Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket

The Beta AR serves me perfectly well for each of my trips to the summit. However consider its overkill durability, might go for a lighter version for better versatility.

Just a homeschooling mom with active kids and we basically live outdoors. I've had a beta AR for years and years and it still looks new and works like New. I use it wherever I travel as it's compact light

I've had this jacket now for about 5 months and it has always turned heads whenever I walk past somebody. Not only that but the denier of the face fabric is so durable and it amazes me about the quality!

I just got this jacket this winter and wore it all winter and into the spring! Great in colder weather with my Cerium LT layered underneath or just a fleece in warmer weather and for higher out put activities. I wore this jacket doing lots of bush whacking and the fabric is very strong and resistant to abrasions. The thicker gore-tex is also nice for extra protection from the elements in the winter. Lots of room for layers underneath and the space around the shoulders allows for a wide range of mobility. Overall, this jacket has kept me nice and dry on super snowy and wet days! It also gives great protection from the wind.

I give this a solid 5 stars after 3 years of ownership. Some will ask, "Is it worth the money?", to which I will be honest, only if you actually need it. If you are buying Arc'Teryx, you are either an advanced outdoor enthusiast or rich, I am the former. The weight to quality benefits of this shell have been better than any other shell I or any of my friends have ever used. I have gone on multi-day treks where it poured down rain all day and I was the only one who stayed dry thanks to the Beta. During an unintended whitewater kayaking trip gone south with kayakers I found out in the moment had no idea how to kayak, I was able to stay dry while rescuing six people out of the water and then give away all my layers to my soaked compatriots because I had thankfully stayed dry due to this shell. Like, it literally contributed to saving lives that day/night we spent outside. Climbing in Alaska this coat has performed without fault and held up against some falls I thought for sure would have put a hole in the coat and the first time I wore this thing in the extreme cold wind I was amazed with the difference from other shells I have used. That being said, I would never buy this for daily wear or fishing or for light hiking and skiing. That is just not what it is for. So, if you're a hard charging adventurer looking for weight reduction, durability, and to stay dry, I can personally attest to this product, but if you're just an average person you really don't need to spend this kind of money for a shell. Hopes this helps anybody debating what product to buy.

Not sure the world needs another review on the Beta AR, but the quality is so good it deserves its due. Bulletproof is the word that comes to mind. I have been out in about 30 days of rain and the DWR is still working very well - much better durability than another brand's top rated jacket. It is also very windproof, cutting down on the layers needed - which the AR sizing permits, loose not sloppy. I also bought the Alpha SV (sale price same as the Beta AR and I am out several times a day in the rainy season). While it is too early for me to make a fair comparison with the Alpha, the Beta AR is so good I agree with some professional reviews which state only the truly hard core out in deplorable conditions for extended periods need anything beyond the Beta.

I bought the Beta AR in June of 2020 a month before I was supposed to be guiding a trip down the Missinaibi river for 29 days. After purchasing the jacket I was on Oxtongue, Gull and Madawaska river training our whitewater rescue skills. During these training weeks we experienced some of the worse weather I have endured during a canoe trip during the summer in southern Ontario. It was as cold as 12 degrees and constantly raining. My Beta AR kept me dry the whole time. I then went on a 29 day trip down the Missinaibi River which my group and I endured all types of weather including a large amount of rain. I have never had a rain jacket that is of this quality and that has all the important features that you could want in a warmer weather rain jacket. I would strongly recomend this jacket to anyone looking for a very well made, versatile, stylish and comfortable jacket. I am planning and taking this jacket on every trip I guide from now on including the extended canoe trips I'm through Canada next summer.

I have the grid version 2018 Beta AR and it's been great at keeping me dry in wet weather including 3 heavy downpours .

Zipping up this jacket is like closing the car windows; you know the weather is out there but you can't feel it!

I have had two versions of the Beta AR dating back to the year 2000. The jackets have both been fantastic from hiking and mountaineering to skiing. It layers exceptionally well with the Atom LT for most West Coast weather. Below that I have layered it under a belay jacket for very cold. I have worn these jackets hard and when they have started to come apart under hard wear Arcteryx has been way more than fair in their warranty support. When my last Beta died I updated to the Alpha for the storm hood. I am happy to pay the price for these jackets for the many years of excellent performance and strong customer support.

I've had mine since fall of 2016 and I'm still impressed. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE for the quality of this shell. It packs up so small that people are always amazed when I pull it out of my bag. It feels like it was cut just for me, the fit is perfect. Has everything you need and nothing you don't, period. Wind, snow, rain, even salt water spray are all no match. The chest pockets distribute weight incredibly efficiently. You can carry a walkie without feeling the weight or being pulled down at all! Really remarkable here! Hood fits easily over a helmet. If you've read this far you're overthinking it. This is a quality garment that you will enjoy for years.

Decided to take the plunge on this jacket before the hiking the Inca Trail and it was the best decision I made. The pit zips were my ultimate savour as it reduced the heat but still gave me the waterproof shell for when you're above the clouds hiking up the stairs. My Cerium puffer and base layers fit well under and my trekking group was very jealous and even took turns trying it out!

Material feels very durable but still breathable. Good fit - not too baggy, not too snug. For some people, two hand pockets might not be sufficient but I actually like the minimalist design.

this jacket is awesome. I work in forestry and this coat keeps my nice and dry everyday in the woods and is durable against branches while bushwhacking. this coat is also great for just around town or walking to school. its great for skiiing as well when paired with a puffy or other layers under! style is great, pockets are great, and hood is great. only thing that doesn't make it perfect is the length of the sleeves, they are way too long on me and i have to roll them up... size small was too small and now a medium is almost too big with the sleeve length! other than that it is my go to jacket and i will have it for years to come.

I purchased this jacket a month ago, and I absolutely love it. Fits great with or without layers. The water beads off in the rain, and the hood has some great adjustment options. As described, it's the perfect all round jacket.

Been using this for about two years now in moderate to heavy snow/rain. Can't give enough praise about how well this jacket stands up to it! Makes me feel invincible!

When my old favorite Sidewinder shell finally started showing a bit of wear, I had a tough time sending it away for repair (I somehow managed to detach most of the snow skirt after many years of use). When Arc'teryx received my "old friend", they told me that due to a repair backlog, I could either wait or trade it in for credit... I had been eyeing the Beta AR and decided to go ahead and trade the old girl in. I still miss that jacket, but the Beta AR has been a fabulous replacement- Good looks (that never even seems to get dirty!), amazing warmth and completely impervious to the worst that Mt. Bachelor or Mt. Hood can dish out. I'm so impressed with my Arc'teryx experience that I've been buying other gear, and I've learned for myself that everything they make carries the same amazing quality- the other manufacturers have their work cut out for them just to keep up.

Bought this jacket a few years ago and it the best jacket I have ever owned. I wear it all year around. The fit is great, I wear it alone in the summer during rainy days and in the winter I layer it with a sweater or my atom. Over all it's a wicked jacket and I use it for hiking to snowboarding and everything in between.

Extremely pleased with the Beta AR. Like all Arc'Teryx products, the quality is outstanding. There is nothing unnecessary on this jacket. It is perfect for what it was designed for. I also tried and returned the Alpha AR because I preferred the neck and hood and the pockets of the Beta. I am 5'9" 175# and the medium fits me close but with enough room to wear a pretty big puffy and two base layers under it and not lose any range of motion.

I bought this jacket off season this year and am now wearing it with our change in weather. It is such great quality, you can dress it up and wear it with good pants or pair it with jeans. I really value the many options for layering with it. The fit is great!

Feels like it will last a lifetime, mine already went through a lot and isn't showing a single sign of wear. I'm 175cm 62kg and wear a size L, enough space for a midlayer.

The gore-tex shell for this Beta AR is softer, less stiff, and provides just as much protection as my old Theta AR. The hood design is great and allows you to wear the jacket with the hood down while still maintaining a snug fit around the neckline. Zipper redesign seems a little cheaper, but so far they have performed well.

Amazing waterproof quality, excellent fit, very good breathability ! Just perfect

I got the Beta AR a few months ago, it is a great jacket and I find the range of adjustments perfect. I like that the arms are long as this avoids a wet cuff riding up your sleeve when you reach for something, nothing worse than that. I prefer this type of hood to the type integrated with the neck, especially for year-round use as it is easier to get out of the way when the sun comes out. My only gripe would be it is quite a noisy shell, but I'm not taking it hunting. Perhaps I have not broken it in enough yet. Highly recommend!

Bought this jacket in preparation for our hiking of the O Circuit of the Torres del Paine in Patagonia and used it on a recent hike in BC .. it poured rain the entire hike up and I stayed DRY!