Arc'teryx Rho LT Hoody

The Arc'teryx Rho LT (lightweight) hoody is an outstanding baselayer or standalone hoody for activities on cooler and cold days. The material is comfortable, soft, breathable, and stretchy.

Admission: Arc'teryx clothing is usually out of my price range. However, last fall I got a good deal on the Rho LT (lightweight) men's hoody, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm glad I did! It does live up to the hype, that's for sure.

The Rho material is soft, comfortable, stretchy, and warm. However, it is also breathable so I don't overheat while wearing it. I've worn the Rho on long overseas flights and found it perfect for travel. At the same time, I've also gone on cold weather jogs wearing the Rho and it works well for that too. It does block a little wind, but if it gets windy I'd recommend wearing a shell or wind breaker over the Rho.

The Rho material is good for around 40-50 degree days on its own. If you use it as a baselayer, it will give extra warmth in temps well below those. The material doesn't repel water and it's not supposed to. But it does breathe well enough that when I sweat it doesn't feel sticky and heavy. 

I've worn the Rho for a few days in a row (rho?) and it did not hold much smell. It doesn't have thumbholes, but the sleeves were a nice length for my long arms. I'm around 73 inches—185 lbs—and the large fits me just right. The chest zip pocket can fit medium to smaller phones, chapstick, or a small folded map (etc.). The hood is nice, but a bit too big for my liking.

I can't say anything about other Arc'teryx clothing, but I can say this Rho LT Hoody is a wonderful hoody. I like it so much I got my wife a Rho zip neck. She is also a huge fan of the Rho material. If you're looking for a comfortable, warm hoody for cool or cold weather outings, I'd say check out the Rho!

Background

I've worn the Rho for various activities, from everyday use, to travel, to running and hiking.