Arc'teryx Firee Softshell Hooded Jacket - Men's - 2010 BCS

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Based on the advice, I have ordered a Firee Hoody jacket for active use.

The Firee is not warmer. It's not completely windproof either. I have warn it at 10F with only a marmot powerstretch fleece under and it's warm, but the Kappa is a beast and is much warmer.

Firee is great alone from 20-50's. Colder than that and you'll need some insulation or a shell over it.

The Arc'teryx Firee is not as warm as the Kappa SV. I'm sure there may be lots contrasting views on this, but Windstopper is as breathable as eVent. In fact it's basically the exact same material, a non-PU backed PETF membrane. Unfortunately, the ultimate combination of totally waterproof,totally breathable and warm (and I'll add weightless) doesn't exist. It's the Holy Grail of outerwear. That being said, the Firee will block about 90% of the wind and be quite warm and also quite breathable. If you're active, it's great in cold weather. For less active use, the Kappa SV will keep you warm, block all but the wettest of storms (think Costa Rica rain forest), and still let some excess heat and moisture escape.

As a followup, if you're not insistent on Arc'teryx, I'm taking a Stoic Welder Lo to Kala Patar and EBC this summer, and that's been a great all around jacket for me during the time I've used it. The fit is more similar to the Hyllus, and I wear it as an all in one layer, but it's made of powershield, like the Firee. If I'm misunderstanding you, and you own both, then I would suggest taking the Hyllus, and then chucking a lightweight rain jacket in your pack just in case it the weather gets crazy.

If money is not at all an object, go with the Firee. It's a shell made of powershield material, with a microfleece liner, whereas the Hyllus has a 300-weight lining built in. You can buy yourself a high loft fleece and then with that and the Firee, you have a much more efficient system that's more versatile. If money is an issue, be smart with your money, save $120 and buy yourself a North Face Kishtwar. It's powershield pro jacket, which doesn't breath quite as well as either of these, but still leaps and bounds above any hardshell I've used, but is still windproof and sufficiently waterproof. Seam tape it, and you have an all around incredible jacket for all occasions. Pair that up with a high loft fleece, and you're set.

the Arc'teryx Firee is nearly wind-proof and very water resistant, somewhat loose cut. Not as breathable as the Hyllus, but more weather protection. It sounds like the Hyllus may be better because it still blocks about half the wind and bounces light moisture, but breathes better, and will also fit under a hard shell as an insulator. The Hyllus has a more trim fit.

I am 5'8 155 and I have a Medium and its perfect escepially if you want to wear a layer underneath it. I like my jacket close fitting but not tight,and Definitely not too big, otherwise air gets it, but a medium fits me perfectly.

thats great thanks!

I'd go with a small. I'm 5'8" and 155 lbs. and found that the sleeves were a bit long, and even with the athletic cut, it was pretty roomy in the middle.

The Firee's cut is long, and it's somewhat generous - you might be able to get away with a small, but it's tough to say. I'm 6"0 and 190, and a Large is perfect on me. Not sure if that's helpful, but good luck!

Polartec's website says that
Powershield O2 blocks 96% of wind (that's the Hercules and his son, Hyllus) and
Powershield blocks 98% of wind (this jacket)

Neither are waterproof. Powershield Pro is a third textile, which might be waterproof, but, at this point in time, Arc'teryx is not usimg. I'm sure they will soon, though.

BCizzle, I've used both, and the Firee isn't waterproof (super resistant, not a rain jacket), nor the Hyllus windproof (but it blocks most of it up to about 40mph gusts). I will say I wear my Hyllus more than any other jacket I own.

Hey Brandon,

According to the information listed, the Firee is constructed with Polartec Power Shield and when bouncing that information off Polartec's website that fabric is supposed to be waterproof - wouldn't that make this hoody windproof?

Also, according to information the Hyllus is composed of Polartec Power Shield O2, taking a look at that part of Polartec's website the O2 is supposed to be 96% windproof. Where's the disconnect?

Thanks for any info as I'm looking at the Hyllus myself.

The new Arc'teryx Firee is more weather resistant than the Hyllus (Firee blocks 90% of wind, Hyllus 50%) and designed to be worn as a very weather resistant, super breathable outer layer, while the Hyllus is cut more trim to do double duty: outer, and layered. Insulation wise, they both use the same high-loft fleece inside.