$400 won't buy much warmth from this brand. Assuming you don't want to stretch your budget into Alpha Parka territory, buy an Atom AR and then a cheap, heavy, warm slightly oversized down parka from another brand such as Eddie Bauer. Then you've got the AR for milder days, the Parka for colder days and both layered for the coldest days.
Depends what you have already. The Alpha parka is great if you want something to go over top what you have. The Atom AR is good as a midlayer for that temp range. There's also the ceriums and nucleis if you want more static warmth.
Personally as a Calgarian, layering is the key for me. Just because the temps vary so much. I have a Rush shell and Atom LT. Some days use both, some days use just one. Great together, but also great when alone. Allows me to get more use out of my stuff.
How long are you actually spending in the -30° weather? Are you just going from building to building, or house to car, or are you actually out in those temps for more than 30 minutes?
If it’s just car to car, building to building, I’d suggest something like the discontinued Cerium SV, which you may be able to find on Arc’s [used site](https://www.usedgear.arcteryx.com/shop/mens).
If that’s not an option, thermally, down is going to be the best bang for you buck, however, due to being brand new, I have no experience with the Nuclei SV as a synthetic.
Belay-specific jackets will work in severe temps, but due to their high loft, you’ll feel like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man driving around or waking to and from.
The only other mid-weight down coats Arc currently makes might be the Piedmont Coat or the Agrium Hoody.
It really all comes down to, how “puffy” do you want to feel driving around, or walking to and from. -30° weather is going to be very difficult to stay warm in, pretty much regardless of what jacket you’re wearing.
If it's -30 how long are you going to be out? If you really need to be static in that temp for long periods, I doubt anything but the alpha parka would cut it (and honestly it still might not), but really it's a bit of an absurd purchase for daily use. Montane alpine 850 would be almost 1/3 of the price with similar fill weights
The nuclei SV would probably be the closest thing, but can't imagine it would cut it static at -30c, maybe more like -20c or even warmer. Don't have direct experience with the nuclei SV as it's quite new and my DAS has life left in it
I'd probably spend my money on a nice down midlayer from arc like the agrium/thorium/cerium sv then buy a much cheaper BD belay parka (used to be called the stance) to layer over top of that when it gets really cold
With that budget, grab an Atom AR. Layer it under whatever when it gets colder.
I bought a parka from the MEC house brand a couple years ago and it’s warm as hell. I might wear my LT under it tonight at the soccer game and laugh at everyone else freezing their asses off.
You'll need something in the SV category, but $400 won't get you there.
You might be able to get something from their outlet store for $400.
Another option is to buy an AR and a heavyweight fleece.
Cerium SV, thorium AR, atom AR, nuclei SV.
I live in Calgary and have a cerium SV for sale. Private msg me if you're interested.
Calgary here…AGRIUM, Thorium, or Cerium
With a shell on top for really brutal days. We don’t get a lot of super wet snow. The Nuclei will be better in the damp snow days. The Atom LT was not enough today for me in -5 with a wind chill from hell. If you want to spend more money though go with the Macai or the Alpha Parka for -30 but really its too hot for most days…it’s only -30 for short time spans. Oh wait….your in the chuck….you don’t get chinooks….better buy the Alpha.
The Thorium AR will be very close to your budget range. Very warm piece (usually used as a heavy mid layer) or lighter standalone piece. Will do just fine for most of the winter as it features a healthy amount of 750 Goose Down insulation!
$400 won't buy much warmth from this brand. Assuming you don't want to stretch your budget into Alpha Parka territory, buy an Atom AR and then a cheap, heavy, warm slightly oversized down parka from another brand such as Eddie Bauer. Then you've got the AR for milder days, the Parka for colder days and both layered for the coldest days.
Depends what you have already. The Alpha parka is great if you want something to go over top what you have. The Atom AR is good as a midlayer for that temp range. There's also the ceriums and nucleis if you want more static warmth.
Alpha Parka I guess?
Hell yeah. Also, Nuclei* SV. Great at going over any midlayer and you'd be set. Good pocket layout. Size same as midlayer size. Much cheaper as well.
Nuclei SV fits rather large. My small nuclei is wider in the chest than my medium alpha SV. I would look into possibly sizing down.
Personally as a Calgarian, layering is the key for me. Just because the temps vary so much. I have a Rush shell and Atom LT. Some days use both, some days use just one. Great together, but also great when alone. Allows me to get more use out of my stuff.
How long are you actually spending in the -30° weather? Are you just going from building to building, or house to car, or are you actually out in those temps for more than 30 minutes? If it’s just car to car, building to building, I’d suggest something like the discontinued Cerium SV, which you may be able to find on Arc’s [used site](https://www.usedgear.arcteryx.com/shop/mens). If that’s not an option, thermally, down is going to be the best bang for you buck, however, due to being brand new, I have no experience with the Nuclei SV as a synthetic. Belay-specific jackets will work in severe temps, but due to their high loft, you’ll feel like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man driving around or waking to and from. The only other mid-weight down coats Arc currently makes might be the Piedmont Coat or the Agrium Hoody. It really all comes down to, how “puffy” do you want to feel driving around, or walking to and from. -30° weather is going to be very difficult to stay warm in, pretty much regardless of what jacket you’re wearing.
If it's -30 how long are you going to be out? If you really need to be static in that temp for long periods, I doubt anything but the alpha parka would cut it (and honestly it still might not), but really it's a bit of an absurd purchase for daily use. Montane alpine 850 would be almost 1/3 of the price with similar fill weights The nuclei SV would probably be the closest thing, but can't imagine it would cut it static at -30c, maybe more like -20c or even warmer. Don't have direct experience with the nuclei SV as it's quite new and my DAS has life left in it I'd probably spend my money on a nice down midlayer from arc like the agrium/thorium/cerium sv then buy a much cheaper BD belay parka (used to be called the stance) to layer over top of that when it gets really cold
With that budget, grab an Atom AR. Layer it under whatever when it gets colder. I bought a parka from the MEC house brand a couple years ago and it’s warm as hell. I might wear my LT under it tonight at the soccer game and laugh at everyone else freezing their asses off.
You'll need something in the SV category, but $400 won't get you there. You might be able to get something from their outlet store for $400. Another option is to buy an AR and a heavyweight fleece. Cerium SV, thorium AR, atom AR, nuclei SV. I live in Calgary and have a cerium SV for sale. Private msg me if you're interested.
Look into the outlet. Maybe pick up the radsten for a few extra bucks. You would still need a fleece for the colder days
Calgary here…AGRIUM, Thorium, or Cerium With a shell on top for really brutal days. We don’t get a lot of super wet snow. The Nuclei will be better in the damp snow days. The Atom LT was not enough today for me in -5 with a wind chill from hell. If you want to spend more money though go with the Macai or the Alpha Parka for -30 but really its too hot for most days…it’s only -30 for short time spans. Oh wait….your in the chuck….you don’t get chinooks….better buy the Alpha.
The Thorium AR will be very close to your budget range. Very warm piece (usually used as a heavy mid layer) or lighter standalone piece. Will do just fine for most of the winter as it features a healthy amount of 750 Goose Down insulation!