Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket

I bought my first Beta AR ~5 years ago. Since then the jacket has been dragged across the mountains of BC hunting sheep, exposed to the African sun hunting kudu, and scrapped through the Northern QC forests for Moose. It has survived it all and insured I did as well. It has been worn all year round to protect from sun, rain, snow, and wind. I can't recommended this jacket enough- It can take some serious abuse and not only keep going, but be comfortable along the way. I've now just bought my second as I wouldn't consider another. The Beta AR has become a second skin. My only complaint about the jacket: My first one was made in Canada. My newest is made in China. I wish Arc'Teryx would hire and pay Canadians to make such great gear.

This is my third season with the Beta AR jacket and it has never let me down yet. I'm a geologist and I used to work in the Northern BC coastal mountains year round. I bought this jacket originally for field work. I've worn it in conditions ranging from a blizzard in -20C to pouring rain in the high alpine. Paired with a good base layer and an Atom LT jacket or Corvert Fleece, I've been comfortable in -20C as long as I kept moving. I've used this jacket on a 4 day trek over the Inca Trail in Peru and it kept me dry in the rain and cold. The jacket stands up well to abuse. Doing field work, I wear a heavy vest over top of the jacket and it shows no signs of wear on those contact points. I've carried small rock samples in the pockets without damaging anything. I've also got the jacket very dirty and put it through several wash cycles and it has held up very well through the washes and always comes out looking new.

I purchased my first Beta AR over ten years ago, maybe as much as 13 years ago but I don't recall exactly. In that time it has been worn hard year round. While it's by no means the lightest jacket around, it's tough. I've snowboarded in mine, done chores in it and miles and miles of canoe trips and backpacking. I even fell while skateboarding in it. A wrench put three holes in it, but a Gore certified repair shop got it almost as good as new. I bought a 2014 version because in that time I've lost a fair bit of weight and found the XL to be too big for my 6'1", 175 lb frame. I passed the old one to a friend and I expect it will be used for many more years. Comparing the old and new versions, it appears the new Gore Tex is lighter than the XCR that was in my last piece, and it shows in the way the fabric crinkles a bit more in the cold. The sleeve stash pocket has been moved to inside the chest which seems to be a nod to more electronic devices being used. The Beta AR is still minimalist in design, with no powder skirt, but the new cuff design supports gauntlet style gloves and under the cuff style equally well. The hood is ample for a helmet, and the length is reasonable. I find in sizing down the jacket is best supported by lighter weight base layers and mid layers than some of my older items. A heavy fleece plus an insulating layer makes this a bit constrictive. I will stick to lighter layers and active use for this jacket and keep something more ample for the deep deep cold.

Was in search for a rain coat that could handle both Portland, OR fall/winter every day wear and also serve as a shell for back country skiing. The Beta is like a suit of armor against rain and has the best breathability I have ever experience with Goretex. In my experience so far, the new material is lighter and breathes better while keeping its bombproof water proofing. Great stuff Arc'teryx! I am delighted with this purchase.

This is the best all around goretex jacket around, in my opinion. The fit is great for just about everything except skiing/snowboarding (you'd want a longer jacket with a powder skirt). The pit zips are very generous so feel free to sweat away. The harder wearing fabric on the high traffic areas are well appreciated too, especially if you're wearing heavy backpacks!

Un manteau offert ma fille, un manteau passe-partout. Elle est bien satisfaite.

I've owned this jacket for several months now and am very pleased. Despite my life long background in the outdoors (predominantly flat water paddling in Ontario#, I have never owned a waterproof/breathable jacket. It always seemed a bit of an oxymoron, but I finally bit the bullet and acquired one. I'm 5'1", 150lbs. A bit stocky, carrying a lot of my weight in the hips and quads, which became a prominent issue when selecting a 3L, minimalist Arc'teryx jacket. In order to get a comfortable fit around the hips, in most models I had to size up to a Large, which I was swimming in up top. I narrowed it down to the Theta AR and Beta AR, but ultimately went for the Beta AR because it fit slightly better. I did have concerns about the shorter length, but it was perfect for paddling in. Was a fantastic jacket soloing the west side of the Bowron in the first week of September this year. Plenty of rain, but kept me dry and not sweaty! Only issue I had was that the lighter I kept in my pocket the whole 5 days #under my life jacket and all# wore a hole through the pocket lining, which was a bit of a bummer.

I just returned from a deep sea fishing trip in Panama. On the water for three days and it rained almost all the time, heavily much of the time. My new Beta AR jacket did not leak at all. I especially liked the draw string around the head as it made the hood comfortable. It felt like wearing a baseball cap.

I tried Beta LT but I didn't like it, this one is the right one!

After a winter of cycling in rainy London weather, I can attest to the waterproofing of the beta AR. It's kept me dry, even when opening the pit zips to prevent overheating. And it leaves room for layering underneath.

Thanks to excellent materials, construction and fit, my Beta AR jacket has been virtually impenetrable to rain and snow. I waited several years for an excuse to invest in an Arc'Teryx jacket. That excuse came when I booked 4 weeks of mountaineering in the Peruvian Andes (during the rainy season). I needed something that was light and packable, but that could also withstand a wide range of mountain conditions. This jacket did the trick in a variety of temperatures and precipitation. Really amazing performance. My only issue is that it fits a bit on the short side. My base and midlayers often hang just a centimeter or two below the waistline. Not a big deal, but prospective buyers should bear this in mind given that Arc'Teryx offers jackets with longer cuts.

I bought the Beta AR primarily to protect me while Bass Fishing during rain events. I have tried other suits which are very heavy and hot, but not the Arc'teryx Beta AR. It is very light and comfortable and the rain beads right off. Such a nice Jacket. Lots of complements. rm

This jacket fits well, zippers seems strong and will be able to handel years of use.

Disclaimer: Neither Arc'teryx or Gore-Tex will vouch for this jacket's ability to protect against gunfire...but I seems impervious to almost everything else. I've taken the Beta AR on a number of adventures: skiing, climbing, bicycle commuting in the rain...but mostly just as an extra layer/windbreaker around town in the cold season. I bought the shell three years ago, right before a trip to the Wichita Mountains in Oklahoma in winter, where it came in handy and proved its mettle almost immediately. I got lost and ended up embarking on a three hour bushwhack/boulder crawl through dense, gnarled post oak in between savagely rough granite boulders in a near-freezing downpour. Despite elbowing my way through unrelenting, rough-hewn oak and squeezing through unpolished rock, the fabric never showed the hint of a scratch. Needless to say it never let any water in, nor did it scratch, tear, or leak over the next three years of abuse it endured. It still looked brand new by the time I lost it. Arc'teryx is the gold standard of professional outdoor gear. It carries the cachet of a luxury brand, but the impeccable styling is merely an afterthought compared to the attention to detail and quality that sets this company above the competition. I own the insulated Fission SV, and I'm buying the Theta AR soon to replace the lost Beta AR, and I suspect I won't have to spend money on any more shells for quite a long time (so sorry, Arc'teryx, but I do plan on buying harnesses and backpacks in the future). Yes, I'm an idiot for losing mine, but after my experience with the product I could never purchase anything from another company.

This is the best shell I've ever worn. It's incredibly light and the seams and zippers are things of beauty. The design is streamlined - nothing frivolous, everything has a purpose. I'm 5'5" and weigh 125lbs. I got the small in order to have room to wear layers. The fit is feminine and there is room for several layers underneath if needed. I've worn this jacket cross country skiing in below zero temperatures and been comfortable with a base and mid layer under the jacket. Nothing binds and the range of motion is excellent. The jacket has become a casual favorite as well - it's the first light weight one I grab for just about every occasion. A truly well made jacket that should last for years.

This jacket is exactly what is says... it kept me dry and warm. It's perfect for sking, hiking, and general rain gear. The vents were great when I got hot on the mountain. The only con I have is that I wish the cut of the jacket was a little more flattering for a women's body.

Windy, snowy, rainy, perfect. This shell paired with a synthetic base layer and light fleece is the perfect get up for fast and strenuous hiking in bad weather. Regulates body heat and moisture like a champ, no sweat chill when stopping for a stretch and handful of granola on the ridge line. No overheating on the steep climbs from lower, warmer elevations. Pit zips a must for me. Handles falls into rhododendron bushes quite gracefully, tough but light Gore-Tex Pro fabric is a durable skin that can handle abrasion well. Dual front pockets do a great job of holding my 21oz water bottle on one side and hat, gloves, & map on the other side. Easy access while wearing a pack. Also has convenient small pocket on inner left breast for small items like car key or DL. Cut fits nicely and works well in a range of activities. I am 5'10", 160lbs and Medium fits well allowing as much as a light fleece plus a NF Denali jacket to be worn underneath. I bought in Maize, Love this jacket! Thanks Arc'teryx, you are my first layer of defense in the mountains!

I had this product for about 10 years then bought a new one just for a change of colour (old one works fine). I use mine as a rain jacket in the spring and fall, and as a running jacket in the winter. It does a great job blocking out the extremely cold wind here in Winnipeg and keeps me warm enough if I layer up underneath it. I've run in -20 degree Celsius weather with it, and it's been great. Also taken it skiing and winter camping too. It does fit a little bit on the bigger side. I'm 5'3" 125 lbs and bought a size XS, I usually wear a small. The extra room is great if you want to layer up under this piece though. It's very light and packs well on my travels too!

I bought my first beta AR more than 7 years ago and it's been a fabulous and versatile jacket (biking/hiking/around town use#. Recently, the inside tape started to peel off the seams and the back hem came down so I sent it in for repairs. The jacket was still 100% waterproof even with these deficits, and the goretex was still in perfect condition after seven years. To my surprise, Arc'teryx replaced the jacket under warranty instead of repairing it. Great customer service and this company backs up its products #which are exceptional to begin with).

I own the 2004 version of the Beta AR, got it just after Arc'teryx revised the length of it. It has been to 4000 meters , and back. Excellent articulation, hood design, and bombproof construction. It's cut trim, but leaves enough room to layer as needed, I wore a Feathered Friends Volant jacket underneath it comfortably. However there have been times when wearing it in the city that I wished for a bit extra length. I've been looking into a paclite model from Arc'teryx for that purpose. Bottom line, this is the best all around shell, with typical Arc'teryx design perfection. Go get it!

I have the previous model in the light blue color from before the improved Goretex Pro Shell version was released. I purchased a Kappa SP jacket years ago, and after a number of years both the seams and the 3 later fabric started to wear pretty badly, but before all of that it had been my favorite shell jacket. Because the Kappa SP had been discontinued I decided to try the Beta AR and I have been very happy with it, I like the collar and hood combination very much. I have found this jacket to be very sturdy and I enjoy wearing it very much both in the mountains and around town. I would recommend it highly.

A great all round hardshell jacket with the usual Arc'teryx quality and attention to detail. Feels absolutely bombproof whilst being fairly lightweight. Remains 100% waterproof and windproof, and the Gore Tex Pro Shell fabric breathes fairly well. The pit zips are also useful for enhanced breathability. All the zippers have remained fully waterproof, and can be used one handed after a little breaking in. The Drop Hood is well designed, being large enough to fit over a helmet, but cinching down tight and moving around with your head when you are without a helmet. Personally however I prefer the Storm Hood design of the Alpha series as it offers more protection for the neck and chin area. The hand warmer pockets are positioned high enough so you can use them while wearing a pack or harness and are fairly large, I much prefer them to the crossover pockets of the Alpha LT and SV. The only downside I have found with this jacket is the fit. I am 6'1" tall, around 185 lbs with a 42 inch chest. I wear a large in Arc'teryx, and ordered my Beta AR in large. I own an updated Fall 2012 Alpha SV in large which I use as a winter shell as it has plenty of room for warm layers, and the Beta AR is just as roomy, of not more so, in the body with a slightly 'boxy' fit in the body and shoulders. I assumed due to the Alpha being an expedition fit, and the Beta more of an all round piece with an athletic fit it would be more stream lined and close fitting therefore more suitable as a shell for less cold conditions. Because of this I've ended up using the Beta AR for the same kind of activities I would use the Alpha SV for, so I will probably end up getting rid of it. Overall a great all round shell, versatile, and with quality and durability that will last for years and years. My Beta AR is made in China, and the quality is just as good as my Canadian made Alpha SV. I would recommend trying on for size before you buy as Arc'teryx fit guide was a little deceiving for me on this one!

Besitze die Jacke jetzt seit ein paar Monaten und bin rundum zufrieden. Mit meinen 182cm und 73kg passt mir M sehr gut, wobei es noch gengend Platz fr Isolationsschicht/en gibt. Bedeutet, sie ist mit einem dnnen Fleece nicht zu gro und z.B. mit einem zustzlichen Atom SV nicht zu klein. Die Kapuze lsst sich fr jede Gelegenheit perfekt einstellen und man hat jederzeit genug Bewegungsfreiheit mit den Armen. Schnitt ist bei mir, wie von Arcteryx beschrieben "hftlang". Zu guter letzt ist die Jacke ist mit 433g wirklich extrem leicht und lsst sich quasi berall verstauen. Ich wrde sie wieder kaufen

This is the one jacket thats kept n my jeep my pack and always there when I need it. Dont get me wrong online the alpha sv but wth the lack of pockets i always use this one. It's just roomy enough to wear over my down jacket . I've had this jacket in a downpour that lasted for 2 days and stayed amazingly dry.the jacket itself is very durable and will probally last me 20 yrs .

tres leger ,je le porte en toute occasion,les zips sous les aisselles sont tres pratiques lorsque la chaleur de votre corps augmente.je le porte avec le atom lt quand la temperature varie de 0 degr celsius et 15 ,sinon sans la doublure il offre une tres bonne protection contre le vent .