Shell Jackets

As most of you already know, I've been sharing helpful guides to all kinds of Arc'teryx jackets for the last couple of years now (find full post list at the bottom). Recently I keep getting asked to make a Zeta FL Review, so here you go. 

Summary

Zeta FL is light, packable and streamlined. But, as you can guess, this enforces some significant performance sacrifices in breathability, weather resistance and durability departments. 

Now... Having said that... 

In order to gain weight and packed size advantages, all emergency shells like Zeta FL inevitably make some performance sacrifices in return. 

Fortunately, Zeta FL is positioned in the "sweet spot" of performance vs weight trade-off: All performance sacrifices are kept at a minimum while making the most of packability and weight benefits. If you'll be using it as an emergency shell when hiking, then I'd highly recommend it. 

You might also want to check out my Arc'teryx Zeta vs Beta post to see my performance ratings for all Zeta (and Beta) jackets. 

Now let's get to the nitty gritty. 

Zeta FL Review: Packability 10/10

I gave Zeta FL a rating of 10 out of 10 in terms of packability. It's actually the only hardshell I gave a 10/10 packability rating. 

This doesn't require much explanation. It simply packs very tiny: 

Zeta FL Review: Durability 2/10

This might be a problem if you'll be wearing a backpack most of the time. 

Zeta FL Review: Breathability 4/10

Yes, in surface, a score of 4 does make the Zeta FL look like it puts forward worse breathability capabilities compared to its cousins Zeta LT (6/10) and Zeta AR (7/10). 

This, actually, is far from where we should be look at things. Like I said earlier, Zeta FL is an emergency shell, and it should be assessed that way. 

So, when you look at this from emergency shell standards, then you'll realize that its breathability is actually not bad at all. 

I gave other emergency shells like Zeta SL and Beta SL Hybrid lower breathability ratings. Not to even mention that the emergency shells of most other brands out there perform much worse than these two. 

In summary... Zeta FL offers sufficient breathability. 

Zeta FL Review: Weather Resistance 5/10

Again, 5/10 might seem low, but it actually isn't bad at all among emergency shells. 

Zeta FL face fabric and zippers are sufficiently water resistant. They of course wouldn't protect you from storms, but they'll be perfectly fine for unexpected downpours. 

...which is the standard expectation one should have from an emergency shell. 

Zeta FL is also DWR coated. 

Lastly, I'd also recommend you to take a look at the Jacket Finder tool at arcteryx.com. Arc'teryx jackets are far from being cheap. Better be sure before you get one. 

The product video for Zeta FL: 

As most of you already know, I've been sharing helpful guides to all kinds of Arc'teryx jackets for the last couple of years now (find full post list at the bottom). Recently I keep getting asked to make an Arc’teryx Beta FL Review, so here you go. 

After taking it down 8 years ago, Arc'teryx finally decided to bring the once-loved Beta FL back to life in Jul 2020. As a big fan of Beta AR and SV (read my review), and a big "hater" on Beta SL-Hybrid (read my review), I was excited to review this new member of the line-up. 

Summary

Arc'teryx's Beta line corresponds to general purpose shell jackets (source at arcteryx.com).

Among 4 Beta jackets (SL-Hybrid, FL, AR and SV), think of Beta AR as the most well-balanced, central pick; and the Beta FL as the packable version of it (with some sacrifices in weather resistance and durability). 

If you're looking for a general purpose hardshell that packs small, look no further. Beta FL (Men's - Women's) is probably exactly what you're after.

If, however, this is not what you're looking for, then stop reading any further and see my Best Arc'teryx Jackets post instead. 

You might also want to check out my Arc'teryx Beta vs Zeta post to see my performance ratings for all Beta and Zeta jackets. 

Beta FL Review: Packability 6/10

I gave the packability of Beta FL a 6 out of 10. 

It's true that the Beta SL-Hybrid packs a bit smaller than the Beta FL. But it's inferior to Beta FL big time in other departments such as breathability, weather resistance and durability. 

Not to even mention that the Beta SL Hybrid leaks like a busted roof. So, until a future revision arrives to address this deal breaker problem, I wouldn't even consider it as a viable option. 

Beta FL Review: Breathability 8/10

In my rating scale, 8/10 is a quite high score. 

The reason for Arc'teryx to replace the Beta LT with Beta FL in the first place was because they aimed to upgrade the face fabric of Beta LT to the most rugged and breathable Gore-Tex. 

Beta FL is equipped with N40d Most Rugged 3L GORE-TEX PRO in hood, yoke, sleeves and with N40d Most Breathable 3L GORE-TEX PRO in other areas. 

This makes it highly breathable AND weather resistant at the same time. 

This is actually why I love everything about Beta FL, AR and SV. They offer decent breathability AND weather protection at the same time. 

This is something many (all?) other jackets struggle to do. It's a huge advantage if you'll be performing a variety of high output activities. 

Speaking of which... 

Beta FL Review: Weather Protection 7/10

Beta FL is also pretty weather resistant, although not as much as Beta AR, as I mentioned earlier. And definitely not nearly as much as the monster Beta SV. 

Unless you'll be doing anything extreme, I'd doubt it'll fail meeting your expectations, though. 

Beta FL is also DWR coated. 

Fit

Comes with a trim fit.  

But, attention female readers; Beta FL might fit a little bit larger than typical trim fit Arc'teryx jackets. So you might want to get one size larger than your usual size. 

Alternatives

If packability is extremely important to you, AND you'll be hiking and trekking with this jacket mostly (say, 80-90% of the time), then you might get a Zeta SL (Men's - Women's). 

It packs super tiny, though lacks breathability and durability big time. 

Here's the Beta FL product video: 

As most of you already know, I've been sharing helpful guides to all kinds of Arc'teryx jackets for the last couple of years now (find full post list at the bottom). Recently I keep getting asked to make an Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid Review, so here you go. 

Caution: Since you're here reading this post, going forward, I'll assume you're looking for an emergency shell jacket. If this isn't what you're primarily after, then stop reading this post and go see my Best Arc'teryx Jackets post instead! 

Summary

Beta SL Hybrid is Arc'teryx's one of very few products I don't recommend. Leaks like a busted house roof. Let's hope Arc'teryx is on the case and planning to revise its design & materials all together, to improve the waterproofing. 

I'd strongly discourage you from getting a Beta SL Hybrid and would instead recommend you its (cheaper AND better) alternatives: Zeta SL (Men's - Women's) or Zeta FL (Men's - Women's). 

So... why the hell do I roast this jacket that much? 

Waterproofing

Look. I don't mind the poor breathability and durability the emergency pop-up shells like the Beta SL offer. After all, it's all a trade-off for superior packability. 

Jackets I recommend instead of the Beta SL Hybrid, the Zeta SL and FL; aren't really much different in this manner either. 

Check out my Arc'teryx Beta vs Zeta post to see how the Zeta SL and FL compare to the Beta SL Hybrid in terms of breathability and durability. It's not much different. 

Having said that... 

What really grinds my gears is the fact that the Beta SL Hybrid can't even mildly accomplish the only thing it's intended to do: Waterproofing. 

Not only the pockets get soaked completely (I mean a degree like several inches of water! Good night sweet wallets), but the material also leaks. 

You had one job, Beta SL Hybrid... 

This is why I gave you a 2 out of 10 in weather resistance department. 

Zeta SL and FL, on the other hand, work just as expected. The waterproofing capability they offer are higher than the industry standards. Being Arc'teryx pieces, this isn't surprising. 

Combine this with the fact that they're also cheaper than the Beta SL Hybrid... and it should be an easy decision for most of you - assuming your type of use won't be much different than everyone else. 

Lastly, here's another good review of Beta SL Hybrid: