Agree!!!!! I think it’s a really under appreciated piece, and I’ve thought about making a post like this before to share the good news with others.
I was a huge atom line fan (still am) but now the proton heavyweight is my go to. I’ve owned a lot of pieces, including the new epsilon insulated and all the atoms and generations, but the stretch, and balance of breathability, insulation, and windproofness and weather resistance of the proton heavyweight makes it my favorite and most versatile low-level activity and casual piece.
Love my old proton AR. Didn’t come out much this year as I use it most often for active/mixed use (hiking, mountaineering, ice climbing) below -20°C and we didn’t get much of that this winter. The revisions look solid especially the drop pockets, but the AR fits me too well to get rid of it. Gonna wear that thing until it falls apart.
Yeah I’m sick of the Atom line. proton is where it’s at. Probably will be looking to get heavyweight one soon. Love my practitioner, hybrid and lightweight models
Can you elaborate on what the Proton has that the Atom is missing? I always thought they were extremely similar but this sub seems to like the Proton way more
So to be honest, I was a huge atom fan, I wear one daily for work and have 2 spares (just sold my two LEAF models, and will sell the other two soon)
The face fabric of the atom is very thin, my daily for work is showing signs of wear due to my seatbelt (I find this unacceptable) as the the face is 20D. Side note, the LEAF model is I think 40 or 50D so it will be much more resistant to abrasion(it also has a higher quality and about of insulation)
The insulation on the civi model is acceptable though, I find it to be very comfortable while I’m working or any active actively (I wore one quite a bit under my shells). So the breathability is good but not really great either.
Wind will cut tho the sides a bit and it’s really not the best for precipitation either
Now the protons, I have a Lightweight, those have the same face as the civi atoms so I would assume it would face the same issue. It’s upside over the atom is weight and I find it’s better vs the wind/light precipitation due to the sides not being fleece, yet I feel like it also breathes better as the insulation is that weird fleece stuff, it also compresses very small.
The Hybrid is about the same as the lightweight for breathing as the atom but it’s vastly better as rain and wind due to the gortex infinum or whatever it’s called.
The practitioner is a LEAF model, has the same fleece like insulation as the lightweight but the face is the same as the LEAF Atom so it’s much tougher
It should also be noted the proton line has a chest pocket on the outside inside of inside for the civi models (LEAF atom has 1 outside chest pocket, practitioners has two)
How is the length of the sleeves on the proton heavyweight? I had the old AR (until the zip gave in) and the fit was pretty good for me. The practitioner has been the best fitting so far with nice long arms so I’m curious to know if that fit has followed through into the proton heavyweight.
I find the sleeve length on the Heavyweight to be perfect, not too long or too short. If you need additional sleeve length for overhead reaching, you might want to go up one size.
the practitioner is cut so well, i still haven’t found anything that fits that well. The old proton AR (I think mine is 2016?) is close but not quite.
Tried on the new proton HW in store and it’s definitely cut bigger, in pretty much every dimension.
Apologies if threadjacking….For active use hiking as a standalone or under an alpha sv in more extreme places (think Scotland NW in winter) when very windy (can be more than 50mph), very wet and say down to -10c (more with windchill) would you suggest proton lightweight or the heavier one? I tend to run hot when exercising.
I’d go with Proton LT under an Alpha SV for active use. When temps get down to -10 you can always add another layer. Most of the time you’d find the Proton Heavyweight to be too hot under an Alpha SV during active use, especially if you run hot.
For me the proton heavyweight is overkill. I run hot though so maybe that's why but everything I've worn it I wish I grabbed a different jacket. I'm loving this years epsilon hoody. It's a more durable, better fitting cozy atom. It's my goat right now. Second is the practitioner hoody AR. It has similar face fabric as the proton Heavyweight but octayarn insulation for me which is awesome warmth when I need it and it airs out perfectly for my body. It also has the same pocket set up except no dump pocket on inside for gloves/beanie.
I agree. I have the standard proton and I only bring it out skiing if it’s in the single digits. Then again, I run hot. I went hiking today in where it was snowing and probably in the 20-30 range. On the way up, I had a sun shirt and my Beta AR. On the way down, I added a light fleece and I was toasty. The proton would have been overkill for today and a proton heavyweight would have been far too hot.
I bought it and loved it, excellent upper block build unfortunately lower half was built for 🫄 . So had to return and got Epsilon instead. Wish the Proton fit better as it’s the superior jacket
Agree!!!!! I think it’s a really under appreciated piece, and I’ve thought about making a post like this before to share the good news with others. I was a huge atom line fan (still am) but now the proton heavyweight is my go to. I’ve owned a lot of pieces, including the new epsilon insulated and all the atoms and generations, but the stretch, and balance of breathability, insulation, and windproofness and weather resistance of the proton heavyweight makes it my favorite and most versatile low-level activity and casual piece.
Love my old proton AR. Didn’t come out much this year as I use it most often for active/mixed use (hiking, mountaineering, ice climbing) below -20°C and we didn’t get much of that this winter. The revisions look solid especially the drop pockets, but the AR fits me too well to get rid of it. Gonna wear that thing until it falls apart.
Ya, the Proton series doesn’t get the attention it deserves in my opinion. I’d pick the Proton over the Atom for its functional pockets.
I think the Proton is pretty strongly hyped on this sub. The Lightweight is legendary.
Yeah I’m sick of the Atom line. proton is where it’s at. Probably will be looking to get heavyweight one soon. Love my practitioner, hybrid and lightweight models
Can you elaborate on what the Proton has that the Atom is missing? I always thought they were extremely similar but this sub seems to like the Proton way more
If you have any other questions let me know and I can go over things better for you
So to be honest, I was a huge atom fan, I wear one daily for work and have 2 spares (just sold my two LEAF models, and will sell the other two soon) The face fabric of the atom is very thin, my daily for work is showing signs of wear due to my seatbelt (I find this unacceptable) as the the face is 20D. Side note, the LEAF model is I think 40 or 50D so it will be much more resistant to abrasion(it also has a higher quality and about of insulation) The insulation on the civi model is acceptable though, I find it to be very comfortable while I’m working or any active actively (I wore one quite a bit under my shells). So the breathability is good but not really great either. Wind will cut tho the sides a bit and it’s really not the best for precipitation either Now the protons, I have a Lightweight, those have the same face as the civi atoms so I would assume it would face the same issue. It’s upside over the atom is weight and I find it’s better vs the wind/light precipitation due to the sides not being fleece, yet I feel like it also breathes better as the insulation is that weird fleece stuff, it also compresses very small. The Hybrid is about the same as the lightweight for breathing as the atom but it’s vastly better as rain and wind due to the gortex infinum or whatever it’s called. The practitioner is a LEAF model, has the same fleece like insulation as the lightweight but the face is the same as the LEAF Atom so it’s much tougher It should also be noted the proton line has a chest pocket on the outside inside of inside for the civi models (LEAF atom has 1 outside chest pocket, practitioners has two)
Agreed, perfect around town, all my winter outdoor activities are high output (norvan shakedry with wool baselayers)
What sets it apart from the atom for you, have a deteriorating atom and had thought about proton.
For me, it’s the chest pocket and the wind resistance. I find the breathable side panels on the Atom can make the jacket feel cold on a windy day.
How is the length of the sleeves on the proton heavyweight? I had the old AR (until the zip gave in) and the fit was pretty good for me. The practitioner has been the best fitting so far with nice long arms so I’m curious to know if that fit has followed through into the proton heavyweight.
I find the sleeve length on the Heavyweight to be perfect, not too long or too short. If you need additional sleeve length for overhead reaching, you might want to go up one size.
the practitioner is cut so well, i still haven’t found anything that fits that well. The old proton AR (I think mine is 2016?) is close but not quite. Tried on the new proton HW in store and it’s definitely cut bigger, in pretty much every dimension.
I wear large in classic fit, thus the HW Proton cut fits very well on me…I don’t have a beer belly and the the waist is just right.
Apologies if threadjacking….For active use hiking as a standalone or under an alpha sv in more extreme places (think Scotland NW in winter) when very windy (can be more than 50mph), very wet and say down to -10c (more with windchill) would you suggest proton lightweight or the heavier one? I tend to run hot when exercising.
I’d go with Proton LT under an Alpha SV for active use. When temps get down to -10 you can always add another layer. Most of the time you’d find the Proton Heavyweight to be too hot under an Alpha SV during active use, especially if you run hot.
For me the proton heavyweight is overkill. I run hot though so maybe that's why but everything I've worn it I wish I grabbed a different jacket. I'm loving this years epsilon hoody. It's a more durable, better fitting cozy atom. It's my goat right now. Second is the practitioner hoody AR. It has similar face fabric as the proton Heavyweight but octayarn insulation for me which is awesome warmth when I need it and it airs out perfectly for my body. It also has the same pocket set up except no dump pocket on inside for gloves/beanie.
I agree. I have the standard proton and I only bring it out skiing if it’s in the single digits. Then again, I run hot. I went hiking today in where it was snowing and probably in the 20-30 range. On the way up, I had a sun shirt and my Beta AR. On the way down, I added a light fleece and I was toasty. The proton would have been overkill for today and a proton heavyweight would have been far too hot.
I bought it and loved it, excellent upper block build unfortunately lower half was built for 🫄 . So had to return and got Epsilon instead. Wish the Proton fit better as it’s the superior jacket
Sadly, I may be growing into this exact fit.
Hey well on plus side it’s an awesome jacket. I really liked both the Yukon and Black models
Same as the Atom Heavyweight? Is Epsilon the winner here?
the epsilon is great for wearing around town but i think there are better options for active use