Then I would have recommended the Zeta AR ( Women's ) to most of you, but as I said earlier (and as you can see here), after Fall 2021 update, it's only available for women and not for men.

The Theta AR has a looser fit overall.Here are the approximate measurements of the garments itself: Water repellency: Excellent. Water beaded up on the outer fabric, and brushed off like snowflakes even in the heaviest of rain. As this review has made clear, the Arc’teryx Zeta SL’s target demographic is people who seriously love the outdoors.

Add adventure to your inbox

Cuffs: The cuffs are elasticized to seal in the warmth and keep out the wind, but loose enough for lightweight gloves to slip underneath them. Gore-Tex with Paclite Plus construction provides excellent weather protection and is quite comfortable. Material: N20p Gore-Tex fabric with Paclite Plus. The Gore-Tex membrane is bonded directly to a nylon outer shell material, then covered by a durable protective layer made of an oleophobic (anti-oil) substance and carbon, creating a two-layer construction. An abrasion-resistant treatment is given to the inside surface, making a separate lining unnecessary. And Gore-Tex says Paclite Plus stretch technology is designed for ease of movement and an attractive fit. Nerd talk on N20p: N (nylon) 20 (denier) p (plain weave).

Slim fit: At 5 feet, 10 inches, and 175 pounds, the large FL was a good fit. The coat has a slim fit so there’s not a lot of extra material flapping around. I could fit a lightweight and mid-weight layer on underneath, even a 9-ounce puffy if needed for chill days and nights at camp. I’d suggest you size up if you’re taller or heavier than me. Easy to clean: Gore-Tex recommends washing garments as needed, and says washing and tumble drying can improve water resistance. We currently don’t provide the breathability rating as this measure isn’t standardized in the industry and the results can be influenced by many factors (the fit, outside temperature and humidity and much more). Durability: The 20 denier for the coat and 40 denier for the pants feel robust enough to last for years.

Conclusion

When you must full-on hike wearing your Zeta SL, you will find that it breathes as well or better than some of its competitors. What I liked best: The Zeta SL pants, like the coat, are light, insanely water resistant, and breathable. The front crotch zipper and three-quarter-length side zippers give these pants versatility that I’ve never had in rain pants. One of the stand-out features we appreciate most on the Zeta SL is the stiffened bottom hem fabric on the legs. This really allows you to stretch the limits of these shell pants. For outdoor enthusiasts, it can become troubling to choose the right layer for the activity at hand. If you want optimal performance, you end up with three different types of shell pants; one for skiing, one for hiking, and another for emergency use on your ultralight adventures. The Zeta SL comes impressively close to serving the most needs in a single pair of shell pants—and that hem design helps make it so. While we do not recommend buying these pants for the purpose of mountaineering, if you take them on a trip to try it out for the first time, they will likely be adequate, and that stiffer fabric at the hem of the lower leg will help prevent you from catching your crampons on the pants. Waterproof: Goes without saying. Hiking cold and wet in the rain doesn’t make me stronger. It makes me miserable.