Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket

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!

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 .

I bought this jacket in 2005. I travel all around the world regularly and I always take it with me. It has worked impecably in rain forests, desserts, rock climbing, running under the rain and even snowboarding. After eight years of average usage the bottom gaiter became unglued and some of the draw strings where damanged. I sent an email to Arcteryx and the fixed it for me free of charge!! Thank you Arcteryx, definitely worth the price!

My first jacket I owned from this company was the Gamma MX Hoody. That is really my go to jacket for everyday use. But living in the PNW demands something that is water proof and light. I used this jacket in combination with my Gamma AR pants in a serious downpoor and I couldn't help but smile because I never once got too hot during the hike and I stayed completley dry. I have used this jacket as well to go for a run in and having the arm pit zippers really helps to keep you from sweating a bunch and soaking the jacket inside. Be careful on sizing if you order on line and haven't tried on the jacket first. My Gamma MX is a large but this one fits me a little smaller in size medium. Unless you want it to be larger to fit over a sweatshirt or whatever layering piece you use. One last thing, get used to getting lots of comments on it. People have on several occasions complimented on the material and the look. But what else can one expect from this company? Nothing but perfection.

I recently sold my Beta FL in order to finance the purchase of this jacket. The FL is an absolutely fantastic lightweight shell, but it didn't quite offer the versatility that I needed. Here in the UK we get so much wet weather, that You can expect to wear a waterproof jacket for at least two thirds of the year. Added to that, just about any hillwalking or mountaineering expedition, no matter what time of year it is undertaken, will likely require the use of a full set of waterproofs. For really horrible weather, I have my Alpha SV in reserve. When clinging onto the side of one of the Scottish Munro's in the deep midwinter, nothing else will suffice. For everything else, this jacket is perfection. It is durable enough to be used in almost any situation, yet it is incredibly lightweight and actually very breathable. I found very little difference Between active shell and this ProShell construction in this respect. I do run hot, so breathability is a huge issue. As to the other features and benefits, all the usual advantages apply. Fit and finish, quality and construction is all industry leading. One-handed draw cords, pocket openers, hood adjustments, all present. The high wear protective areas have done a job admirably. In the short time I've had this jacket it has been put through its paces and has passed with flying colours. It still looks like new. Truly an incredible all-rounder. It suits that just about any eventuality, and as such is my new favourite piece of clothing. Very difficult to fault.

I originally had a Beta AR jacket in XL and to be honest it was huge. I lost weight and downsized to a large which is much better. They are made slightly big. I'm 5'11" and 182 lbs and the lareg is perfect for me. I venture out into the Scottish hills in this every weekend. You can get 4 seasons in one day at any time of the year here so you need the gear to compliment this. I pair the Beta AR with the Alpha SL pant when the precip up's a notch. The jacket I have is a Canadian made one but it doesn't matter where they are made as they are all constructed with amzing skill and precision. Yea, the price is high but you only pay for what you get.

I bought this jacket last summer after a camping trip in Crowsnest, AB where it poured all weekend. My rain jacket from another big outdoor manufacturer was soaked through after a couple hours the first day and never fully dried out again during the trip. I had never owned any Arc'teryx gear before this jacket but a friend of mine swore up and down by his Beta AR so I sought one out and bought it. A few weeks later on another camping trip around Princeton, B.C. we had another steady downpour. Standing around outside for several hours nothing other than my hands got wet. This jacket comes with me almost everywhere now since it's fairly light and packable. The chest pockets are also positioned perfectly so if you put your hands in them while it's raining your forearms are angled up a little and water doesn't run down them and into the pockets. The face material is strong enough that it's taken several branch scrapes while hiking with no marks left behind. The jacket also seems to be sized a little bigger so you can layer underneath it, but not so big that you're swimming in it with just a t-shirt on. I picked the red colour so that I'm easier to spot when crossing a street downtown on a grey day. It's a bright colour that stands out without being obnoxious.

I am lucky in that I receive some Gore-Tex products for testing purposes. I do not get paid for this but I get to keep the occasional jacket. So I have had a lot of experience in comparing and critiquing different jackets and the Beta AR is by far my favorite. The Proshell build is bombproof but super lightweight and packable, the hood is perfect and super adjustable, the pockets are in all of the right places, and the fit is fantastic: trim without compromising space for layering. This shell will keep out the coldest wind and rain, but the brushed interior means that it won't feel sticky on a humid day with only a t-shirt underneath. This jacket is absolutely year-round-all-types-of-weather-all-locations-incredible-perfect. Get it.

i adore this jacket. the fit is perfect. It's light and built right.... pit zips and waterproof. i am 6.1 215 pounds and i have a large. the cut seems to be a bit slimmer than other brands but i can still layer a little. I feel the fit is perfect for me. length is perfect. If you like a longer jacket, they have other models that can accommodate. This jackets been hit by trees and bounced off rocks and it's still in one piece. Still waterproof. Enjoy! As a disclaimer, I am affiliated with Gore for product testing of Gore-tex products for the purpose of product review and recommendation. I do receive items from Gore for these purposes.

This is by far the most effecient winter jacket I have owned! This jacket is very light, considering it's a winter shell, and it's entirely waterproof and breathable. As a ski instructor, I worked moer days in the rain this season than snow and this was the jacket I wished this jacket was our uniform! The hood is versatile and can be worn with a helmet, or adjusted to fit just over your head. The pit zips were my favorite feature this winter with such mild to unnaturally hot winter conditions. Also, the wrists are easily adjustable when wearing gloves, which is convenient. Although it looks narrow in the picture, the jacket fits to size. I have wide hips and I never felt like the jacket was not a proper fit for me. In fact, it was less constricting on my hips than other jackets I've previously owned. This is, hands down, the best winter jacket I've come across. Whether it's winter backpacking or shredding down major ski terrain, this is the jacket I will always take with me!

So far i haven't used this jacket for much heavy activity, so I can mostly only comment on fit-related items right now. I'm about 5'8 and 155 pounds, so I wear a medium in just about everything, although sometimes i run into problems because my belly is proportionately larger than my skinny arms, but i haven't had any problems with this jacket at all, it fits close enough to not look ridiculous if i am only wearing a shirt underneath (like a dress shirt on the way to work in the rain) but i wore it skiing also and was able to fit a base layer t-shirt, long-sleeved base layer and then a sweatshirt over it with room to spare. also, i wanted a jacket that was not long fitting at all, and that's what i got with the BetaAR, but because of the way the jacket is cut, the bottom of the jacket barely rides up when you lift your arms which is ideal. I have worn it on a couple of bike rides to the grocery store and when skiing on a spring day, and in both situations the jacket was breathable but still kept out the wind amazingly well.

I love the fit of this jacket. Roomy enough for layering, and not too long. Hood is very adjustable and protects well. And the Cardinal colour is awesome. I'm 5'9" and find the sleeves a little long (I wear a large). I have several shells (Arc'teryx and others), and this is my go-to every time.

This is my first Gore-tex jacket, let alone my first 'pro shell' Gore-tex. I can tell you that there is an instance difference when putting this jacket on to others that you may have worn before. I have other jackets but there is a confidence Arc'teryx beta AR give you that is not like anything eles I've owned. You won't be disappointed if you purchase this jacket. Other brands are a long way behind!! Thank you Arc'teryx

This is a great jacket that I typically reserve for summer downpours. For my use I probably would be better off with a Beta SL as the AR is not all that packable. I do stuff it into a bag from time to time and it's very wrinkled when I pull it out but the wrinkles seem to disappear on their own after a few minutes. Doesn't really roll up as well as the PacLite material which may be obvious. I'm 5'8" 150lbs and with a Small it fits well with room to layer just about any mid/insulation-layer including the Atom series. Waterproof? Yep. 8+ hours of hard downpour tested during one hike and dry as a bone. Notepad and phone in the exterior pockets were dry. Durable? Yep. I haven't worn this jacket all that much but it has already taken some abuse against rock and gravel and it still looks brand new. Lightweight? Yep. What does this jacket actually weigh? Feels like nothing. If you need a wearable shelter from the weather don't hesitate to buy this jacket.

This is the best jacket I've ever owned. I've done tons of hiking/camping/canoeing/etc. with mine and it's always kept me dry and with a good midlayer, warm as well. I have the amazon color which is fantastic. The jacket fits a bit bigger than the Beta SL I replaced with this jacket. This allows more layers to be worn underneath, but does make it slightly larger - something to keep in mind, especially if ordering online. The fabrics of this jacket are incredible and I'm glad they went to the new front zipper which seems much more robust and durable than the previous version (which already was pretty bomb proof). I use this jacket to go camping on the weekend and then (as long as it doesn't smell too much like smoke) wear it to work throughout the week. I've never had a jacket this versatile. I use this jacket as a rain jacket all summer, a wind breaker/rain jacket all spring and fall, and as a winter jacket with a thick fleece jacket underneath all winter. Basically this jacket never leaves my body or my pack. My girlfriend has the same one in black and she also agrees that this is her absolute favorite piece of clothing.

I got my Beta AR a few months ago and have been putting it through its paces in the mountains, on long bike rides, with heavy packs, and in a growing variety of conditions. When it's not needed, it can fold down to nothing and can sit in a corner of a backpack or even a large pocket, but when it rains, it's like wearing a thin layer of armor. Arc'teryx has reinforced this where it matters and despite some punishing trips through bushes, brambles, and mud that lasted for hours, it still looks brand new. Dirt washes off easily and quickly. Pit zips are an invaluable, higher-end addition and make a difference in rapidly changing weather or altitudes, something I didn't fully appreciate until I had them for the first time in this jacket. Was kind of skeptical about the waterproofing of the zippers, but after a long hike in a downpour and coming out bone dry (the breathability of the Gore-tex fabric really works too), I'm a believer. Finally, fits well at size and exudes high style, but still leaves room for a decently thick underlayer or two since the Beta AR offers virtually no insulation of its own. If you're sitting on the fence, don't bother. It's a keeper.

I have owned the Beta AR for a little over a year and it is the best fitting, best performing rain shell I have ever had. I am 6'4", 200lbs. and the large fits me perfectly. I have used it in a variety of very wet, very windy conditions and it has performed flawlessly. I have owned the "best" rain shells from Mountain Hardwear, TNF, and others. These jackets don't fit me as well and while they perform similarly to the Beta AR initially, they start having performance issues after six months or so. I am confident the Beta AR will perform exceptionally well for years. This jacket is expensive, but if you consider its quality and the performance guarantee, it is more reasonable.

It's been quite a while since I bought my first Arc'Teryx jacket, the Theta AR, and with good reason: I never needed to buy another! I wore it beneath pack straps, scraped it across the craggy surfaces of river bluffs and once during a sudden rainstorm used it as an impromptu bag for my camera equipment. Recently, though, I updated by purchasing a new Beta AR and I'm really liking the versatility of its shorter length. I'm 5' 8", 190lbs and the large size provides the right amount of room for layering when it's cold and hits comfortably right around my waist. Here's to another decade of wear.

I do love Arcteryx kit and have many items. I've had four generations of this jacket and to me they seem to be getting flimsier in order to reduce weight and using more eco friendly waterproofing which doesn't last as long (in my experience anyway). Fit is excellent and well protected in elements.