Arc’teryx Cerium SL Jacket Review: Ultralight on the Trail

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One of the lightest weight down jackets available from Arc’teryx, the Arc’teryx Cerium SL Jacket is a sewn through down puffy jacket is built for use as a light mid-layer for cool, dry conditions. It also can perform as a minimalist standalone when moderate warmth is required on a thru-hike.

The lightest weight down jacket in the Arc’teryx Essentials collection, this sewn through down jacket is intended as a light mid layer in cool, dry conditions, but also performs as a minimalist standalone when moderate warmth is required.

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Here’s a rundown of what we’ll provide in this Arc’teryx Cerium SL Jacket Review:

  • First, we’ll share the features and benefits that you’ll find useful
  • Next, we’ll take a look at the drawbacks you might need to know about
  • Then, we’ll tell you a bit about the Arc’teryx company
  • And finally, we’ll provide a sampling of actual customer and Independent reviews to give you better insight into the product.

Sound good? Let’s get started!

Features and Benefits of the Arc’teryx Cerium SL Jacket

  • CERIUM SL JACKET MEN’S – The lightest weight down jacket in the Arc’teryx Essentials collection, this sewn through down jacket is intended as a light mid layer in cool, dry conditions, but also performs as a minimalist standalone when moderate warmth is required.
  • ARC’ESSENTIALS – Versatile high performance designs for diverse activities and conditions.
  • CERIUM – Streamlined, minimalist and lightweight technical down insulation. High warmth to weight ratio.
  • DOWN – Highly efficient natural insulation that compacts well and offers excellent warmth to weight.
  • SUPER LIGHT – Superlight materials and design, emphasizing light weight and packability over durablity.

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Special Features (Pros) of the Arc’teryx Cerium SL Jacket

Super Lightweight – The Cerium SL is super light and allows for easy packing without adding a large amount of extra weight.

Amazingly Warm – This jacket is perfect for anytime it’s cold out because it not only keeps you warm but additionally when you go inside to a store or restaurant you can just unzip it and you won’t get uncomfortable.

Drawbacks (Cons) for the Arc’teryx Cerium SL Jacket

Thin Material – A few reviews mentioned they weren’t sure how helpful this would be under 50 degrees, though this shouldn’t be it’s own layer by itself to keep you warm keep this in mind.

Delicate Zippers – A few people have had issues where the zippers are caught and stuck, this may be due to trying to operate with cold fingers, noted only on super cold trips.

Video: Arc’teryx Cerium SL Jacket

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About the Arc’teryx Clothing Company

Located in the Canadian Coast Mountain wilderness, Arc’teryx is built on the principle of obsessive, precise design and production.

Their unique in-house manufacturing and design centers allow them to constantly evolve and build products the right way.

Timeless quality, intuitive design and simplicity result in unrivaled performance at the point of extreme need.

Arc’teryx Cerium SL Jacket Reviews

Looking at the features and benefits is great, but taking a look at what real-and-actual customers have to say about a product offers a deeper dive of insight. Here we’ve curated reviews that reflect the Arc’teryx Cerium SL Jacket, providing feedback from product users and reviewers on independent review sites as well as on Amazon.

Independent Reviews and Recommendations for the Arc’teryx Cerium SL Jacket


A cleverly designed hybrid of synthetic and down insulation wrapped in cutting edge fabric, the Cerium SL is a slick city jacket that will suffice for the slopes, but excels apre ski. The athletic cut and trim fit of the Cerium SL belies its lack of mountain sensibility. While plenty warm, particularly for its weight, this jacket lacks critical features such as a hood and has fabric that is neither very durable nor breathable. 

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Arc’Teryx has never been a value-centric brand, and the Cerium SL is in line with the brand’s broader pricing trends. But the fit and ergonomics, and the ridiculous amount of warmth produced from a jacket that weighs just a hair more than a new iPhone, speak to what you’re getting for the price. The permanently frozen will love it, the permanently sweaty will want to reserve it for hanging out in the cold or as more of a casual jacket.

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Where the SL version shines though, is in the warmer months, particularly for summer mountain running adventures, when you know temperatures aren’t going to get silly cold.

Also for races, where a down jacket is mandatory equipment and again, you know that temps aren’t going to be ridiculously frigid.

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If you have the coin, you’ll be happy with the Cerium SL. However, if you don’t have the coin, there are lots of fairly comparable options that can be had for a lot less. But for those who ant Arc’teryx’s fabled design and crafstmanship, the Cerium SL’s careful feature selection and excellent materials will not disappoint.

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What Customers Have to Say About the Arc’teryx Cerium SL Jacket

I bought this for my husband as a holiday gift. I was amazed at how light the jacket was. He loves the jacket, it fits him well, and he says it keeps him extremely warm despite being super lightweight.


What makes this jacket so versatile is that it’s extremely light; very compressible; warm, but not too warm; and has a very low profile or silhouette so it doesn’t fit like a puffy. The longer fit of the back also ensures the jacket never rides up too high. I’ve worn it as a mid layer under trim fit and athletic fit shells.

I’ve also worn it as a top layer in cool dry conditions while hiking. While hiking I’ve pulled this out of my pack during short rest stops, thrown a shell over it in windier locations, or worn it as mid layer under a shell in the morning when it’s been colder (-10C). I usually wear it all day under a shell when skiing and vary my base layer depending upon the temperature or add a vest if it’s extremely cold.


This is a superb ultralight down jacket that I have used on its own in cold, clear conditions, and under various shells in more inclement weather. It is so light that I have no excuse not to carry it anytime the temp could drop below, say, 50F, which where I spend my time, even here in southern California, is almost every day. The quid pro quo for being so light is that this is not a super-durable piece. It is not going to survive serious brushes with granite or montane vegetation. But I’ve still found it has dozens of applications in almost daily use in serious hiking and mountaineering.


This has become my favorite take along for every hike. Because it is very light and packable it fits even in my smaller day hike pack. Great warmth when needed. Best to have a wind shell or goretex shell if you may get rain.

Very satisfied with this jacket and highly recommend .

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Final Thoughts on the Arc’teryx Cerium SL Jacket

Choosing a puffy jacket is a necessary evil for long distance hikes as having something that can get you warm at the end of the day can be vital to success. The company is outstanding in their support for their jackets and allows you to know you have purchased a quality product.

Compare to Other Amazon Puffy Jackets

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