Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Firebee AR Parka

I use this jacket in Northeast China where we see -15F or lower throughout the winter. This jacket is amazingly warm in these cold temps, I no longer need to layer up like my other jackets. Durability seems great with the Gore Thermium shell and I never see the down escaping, so I believe this jacket will hold up for a long time (definitely helps justify the price) I love how light the jacket is, I can't stand the heavy parkas from competitors; this jacket is like wearing a warm cloud all the time. I picked a medium and it fits my 6ft, 170lb frame great.

An extremely light and incredibly warm coat that is perfect for activities but also looks great worn with jeans, trainers and a t-shirt ! Great quality at a competitive price and worth every penny.

I'll add to the review once I've had chance to test the jacket in really cold conditions but wanted to give my initial impressions. First off I'd say try the jacket before you buy it, I'm not sure how they've done it but even though it's got less down than the Ceres and many competitors, it lofts up to twice the size. When I first got it I'm looking at it thinking tnf Himalayan parka loftiness but with half the down, superb work. The thermium shell seems very robust and looks to be considerably more weather proof than the windstopper on the Ceres, the exterior is very similar to that of the nuclei AR if you want a rough idea. The hood has good adjustment and is snug, and yep you've guessed it, lofts up like a cloud! The fit is true to size. I'm a large in most arcteryx, a medium in the Ceres but definately a large in the Firebee. Cuffs are as you would expect from arcteryx. Perfect. This is a serious bit of kit and I'd throughly recommend it. Can't wait to test it properly. My only advice is to try it because it's very lofty!

I'll add to the review once I've had chance to test the jacket in really cold conditions but wanted to give my initial impressions. First off I'd say try the jacket before you buy it, I'm not sure how they've done it but even though it's got less down than the Ceres and many competitors, it lofts up to twice the size. When I first got it I'm looking at it thinking tnf Himalayan parka loftiness but with half the down, superb work. The thermium shell seems very robust and looks to be considerably more weather proof than the windstopper on the Ceres, the exterior is very similar to that of the nuclei AR if you want a rough idea. The hood has good adjustment and is snug, and yep you've guessed it, lofts up like a cloud! The fit is true to size. I'm a large in most arcteryx, a medium in the Ceres but definately a large in the Firebee. Cuffs are as you would expect from arcteryx. Perfect. This is a serious bit of kit and I'd throughly recommend it. Can't wait to test it properly. My only advice is to try it because it's very lofty!

I'll add to the review once I've had chance to test the jacket in really cold conditions but wanted to give my initial impressions. First off I'd say try the jacket before you buy it, I'm not sure how they've done it but even though it's got less down than the Ceres and many competitors, it lofts up to twice the size. When I first got it I'm looking at it thinking tnf Himalayan parka loftiness but with half the down, superb work. The thermium shell seems very robust and looks to be considerably more weather proof than the windstopper on the Ceres, the exterior is very similar to that of the nuclei AR if you want a rough idea. The hood has good adjustment and is snug, and yep you've guessed it, lofts up like a cloud! The fit is true to size. I'm a large in most arcteryx, a medium in the Ceres but definately a large in the Firebee. Cuffs are as you would expect from arcteryx. Perfect. This is a serious bit of kit and I'd throughly recommend it. Can't wait to test it properly. My only advice is to try it because it's very lofty!

I now have the second time this jacket. Its the best jacket ever, but be aware of that the main zipper has a manufacturing error - a tolerance problem makes it tricket to zip it for right handed people. It works when right handed people take it off and put in on the table. This is my second Firebee AR parkas so I am sure ut is a manufacturing error in zipper design

This jacket is beautiful and packs a lot of warmth in a lightweight and relatively slim package. I also love the gold lining inside to give it some style - nice contrast with the black outer shell. We've had an early arctic blast with 15 degree weather. I get cold very easily and this jacket kept me warm. The only problem is it's too short. The jacket sits just below the waist and my legs get cold even when I wear thermal bottoms, in addition to the jacket. This jacket would be 100% perfect if the length went down to just above my knee cap. Keep in mind that I'm only 5'7 so perhaps other people would welcome a longer jacket.

3rd time wearing the jacket under -8 in Toronto. Body part extremely warm, you will feel hot indoor. But lower arm near elbow, I felt chilly. I don't know it's just me or common issue ? third down pocket in arm part, low in down compare to other down pocket. And fit: I am 5.10 and 230lb and large felt a bit tight. you do not need sweater underneath but no room for that. XL is too big, there are no inbetween. Other than chilly arm issue I would recommend everyone who want to warm in winter.

3rd time wearing the jacket under -8 in Toronto. Body part extremely warm, you will feel hot indoor. But lower arm near elbow, I felt chilly. I don't know it's just me or common issue ? third down pocket in arm part, low in down compare to other down pocket. And fit: I am 5.10 and 230lb and large felt a bit tight. you do not need sweater underneath but no room for that. XL is too big, there are no inbetween. Other than chilly arm issue I would recommend everyone who want to warm in winter.

It has been a solid -20c, (-27c this am) in northern Alberta this week with wind chills to at least -30c, conditions which put the jacket to the test. Overall I'm pleased with the quality/warmth of the jacket. As stated in the cons, its not so much the zipper but the inside flap where there has not been enough attention paid to detail & the material, although angled away still gets caught in the first few teeth of the zipper & I find this extremely frustrating. I'm also foolish enough to own a NF Summit Series as well which actually lofts more than this jacket but personally I find arcteryx to be the warmest on the planet & own many pieces.

does anyone else get cold in the shoulders? somehow the down doesn't stay there, especially if you put your hands in the pockets (pulling jacket down). this and the crook of the elbows (known issue), call for synthetic insulation in these spots. I agree on zipper issue, it should not be. But I find if I give it a good shove in at the outset, it zips up pretty good. was worried about the color, but loving it now although a bit shiney. was told emblem was heat-sealed on, but its embroidered. was originally told elbow issue was not normal, was sent another jacket, but same thing with that one.

I just bought and subsequently returned this jacket it's amazing and seems incredibly warm except for two things: (1) Like so many reviewers have mentioned, please fix the arms by adding circumference to the outer shell. As is, it's too tight and the down insulation is completely squished on the lower arm, likely allowing frigid temps to penetrate the thin shell material. I have average or even thin-ish arms. (2) I think the size chart, or the labeled "fit", needs to be updated. I wear a medium in everything Arc'teryx (I have a variety of Arc jackets), but this jacket is very snug...as in I can't even wear a midlayer in this jacket it's so snug. I'm 5'10, 170lbs, and purchased/returned a medium. Sizing up would result in a longer jacket with way too long of arms.

I just bought and subsequently returned this jacket - it's amazing and seems incredibly warm except for two things: (1) Like so many reviewers have mentioned, please fix the arms by adding circumference to the outer shell. As is, it's too tight and the down insulation is completely squished on the lower arm, likely allowing frigid temps to penetrate the thin shell material. I have average or even thin-ish arms. (2) I think the size chart, or the labeled "fit", needs to be updated. I wear a medium in everything Arc'teryx (I have a variety of Arc jackets), but this jacket is very snug...as in I can't even wear a midlayer in this jacket it's so snug. I'm 5'10, 170lbs, and purchased/returned a medium. Sizing up would result in a longer jacket with way too long of arms.

I can't wear more than a shirt underneath this jacket, otherwise I can't get the thing on my arms. The sleeves are extremely tight. Too tight. Otherwise a great jacket. I'm average height and weight and I would describe my arms as fairly thin. No body builder here.

I can't wear more than a shirt underneath this jacket, otherwise I can't get the thing on my arms. The sleeves are extremely tight. Too tight. Otherwise a great jacket. I'm average height and weight and I would describe my arms as fairly thin. No body builder here.

The Firebee is a really warm and light jacket, which can be packed quite small. I was looking for a warm jacket, as I feel cold very fast. I am wearing the jacket now for 3 months and temperatures here dropped to -30c. The jacket kept me quite warm and at the same time felt really light. I've used the jacket also during snowy days and it was no problem! I also like the style because it looks different than other down jackets, because the baffles are inside the jacket. However, there is one drawback, which was already mentioned in other comments: The design of the sleeves is a big fail. I don't know why they did it or why they haven't noticed it but as soon as you wear the jacket, there is almost no down at the inside of your arm. All of the down is located at the the outside, in the region of your elbow. This results in cold spots, especially at the crook of the arm. Considering the price of the jacket, something like this should not happen. I am actually thinking about returning the jacket, because for a heavy price like this I am expecting a perfect warm jacket with no cold spots!

The Firebee is a really warm and light jacket, which can be packed quite small. I was looking for a warm jacket, as I feel cold very fast. I am wearing the jacket now for 3 months and temperatures here dropped to -30c. The jacket kept me quite warm and at the same time felt really light. I've used the jacket also during snowy days and it was no problem! I also like the style because it looks different than other down jackets, because the baffles are inside the jacket. However, there is one drawback, which was already mentioned in other comments: The design of the sleeves is a big fail. I don't know why they did it or why they haven't noticed it but as soon as you wear the jacket, there is almost no down at the inside of your arm. All of the down is located at the the outside, in the region of your elbow. This results in cold spots, especially at the crook of the arm. Considering the price of the jacket, something like this should not happen. I am actually thinking about returning the jacket, because for a heavy price like this I am expecting a perfect warm jacket with no cold spots!

Great coat, but for the price, the zippers should work flawlessly. Very disappointed as I though I found the coat I really wanted, only to have to send the 2nd one back as well. No way I'm the only one.

Let me be clear, the "star" I gave is only for craftsmanship. For this jacket itself, it has a great design, top, very Arc'teryx on the innovation of warmth-to-weight ratio. And I did compare with Ceres SV, at -20 C, hard to tell the difference. But this jacket can be packed much less smaller. This jacket is also more "puffy" than Ceres SV. However, Ceres have more room for layers. And perhaps Ceres SV wins in extreme condition, where you really need 100% warmth, rather than 95%, and you have room to carry Ceres SV. Now to craftsmanship, I wish I can give it ZERO star. I gave one star is really because I like this jacket. The stitching is dead even only with trying a few times, deciding to pick one between this jacket and Ceres SV. I attached a photo. Hope it can be addressed ASAP (before very cold days come, PLEASE). This is completely not acceptable for a jacket with 1,200 CAD tag. By the way, Ceres SV has much better stitching. Zipper also has issue, as pointed out by another post. And comments from internet. I do notice tiny down leak, but much better than my cerium. For less down in arm, while I think the design is OK, you do need less down in the bending direction so that you can move freely.

Let me be clear, the "star" I gave is only for craftsmanship. For this jacket itself, it has a great design, top, very Arc'teryx on the innovation of warmth-to-weight ratio. And I did compare with Ceres SV, at -20 C, hard to tell the difference. But this jacket can be packed much less smaller. This jacket is also more "puffy" than Ceres SV. However, Ceres have more room for layers. And perhaps Ceres SV wins in extreme condition, where you really need 100% warmth, rather than 95%, and you have room to carry Ceres SV. Now to craftsmanship, I wish I can give it ZERO star. I gave one star is really because I like this jacket. The stitching is dead even only with trying a few times, deciding to pick one between this jacket and Ceres SV. I attached a photo. Hope it can be addressed ASAP (before very cold days come, PLEASE). This is completely not acceptable for a jacket with 1,200 CAD tag. By the way, Ceres SV has much better stitching. Zipper also has issue, as pointed out by another post. And comments from internet. I do notice tiny down leak, but much better than my cerium. For less down in arm, while I think the design is OK, you do need less down in the bending direction so that you can move freely.

Sorry to suggest but the zipper on both the products that i purchased don't work satisfactorily.