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You are here: Home / Gear Reviews / Flash Gear Reviews / Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket Review & Zeta SL Pant Review

Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket Review & Zeta SL Pant Review

by Ryan Jordan on November 26, 2018 Flash Gear Reviews, New Features

Introduction

The Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket is a Gore-tex Paclite Plus rain jacket that features a trim fit and hip length. It has articulated tailoring in the hood and arms, a full-length water-resistant zipper, two handwarmer pockets with water-resistant zippers, elastic hem and wrist cuffs, and an adjustable hood aperture.

(Note: The new Arc’teryx FL line – which includes the Arc’teryx Zeta SL Pant also featured in this review, and the slightly heavier and more durable Arc’teryx Zeta SL Jacket – is targeted specifically towards the lightweight backpacking community.)

Arcteryx Zeta FL Jacket review

Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket. Photo: Arc’teryx.

The most notable features I have observed during my preliminary review of the Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket and SL Pants included the comfort of its fabric during high-perspiration activities, its exceptional manufacturing quality, the elegant simplicity of its feature set, dual handwarmer pockets and a very nice hood.

At 7.2 oz (size M), the Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket is certainly in the class of jackets that are considered “ultralight” today (i.e., less than 8 oz).

The Arc’teryx Zeta SL Pants offer long ankle-to-thigh water-resistant side zippers, a zip-and-snap fly, and adjustable elastic waistband. The Arc’teryx Zeta SL Pants weigh 8.6 oz (size M).

Arcteryx Zeta SL Pant Review

Arc’teryx Zeta SL Pant. Photo: Arc’teryx.

The new (2019 model) Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket and SL Pants are available right now as part of an early release by Arc’teryx and REI but otherwise won’t hit the market until spring of 2019.

Features

Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket:

  • Waterproof-breathable fabric with taped seams and water-resistant zippers
  • Articulated hood and gusseted underarms provide unrestricted mobility
  • Hybrid elastic-straight hem and wrist cuffs for weight savings with a secure fit
  • Single point hood adjustment for simplicity
  • Stiffened hood brim, low-volume hood, not helmet-compatible, rolls and snaps if needed to keep from flapping in wind
  • Two hand-warmer pockets with waterproof zippers
  • Trim fit layers well over base layers and fleece, not suitable for layering over high-loft insulation layers
  • MSRP: $325
arcteryx zeta fl jacket zip

The full front water-resistant zipper on the Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket is light, glides smoothly, and I found it to be remarkably impervious to moisture penetration, even under high water pressures. As usual with Arc’teryx apparel, the stitching, seam taping, fit, finish, manufacturing quality, and tailoring are among the best in any apparel industry.

arcteryx zeta fl jacket pocket zip

Dual handwarmer pockets on the Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket are a refreshing feature in a market that seems enamored with saving weight by including only a teeny chest pocket on their ultralight rain jackets.

arcteryx zeta fl jacket hood

The hood on the Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket provides good coverage, has a large stiffened brim, and is large enough to layer comfortably over thick fleece headwear (including balaclavas, neck gaiters, etc.).

arcteryx zeta fl jacket hood adjuster

The Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket features a minimalist hood adjustment system – one rear adjuster provides both aperture and volume adjustment. Note the tiny male snap a few inches above the adjuster – when the hood is rolled forward (towards the front zipper), that snap mates to its female counterpart on the inside neck of the jacket to keep the hood secure in the wind.

Arc’teryx Zeta SL Pants:

  • Waterproof-breathable fabric with taped seams and water-resistant zippers
  • 3/4-length water-resistant leg zippers (thigh to ankle, separates at ankle)
  • Zippered fly with snap
  • Gusseted crotch for good high-stepping mobility
  • Internal webbing adjuster in waistband to fine-tune fit
  • Reinforced fabric on instep for added durability
  • MSRP: $245
arcteryx zeta sl pant review cuff

Ankle cuffs on the Arc’teryx Zeta SL Pant are straight – not elastic – which makes the pant rise and fall in response to high-stepping much more comfortable. The bottom few inches are reinforced for durability, as is lower eight inches of the inside leg (instep).

arcteryx zeta sl pant review cuff size ski

The cuffs of the Arc’teryx Zeta SL Pant are wide enough to cover the cuffs of most hiking shoes and boots, but not wide enough for a backcountry ski boot – even a low-profile racing model. The Arc’teryx FL and SL series of apparel is targeted squarely towards the trekking community.

arcteryx zeta sl pant review leg zips

The leg zips on the Arc’teryx Zeta SL Pant separate at the ankle and rise to the thighs, allowing easy on-off over boots and the ability to spill a lot of heat if needed.

arcteryx zeta sl pant review ankle cuff

The ankle cuffs of the Arc’teryx Zeta SL Pant secure with a snap closure, which can be left closed while the zips are unzipped for terrific ventilation.

Specifications

Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket & SL Pants:

  • Micro seam allowance (1.6 mm) and Tiny Gore seam tape keeps seam bulk to a minimum

Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket:

  • Fabric: 20d nylon laminated in a 2-layer Gore-tex (N20p Paclite Plus) construction, with two-way stretch in key areas for improved comfort/articulation
  • Center back length of Jacket: 29.75 in (76 cm)
  • Weight (size M): 7.2 oz (205 g)

Arc’teryx Zeta FL Pants:

  • Fabric: 40d nylon laminated in a 2-layer Gore-tex (N40p Paclite Plus) construction, with very subtle two-way stretch in key areas for improved comfort/articulation
  • Weight (size M): 8.6 oz (245 g)

Commentary

I’ve tested the Arc’teryx Zeta LT Jacket and SL Pants primarily in the sub-freezing winter conditions that we are currently experiencing here in Southeast Wyoming while running, hiking, and cross-country skiing.

The following video features more in-depth commentary while performing a sweat-out-and-recover field experience during a winter blizzard on the Laramie Plains.

Consider the Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket if…

  • You’re a fan of Arc’teryx fit and quality.
  • You have a trim body type.
  • You won’t be layering over a thick high-loft insulating layer.
  • You want basic features (adjustable hood, handwarmer pockets, full zip) in an aesthetically beautiful and simple design.

Don’t consider the Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket if…

  • You don’t have the disposable income to purchase it – there are cheaper alternatives if you need a waterproof-breathable rain jacket, like this one.
  • You need to layer over a thick puffy insulating layer.
  • You want features not normally found in so-called ultralight jackets, such as pit zips, internal pockets, or adjustable hem and cuffs.
  • You need a helmet-compatible hood.

Where to Buy

  • Buy the Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket (Women’s model here) and Arc’teryx Zeta SL Pants now at REI – Save 25% on one full-price Arc’teryx item thru 11/26. Discount applied at checkout

Product Review Disclosure

Updated September 15, 2018

  • How we acquired these products: Product(s) discussed in this review were either acquired by the author from a retailer or otherwise provided by the manufacturer at a discount/donation with no obligation to provide media coverage or a product review to the manufacturer(s).
  • We do not accept money or in-kind compensation for guaranteed media coverage: Backpacking Light does not accept compensation or donated product in exchange for guaranteed media placement or product review coverage.
  • Affiliate links: Some (but not all) of the links in this review may be “affiliate” links, which means if you click on a link to one of our affiliate partners (usually a retailer site), and subsequently make a purchase with that retailer, we receive a small commission. This helps us fund our editorial projects, podcasts, instructional webinars, and more, and we appreciate it a lot! Thank you for supporting Backpacking Light!

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Comments

Home › Forums › Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket Review & Zeta SL Pant Review

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  • Nov 26, 2018 at 1:20 am #3565809
    Ryan Jordan
    Admin

    @ryan

    Locale: Central Rockies

    Companion forum thread to: Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket Review & Zeta SL Pant Review

    The Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket is a Gore-tex Paclite Plus rain jacket that features a trim fit and hip length. It has articulated tailoring in the hood and arms, a full-length water-resistant zipper, two handwarmer pockets with water-resistant zippers, elastic hem and wrist cuffs, and an adjustable hood aperture.

    Nov 26, 2018 at 3:52 am #3565838
    Philip Tschersich
    BPL Member

    @philip-ak

    Locale: Kodiak Alaska

    I’ve had the Zeta SL (not the FL in the preliminary review) jacket and Zeta SL pants for a little while now. I got the SL jacket for the adjustable cuffs and hem. The lack of pit zips (boo!) meant I wanted control over the other air ingress/egress points.

    I have a lot of Arc’x Stuff. It fits me well and I’m willing to spend some cheddar on it. I will just warn folks that the pants, while nicely articulated as Arc’x stuff always is, run pretty small. I ALWAYS wear medium Arc’x pants, and the medium Zetas fit like freaking skinny jeans. I could wear them, but moving to a large was necessary if I was going to put them on over anything other than silk weight long underwear and just stand around.  I wish they had boot stirrup grommets. I’m also a little concerned about the internal ladder-lock waist band adjustment. It sits close to the iliac crest and may prove very uncomfortable under a pack waist belt. We’ll see.

    I ALWAYS wear size large in Arc’x tops, and the SL jacket fits me fine. It layers well over a Nano Air hoody. I wish it had pit zips. Zippers weigh nothing and so leaving pit zips off of a shell meant for high aerobic output activities like backpacking is moronic. I would also prefer a second, traditional hood adjustment around the face opening. This is not the end of the world as the single, rear adjustment works okay. Not great, but well enough.

    Overall classic, beautifully-made Arc’x stuff. And less expensive than a lot of their more burly or expedition-oriented hard shells.

    Nov 26, 2018 at 1:55 pm #3565860
    Jeff McWilliams
    BPL Member

    @jjmcwill

    Locale: Midwest

    Calling out the guys who do fair weather reviews of rain shells is pretty funny.

    But I’m not sure going out on a cold, blizzard day is all that much better.  I’m interested to see how a rain shell performs in prolonged wet, rainy conditions.  How long does the DWR take to wet out? How does the jacket feel once the DWR is wetted out?   And so-on.

    I would welcome more reviews like this but under tough wet conditions.  Please review one of the Marmot EvoDry jackets and the Columbia Featherweight shell.

    I find adding the video component to the review very enjoyable.  I think it’s a great format to have both a written part and a video component.

     

    Nov 26, 2018 at 4:45 pm #3565880
    Matt Dirksen
    BPL Member

    @namelessway

    Locale: Mid Atlantic

    “I wish it had pit zips.”

    Fwiw, I got a Zeta LT Hybrid a few years back in 2014 thru a warranty exchange. It has both a stowable hood and pit zips. Albeit slightly heavier other models, it’s pretty versatile.

    Not sure if the model continued into 2015.

    Nov 26, 2018 at 5:28 pm #3565894
    Ryan Jordan
    Admin

    @ryan

    Locale: Central Rockies

    Jeff – agreed – rain performance is critical.

    I just used mine in the shower and it worked great.

    Just kidding.

    Sustained rain – that certainly needs to be the focus of our long-term review, or it’s all sort of pointless.

    That said, here in the Rockies, hard shells for winter wind protection is pretty critical. There’s so much wind out here, and wind shirts just don’t cut it unless you’re wearing a fleece underneath. A hardshell-wool hoody combo is my favorite for trekking in blizzards out here during the winter. And today’s hardshell fabrics are so good (breathable) that they are entirely suitable as wind protection for low-aerobic activities like trekking in cold temperatures.

    Nov 26, 2018 at 7:46 pm #3565920
    Benjamin Perry
    BPL Member

    @olias_of_sunhillow

    Thanks for the heads up and review of this new product, Ryan. I actually just bought a Beta SL Hybrid at REI’s big fall sale, but I am really tempted by the weight reduction and simplicity (yes to hand warmer pockets, no to pit zips) of the Zeta FL.

    Nov 27, 2018 at 3:52 am #3566013
    Philip Tschersich
    BPL Member

    @philip-ak

    Locale: Kodiak Alaska

    “I’m interested to see how a rain shell performs in prolonged wet, rainy conditions.”

    It’s a goretex jacket. There is nothing revolutionary here that I can discern. Yes, it has pretty decent DWR, but the material whetted out under my pack straps on the first use. No surprise there. A lot of goretex performance comes from keeping it clean, lots of venting, wearing the proper layers underneath, reducing your aerobic output under difficult conditions, ambient air temp and humidity, and factors other than the fabric itself. This jacket doesn’t fix or obviate any of those concerns. It’s still just a goretex jacket. I’ve tried every waterproof/breathable on the market and they all have trade offs. Gore seems to offer the best balance between features and downsides for my uses so that’s why I keep buying them. But none seem like any real leap forward in performance that I can make out. This jacket won’t be any different. It’s light and fits well. You will stay comfy in mild to moderate conditions and survive the inevitable wetness of hard work in prolonged rain. If you don’t expect more then you won’t be disappointed.

    Nov 30, 2018 at 5:18 am #3566531
    Benjamin Perry
    BPL Member

    @olias_of_sunhillow

    Update: so I went to REI today to try on the new Zeta FL and SL jackets. Ryan’s review clearly says that the FL is trim fitting, but I was surprised at exactly how trim cut it is. I’m a broad-shouldered guy that usually straddles the line between L and XL, and generally an Arc’teryx trim XL fits great. The Zeta FL was the first time that an XL was too small. The SL, on the other hand, fit perfectly (as other Arc garments have in the past). So I ended up coming home with a Zeta SL, which will probably replace the Beta SL Hybrid I bought (but haven’t worn) several weeks back.

    Apr 15, 2019 at 3:45 am #3588829
    rubmybelly!
    BPL Member

    @sleeping

    Locale: The Cascades

    I was in REI today and took a look at the Zeta FL jacket. Nice piece. But I was quite surprised to see that it was on the clearance rack and marked down to less than $250. Strangely, this concerns me. Why would a new jacket, just released, already be on the clearance rack?

    Apr 15, 2019 at 5:11 am #3588836
    Bruce Tolley
    BPL Member

    @btolley

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    “Why would a new jacket, just released, already be on the clearance rack?”

    Maybe Arcteryx decided to bring out a revision with pit zips. :-))

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