Ceres SV and Firebee AR once were Arc'teryx's first and second warmest pieces.
They remain discontinued for FW24 too.
For Ceres SV, which is a hybrid jacket (down & synthetic insulation), Arc'teryx brought its alternative, the Alpha Parka (Men's - Women's - read review). It's solid and probably one of the best freezing weather jackets of all time.
For Firebee AR, however, it's another story. It's solely a down jacket. No synthetic insulation whatsoever.
Arc'teryx has never really been known with their highest quality down jackets. Rather, they're popular for their synthetic insulated jackets and hardshell/softshell jackets.
When it's cold, like really cold, precipitation isn't the thing that you worry about. Below 0 deg C, rain won't happen anyway. Which is where down jackets come to play and fill the need.
By simply leaving synthetic insulation out of a jacket, you don't only ensure a much lower weight but you also provide a much smaller packed size.
When packed, Firebee AR had stuffed into half the size of Ceres SV. It was impressive and it was also cited on each related page on Arc'teryx's own site as well.
In FW24 catalogue the closest you get to Firebee AR is not so close. It's the Thorium (Men's - Women's - read review).
I however also think that Arc'teryx will bring back Cerium SV in a few days. Which is much closer to Firebee AR.
They only have to deal with naming scheme changes, especially after changing Cerium SL to Cerium Lightweight and Cerium LT to Cerium. Cerium SV will probably be Cerium Heavyweight, just like other lines such as Atom and Proton.
Firebee AR and Ceres SV can still worth getting even after years of use, when found at a lower price. This guide will help you decide.
Canberk is 5'11" and 165 pounds, with an athletic build. Size Medium fits him perfectly across almost all brands and product lines.
First thing you should know about them is that they're NOT designed for high output activities (skiing, climbing, cycling, etc.) since you'd overheat very easily (unless you run unusually cold - which I'd highly doubt).
They're designed for mostly stationary use out in extreme colds where you would not encounter wet conditions (ie. rain, snow) and where packability is a concern: Hiking, camping, traveling, ice fishing, etc.
- Poll results: Giant Arc'teryx & Patagoina survey (Gore-Tex, pockets, hoods, fit, & more) [1000+ participated]
- Pics from outrageous discounts I ran into at Arc'teryx Parndorf Outlet
- I bought Gamma Lightweight (aka SL), Gamma (aka LT) and Gamma MX
- Patera Parka (one year update): Ain't worth the price...
- Alpha vs Beta: I bought all 4 Beta's and both Alpha's. Settling this for good
- Proton Hybrid: A "hidden" way to stuff it in itself!?
- Best Insulated Jackets: A hands-on Arc'teryx & Patagonia face-off
- 2024 Nano Air is in! Bought it immediately...
- I bought all 7 of Winter '24 Atom and Proton jackets
- Best Arc'teryx Ski Jackets: Rush is ideal, Sabre SV is overkill
- Arc’teryx colors: Most and least liked (poll results)
- Took my Nuclei SV to the Alps near Pfander, Austria
- Arc'teryx Alpha Parka Review: The most impressive jacket of all time
- Arc'teryx ReGEAR: OutdoorCrunch exclusive promo code!
- Beta Insulated Jacket is in: Pit zips AND two way zipper
- DropHood vs StormHood: Pros/cons and best uses
- 7 things all Arc'teryx newbies should know
In summary, if packability is almost as important as warmth for you, then the Firebee could be a better option. If packability is not that important, but still a must have, than the Ceres is more suitable.
If you'll be wearing your jacket only casually when it's freezing out in town and hence don't care about packability at all...
Then I'd surprise you and recommend the Therme SV (Men's - read review) or Patera (Women's - read review) instead.
Both Firebee and Ceres are equipped with 850-fill down (highest quality) insulation and also supported with synthetic insulation in addition (for extra wet weather performance).
But the amounts as to how much they're stuffed with them differ, which is an equally important factor that defines the warmth:
- Ceres SV is equipped with 240 grams of down.
- Firebee AR is equipped with 225 grams of down.
Name | Activity | Temp (F/C) | Breathability | Weather Res. | Durability | Bottom line | Review | Pit zips? | Two way zipper? | Stuffs into itself? | Face Fabric | Fit | Weight | Length | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha (aka AR) (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | N/A | 8/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 4/10 | Go-to climbing harshell. | Review | Yes | No | No | N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 430 g / 15.2 oz | 79.5 cm / 31.25 in | No |
Alpha FL (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | N/A | 7/10 | No data | No data | 10/10 | No | No | Yes | Hadron 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 209 g / 7.4 oz | 76.5 cm / 30 in | Yes | ||
Alpha IS (Men's) | Climbing | 23/-5 | 7/10 | 5/10 | No data | 8/10 | No | Yes | Yes | N40p-X 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz | 78 cm / 30.75 in | Yes | ||
Alpha SL (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | N/A | 5/10 | 7/10 | No data | 9/10 | No | No | Yes | N40p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 326 g / 11.5 oz | 77.5 cm / 30.5 in | Yes | ||
Alpha SV (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | N/A | 8/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 3/10 | Strongest climbing hardshell. | Review | Yes | No | No | N100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 510 g / 1 lb 2 oz | 78 cm / 30.75 in | No |
Andessa (Women's) | Skiing | 8/-13 | 10/10 | No data | No data | 1/10 | Yes | No | No | N40d 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 869 g / 1 lb 14.7 oz | 67 cm / 26.4 in | Yes | ||
Andessa Shell (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 5/10 | No data | No data | 3/10 | No | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 560 g / 1 lb 3.8 oz | ? | Yes | ||
Beta (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 6/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | Streamlined all-doer shell. | Review | No | No | No | N30p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 300 g / 10.6 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | No |
Beta AR (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 4/10 | Go-to all-round harshell. | Review | Yes | No | No | N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 460 g / 1 lb | 76 cm / 30 in | No |
Beta AR StormHood (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 4/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 460 g / 1 lb | 76 cm / 30 in | No | |
Beta Coat (Women's) | All Round | N/A | 6/10 | 5/10 | No data | 5/10 | No | Yes | No | 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 320 g / 11.3 oz | 88 cm / 34.5 in | No | ||
Beta Down Insulated (Men's) | All Round | 0/-18 | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | No data | Yes | Yes | No | 2L 40D Gore-Tex | Regular | 760 g / 1 lb 10.8 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | No | ||
Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's) | All Round | 21/-6 | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | No data | Go-to hybrid jacket. | Review | Yes | Yes | No | N40d 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 680 g / 1 lb 8 oz | 78.5 cm / 31 in | No |
Beta Insulated Coat (Women's) | All Round | 16/-9 | 7/10 | No data | No data | No data | No | Yes | No | N40d 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz | 86 cm / 34 in | No | ||
Beta Lightweight (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N40p 3L Gore-Tex | Fitted | 380 g / 13.4 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | No | |
Beta Long | All Round | N/A | 4/10 | 9/10 | No data | 3/10 | Review | No | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 441 g / 15.6 oz | 85 cm / 33.5 in | Yes | |
Beta LT (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 7/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N40d 3L Gore-Tex | Fitted | 395 g / 13.9 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | No | |
Beta LT Hadron | All Round | N/A | 7/10 | 6/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | No | No | No | Hadron 3L Gore-Tex | Fitted | 255 g / 9 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | Yes | ||
Beta SV (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 8/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 3/10 | Strongest all-round harshell. | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p-X Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 495 g / 1 lb 1.5 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | Yes |
Cassiar (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 3/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 820 g / 1 lb 12.9 oz | 74.5 cm / 29.3 in | Yes | |
Cassiar LT (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | 6/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 605 g / 1 lb 5.3 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | Yes | |
Cita (Women's) | Running | N/A | 7/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | 10/10 | Review | No | No | Yes | Lumin | Trim | 120 g / 4.2 oz | 67.5 cm / 26.5 in | Yes | |
Cita SL (Women's) | Running | N/A | 7/10 | 4/10 | 4/10 | 10/10 | Review | Yes | No | Yes | Permeair 20 | Trim | 65 g / 2.3 oz | 61.5 cm / 24.2 in | Yes | |
Gamma (aka LT) (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 7/10 | 3/10 | 7/10 | 3/10 | Go-to softshell. | Review | No | No | No | Wee Burly Double Weave | Regular | 545 g / 1 lb 3.2 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | No |
Gamma SL (aka lightweight) (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 7/10 | 2/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | Review | No | No | No | Fortius 1.0 | Trim | 310 g / 10.9 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | Yes | |
Gamma MX (Men's) | All Round | N/A | 6/10 | 4/10 | 8/10 | 3/10 | Strongest softshell. | Review | No | No | No | Fortius 2.0 | Regular | 555 g / 1 lb 3.6 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | No |
Incendia (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 3/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | NP100d 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | Yes | |
Incendo (Men's) | Running | N/A | 7/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | 10/10 | Review | No | No | Yes | Lumin | Trim | 125 g / 4.4 oz | ? | Yes | |
Incendo Airshell (Men's | Running | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | No | No | Yes | ? | Trim | 105 g / 3.7 oz | ? | Yes | ||
Incendo SL (Men's) | Running | N/A | 7/10 | 4/10 | 4/10 | 10/10 | Review | No | No | Yes | Permair 20 & Canim | Trim | 80 g / 2.8 oz | 73 cm / 28.75 in | Yes | |
Indencia IS | Skiing | No data | No data | No data | No data | No data | Yes | No | No | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | ? | 78 cm / 30.75 in | Yes | ||
Macai (Men's) | Skiing | 5/-15 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 1/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 990 g / 2 lb 2.9 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | Yes | |
Macai Lightweight (aka LT) (Men's) | Skiing | 8/-13 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 2/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz | ? | Yes | |
Macai Shell (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 775 g / 1 lb 11.3 oz | ? | Yes | |
Micon (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | Yes | ||
Micon Heather | Skiing | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Yes | No | No | NP100-d 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | Yes | ||
Nodin (Men's - Women's) | Running | N/A | 8/10 | 5/10 | 5/10 | 10/10 | No | No | Yes | 20D Tyono | Trim | 130 g / 4.6 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | Yes | ||
Norvan LT (Men's - Women's) | Running | N/A | 5/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | No | No | No | N13p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 190 g / 6.7 oz | ? | Yes | ||
Norvan Shell (Men's | Running | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | No | No | No | 13D 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 190 g / 6.7 oz | 73 cm / 28.75 in | No | ||
Norvan SL (Men's - Women's) | Running | N/A | 7/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | Review | No | No | Yes | Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 120 g / 4.2 oz | 77 cm / 30.4 in | Yes | |
Norvan SL Ins. (Women's) | Running | 39/4 | No data | No data | No data | No data | No | No | Yes | Gore-Tex ShakeDry | Trim | 270 g / 9.5 oz | 71.5 cm / 28.1 in | Yes | ||
Norvan Windshell (Men's | Running | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | No | No | Yes | Permeair 20 | Trim | 90 g / 3.2 oz | 73 cm / 28.75 in | Yes | ||
Procline (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Yes | No | No | N70p Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | Yes | ||
Ravenna (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 3/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N70s-4 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 725 g / 1 lb 9.6 oz | 69.5 cm / 27.4 in | Yes | |
Ravenna LT (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 6/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 540 g / 1 lb 3 oz | 69 cm / 27.2 in | Yes | |
Rush (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 3/10 | Go-to ski jacket. | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p-X & N100p-X 3L Most Rugged Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz | 79.5 cm / 31.25 in | No |
Rush (Women's) | Skiing | 16/-9 | 3/10 | 5/10 | 5/10 | 9/10 | Review | No | No | Yes | Hadron 2L Gore-Tex Infinium | Regular | 515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | No | |
Sabre (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 705 g / 1 lb 8.9 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | No | |
Sabre AR (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 700 g / 1 lb 8.7 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | Yes | |
Sabre Insulated (See related products) | Skiing | No data | 7/10 | No data | 6/10 | No data | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 815 g / 1 lb 12.7 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | Yes | |
Sabre LT (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 660 g / 1 lb 7.3 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | Yes | |
Sabre SV (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | 10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 1/10 | Strongest ski jacket. | Review | Yes | Yes | No | N100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 595 g / 1 lb 5 oz | 85 cm / 33.5 in | Yes |
Sentinel (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | Go-to ski jacket. | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 640 g / 1 lb 6.6 oz | 73.7 cm / 29 in | No |
Sentinel AR (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz | 72.5 cm / 28.5 in | Yes | |
Sentinel Insulated (Women's) | Skiing | 21/-6 | 8/10 | No data | No data | No data | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz | 79.8 cm / 31.5 in | No | |
Sentinel LT (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 565 g / 1 lb 3.9 oz | 73.5 cm / 29 in | Yes | |
Sentinel Relaxed (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 655 g / 1 lb 7.1 oz | ? | No | ||
Shashka Stretch (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Yes | No | No | N70p Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 670 g / 1 lb 7.6 oz | 71 cm / 28 in | Yes | ||
Sidewinder (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 570 g / 1 lb 4.1 oz | ? | No | ||
Solano (Men's - Women's) | Around Town | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Review | No | No | No | Gore-Tex Infinium | Relaxed | 355 g / 12.5 oz | 72 cm / 28.3 in | No | |
Squamish (Men's - Women's) | Running | N/A | 5/10 | 4/10 | 7/10 | 9/10 | Go-to running jacket. | Review | No | No | Yes | 30D Tyono | Trim | 140 g / 4.9 oz | 77.5 cm / 30.5 in | No |
Theriss Down (Women's) | Skiing | No data | 7/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 709 g / 1 lb 9 oz | 63 cm / 24.8 in | No | |
Trino SL (Men's) | Running | N/A | 8/10 | 5/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | Review | No | No | No | Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 340 g / 12 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | Yes | |
Trino SL Anorak (Women's) | Running | N/A | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | Review | No | No | No | Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 290 g / 10.2 oz | 65 cm / 25.5 in | Yes | |
Venda Anorak (Women's) | Around Town | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | No | No | No | Gore-Tex | Relaxed | 255 g / 9 oz | 75.5 cm / 29.7 in | Yes | ||
Zeta AR (Men's) | Hiking | N/A | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 4/10 | Yes | No | No | 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 425 g / 15 oz | 80 cm / 31.5 in | Yes | ||
Zeta FL (Men's - Women's) | Hiking | N/A | 4/10 | 6/10 | 4/10 | 6/10 | No | No | No | N20r 2L Gore-Tex | Trim | 221 g / 7.8 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | Yes | ||
Zeta LT (Men's - Women's) | Hiking | N/A | 5/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 5/10 | No | No | No | N40P-X 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 335 g / 11.8 oz | 78 cm / 30.75 in | Yes | ||
Zeta SL (Men's - Women's) | Hiking | N/A | 3/10 | 5/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | Review | No | No | No | 2L Gore-Tex | Trim | 310 g / 10.9 oz | 77.8 cm / 30.6 in | Yes |
Performance data axis of synthetic jackets (table above) and shell jackets (this table) are different. Don't compare them.
- Patagonia and Arc'teryx are like up to 70% off at REI rn...
Also...
- Ceres offers a quite long hemline (34 inches). Falls almost to the knees.
- Firebee is shorter at 31.25 inches - just a bit lower than waist.
Extra length in Ceres is one of the causes of its extra down, but even without the extra material, the amount of its down would still outnumber that of Firebee.
Warmth in practice
Generally speaking, with only a long sleeved shirt under and without a shell on top, during daily use (strolls, power walks, etc) and with enough wind to cause an umbrella to twist in your hand...
...the lowest temperature an average person could wear them without feeling uncomfortably cold would be as low as -15 deg F (-26 deg C) for Ceres SV and around -10 deg F (-23 deg C) for Firebee AR.
If you run colder or warmer than the average person, then shift these temperatures accordingly.
This level of warmth is exceptional, which is the reason for staggering price tags.
The single warmer product you can find out there would be something ridiculously high-tech like the Cold WX Parka SVX from Arc'teryx's LEAF Program.
Gore-Tex Thermium vs Windstopper
Gore Thermium of Firebee will perform quite similarly to the Gore Windstopper of Ceres (same Gore membrane technology) - the only difference being that the Thermium is fully seam sealed whereas some Windstopper pieces are sewn through seams.
In practice, this means that the Firebee will be more weather resistant and it'll let less moisture inside.
Then again neither of these Parkas are meant to be used under rain or snow anyway, so the difference isn't big to say the least.
Now back to warmth, realistically speaking, Ceres and Firebee is actually as good as jackets and parkas get in terms of warmth, as I explained a minute ago.
Bu there's one important caveat to note here.
Warmth distribution
Both the Firebee and Ceres come with their own stuff sacks. Manufacturing them "packable" like this requires sacrificing from distributing the warmth evenly throughout your body.
In addition to that, the Firebee is not only packable, but also a lot more packable than the Ceres. It's equivalent to the packed size of a summer sleeping bag - which is HALF the packed size of the Ceres!
Since this makes the problem even worse for Firebee, Arc'teryx incorporated "3D Down Contour Construction" in Firebee's design process.
...although it kind of backfired.
It was supposed to distribute the total amount of down more efficiently throughout the jacket rather than using a uniform distribution like that of Ceres.
BUT, as you might also already had understood from my language, this failed to side-track this problem in practice. In the end, lower arm region of the Firebee's in the market ended up providing a little bit less warmth than intended.
So, when you think about the staggering price tag of this parka, Arc'teryx might have crossed the "acceptable flaws" line with this mistake for some people.
It's still a fantastic parka and it's incredible how much of attention has been paid even to the really minimal details (pleasant collar, StormHood, mesh vents at very well-thought out strategic locations such as some portion of the hood and the arm pits).
It's just that it's mostly expected to be flawless at this price range.
If this is a deal-breaker for you, then layering Cerium SV (read review) and Atom AR (read review) together could work as a somewhat "equivalent" combo and be a good alternative to the Firebee.
It'd also provide more versatility since wearing Ceres, Firebee or Thorsen as standalone pieces would come too warm when it's anything warmer than 15 deg F (-10 deg C) out. Whereas you can wear your Atom AR alone when it's up to 30 deg F (0 deg C) without overheating.
The downside of layering, on the other hand, would be the hassle comes up with layering when you're changing from indoors to outdoors constantly and vice versa.
For Ceres SV, this uneven warmth distribution is experienced significantly less although still not completely non-existent like the Thorsen (more on Thorsen in a minute).
Face Fabric
Face fabric of Ceres (Arato 30) is heavier and more sturdy than that of the Firebee (Arato 7 & 10).
But, compared to the Firebee’s face properties, it doesn't feel as smooth in your hands, although is more durable and resists more strongly against abrasion.
Also, they're both DWR coated, which helps with beading water.
DWR is a coating.
It's basically sprayed on to the surface of these jackets as a finish.
It stands for Durable Water Repellent - which means that water will be repelled under wet conditions instead of soaking into the fabric.
DWR also decreases dry time.
It's a good thing these jackets are coated in DWR.
But pay attention to the fact that DWR is a coating - meaning that it will wear off over time.
Which is why you might want to invest in a DWR spray such as this one at arcteryx.com for after treatment.
As you see, there's a strong correlation between FP x FW and temperature ratings, but not more than, say, 80%. I explained why this happens here in this post of mine.
So, since some sacrifices are being made for making a parka "packable" in return...
If you aren't planning to pack your parka, I'd also check out Therme SV (Men's - read review) or Patera (Women's - read review). Unlike Ceres and Firebee, these aren't packable, and hence distributes warmth more evenly.
Another case where you'd better getting one of these and not a Firebee or Ceres would be wet conditions. Firebee and Ceres use Gore-Tex Windstopper Shell, which protects you from high winds perfectly.
But when it rains or snows, not only it let relatively more water and moisture in; but also the down gets soaked, which causes the parka to lose its insulating power. In the end, the warmth suffers - although less so than we'd typically experience with other down insulated clothing pieces such as the Thorium and Cerium.
The reason for this is strategically placed synthetic insulation in both Firebee's and Ceres's constructions.
Check out our other content on jackets:
Guide: Insulated & Shell Jackets
Start here:
Also see:
Dom says
I have 2 Ceres Sv and one Firebee. The Firebee is cut for walking to work. It’s useless if you want to lift your arms up. Or pretty much do anything except sit down.
Arc just need to do the Ceres SV with a thermium outer instead of Windstopper. Which is warmer and yet more mobile. I guess commuters pay more than climbers for them nowadays. Shame.
Bob says
Damn dude, you rich if you have 2 ceres and a firebee. I’m trying to wait till theres a good discount to get the firebee