Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket

I bought this jacket after a long search. I have the Arc'teryx Fission AR jacket and I loved it! The fit is slimmer than most jackets. I have layered a capeline, and heavy fleece under and it works well. I am 5'10 and 210lbs so room is important and this jacket mixes a slim fit with the right amount of room. I took it white water rafting in early June in Colorado and it repelled everything the river threw at me. It also has a regular hood which isn't bad, but the hood fit well over my helmet. I bought this jacket because I wanted a lightweight jacket for spring and late fall. I couldn't be more happy. I also have the Outdoor Research Mentor jacket that has the Gore-tex pro shell and I don't really even use it because of this jacket. The only complaint I would have is that there are only two pockets. Adding a chest pocket would make this jacket a step better. Overall, it kept me dry when I needed it too. Good ventilation even without the pit zips.

This jacket is fantastic. Its much more affordable than the Arcteryx Theta jacket and the weather protection is just as good. It is lightwieght and packs away very small in your pack. It is fully waterproof. The tension cords around the waist secure the jacket below the hips which is good to keep the weather out. Even though the hood doesnt detach, it rolls up very tight. I have had this coat in the crater of Broken Top in the Central Oregon cascades when the wind and snow coming up the slope was 35 mph easily. This jacket took it all. Yes, the Theta is the Bentley of jackets, but the Beta is much more affordable with fantastic durability and performance. I rated it four and not five because of the zippers. The zipper handles are terribley small to handle with gloves on and tough to pull without opposite tension. Other than that, sweet jacket.

I live in the UK, where it rains as much as shines, so have had ample opportunity to test out this jacket. It works incredibly well in keeping me dry. It's extremely lightweight and packable, which definitely comes in handy when layering and you want to stash the jacket. Hood is easy to tighten, but isn't quite snug enough when in use (a problem when dashing across the street or trying to take in views). Lack of pit zip doesn't bother me too much. What is kind of annoying though is the length of the jacket. I'm 5'9" and about 160 and the bottom barely runs past my waist. I have a medium-weight Marmot fleece that sticks out slightly from the bottom, so it gets wet when I wear it with the jacket. Overall a really nice jacket but not sure if I'd buy it again or try another brand.

The jacket is bare bones, no liner faric or pockets other than the two front ones, i kinda wish that it had an inside pocket or something, but then that would defeat the point of its low weight. the membrane on the inside is a little funny feeling on bare skin, but it breaths great and the construction quality is very good. It is completly waterproof and even the pockets are water tight to the inside so, you could take a shower with it on and not get wet. It is one of the made in china Arc'Teryx coats though, but at the same time its still better then many products that are american made. fit is very good, i got a medium and im 5'9" 185, i can still wear a fleece or softshell underneath.

The jacket that I have is older and only has on little chest pocket but I don’t mind to busy to put my hands in my pockets. If you want a good, light waterproof jacket this is the way to go. No frills no thrills just a waterproof jacket that will go anywhere. Its to light not to throw in. Get it cause you want to have your raingear with you and not leave it in the car cause its just a little to much weight. Gore tex for those of you who dont know is the only way to go!

The jacket that I have is older and only has on little chest pocket but I don’t mind to busy to put my hands in my pockets. If you want a good, light waterproof jacket this is the way to go. No frills no thrills just a waterproof jacket that will go anywhere. Its to light not to throw in. Get it cause you want to have your raingear with you and not leave it in the car cause its just a little to much weight. Gore tex for those of you who dont know is the only way to go!

I don't go hiking without it any more. The jackets folds into nothing and can fit into a cargo pocket in the pant. If it gets really cold outside, less than 20F (with wind), then I need to layer properly. The pac-lite isn't as breathable as the gore tex pro-shell.

Styling wise ARc'Teryx is hard to beat. The extra cost comes in for the water proof pockets/zips, which is soooo worth it. I can walk around with my phone, wallet, electronic keys on my pocket in the rain. Have used it for snow tubing and it worked wonderfully.

Super light, but didn't handle a pacific northwest rainstorm very well. After prolonged exposure to light rain, the jacket started weeping a bit inside. But for its weight it was more than acceptable. It blocked wind extremely well and kept me very warm over a base layer in the snow when active. A small ember blew out from a campfire and burned a hole in my jacket though, so I think I'm getting a little more resistant shell from arcteryx for climbing and using this around town. Cobes approved. I'm 5'10", 165, and a medium fit me perfectly.