Arc’teryx Delta LT Jacket Review

I stopped by Sports Basement with a 20% off coupon a few days ago with the sole intention of picking up my Western Mountaineering sleeping bag and some Christmas presents. But then I walked by the display of Arc’teryx things. Then curiosity got the better of me and I tried on the Arc’teryx Delta LT Jacket. And it all went downhill from there.

The Delta LT Jacket Stats

If you have the cash to spend and the spot for it in your closet, this lightweight fleece is a must have. If someone took the world’s comfiest pajamas and made it into technical outdoor apparel, you have the Arc’teryx Delta LT. At 7.6 oz with high breathability, it’s great for hiking, backpacking, climbing, and more. It’s also great for every day wear and lounging around the house. It’s that versatile.

This jacket is made with Polartec® Classic Micro Velour small Grid, and the best part is it’s full-zip jacket, complete with pockets. Two zippered hand pockets, and a zippered sleeve pocket.

What we like

This jacket is cozy as all heck. The Polartec fabric is so ridiculously comfortable. I’m not kidding when I call it technical pajamas. You can sleep in it with no problems.

It dries quickly when you get sweaty. Wet pits or backpack strap lines do not exist with this.

It’s a great layering piece, as pictured above with the Firebee Parka and the Atom LT Hoody, bouldering in Bishop.

What we don’t like

For the longest time, Arc’teryx didn’t offer this in a hooded version, which I thought was the biggest mistake because who doesn’t want technical hooded pajamas?! For Spring 2019, the Delta LT Hoody was introduced, thus rendering this point null.

The Delta LT would be so much cozier with thumb holes. (But don’t worry, they added thumbholes to the Delta MX.)

Arc’teryx says that the Delta LT has a slight drop hem, so it won’t ride up with a harness or a backpack on. However, I have a short torso (I’m stubby, what can I say?) and the jacket length feels short on me. Long-limbed folks, beware.

Last downside… I need one in every color. But is that really a downside? (Don’t worry, I’m not actually getting one in every color.)

Even after months of being slept in, climbed in, hiked in and washed, the Arc’teryx Delta LT jacket looks as good as new. It’s synthetic, so it is a little stinky. But we’re all dirtbags out here, right? We smell bad.

Buy the Arc’teryx Delta LT jacket ($149) from REI, Moosejaw, CampSaver or Amazon.

Last updated on March 26, 2020.