Arc'teryx Zeta AR

That's the really lovely, zita ar jacket from architerics very tough breathable, waterproof jacket that is capable of taking a beating from the elemen...

After agonizing about this question for weeks, I’m now the proud owner of a Zeta AR. I chose this as my first hardshell over the Beta AR for the explicit purpose of being my hiking wind and rain resistant protection. I also frequently use this as a casual piece when the weather is not clear and really dig the longer length / trimmer athletic fit / smaller hood. In all honesty, I’m the type of user who isn’t hard enough on their gear to require the robustness of the Beta AR, I’m currently only doing weekend hikes so being super UL isn’t my religion, I only have hooded midlayers so I was concerned about the Beta AR hood (though I admit it’s cool), I don’t deal with a lot of snow so having something as bomber as an SV would be overkill, I don’t climb so I don’t gravitate to the Alpha line, I like pit zips so I didn’t go with the Beta LT/FL (though I almost did), I really like the quieter/softer C-Knit even if it means I have to wash it more (helps with using this more casually), and it’s actually pretty packable as I compared it to the Zeta SL and found it folds down nearly as much in my pack.

As a general-purpose shell, the Zeta AR is very nearly ideal. Good: Huge pit zips, big pockets, and a generous fit that can be cinched in where needed. It's also a lot longer in the body than many competitors - this could be an advantage to some and a disadvantage to others. The Gore-Tex membrane is...

A Zeta AR will be more reliable than a cheap rain jacket, but a Kyanite LT won't really last longer than any normal fleece (probably less long, that's a really thin fleece). Arc generally makes the most durable hardshells (as long as one isn't getting paclite), but their fleece or insulation isn't automatically also more durable (especially if one is getting the lightweight options). Of course the absolute cheapest fleece or jacket will probably disintegrate much more quickly, but the most durable items don't need to be as expensive as Arcteryx at all!

I really wanted to like this jacket and received it as a gift. Loved the cobalt blue color, material is great, but the sizing is awful. The sleeves are way too long, even when downsizing to a size Small from my typical medium fit. Other arcteryx jackets fit well. I get that they extended the length ...

I was making the same decision (but for men’s) earlier last month and went for the Zeta AR. A few things the Zeta has over the beta:. - Heavier, more durable face fabric.

Yeah, yeah...it's so expensive blah blah blah. I bought my first Arc'teryx shell in 2001, and it started coming apart after 18 years of heavy use in 2019. Compare that with the much less expensive coats which: a. feel like you're wearing a Hefty bag; b. become their own little greenhouses in humid w...

Everything from patterning to waterproofness. The Zeta AR is simply a much nicer piece of kit, intended for a completely different type of user.

I first purchased the Beta AR jacket and I didn't like it at all, as you'll see from my review of that jacket. Having returned it, I did a bit more research and discovered that the Zeta is softer and not as noisy. So, I purchased the Zeta and, I have to say, I love it. it still rustles a bit but it'...

The easy answer is that the Zeta AR is ideal for style conscious consumers, looking to pay a bit less than for GorePro, who do a bit of everything but want more durability than Zeta LT 40d affords. It’s one of the better piece in the line.