Review: ARC'TERYX Zeta FL Jacket Lightweight rainwear that fully demonstrates the capabilities of GORE-TEX's new material, "PACLITE®PLUS Product Technology."
written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
According to the calendar, even though it has passed the beginning of autumn, it is still extremely hot. Even if you check the weather forecast, the weather in the mountains is easy to change. It is not uncommon to encounter evening showers and thunderstorms. In such cases, having a piece of rainwear that is highly portable can be useful.
Not only is it water repellent and breathable, but it also makes it comfortable to wear and easy to move around when worn. Is the hood, sleeves, neck and hem designed with a focus on functionality or not? That's the point.
This time we reviewed the ARC'TERYX Zeta FL jacket. The Zeta series is lightweight model for hiking and trekking. FL means Fast & Light, and is a rain jacket with a lineup specializing in fast and lightweight (high-performance, lightweight minimalist design that allows for quick travel under a variety of conditions). Above all, starting this season, GORE-TEX's latest technology, "PACLITE®PLUS Product Technology," is used for the fabric, making it a masterpiece with its edgy features. We will send you a review of actually using the heat.
table of contents
Main Specifications and ratings
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| material |
|
| Weight (actual measurement) | 193g (S size) |
| |
| Food |
|
| evaluation | |
| weight | ★★★★★ |
| Waterproof | ★★★★★ |
| Breathability | ★★★★☆ |
| Comfortable | ★★★★☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★☆☆ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ |
Light and supple comfort
When I put it on, it feels like it's somewhere between a soft shell and a hard shell, with a slim silhouette around the waist. Speaking of rain jackets, the weight is generally 300g to 400g. In contrast, the Zeta FL jacket weighs 205g (the actual measurement of the S size was 193g!), making it extremely lightweight. It is light and supple without interfering with user movements. The lining feels smooth and comfortable.
It uses the lightweight "GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus Product Technology" fabric, which is excellent in waterproofness, breathability, and windproof properties, and has a two-layer structure without lining. The fabric seams are 1.6mm wide micro seams, and thin GORE® seam tape (actually measured 1.3cm) is carefully arranged on the inner seam allowance.
The cuffs and hem do not have any adjustment functions such as drawstrings, and are made of slim, stretchy material. It's simple, but easy to roll up your arms and soft to the touch. The armpits are slightly plump, so there is almost no tension (that makes you snug) when moving your arms, making it smooth. The cuffs are also stretchy, and when the front is closed, they fit perfectly on the hips.
The front zipper and hand pockets on the left and right of the jacket are not completely waterproof, but are waterproof to block rain from entering. The hood is not compatible with helmets, but it completely wraps around the head and provides solid protection under the chin. The hood has a foam brim, allowing for two adjustments. The position of the cord adjuster that secures the hood is both perfect and easy to use. The part that touches the chin and forehead is lined, making it smooth. The entire jacket can also be rolled up and stored in the hood. Another great feature is that you can pull the cord adjuster and carry it more compactly.
The cuffs and hem have a simple structure with elastic material. Two-layer Gore-Tex fabric with no lining. The seams are 1.6mm wide micro seams and the seam allowances are thin seam tape, giving it a fine, careful finish. The size is a little slim, but it is soft to the touch, light and supple. Its comfort is typical of ARC'TERYX, and it's a top class.
The hem is slightly longer, and is long enough to cover the hips. It is stretchy and fits perfectly.
Elastic cuffs. Fits tightly to your wrist. The arms are also smooth.
The brim and chin are reinforced with a lining. It's a soft thing.
It's packable so that the entire clothing fits inside the hood. Pulling the cord adjuster on the hood gives it compression and is quite compact.
Waterproof, windproof, breathable, and dry texture!
As rainwear, it's the core point. Yes, about breathability and waterproofness.
The heat is cruel in mid-August. Participated in marking support for the Shibukawa Ikaho Onsen Trail Run (held on October 13th). I tried wearing it at the foot of Mt. Nitsake in Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture. It was raining (lucky!?), so I thought it was a chance, so I put it on, but after walking a little on the flat trail, it started to get a little steamy and hot... However, it's the late summer season in August. In the first place, due to the nature of GORE-TEX, the moisture permeability function does not work very effectively in an environment where temperature and humidity differences between inside and outside the clothing are small. It's within the acceptable level.
Compared to other standard rainwear that I tried as a benchmark, it has a fairly good breathability. However, it does not seem to be that ventilation compared to a jacket with ventilation. Other things like mesh lining of the hand pockets and ventilation zippers under the armpits will make them even more comfortable (of course, the weight will increase as a result). However, although the lining becomes slightly damp due to the sweat generated by the body, the unevenness of the lining gives off a dry feel and is smooth. Also, (of course) it is waterproof and windproof. It didn't seem to see the rain coming through, and I couldn't feel the wind was robbing my body temperature. Is this due to the concept of GORE-TEX products? I would like to explore this in more detail in the next section.
Raindrops roll around. As expected from GORE-TEX's "PACLITE®PLUS Product Technology."
Smooth and dry lining. The seam tape is carefully spread out on the seam allowance. When you hold it up to the sun, you can see how thin it is.
The back of the logo is also reinforced thoroughly.
First of all, what's new about GORE-TEX PACLITE®PLUS product technology? We asked the manufacturer directly about its evolution
GORE-TEX fabrics are trusted by their long history and track record. We directly checked with Gore Nippon for details on the fabrics that use its latest lineup, the GORE-TEX PACLITE®PLUS Product Technology.
First, "GORE-TEX PACLITE® Product Technology" was developed to make GORE-TEX fabrics that are waterproof, breathable and windproof, lighter and packable. The lining is removed and a special coating is applied to the back, making it thin, light and packable.
The current "GORE-TEX PACLITE® PLUS Product Technologies" is an evolved version with a lining coating that is resistant to rubbing and wear-resistant. Therefore, the area that comes into contact with the skin becomes uneven, resulting in a smooth, dry feel and smooth skin. The fabric is not only comfortable to the touch, but also has improved durability.
Products that use "GORE-TEX PACLITE® Product Technology" and "GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus Product Technology" are classified into the product class "GORE-TEX Product." Here, we previously featured on this site , as follows.
Product Class
- GORE-TEX Product A versatile class designed to be used in a wide range of applications, including mountain climbing
- GORE-TEX Pro Products A class that emphasizes durability that provides maximum performance in harsh winters and high altitude environments
- GORE-TEX ACTIVEActive Product A class that emphasizes breathability for aerobic exercise such as running and cycling, with short periods of time and high intensity movement.
In other words, "GORE-TEX PACLITE® Plus Product Technology" is positioned as a highly versatile product group that meets the standards of "GORE-TEX Products" and is lightweight, compact and easy to carry, while meeting the standards of "GORE-TEX Products."
...But even when you sweat, it feels surprisingly dry to the touch, and the lining doesn't stick to your skin (lol).
Summary: Recommended for people like this
The lightweight softshell, known as the Houdini, is light at around 100g and is excellent in windproofing. However, it is somewhat unreliable when it comes to durability and waterproofness. If it gets caught on a branch, it is highly likely that it will fray or tear immediately. If that's the case, even if a little weight is added (at least 100g), I think it would be better to choose lightweight rainwear that is durable, waterproof, and breathable, making it suitable for active mountain play.
the ARC'TERYX Zeta FL jacket featured this time uses GORE-TEX PACLITE®PLUS, so it is durable, waterproof, and breathable at a high level. Plus, the lining is smooth, dry and smooth to the touch, and doesn't feel uncomfortable at all. The hem and sleeves are also elastic, making it easy to adjust the fit. And above all, it's light, supple, and packable. Even though it is called rainwear, it is naturally effective as a windproof measure. It has a slightly slim silhouette, but it is easy to move around in, making it a jacket that can be worn all year round.
Recommended points
- Easy to move, light and compact
- Highly breathable, smooth and dry texture
- Reliable windproof and waterproof
Interesting points
- I want a ventilation function somewhere
- A slightly slim silhouette
