Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Beta Insulated Jacket

Fits the gap between my ATOM AR and FISSION SV jackets. pit-zips make a big difference during periods of increased activities or transitioning indoors temporarily. External chest pocket is perfect for fast access to a phone. Excellent warmth to weight ratio.

I was looking for a product to replace my lost KAPPA jacket. The BETA fit the description!!! As a Professional Adventure Guide in the Canadian Arctic, I need a warm solid and well designed product, my life depend on it too often to cut the corners... Hope this jacket (it look like it will do) will match the old version of it. Hey! and by the way, I LOVE the "pit zip"

The Beta IS as I will insist on calling it is a fantasic all-winter insulated jacket. This fills a roll similar to the Alpha IS, Kappa and Fission SL - but much more versatile. It's warmer than an Atom LT, but not as stupid warm as the Atom AR. It feels a bit like a Proton LT glued to a Beta LT with the fit, coverage and features of the Beta SV. This means you can still engage in moderate output activities in cold weather without overheating, as well as functioning as a richly-featured belay/rest jacket in freezing wet weather. It's a great combination. Fit is TTS, with some room for layering over a Proton FL or just about an Atom LT of the same size. It's long like the Beta SV and Alpha IS, but two-way zip allows for routing a belay or sitting at rest comfortably (or taking a whiz). No snagging of the zip, I like it. Hood is pretty big but not Alpha SV big, completely uncinched it will just fit a size L Black Diamond climbing helmet. Easy to tighten down around a bare head and stays snug in place. Perfect size IMO. Just like the Beta SV, this will also be great for skiing without being niche. I think the design is supposed to fit under the new Alpha Lightweight Parka so we have a mild winter belay (30F/-1C, Beta IS), moderate winter belay (17F/-8C, Alpha Lightweight Parka), and extreme winter parka (-13F/-25C, Alpha Parka). The feature set and overall design is very similar. However the Beta IS with it's pit zips, 2L membrane, and lower synthetic fill enables it to be used across more active pursuits in colder weather with better breathability and venting. This is what makes it so versatile and so enjoyable to wear. I'll be using mine Scottish winter mountaineering, skiing, winter overland camping with my dog, and daily wear in the bitter wet cold of Northern Scotland when I just want to throw on a coat and seal out the elements. Fantasic piece, very well thought out, thank you Arcteryx.

I was so excited about this jacket and wanted to like it so badly, but two things really turned me off: 1) it ran a bit large and looked baggy on me for the normal size Large I always buy in Arc'teryx; 2) the sound was so "crinkly" I felt like I was wearing a plastic trash bag. I had seen so many good reviews of this jacket, but I couldn't get past the noise it made every time you moved in it. Unfortunately, while it may perform well, I had to return it

The star rating is kind of questionable due to the short time I have had the product. Longevity and usage will probably change my mind, one way or another. So far Ive only worn the Revised Beta insulated jacket in 28 degree weather. Initial feel on unpacking it is that it is rather thin and the fabric feels and sounds papery and easy to rip. It makes a papery noise all the time when putting on and off and hanging. My older North Fave Gore-Tex is thick and substantial. This one I am nervous about doing any work in it because it feels like it may tear or puncture easily. I could be wrong and maybe all the Gore-Tex is thin like this now. My older Army Gore Tex (30 years old) is thick and substantial like you would expect it. The North Face Gore-Tex (5 years old) is also thick like the military one. This one IS much lighter but in the cold that I wore it in, it was warm, comfortable and very light. Durability is my concern. I have high hopes for this jacket.

I'm 6'1" and 195 lbs and about a 39 chest. The large fits perfectly for layering with a down puffer. I could have gone with a medium but layering would have been tougher. I haven't put the Beta Insulated through all the paces yet, but I was able to take it out in 5F weather. This jacket is more useful and versatile because it, with the right layering, kept me comfortable while inactive (waiting for the train, sitting) and be used in more activities. I'll compare with my previous jacket the Camosun, which was down insulated. I could wear the Camosun in -10F with a t-shirt sitting at a football game and still be comfortable, but even in my quick 8 minute walk to my train, I'd be overheating in it. It was overkill for a lot of situations, but I bought it out of fear of Chicago winters. On just a few winter hikes with the Beta Insulated, I haven't got to the point of overheating. It's a good looking jacket too, so wearing it in the city won't be out of place. Other likes and dislikes are below. -Cuff is a velcro cinch. I miss the internal gasket from Camosun. -Double zipper is annoying to start, but it's also useful. If you haven't used one before, especially with sealed zipper, you should practice. -Hood and waist cinch toggles are very well executed, my favorite of any jacket so far. -Fabric noise is crinkly, but not scratchy. Walking with the Camosun was like rubbing two pieces of sandpaper together.

Only a couple of uses so far...but here's my 2 cents. I couldn't believe how warm this thing was compared to its weight. It feels like a feather but felt like I was indoors while wearing it. The gore-tex outer layer is extremely effective, but there is a certain humidity level that makes it retain a little bit of moisture. The interior was completely dry. I probably had it out on too warm of a day honestly. I would say the only things missing are a powder skirt and a pass pocket on the sleeve (ski jacket staples in my opinion.) I am curious to see how well the outer shell lasts after some time spent in heavy tree skiing. I wish there was a half star option in the ratings because I would give this a 4.5. It is very close to perfect.

The quality of this jacket is exceptional. However, the sizing is off. Medium was way too big and the sleeves were extra-long. Small was too tight around the chest and armpit. I am 5'10", 145#. Had to return both sizes.

Great jacket so far. I have only worn it a few times but it fits perfect. I like the pit zips, and how light it is. This will be perfect for skiing on the mtn and cold backcountry days!

Great coat, super light but very warm. Very windproof, for those cold windy Saskatchewan days!

Light and comfortable with perfect skape. Varm, but not too warm.

A Beta Insulated jacket wasn't on my radar, I would usually layer a down jacket with a waterproof shell. After using this Jacket on Ben Nevis as well as Glasgow's city centre, it has quickly becomes the "do everything" city garment, something this light shouldn't be so warm...

I'm usually a Medium but this one I had to get exchanged for a Small. Very warm, light, comfortable and the Blue looks amazing. 5'6 160lbs size Small.

This jacket is more blue than any black color. I have an older Beta jacket that I wanted to replace and was hoping this was it as the one I had is out of stock and not sure when will be available and this jacket did not do it. It is a nice jacket but does not match our old one so will wait till the other jacket is available. This jacket is very light.

The star rating is kind of questionable due to the short time I have had the product. Longevity and usage will probably change my mind, one way or another. So far I've only worn the Revised Beta insulated jacket in 28 degree weather. Initial feel on unpacking it is that it is rather thin and the fabric feels and sounds papery and easy to rip. It makes a papery noise all the time when putting on and off and hanging. My older North Fave Gore-Tex is thick and substantial. This one I am nervous about doing any work in it because it feels like it may tear or puncture easily. I could be wrong and maybe all the Gore-Tex is thin like this now. My older Army Gore Tex (30 years old) is thick and substantial like you would expect it. The North Face Gore-Tex (5 years old) is also thick like the military one. This one IS much lighter but in the cold that I wore it in, it was warm, comfortable and very light. Durability is my concern. I have high hopes for this jacket.

Really like everything about this new Beta Insulated EXCEPT how tight and restrictive the underarm area is. It feels like the pit zips are digging into my underarms and sizing up isn't an option because the rest of the jacket becomes way too large and baggy. Hopefully next year's model is revised to correct this issue.

Like many things Arc this jacket is incredibly warm for its weight. The zippers are the best, the hood is fantastic. The hand pockets are very soft on the hands. The details inside the jacket are fantastic... Bright colored zippers so you can see them in the dark and baffles in the hood and bottom hem that keep the warmth in when cinched, amazing. The stitching and functionality of the pit zips are the best in the business. All of these amazing features but for some reason they decided to make the outer layer garbage. Its crinkly like the old gore tex pac lite and makes me feel like I'm wearing a garbage bag.

Insulation works well. The hood is a bit well loose around the head. It's a decent jacket, but for the same price you could get two better ones and would not depend on extremely slow support.

I wish it had the same collar as the Beta SV. Otherwise it's a nice jacket.

The jacket has a *great* set of features for the price, but four issues get in the way: 1. the oddly-snug torso fit 2. the longer (but not tapered) hem drop makes it feel like a pencil skirt that lands under my butt. Give it 3" more in the hem, please. 3. The material that crams into your armpits 4. The lower double zipper that keeps getting stuck. If it was designed to have resistance, it's too much. Maybe speed bumps along the zipper instead? These are the killers of what could have been the ultimate jacket.

I bought this jacket a week ago and the quality is fantastic but the cut is very strange. It is tight under the arms but plenty of room around the lower torso. I have a very average shape, so it's not because I have a super-muscular chest (it's around 39"). Love everything else about it but had to send it back. Sizing up would presumably help with the fit across the chest but be much too loose around the waist. Hoping that this was just a bad batch and next year's version will be better.

Brought this jacket 2 days ago and have only worn it the once. This was brought as the Fission SV is no longer available. The bottom zipper keeps ridding up, not sure if this is common to the 2 way zipper or is a fualt. The general fit is good, but slightly longer in the cut than the Beta AR shell. From a Purley aesthetics point the original Arc'teryx logo over large single bird would look nicer. Also would have look better with outer pockets in each side, but that probably just my OCD and it not being symmetrical. My only reason for not recommending the jacket is due to the zipper. Out side of that the quality of the jacket is everything you would expect.