Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket

I have only had the jacket for a month. It has been used primarily for skiing. So far so good. I have one complaint that I have not experienced with other quality shells I have owned: the storm flap (wind flap?) behind the primary zipper is so narrow that it catches the zipper when zipping up one-handed. To be clear, the flap does not get caught in the zipper so as to jam it, but it does get scraped by the zipper. I expect it will eventually fray on the edge. A minor issue in terms of performance, but an annoyance and presumably something that could be designed away.

This jacket is the most versatile jacket I have come across. It is completely waterproof, can be used as a shell on summer hikes in the rain, fall events in wind and rain, cross country skiing during the winter, or for a casual night out on the town. The fit is great; I am a 5'1 female and have found most of Arc'teryx's products to have a tall fit, but this one fits right below the hips (right on the hips for normal-sized people). Also, it is roomy enough to throw a few layers on underneath without looking bulky, and without looking too loose without any layers.

This jacket is the most versatile jacket I have come across. It is completely waterproof, can be used as a shell on summer hikes in the rain, fall events in wind and rain, cross country skiing during the winter, or for a casual night out on the town. The fit is great; I am a 5'1 female and have found most of Arc'teryx's products to have a tall fit, but this one fits right below the hips (right on the hips for normal-sized people). Also, it is roomy enough to throw a few layers on underneath without looking bulky, and without looking too loose without any layers.

This jacket was my entry into the world of Arcteryx. I love its minimalistic design, sleak enough to wear it downtown when the sky is crying over New England. Ideal for climbing and mountaineering, harness fits well underneath. Well designed storm hood, keeps you perfectly protected. So far, no problems at all with waterproofness. Had the jacket for a year and wore it all year round. Unfortuntely and to my surprise, the inner lining started to rip after only three month. I expected this jacket to hold for longer. Nonetheless, I sent the jacket to Arc'teryx and received it back three weeks later - the repairs are invisible. Great customer service. The lifetime guarantee was definitely an argument for me to buy the jacket in the first instance. And yes, ahem, the jacket might cause envy among your outdoor friends...or even from your totally not-outdoorsy mom.... As the picture shows, the Beta AR protects you from the elements..

I had to move up to one size larger than normal to accommodate the layers that I use during the winter months. The multiple layers made it tight in the shoulder and armpit area. I'd rather take off layers than feel cold. I also use it in the spring and fall for sailing and boating, since the seams are welded and the zippers are waterproof. I have the version made in Canada - I understand they are now made in China.

Like the jacket - the green color is a tad "off". It's a Kelly green, which some might love, but a bit too yellow/grey for my taste. I traded for black. Too bad there aren't better colors.

I want to buy a men's Beta AR jacket but the colour selection right now is awful. Phenom, daze (ugly yellow) and bitters colours are awful looking. Please bring back Vitality and Fluidity blue and the bright yellow from last season. I'll keep checking the website until better colours arise!

Have had this jacket for about 6 years. Liked the model, used it weekly, both in town and regular trekkings. Took care of the jacket as recommended by you and your instructions, It`s important to me to have a product that really works, function in bad weather. After 4-5 years, it leaked over shoulders and back, and around my sleeves, really bad. Most seams fell apart during the same time. To bad durability for this price. Not sure that gore-tex is a reliable product over time.

I bought this jacket, expecting I could fit my phone into the inside pocket. But guess what: THE POCKET IS TOO SMALL TO HOLD A PHONE. Unbelievable. The only thing people would likely put into an inside pocket is a phone and they make the pocket too small. Seriously guys? Very disappointed.

I bought this in March '21 and have used it pretty extensively in a variety of contexts, both as an everyday shell and an essential piece of rain gear when in the wilderness. I'd like to say it has performed above and beyond my expectations but it has been rather spotty performance-wise due to the rather short half-life of the DWR treatment it arrived with. However, when I've recently reapplied DWR to it, it is fantastic.

I bought the updated Beta AR last fall for backcountry skiing and ended up selling it this fall. The first time I wore it skiing I had to go between two pine trees whose branches brushed either arm. I ended up with substantial scratches on both arms. I thought this was updated with "Most Rugged" material? I am also not a fan of the drop hood at all. If you have any hooded layers underneath the hoods bunch up around your neck and are very uncomfortable. It is also not as protective as a storm good. Plus, when worn casually the collar does not look good at all folded down. The cut of the Large size has too narrow shoulders and too expansive of a midsection so when worn with a thicker midlayer your silhouette is very round. All that being said it is a very well built piece which strikes many good compromises to be the only shell you need.

I bought this jacket a year ago for a long stomp around Europe (I intended to get the Zeta AR but came out the store with this instead) I was out for a whole winter in this, one week in the worst rainfall I've ever been caught in and I was comfortable, if not pleased, to be out hiking in that. Also came back without a scratch or a stain despite the rough treatment it was given. So when it really counts, this jacket aces it! But on the day-to-day or to take with you just-in-case it's a nuisance. The hood is just irritating, the fabric is noisy and the fit is awful if you aren't properly layered. I ended up buying another 3L in a similar style to the Zeta which is my go-to while this has stayed in a wardrobe undisturbed for several months until conditions made it worth breaking out again recently. The jacket is undoubtably a worthwhile investment for serious outdoor types with frequent cause to be layering up, wearing helmets and getting the use out of the jacket it is marketed for. If, like me, you are mainly out and about in mild but wet conditions and not climbing on anything more challenging than the back of a horse, I'd say Arc'teryx have better products for you to splurge on. The three stars reflect the cast-iron five stars it deserves for the four months of the year I've got out of it.

Bought this jacket specifically to wear for Kilimanjaro climb. On the summit night, it was sleeting with temperatures definitely in below freezing point. Maybe because it was so cold the jacket's waterproofing didnt hold as advertised. The synthetic jacket I was wearing underneath the Beta got wet. Luckily I had on a fleece layer under to keep me warm.

The 3rd outing with my jacket resulted in it getting 'wetted out' I.e. the gortex got so wet by the rain it affected its performance and ability to breathe which in turn made me pretty uncomfortable and susceptible to cold from the moisture inside.The recommendation is that a DWR coating should be reapplied but I find it hard believe that this should be necessary so soon. I would not recommend this jacket especially if you are working hard in the mountains and really need both a very breathable and waterproof shell.

I have worn Arcteryx gear for many years on many outdoor adventures and always loved the comfort and durability, however something odd happens when I layer my Beta AR over a Nuclei Hoody or Cerium LT. The oddity is that almost immediately excessive moisture builds up between the inside of the Beta AR and the outer layer of my Nucei or Cerium. I am not a 'sweaty guy', however, a lot of moisture gets trapped between the 2 layers with no where to go. I have tried opening the pit zips to no but the arms and back or still soaked in moisture (and opening the pit zips defeats the sole purpose of layering up...too keep warm!). Not sure if Arcteryx testers have experienced this... thanks to anyone that can share their thoughts.

I have worn Arcteryx gear for many years on many outdoor adventures and always loved the comfort and durability, however something odd happens when I layer my Beta AR over a Nuclei Hoody or Cerium LT. The oddity is that almost immediately excessive moisture builds up between the inside of the Beta AR and the outer layer of my Nucei or Cerium. I am not a 'sweaty guy', however, a lot of moisture gets trapped between the 2 layers with no where to go. I have tried opening the pit zips to no but the arms and back or still soaked in moisture (and opening the pit zips defeats the sole purpose of layering up...too keep warm!). Not sure if Arcteryx testers have experienced this... thanks to anyone that can share their thoughts.

Bought this jacket based on so many positive reviews but very quickly was met with sore disappointment at how short this jacket is up front. I have many mid-layers and all but 2 protrude from the bottom of the front of this jacket .... by less than 1". Seriously!? The front of the BETA AR is cut in a weird way that won't cover mid-layer products at the front of the jacket because it's cut and sewn short. The weirdest part is I tried the same jacket - a different L in store and it seemed longer up front but the jacket was much larger in the armpit area. Who cuts the material before the jackets are sewn!!??? The one I brought home was just right, but was shorter at the zipper. Go figure. Nice looking jacket, would be my new go-to jacket for back-country and city outings, but the high cut front is a real shame and a deal-breaker!!! Set my sights on this jacket after a lot of research and reading - won't be wearing it and can't recommend it either, back it goes and back to the drawing board for me. Arc'teryx folks, if you're reading this - make the front 1" lower and leave the back as it is, add a pocket in the sleeve, make the inside pocket larger and you'd have a SOLID winner. Current (2017/2018) colour combinations are great, BTW.

Bought this jacket based on so many positive reviews but very quickly was met with sore disappointment at how short this jacket is up front. I have many mid-layers and all but 2 protrude from the bottom of the front of this jacket .... by less than 1". Seriously!? The front of the BETA AR is cut in a weird way that won't cover mid-layer products at the front of the jacket because it's cut and sewn short. The weirdest part is I tried the same jacket - a different L in store and it seemed longer up front but the jacket was much larger in the armpit area. Who cuts the material before the jackets are sewn!!??? The one I brought home was just right, but was shorter at the zipper. Go figure. Nice looking jacket, would be my new go-to jacket for back-country and city outings, but the high cut front is a real shame and a deal-breaker!!! Set my sights on this jacket after a lot of research and reading - won't be wearing it and can't recommend it either, back it goes and back to the drawing board for me. Arc'teryx folks, if you're reading this - make the front 1" lower and leave the back as it is, add a pocket in the sleeve, make the inside pocket larger and you'd have a SOLID winner. Current (2017/2018) colour combinations are great, BTW.

Debating keeping this jacket. I like everything, but the fact that the Internal pocket is not big enough for and iPhone 6 or s8+. That only leaves hand pockets for cell phone, or pants pockets which is too awkward for climbing or skiing. No reason they couldn't have made the pocket entrance bigger. If I hold my phone up to the pocket it looks like it would fit, but as the zipper is only 3/4 of the way across in the middle there is no way to get it in. I'm worried the other models of the jackets would be the same.

Debating keeping this jacket. I like everything, but the fact that the Internal pocket is not big enough for and iPhone 6 or s8+. That only leaves hand pockets for cell phone, or pants pockets which is too awkward for climbing or skiing. No reason they couldn't have made the pocket entrance bigger. If I hold my phone up to the pocket it looks like it would fit, but as the zipper is only 3/4 of the way across in the middle there is no way to get it in. I'm worried the other models of the jackets would be the same.

Overall a good jacket, I wish it was better for the price I paid. I had the Theta AR before it was damaged, Arc'Teryx was unable to repair the jacket and offered me the Beta AR, I accepted. Big mistake! The jacket is much too short around the waist, in casual settings your under layers poke out of the bottom of the jacket and with a pack on the jacket constantly rides up past the waist strap and causes lots of discomfort. I've had the jacket for 3 years now with moderate use and I've noticed the layers separating and causing bubbling around the wrist area. The outer material is quite durable, I've walked through plenty of thick brush and rubbed up against boulder and only experienced one small tear in the outer fabric. This jacket will keep you dry and warm with sufficient layers. Do yourself a favour and get the Theta AR, great jacket, just unhappy about how short the waist is.

Hello!, I would like to know what size is the right one for me in the next model: BETA AR JACKET MEN'S. In Madras color. My height is 1.60 m. I will appreciate you let me know the right size. Also I would like to know how much will it be the final price if you send it to Finland. Thank you very much!, Luis

Hello!, I would like to know what size is the right one for me in the next model: BETA AR JACKET MEN'S. In Madras color. My height is 1.60 m. I will appreciate you let me know the right size. Also I would like to know how much will it be the final price if you send it to Finland. Thank you very much!, Luis

I bought this jacket last year and used it to hike all year long and in the city as my raincoat. Upon receiving it, I thought the material was a bit weird, kinda like crinkly plastic. I later noticed that a friend of mine had the same jacket, but from 2 or 3 years ago and the finish is completely different, it's smooth to the touch, not crinkly, and frankly a lot nicer. Another thing I noticed is that the fabric marks very easily. My jacket (Admiral) has permanent scratches and marks. I don't think this is normal. None of my other, older shells ever had those. (see photos) The original DWR coating didn't last more than 3 or 4 months before I had to renew it. Considering the price, this jacket should perform far better. I don't feel like I have a top of the line product.

I bought this jacket last year and used it to hike all year long and in the city as my raincoat. Upon receiving it, I thought the material was a bit weird, kinda like crinkly plastic. I later noticed that a friend of mine had the same jacket, but from 2 or 3 years ago and the finish is completely different, it's smooth to the touch, not crinkly, and frankly a lot nicer. Another thing I noticed is that the fabric marks very easily. My jacket (Admiral) has permanent scratches and marks. I don't think this is normal. None of my other, older shells ever had those. (see photos) The original DWR coating didn't last more than 3 or 4 months before I had to renew it. Considering the price, this jacket should perform far better. I don't feel like I have a top of the line product.