Niche piece and great in that niche. - Arc'teryx Atom SL Vest - Men's

The Atom SL vest is very much a niche piece but performs really well in that niche. I already had the Atom LT vest which I use as a layering piece in the winter and a top piece in spring and autumn. However, the LT is too warm in and around the summer months. The SL works where you want to add some core warmth without overdoing it. I mainly use it in the evenings when temperatures drop but I don't want to be putting on full layers. On a recent (early Sept '18) trip to the High Sierra, this was the first piece I put on as the sun went down and worked really well either under or over a fleece. It was also a great piece to throw on in the middle of the night when temps in the sleeping bag became too cold. I'm also wearing it as I type this at my kids gym lesson wearing a polo shirt under it. Works well when the aircon in the office gets too cold as well.

So, niche piece in terms of the times of year and situations I get to use it. But when I need just a bit more warmth in my core, it broadens where I can use a lot more of my other layers.