With a price tag of $299 and the use of Gore-Tex’s Paclite Plus, the Arc’teryx Zeta SL is an impressive jacket. The Gore-Tex Paclite Plus is one of Gore-Tex’s best lightweight membranes to keep the jacket packable and performing. The jacket was designed for hiking and trekking, so there’s no helmet compatibility, but the 40-denier face fabric keeps the jacket durable and ready for any adventure.

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Arc’teryx designed the Zeta SL to be used for lightweight trekking. The jacket is packable and comfortable, thanks to 2L Gore-Tex with Paclite Plus. It’s able to handle rainstorms with ease while remaining comfortable and moderately durable.

To quickly go into the Arc’teryx naming scheme, Zeta is the designation for garments made for hiking and trekking with “an emphasis on comfort and efficiency.” The SL means that the jacket utilizes a lightweight “minimalist design that is durable for its weight.”

Weather-Proofing

Using a 2-layer Gore-Tex with Paclite Plus construction, the Arc’teryx Zeta SL offers protection against the elements extremely well for its lightweight design. There is a DWR (durable water repellent) coating that is long-lasting and offers the water-shedding that you want to keep the rain on the outside of your jacket. The jacket is also quite quiet—a great feature when you may spend an entire day wearing it with the hood up. The Arc’teryx Zeta LT (the SL’s 3-layer, slightly more expensive sibling) boasts C-Knit backing and is slightly more comfortable on the skin, but the SL does a fine job in the comfort department.

The thin material and lightweight design have also helped the Zeta SL to dry out quickly after a squall so that it can remain effective for the next downpour. Compared to other jackets with thicker layers, this is a great feature if you need to get moving again quickly on a multi-day trip.

Weight and Durability

At 10.9oz (310g) for the men’s medium, the Arc’teryx Zeta SL does its name justice by remaining “Super Light.” Compared to the Arc’teryx Zeta LT, the SL jacket is an ounce lighter. For those looking to shave ounces and dollars, the SL is the better option. The sacrifice is the less durable 2-layer SL versus the burlier 3-layer LT with the C-Knit backing.

The 40-denier shell material can handle itself quite well while working through rocky terrain or tight forest trails. The jacket can stuff into its own pocket, but there are no zippers to seal it once it’s stuffed away. The SL designation may make it seem slightly less durable than other jackets, but it will cope with more than most of the other 2L jackets on our list.

Features

The Zeta SL has been designed for lightweight hiking, so while the hood is not helmet-compatible, it does provide a closer fit for your noggin. The StormHood has a halo adjustment to dial in the fit around your head and has a laminated brim to keep the rain off your face. The hand pockets are higher on the coat to accommodate a hipbelt and allow access to the pockets. There are no pit zips, so ventilation is only possible with the front zipper or pockets. Overall, it’s not as effective, but it saves weight.

The WaterTight front zipper has a chin guard with a microsuede to protect from any uncomfortable rubbing. The collar is also quite high, which is a desirable feature that helps to hide most of your face in a blowing wind. The hand pockets also feature WaterTight zippers, but on the website, they are distinguished as “highly water-resistant, but not waterproof.” The cuffs can adjust with velcro and are cut to reduce any catching or tearing.

The Bottom Line

If you are a thru-hiker with a deep pocket, look no further, because the Arc’teryx Zeta SL is an excellent lightweight hiking or trekking jacket. However, without the helmet-compatible hood, it doesn’t quite make the cut as an alpine jacket. That job is easily accomplished by the Beta SL and several of Arc’teryx’s other high-performance alpine jackets. At $300, it certainly is not an inexpensive coat, and its lightweight construction may raise concerns about durability. However, the 40-denier material is rugged and when treated properly, and the Zeta SL will have a long and successful life, keeping its wearer dry when the weather turns nasty.

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