Super light and versatile. The new Delta LT Hoody from Arc’teryx is a great addition to your mountain activity toolbox.

I’m a big fan of fleece midlayers, I like the versatility of a highly breathable layer for active approaches and climbing days. If the wind gets up I just pop on a windproof or even a lightweight hardshell. So it’s no surprise that the Arc’teryx Forclaz fleece is my most used jacket – I easily use it every time I go out climbing when conditions require it. In fact I wear it for just about all my mountain adventure days – whether it’s hiking or more technical mountaineering.

So, now that I’ve nailed my fleeces colours to the mast I was very keen to review the new Arc’teryx Delta LT Hoody when it landed on my desk. The Delta LT Hoody is a lightweight mid layer that is suitable for active mountain wear on those cooler days. It’s also great for spring and summer rock climbing – whether it’s sport, trad or bouldering it’s versatile enough to accommodate them.

The Delta LT Hoody is definitely a lighter and more breathable piece than my Forclaz jacket. It’s made from Polartec 100 micro fleece which is woven into a micro grid pattern which makes it super stretchy and breathable. It’s pretty much perfect for those high intensity activities such as steep uphill approaches; trail running in cooler conditions. The Polartec 100 fleece dries out super fast and doesn’t smell, even after continuous use. I really like weight – I also have a Montane Allez Hoody which I use for trail running and I’d say the Arc’teryx Delta LT Hoody sits somewhere between that and my Forclaz; so perfect for spring and autumn wear for high intensity activity and summer for general hiking and climbing. My preferred combination was the Delta LT and my Squamish windproof – pretty much perfect for cool, dry and breezy conditions.

As you would expect the Delta LT Hoody is well manufactured with a high stitch count, zero waste flat locked seams and seamless piping on the hem and cuffs. For those of you who are regular users of Arc’teryx products you’ll find the same attention to detail that you are used to. If you are looking at this review thinking about buying an Arc’teryx product then you will not be disappointed – in terms of performance design and manufacture they are pretty much second to none.

Features include two zipped hand warmer pockets, these were a little low for using with a climbing harness or a pack waist belt but they fine when wearing a running pack such as my UD Fastpack. The hood was very well fitting, low profile enough to be comfortable under a climbing helmet and stretchy enough to fit over my hiking cap or a beanie. A comfortable chin guard worked great even with a little of stubble, I do like to zip the jacket up fully on colder days as you lose a lot of heat from your neck. The No Slip Zip does actually work and keeps the zip done up as this has been a problem the Arc’teryx ‘pull apart’ zip in the past – no accidental opening of the zip here unless you want it. A good update on what was always a great zip idea. The pockets are also fully zipped with super light zip tags and were plenty big enough for hands with light gloves on.

I’m not a fan of hand warmer pockets on fleeces/mid layers this light as I’m usually wearing them on a fast moving activity or have another layer over the top. My preference is for a large chest pocket as this is the most accessible area when on the move or climbing, this is why I find the Forclaz jacket so useful. I can understand that the light nature of the fleece means that it might be impractical to have heavier items such as a phone in a pocket so maybe that’s the design issue here. Which brings me onto the laminated arm pocket, which I find puzzling. The pocket is well designed and the laminated design means that you get no snagging when sliding on a shell but the only use I could find for it was to keep my Nooz reading glasses in it (yep – I’m of that age now!). I did fit my credit card and some cash notes in for running but other than that I’m at a loss. It’s finished with an embroidered, reflective Arc’teryx logo. Arc’teryx did get back to me to state that the arm pocket is a design feature – as it is on the Covert Hoody if you have seen one of those.

In closing the Arc’teryx Delta LT Hoody is a great mid layer which sits in between a base layer and full fleece. It’s brilliant for fast moving activities such as winter trail running. The stretchy fleece worked well for rock climbing and it fitted well with a climbing harness on. Will it replace my trust Forclaz? Well no – I still find the more burly Forclaz more useful for the cold and damp UK climate but for summer wear the Delta LT Hoody is excellent.

The Arc’teryx Delta LT Hoody comes in four colour options and sizes S to XXL.

There is a women specific version. It comes in five colour options and sizes XS to XL.

There is also a jacket version for those of you who do not feel the need for a hood.

The SRP is £110 and it is available direct from Arc’teryx with free express shipping.

Disclaimer – CGR reviewers are never paid to provide a review and the website does not take advertising or link to affiliate sales. We are a bunch of keen climbers and travellers that accept sample products and offer an honest and independent review of the item. The reviewer will often keep the sample after reviewing it for both hygiene and safety reasons and more often it’s in no fit state to return!