Arc’teryx Cerium LT (Women’s) Review

November 22, 2013
Arc’teryx Cerium LT (Women’s)
GEAR INSTITUTE RATINGS
86
Fit
7
Warmth
7
Compressibility
9
Weight
9
Features
7
Value
7

The Good

  • Great arm mobility
  • Good neck coverage and snug-fitting hood
  • Body mapping with hydrophobic synthetic and lofty down
  • Lightweight and compressible

The Bad

  • Expensive
  • For the money, it has thin zippers and hard-to-find zipper pulls
  • No hem draw cord
THE VERDICT

If you’re going to be skinning or hiking—and therefore sweating—in the dry, cold mountain air, than the Arc’teryx Cerium LT should be in your closet. The combination of synthetic down (which stays drier than down) and high-loft down combines the best qualities of these insulations in this light and compressible hooded jacket.

FULL REVIEW

Warmth
The Arc’teryx Cerium LT is comparable to the Patagonia Hi-loft Down Sweater in terms of warmth. I appreciate how it covered my lower back and kept my core warm. The hood was comfy and form-fitting. My hands and arms, however, were cool near the end of testing. I think the jacket does best in maintaining warmth during aerobic activities. I’m not sure if I could say whether the Coreloft was cooler than the down. Arc’teryx says the Coreloft is located in the hem, the collar and the sleeves under the arms and my arms felt cool after 15 minutes outside.

Fit
I like when jackets cover my kidneys in the back as it keeps my core warmer. The Cerium was a little tight through the shoulders and there’s not a lot of spare room for layering. But the arm length is perfect and the hood feels like a hat. It fits tightly over my helmet, but it works.

Compressibility
It’s very compressible and fits into the second smallest stuff sack of the group.

Weight
The Cerium LT is the second lightest of the group tested (9 oz. by my scale) and has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio.

Features
The Cerium LT has an adjustable hood and a 3-part sleeve for higher mobility. It also has a DWR finish. But the biggest feature is the combination of hi-loft down with synthetic Coreloft insulation. The Coreloft is placed in areas of the body that tend to get wet like the hem, the collar and under the arms. The down goes in the core and sleeves.

Value
At $350, the Cerium LT is the most expensive of the group of 7 jackets, followed by the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer at $320. In my experience, Arc’teryx’s product testing is so intensive and the designers are all end users themselves. So you’re paying for quality construction well thought out designs. My husband is a ski patroller and swears by the men’s version of this jacket since it keeps him warm when he’s active.

 


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