extra warmth as well as to increase your flexibility when you’re out on the trail. Overall it’s pretty clear to see that the Cerium LT has been designed by people who know exactly what is needed from a lightweight outdoor jacket.

Storage space

When we say storage space what we really mean is the number of pockets that the Cerium LT has on offer. Pockets are important for any outdoor coat since they are a place to store the things that you regularly need when you’re out on the trail.

The Arc-teryx Cerium LT features two standard side pockets and a chest pocket inside the jacket. The chest pocket is a particularly useful space and is the ideal place to store a mobile phone. The side pockets are also great for warming your hands on those really cold days.

All the pockets have zips and can be closed to stop your stuff from falling out onto the trail. This is especially important for the chest pocket if you’re using it to store valuables. The jacket itself folds into an included stuff sack that saves you loads of space in your backpack

In-depth look:

In this section, we’ll take a quick final look at some of the features and aspects of the Cerium LT that we love the most. These are the things that help this Arc-teryx product stand out from the competition and could be the deciding factors if you’re choosing between a couple of similar jackets.

Colors

The first thing to note is that Arc-teryx Cerium LT jackets always come in a huge range of different colors. In fact, there are seven different colors available, so you can be sure that you’ll be able to find one that suits your style.

Although you might not think the color of your Cerium LT is important, having a color that you love will probably encourage you to put the jacket on more often to head into the outdoors. Don’t underestimate how important the look are when it comes to choosing a new coat!

Warmth-to-weight ratio

Another thing that impressed us a lot with the Arc-teryx Cerium LT was the warmth-to-weight ratio that it offers. To achieve this much heat retention from such a lightweight jacket is truly impressive and is one of the best ratios available on the market today.

It’s also amazing to be able to pack the Cerium LT all the way down into the included stuff sack. This means you can throw it into your backpack in case the wind starts to pick up and you get cold on the trail.

Arc-teryx Cerium LT Hoody

Overall, the Arc-teryx Cerium LT is an excellent lightweight jacket that anyone is bound to fall in love with if they pick one up. Not only is the Cerium LT super warm, but it also has a great design that allows it to packed down into an included stuff sack.

The Cerium LT is one of the most versatile options out there and is definitely a product that we highly recommend.

Pro's:
  • Packs away easily into the stuff sack
  • The interior stash pocket is extremely useful
  • Coreloft synthetic insulation in places prone to moisture
  • Goose down offers impressive heat retention

Cons:
  • The brightest color options won’t be for everyone
  • The Cerium LT is very popular so can be hard to find in stock in the United States

Buyer’s Guide:

Choosing a new lightweight jacket can be a tough process. There are loads of choices and options at all different price ranges. In order to find the right jacket for you, it’s important to narrow down your search by prioritizing the features you most want.

To help you do this, we’ve prepared this in-depth buyer’s guide. The guide will go through each of the factors you should be considering whenever you buy a new lightweight jacket and highlight what to look out for and what to avoid.

If you’re struggling to find a great lightweight jacket, then we’d recommend working through each of these categories one by one, and thinking about what is most important to you in each one. Then, when it comes to buying, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for.

Warmth

The whole reason you’re buying a new jacket is for warmth. So why not make sure that anything you purchase is going to provide the warmth you need and not leave you shivering when you’re out in the wild.

There are a few things that will affect how warm a jacket is. The most important of these is the material the jacket is made out of. The warmest jackets will usually be the ones described as “down jacket”, such as the Arc’teryx LT Hoody we reviewed above. Down insulation jackets are packed either with feathers or a synthetic replacement.

Many people also forget that the hood of a jacket can provide a lot of warmth, especially when the air is really cold. Look out for a hood that covers the whole of the head, and fits snugly around the face. This will stop any cold air from getting into the hood and around your head.

Weight

Although the warmth provided by a jacket is extremely important, you should also be thinking about the weight of the jacket as well. You can find extremely warm jackets that will keep you warm in any weather but are far too heavy for any extended exercise.

The key statistic here is the warmth-to-weight ratio. You want this ratio to be as high as possible to get the maximum amount of warmth out of any jacket. Lightweight jackets always have an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio since they pack so much insulation into such a light package.

Water Resistance

Water resistance is the next thing you should be looking at when it comes to choosing a new outdoor jacket. Jackets come in various levels of water resistance, so it’s important to think about what kind of weather you need it for.

You can find jackets that are made out of Gore-Tex and are 100% waterproof. These are best if you know that you are going to be walking in heavy rain and want to guarantee that you stay bone dry throughout. Gore-Tex is a great material since it is very breathable as well as being waterproof.

There are also jackets that are rated as “water-resistant”. This means that they are likely to keep you dry in a light shower but are definitely not 100% waterproof. These jackets are ideal for day hikes or the times where you don’t think it’s going to be pouring down outside.

Most lightweight jackets will fall into the water-resistant category but many actually offer impressive waterproofing that can hold up against any level of rain shower.

Fit

As with any piece of clothing, buying something that fits you well is essential if you want it to feel great and serve its purpose properly. Lightweight jackets are very effective at retaining heat and keeping you warm, but if the jacket doesn’t fit properly that it can’t really do this very effectively.

Be sure to check out the manufacturers sizing notes before deciding to buy any jacket. These notes will tell you what the sizes actually mean and you can compare the measurements to the jackets you already own.

If you’re still unsure, we’d recommend ordering a couple of different sizes to try and returning the one that doesn’t fit. This way you can easily decide which size fits you best.

Looks

One factor that a lot of people forget to think about when they are choosing a new jacket is its looks. Although an outdoor jacket is a practical purchase, you should still make sure you’re buying something that you like the look of and that suits you.

Having a jacket you love will make you want to put it on more and head into the outdoors. Luckily, lightweight jackets come in all different colors and styles, so you can be sure that you’ll be able to find the perfect jacket for you.

Pockets

A great jacket will probably give you plenty of options when it comes to storing your items. Pockets are one of the most useful things on a jacket, especially when you’re hiking in the outdoors. If you like to take things like a camera when you head outside, make sure you choose a jacket with some pockets!

Most jackets will have hand pockets and an interior pocket, but some will actually include more useful pockets. We love the jackets with a front pouch pocket since this is very easy to access and is a great place to store the things you regularly need.

It’s also worth mentioning that some lightweight jackets will have a design that actually folds down into a stuff sack. Usually, this means they fold in on themselves into the front pocket, and it means you can through it into your rucksack without taking up too much space.

Budget

The final consideration you should always make before you start looking for a new jacket is with regards to your budget. This could actually be the most important factor, as it is with most purchases.

There are loads of jacket options out there, so thinking about the budget you have to work with can significantly narrow down your choices and make it a lot easier to pick a jacket. There’s really no point wasting time looking at jackets that are way outside your price range if you know you can’t afford them.

Luckily for us, there a plenty of great jackets at nearly every price point, so you don’t need to worry about your budget being too low. If you are after a premium option, then be sure to read through our review of the Arc-teryx Cerium LT Hoody above.

Conclusion:

It’s probably become clear that there are a lot of things to think about when it comes to buying a new lightweight jacket. You’ve got to consider loads of factors whilst still staying within your budget. Although this can be difficult, it should be really fun too.

Thinking about what you want from a jacket is really the only way to ensure that you’re going to love what you end up buying. Be sure to keep checking the buyer’s guide if you run into any difficult decisions!

FAQ:

We get asked a lot of questions about lightweight jackets, and usually, the questions are very similar. In this section, we’ve answered some of the most common ones. Hopefully, this will clear something up for you and can help you find the perfect jacket for you.

Are Arc-teryx cerium LT jackets waterproof?

Each Arc-teryx Cerium LT jacket has a different level of waterproofing. Most are rate “water-resistant”, which means they will definitely keep you dry in light to medium showers, but will probably let some water in if it is pouring down.

Arc-teryx Cerium jackets are not really designed to be 100% waterproof and have a much bigger focus on warmth. However, since they are thin and lightweight, you can easily layer a fully waterproof shell jacket on top if you’re heading out in some heavy rain.

How long do waterproof jackets stay waterproof?

If you wear a waterproof jacket very frequently, then it usually recommended that you re-proof it every 5-6 months. If you wear it more sparingly, then you’ll probably get away with waiting a year or longer.

Re-proofing your jacket is a pretty easy process and can be done by anyone. All you’ve got to do is buying a waterproofing spray, spray it over the jacket, and hang it to dry for a while.

Reproofing your jacket will increase its lifespan dramatically and you can get loads more use out of it before you have to get a new one. If your jacket is starting to leak, be sure to attempt a re-proof before you go out to buy a whole new jacket.

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